My Day With Walt Disney
(Part 1 of 2)
December 9, 2012
Jeff Dixon is a "Disney Author", a GREAT storyteller and my friend. He has written two books; "The Key To The Kingdom". and "Unlocking The Kingdom".
It must be true. There it was, right on page 258 in Jeff Dixon's Book "The Key To The Kingdom". "Grayson Hawkes stood in front of the "Cryonic Suspension Cylinder". Dr. James Bedford was the first to be "Suspended" in 1965, and so the urban legend goes that Walt Disney desired to have his body frozen. "
"Yes Hawk, you have the key to the lock on the chamber and the "Kingdom". This is the key that unlocks the rest of the "Kingdom". Would Hawk place the key into to lock and bring Walt back to life? You will have to read the book to find out.
As I finished Jeff's first book, I asked myself the question: "If Walt Disney came back today, where would I take him in Walt Disney World", to show him how his dream has continued for the past 48 years.
June, 1959
Nice start to a summer job. Chuck Corson, told us, “Boys, if you can climb it, the job is yours.” Dick Erb and Chuck Wilks were on their break in the hidden room at the top of the structure.
(Photo credit : by Paul F. Anderson : Disney History Institute
They were talking about their next climb when the door opened and in walked "Yensid". "Mornin boys" he said. He seemed very focused on heading down the hall and then quickly disappeared into the elevator. Under his arm was a box labeled "2021-VR" (Virtual Reality)
"That was strange", said Dick. "There are only 9 of us that know about this break room and the elevator."
What Dick and Chuck did not know, was that the contents of the box included secret development tools and future technologies the "Imagineers" were developing for 2021, the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World.
6:32: May 22, 2014
Walt Disney placed his "Magic Glass Headset" on his head and said "Glass on." A map of the Walt Disney World Property displayed on his screen. The time travel was quick but always takes his breath away each time he does it. Under his arm was a box labeled "2014-VR".
This was his first trip to Walt Disney World and he needed to store the contents of the box in "Walt's Vault". He disembarked the monorail and headed to the MagicKingdomPark. As he entered the park he placed his "D23 Headband" on and passed through the secure "Optical Turnstiles" He turned right at the hub and headed to "TomorrowLand". The park would not open for another 30 minutes so he had time to store the contents of the "2014-VR" box inside SpaceMountain, sphere #1975-11. He removed 4 items from the box and placed them in his coat pocket.
A Model B-201 Audioannimatronics was at the door marked AB-1975. Walt presented his "Century Magic Pass" as the B-201 did a retina scan and then the door opened. Walt said, “As Built-1975” and the blueprints displayed on his virtual display. He turned right and then up the stairs heading to sphere #1975-11.
(Photo courtesy of Howie DiBlasi – Inside Space Mountain-Lights ON)
7:00 AM: May 22, 2014
I meet Walt Disney at Disney's Contemporary Resort. My goal today is to share with Walt, places at Walt Disney World that would emphasize:
Family Fun; Children being happy; Storytelling; Characters; Evolving Technology; Community; Cast Members; True Life Adventures; Park Benches; Dining and Imagineers.
As we board the Monorail, I notice a twinkle in his eye, while he observes excited families that are heading to the "MagicKingdom". The monorail passes the Polynesian Resort and he smiles. As we round the next bend, he grabs his "Smart Phone" and takes a photo of Disney's "Grand Floridian Resort" and winks at me.
We exit the Monorail at the MagicKingdom and head to the entrance. He displays his "CenturyMagicPass" and we walk down "Main Street". As we walk towards the "CrystalPalace" for breakfast, he stops and sits down on a bench. "When I was growing up some of my favorite memories as a boy were in "Marceline Missouri." Thirty minuets later..."Let's get some breakfast."
Walt had a "ADR" (Advanced Dining Reservation) for 8:05 and the cast member guided us towards our table. The characters had just started the “friendship parade” around the tables and then I noticed the line with kids and characters changed direction towards our table. As Walt stood and watched, every character and child gave Walt a "High FIVE' as they passed. At this point I lost it. I mean, what kid wouldn’t want to march around and be friends with Winnie The Pooh, Tiger and Walt Disney?! As a tear rolled down my face, I realized the day had just started.
8:07 AM: May 22, 2014
As we walked towards the "Walt Disney World Railroad, Train Station", Walt located a park bench and sat down. Forty-five minutes later, I had a history lesson from Walt on his love for trains.
We headed towards the "Lilly Belle" train and Walt stops to visit with the Disney engineer. As if by magic, Walt Called out "All aboard". As the train headed toward the "New Fantasyland ", I notice Walt's ear to ear grin.
Stepping off the train, Walt picked up a scrap piece of paper on the ground and placed it in a trash can. (Old habits never pass).
Walt reached into one of his pockets and then handed me a new device that the "Imagineers" had just developed called "Magic Glass" and taught me how to wear them and adjust them. He then placed his headset on and said "Display New Fantasyland". A map appeared in front of me as a "Hologram". It was so real, I reached out to touch it and did not realize it was interactive. I had touched the "Icon" of the New "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train" attraction". Walt said, "Concept art" and in front of us was the concept art for the attraction. As Walt called out, "Imagineers, Interactive Queue, Storyboard, Pitch, Costs, Engineering, Audio-Animatronics, they appeared as 3-D Holograms. I did not realize I had stopped dead in my tracks. There were 14 people all staring at me.
Walt said "Wait time- "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train"?". We started walking and in the next 4 minutes we were at the entrance. Walt whispered something to the "Lead Cast Member" Denise. We were directed to the front of the queue and loaded into a Mine-Train car. As we waited, I asked Walt what he whispered to the cast member. He said, "Arrow Development". Most guests do not know that Arrow is the company that Walt used to design the first tubular coaster at Disneyland called the "Matterhorn". There are 7 secret code words that cast members must remember for special guests. They learn them in the "Traditions Class" whereas new cast members they are taught the heritage that they are stepping into.
10:32 AM
As we exited the Mine Train attraction, I had planned to show Walt "Liberty Square" but changed my mind and started walking to “Frontierland”, to visit "SplashMountain", that was opened in 1992 at the “MagicKingdom.’SplashMountain is a composite of Uncle Remus stories and presents animated scenes from “Song of the South, telling the story of “Br’er Rabbit”. I asked Walt if he wanted to use his “MagicCenturyPass” and he said no he wanted to experience the stand-by queue. He look me in the eye and said, “There is a “Laughing Place” right?”
As we walked through the queue, I noticed that he was intently listening to the conversation of families, children, Grandparents and Grandchildren. Then he said to me, "We believed in our ideas - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together...and then whenever I go on a ride, I'm always thinking of what's wrong with the thing and how it can be improved."
11:16: Out of the corner of my eye I notice some benches in "Adventureland". As we are walking towards the benches, Walt said, "When we consider a project, we really study it--not just the surface idea, but everything about it. And when we go into that new project, we believe in it all the way. We have confidence in our ability to do it right. And we work hard to do the best possible job. I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in the Park (Disneyland). I want them to feel they're in another world."
Walt stood up and said, "Let's look at this "Liberty Square" you were telling me about."
Liberty Square opened with the MagicKingdom on October 1, 1971 with The Haunted Mansion, Liberty Bell Riverboat, and The Hall of Presidents.
As you enter Liberty Square, you're stepping into the colonial era of America. The brick covered buildings are reminiscent of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Walt Disney loved America so much, that much of his work paid tribute to the American Spirit. Many of Walt’s live action movies took place during the early years of our country, as did many of his theme park attractions which followed.
Everything in Liberty Square has a patriotic theme, from the attractions to the restaurants. Representing the colonial times of the United States, this land is one of the most detailed in Walt Disney World. Walk around and look DOWN...look at the different ground textures (the path down the middle of the street represents the sewage that would be present in streets back in the 1700's).
You’ll be immersed in history! The flags of the original thirteen colonies as well as the American flag fly proudly in the center of the square. The Liberty Bell replica was cast from a mold of the original bell.
In the evening scan the upstairs windows to find Paul Revere’s lanterns signifying “two if by sea”. These lanterns represent Paul Revere's midnight ride where he was signaled one lantern if the British were coming by land, and two if by sea. The Imagineers are making sure you remember your United States history!
From the "Liberty Square Mystery at Magic Kingdom" Web article:
"This early rendering below by Herb Ryman shows a fairly busy Liberty Square. We can see the Liberty Tree near the shops and the Hall of Presidents in the very back. The building in the middle with the cupola was discovered to be the Market House. The point-of-view for this piece is from the bridge. Franklin’s shop on the right is the current Sleepy Hollow refreshments. The green and blue building on the left is the Liberty Square Christmas Shop."
11:34, May 22, 2014
Walt and I walk to The "Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe". We both enjoy the Colonial era feel of Liberty Square. To me this quaint little shop feel like something right out of “A Christmas Carol”. I share with Walt that there are three connected buildings: " Icabod Crane’s Music Shop", "The Woodwright Shop", and the "Kepple Quilt Shop". "What did you say?"...Kepple quilt? The name Krepple has been around for a few generations. If I remember correctly there was:
- Kepple Disney I (1775) ( Walt's Great Great Grandfather
- Kepple Disney II (1806) Walt's Great Grandfather
- Kepple Disney, Jr. (1874) Walt's Grandfather"
I wanted Walt to reflect back on the dream of Disneyland and his two daughters, and how that carried over the Walt Disney World. We walked towards Cinderella's Golden Carrousel in the MagicKingdom (now renamed to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel).
I asked Walt to tell me how he created the old classic attraction 50 years ago and why they still grab the attention of a young child and mesmerize them today. Walt stopped at the "Carrousel" and sat down on a bench. He paused for a moment as he watched the children and their families laugh, smile and play together.
"You know", he said , " think about the classic attractions like, Dumbo the Flying Elephant (1955; Peter Pan's Flight (1955; Disneyland Railroad (1955; It's a small world (1966; The Haunted Mansion (1969; Pirates of the Caribbean (1967; and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1979. “Part of the Disney success is our ability to create a believable world of dreams that appeals to all age groups. The kind of entertainment we create is meant to appeal to every member of the family.”
He stood up and pointed to the "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train“. "I really believe that whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.”
Walt continued, "When I was dreaming and designing Disneyland, I believed that I would need to give the people everything you can give them. Keep the place as clean as you can. Keep it friendly, you know. Make it a real fun place to be. I think they will be convinced and I think it will hang on."
12:13, May 22, 2014
"Let's get some lunch", Walt said. " Where to", I said..How about......
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Part 2- My Day With Walt Disney: 12:13 AM- 9:35 PM -Next post
