Gavin Doyle has made a career of guiding people through their Disney Park visits, as the founder of Mickey Visit, a Disney travel site that features news and tips designed to help park-goers “save money, experience more.”
“Get there early is our time-tested, proven tip,” said Doyle. “Southern Californians like to sleep in, so if you are there at rope drop you can really accomplish a lot.”
Another hot tip Doyle gives to those visiting Orange County for a Disney trip is scheduling a stop at the Hilbert Museum of California Art in Orange.
“The Hilbert Museum is the perfect complement to any theme park visit to Orange County,” said Doyle.”It’s free and it’s a really relaxed and wonderful way to spend an afternoon.”
Disneyland concept art and ephemera are part of the Hilbert Museum’s permanent collection, including this unicorn model from Disney’s 1940 animated film “Fantasia.”
(Sarah Mosqueda)
The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University was founded in 2016 by art collectors and philanthropists Mark and Janet Hilbert. The museum was made possible by a major gift the Hilberts gave to Chapman University in 2014. In February 2024, the museum reopened after undergoing a three-year expansion that tripled its size.
Today, the Hilbert is home to one of the world’s largest collections of California narrative art, including an extensive and diverse collection of Disney art.
The museum’s permanent collection features Disney and Pixar animation cells, illustrations, storyboards, movie posters and promotional pieces, along with other Disneyland concept art and ephemera.
“Regardless of the season, local and visiting Disney fans can always count on there being something special for them at the Hilbert Museum,” said Mary Platt, Hilbert Museum director, in a news release. “The breadth of our Disney holdings allows for a near-infinite number of show possibilities.“
A current exhibition, “Jørgen Klubien at Disney and Pixar,” on view through Nov. 1, explores the work of the Denmark-born artist who served as a key visual storyteller on titles like “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Pocahontas,” “Mulan,” “Toy Story 2” and “Monsters Inc.” through his drawings and storyboards.
On Oct. 15, the Hilbert Museum and Mickey Visit are partnering to co-host the first-ever Disney Fan Day at the museum.
“It’s really exciting to get to bring some of our Mickey Visit audience to the Hilbert, to bring more awareness to it among Disney fans who are already coming to the area,” Doyle said.
Bradford J. Salamon, Disneyland Vintage 1960 – Anaheim 2017
(Courtesy of the Hilbert Museum)
Multiple special activities, both free and ticketed, are planned for Disney Fan Day, including a Q&A with Doyle in the North Galleries at 2 p.m.
Doyle was only 13 years old when he started Mickey Visit, inspired by his own family’s annual trips to Disneyland.
“We grew up coming to Disneyland from Northern California and we loved coming to Disneyland and Orange County in general,” Doyle said. “It started as just fun family time, but then I became interested in the history and the artists and Imagineers that made the place work … I was also an entrepreneurial kid who wanted to learn the internet, so I started what became Mickey Visit.”
Since then, the site has grown into a leader in expert trip-planning guides for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and other major theme parks, landing Doyle features in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
Doyle is also the author of “Disneyland Secrets: A Grand Tour of Disneyland’s Hidden Details” and during his Q&A, he will share Disneyland secrets and discuss the future of Disney theme parks.
In the Janet Hilbert Courtyard from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Museum Education Manager Eliot Zbylut will present a DIY craft-making demonstration for Disney fans of all ages. Guests will take home a keepsake craft inspired by animation artwork in the Hilbert Collection.
Beginning at 5 p.m., Mark Hilbert and Platt will lead small-group VIP tours through the North Lobby, discussing the Jørgen Klubien exhibition and a smaller ensemble of pieces by Mary Blair, the artist/illustrator responsible for concept art for “Alice in Wonderland,” “Peter Pan” and Disneyland’s “It’s a Small World” attraction. While the tour is free, registration at hilbertmuseum.org is required.
Following the tours, guests are invited into the Burra Community Room at 6 p.m. for an encore presentation of “My Creative Life at Disney and Pixar” by Jørgen Klubien. The renowned animator will share stories about his career and experience working on some of the most beloved animated features of our time, including “Cars” which he co-created. This special event requires a $10 ticket, with only a limited number available online at hilbertmuseum.org.
The Hilbert Museum permanent collection features Disney movie posters and promotional pieces along with other concept art and ephemera.
(Sarah Mosqueda)
The Hilbert Museum is anticipating all the events will be popular and due to space limitations, advance online reservations are recommended, even for the free events.
Doyle hopes the first Disney Fan Day at the Hilbert Museum will be successful enough to warrant a second.
“It’s just amazing how the Hilbert is dedicated to sharing the arts and all the credit goes to them on the planning of this,” Doyle said. “The fun part for me is getting to champion them.”
“Disney Fan Day at the Hilbert with Mickey Visit” is Oct. 15 at the Hilbert Museum of California Art, 167 N. Atchison St., Orange. For details, visit hilbertmuseum.org.