2025 Dreaming Tree Gala on the Disney Family Farm

Dreaming Tree Gala Returns to the Disney Family Farm in 2025

Get ready for a night of timeless magic as the 2025 Dreaming Tree Gala returns to the Disney Family Farm on September 20, 2025. This year’s event will celebrate the nostalgic spirit of Walt Disney’s classic film, Lady and the Tramp, and the small-town life that inspired Walt himself.

Attendees will be treated to a cozy spaghetti and meatballs dinner, directly inspired by the iconic scene at Tony’s Restaurant from the film. The evening will also feature Peg’s Speakeasy, a tribute to the film’s legendary songwriter, Peggy Lee.

As the sun sets over the very fields where Walt once played, the night will conclude with the signature Kiss Goodnight Fireworks. These fireworks will light up the same sky where a young Walt Disney saw them for the very first time.

The gala will feature a special lineup of guests, including filmmakers, authors, and family members connected to Walt’s legacy: Leslie Iwerks, Don Peri, Matt McKim, Marcy Carriker Smothers, and Holly Foster Wells.

This unforgettable evening offers a chance to celebrate the heart, history, and enduring magic of a story that continues to inspire the world, all from Walt Disney’s beloved hometown.

Special Guests

• Leslie Iwerks
  • Leslie Iwerks is an Academy Award–nominated filmmaker whose documentaries have beautifully preserved the magic of Disney history. With a deep passion for storytelling, she’s brought to life unforgettable films like The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story, The Pixar Story, Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible, and The Imagineering Story. Leslie is also part of a truly magical legacy. She’s the granddaughter of Disney Legend and Missouri native Ub Iwerks, the brilliant innovator who played a key role in shaping Disney animation, developing groundbreaking special effects, and co-creating the beloved Mickey Mouse. Her father, Don Iwerks—another Disney Legend—carried that creative torch forward, pioneering film and camera innovations that transformed the way stories are brought to life on screen.
• Don Peri
  • Don Peri is a Disney historian and author whose work lovingly captures the voices behind the magic. Through his heartfelt and insightful books—Working with Walt: Interviews with Disney Artists, Working with Disney: Interviews with Animators, Producers, and Artists, and most recently, Directing at Disney: The Original Directors of Walt’s Animated Films—Don has preserved the stories of the talented individuals who helped bring Walt Disney’s vision to life.
• Matt McKim
  • Matt McKim is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer whose creative talents in sculpting, art direction, and dimensional design helped bring Disney’s immersive worlds to life. Carrying on a rich family legacy, Matt is the son of Disney Legend Sam McKim—affectionately known as the “Master Map Maker” of the Disney Parks. Matt has imagination and artistry in his DNA.
• Marcy Carriker Smothers
  • Marcy Carriker Smothers is the premier Disney food historian and author whose books serve up heaping helpings of Disney magic and nostalgia. With titles like Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food, Walt’s Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney, and 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime, Marcy invites readers to experience Disney through the lens of flavor, history, and heart. She also happens to be the grand-niece of legendary singer and songwriter Peggy Lee.
• Holly Foster Wells
  • Holly Foster Wells is the devoted granddaughter of legendary singer and songwriter Peggy Lee. Through her work with Peggy Lee Associates, Holly has lovingly carried the torch, ensuring her grandmother’s incredible legacy continues to shine. Peggy Lee was a vital creative force behind Lady and the Tramp—not only writing and performing the film’s original songs, but also lending her voice to four unforgettable characters.

General Admission Tickets Include

• Dinner on the Disney Family Farm
• Access to Peg’s Speakeasy
• Guided Tours of Marceline
• Gift Bag
• Walt Disney Hometown Museum Admission

General Admission Tickets Schedule

• 10 AM – 4 PM: Walt Disney Hometown Museum Open
• 1 PM – 4 PM: Guided Tours of Marceline
• 6 PM – 7 PM: Peg’s Speakeasy
• 7 PM – Dinner on the Disney Family Farm
• 8 PM – Guest Speaker Leslie Iwerks
• 9 PM – Kiss Goodnight Fireworks

VIP Admission Tickets Include

• Access to Guest Speaker Panels
• Dinner on the Disney Family Farm
• Access to Peg’s Speakeasy
• Guided Tours of Marceline
• Gift Bag
• Walt Disney Hometown Museum Admission

VIP Admission Tickets Schedule

• 10 AM – 4 PM: Walt Disney Hometown Museum Open
• 10 AM – 11 AM: Guided Tours of Marceline
• 1 PM – 4 PM: Guest Speakers Panel
  • 1 PM – Marcy Carriker Smothers & Holly Foster Wells
  • 2 PM – Matt McKim
  • 3 PM – Don Peri
• 6 PM – 7 PM: Peg’s Speakeasy
• 7 PM – Dinner on the Disney Family Farm
• 8 PM – Guest Speaker Leslie Iwerks
• 9 PM – Kiss Goodnight Fireworks

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