I will be visiting the Disney Family Museum on the 27th November 2010 during a holiday from the UK. I wonder if anyone can confirm the Lilly Belle and the Carolwood train will be on show?
Thanks,

Bob.

I believe the Lilly belle and part/most (?) of its train are on permanent exhibit.

Thanks Steve. Looking forward to seeing them!
Bob.

"Permanent" isn't even the word for it.

"Permanently permanent?"

"Permanente?"

Yes, the Lilly Belle, some rolling stock, and the yellow caboose are all there on display. I've been meaning to write something up about my visit to the museum on Labor Day with my girlfriend. That room where they are displayed in was our favorite of the whole museum, even though there was (in my opinion) one *very* glaring weakness in it. I'll talk about that in another post as it directly applies to the topic of Disney railroads.

Note that photos are not allowed in that section of the museum where the Lilly Bell is on display. Photography is only allowed in the entrance lobby and the observation deck/balcony at the back of the building. Flash photography is not allowed in the entrance lobby.

Also note that the museum has the nicest bathrooms in San Francisco. They're downstairs just below the gift shop. Don't miss them!

Take your time getting to the museum on the grounds of The Presidio. It was a real pain in the neck to find! Getting to it from our home in San Jose was next to impossible.

Many thanks to everyone who replied to my question about Lilly Belle and the Disney Museum.
My wife and I set off on Monday and return to the UK on 1st December. I will report back on my return.
Thanks again,
Bob.

I would bring a GPS with US maps with me or even rent one with the car if you rent one. Not sure if we would've been able to find the building without it. The Lilly Belle rests in the open on an elevated track. I was wondering why it's not in an enclosed case. Is there a regular dusting crew ?

Diane was very explicit in her desire to not make the WDFM another stuff museum with everything behind glass. So, it was decided that the Lilly Belle would be an open display, but out of arm's reach.

Yes, a dedicated staff of exhibit curators dusts the Lilly Belle (and other artifacts) on a very regular basis. There's a scissor-lift hidden in a nearby closet that they use to get up there.