"A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep."

Hello once again, Mouseketeers!

Welcome to our final chapter in our look at Walt Disney's boyhood hometown, Marceline, Missouri. We've been around town, we've seen the Walt Disney Museum, and we've walked right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A. So it's only fitting that we wrap up our tour with ... a dream.

One of the coolest surprises you'll find in Marceline is the Dreaming Tree and barn. Now, I say "you'll find," because that just what you'll have to do - find it. But sometimes the hidden surprises are the best.

When I was visiting the Walt Disney and Santa Fe Railroad Museum, my guide Rose Marie told me that whatever I do, I shouldn't miss the Dreaming Tree and Walt's barn. "As you head north out of town," she explained, pointing me in the right direction, "you'll want to turn left on Broadway. You'll see a bank on the left. The Dreaming Tree is on Broadway, across from the bank."

Then she said the four words of fate: "You can't miss it."

Well, I'll embarrassingly admit that I did miss it -- I drove right past it three times, in fact. I mean, there was nothing there. No sign, no arrows, no parking area besides the side of the road, halfway in a ditch. There was just a small foot bridge and a small path through a field.

This couldn't be right, could it? There was nobody else around. But I parked anyway, grabbed my camera and decided to look, just to be sure.

Wow, was I glad that I did.

The Dreaming Tree - finally revealed!

For hidden behind the bushes and at the end of the path was a hidden Disney treasure. It was here that I found the Dreaming Tree and Walt's barn.

There are several signs that lead up to the tree and the path to the barn that explain Walt Disney's time in Marceline further. The one next to the large cottonwood explains that this was where Walt and Ruth Disney spent their afternoons daydreaming.

The Dreaming Tree explained.

Since it seemed like the thing to do, I too sat down under the tree for a moment, and for those few minutes I spent there in the cool shade, I too could picture young Walt and Ruth swinging from the tree's branches. It wasn't hard to believe that this location was the perfect locale for Walt's imagination to take flight.

You've seen the Tree of Life - now meet the Tree of Dreams.

Just beyond the Dreaming Tree, the row of signs lead you on towards a barn. But as I read each sign, I begin to realize that this was no ordinary barn that was coincidentally hidden from view.

The barn beckons.

This barn was a re-creation of the barn found on the Disney family farm here in Marceline. According to the signs, the barn was one of Walt and Ruth's favorite places to play, and it was in the original family barn that Walt had his first taste of show business, hosting a "barn circus," complete with a goat, dog, cat and pig dressed in Ruth's doll clothes. Walt charged 10 cents admission to his barn circus, but when Flora heard about it, she made him return the money.

Walt never forgot what fun he had on the family farm in Marceline. Even as an adult, he was able to bring those memories to life in his motion pictures. If you ever have a chance to see So Dear To My Heart, be sure to look for a familiar shaped barn in the movie, as this sign explains.

But the barn that Walt remembered turned up in more than just his movies - it also showed up in his backyard in California. I think it's great that as an adult Walt Disney could have selected any design for his barn, but he stuck with what he knew best - childhood memories from all those years earlier.

So the next time you accidently leave a door open and your mother asks "What's the matter - were you born in a barn?" you can now smile and tell her, "No, but Walt Disney Imagineering was."

Walt's barn - re-created for your enjoyment.

At the end of the path you will indeed find the recreation of the Disney family barn. Everyone is invited to come inside and look around.

Inside the barn

There is also a wooden copy of "Walt Disney's Happy Place," which tells the story of the barn and how it inspired Walt and others over the years.

The Walt Disney Story, Part II: The Happy Place

But what is unusual about this barn (other than there are no animals or tractors inside) is that the walls are covered with messages. But the writing on the walls is not your typical graffiti; in fact these messages were all personal, legible and G-rated. But the best part of the writing on the walls is that ... it is encouraged.

Sign in, please.

Yes, believe it or not, you are actually welcome to leave a message for other Disney fans to read. It was fascinating to see how many people had done just that. Many of the signatures were local, and several that I read were from Disney Cast Members from California, Florida and around the world. Some included personal messages to Walt Disney, while others expressed their love of the mouse. I spent a good half hour inside the barn reading the comments on the walls, soaking up the communal sense of Disney fandom.

And I'll admit it -- I couldn't leave the barn without leaving my own mark. So if you happen to look at the far back wall, on the right door in the photo above, you'll find my name. And as a tribute to my Disney Triviateer pals, if you look on the sill above the window facing you as you come into the barn, you will find the following reminder:

Triviateers rule!

As I left the barn and made my way back up past the Dreaming Tree and out of the hidden woods, I felt like I really came to know more about Walt than before. Sure, I had read about him for years, and enjoyed his work for all of my life, but to actually walk in his footsteps -- that was truly special. I left Marceline that afternoon extremely happy, and very glad that I had visited.

Was it just a dream? Nah - it was better.

And so Mouseketeers, this brings us to the end of our journey. But before we sign off, I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to a few people:

First, my deepest appreciation to Matthew Walker and StartedByAMouse.com for hosting this series. I've always meant to write "something Disney," and at long last, here it is. Thanks again, Matt.

Next, thanks to all of you for reading this series, and extra special thanks to everyone who wrote to me with questions or comments about the series. I enjoyed hearing from all of you, and encourage you to stay in touch. The magic of Disney is always best when shared.

Finally, my sincerest gratitude goes out to the people of Marceline for letting me invade your town for a day. Your kindness and hospitality will not be forgotten. Someday -- somehow -- I will be back.

Okay, Mouseketeers - class dismissed. Have a great summer!

- Story and Photos by Kevin Burk
Posted

In addition to being an "incredibly affable Disney enthusiast," Kevin was the 1999 Disney Store National Trivia Champion and is head ambassador of Beans Around The World.

E-mail Kevin at kevin@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this story in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

Disney Tickets  •  Universal Tickets  •  SeaWorld Tickets  •   OrlandoFunTickets.com