The Disney Frontier Blog

This video shows off the Walt Disney Museum in Walt Disney World’s MGM.

From freedogshampoo:

This special aired on September 11th 1957.
Walt Disney had always wanted to make a film based on the Oz stories. In 1954, when the movie rights to various Oz books became available, Walt purchased them. Soon, scripts were written for a movie in “Widescreen, color, the works..” But for some reason it was never made. Pretty incredible how much they hyped it.

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Walt Disney

Cory Doctorow has a book review of this Walt Disney Biography by Neal Gabler over at BoingBoing. It’s worth a read if you are interested in this book. Here’s the intro:

I’ve just finished Neal Gabler’s stupendous biography, “Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination.” I have a funny relationship to Disney — the man and the company — I am a gigantic fan of the themeparks, but I’m entirely indifferent to the characters, the animation, the live films, and I have nothing but antipathy for the political meddling in the copyright system. But if you’re a fan of the Disney parks, it’s inevitable that you end up spending some time thinking about Disney the man.

Jean Shepherd takes us on a humorous audio tour (MP3) of a few of the exhibits at the 1964 World’s Fair. At about 14 minutes into the MP3, Mr. Shepherd rides “It’s a Small World.” Although he is pretty critical of many of the attractions and atmosphere of the fair, he seems really enthralled with It’s a Small World.

It’s interesting to note that in 1975, Jean Shepherd narrated the voice of the audio-animatronics “Father” in the updated Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom.

[via Boing Boing]

Technorati Tags: Jean Shepherd, 1964, Its a Small World, Disney, Walt Disney

Sorcerer’s Workshop has audio files of Walt Disney describing each land. They don’t say where they came from but they are vintage!

And apparently he is taking tickets at the main gate.

The Atlantic Online has named Walt Disney #26 in their list of 100 most Influential Americans of All Time.

A photographic ride-through on the Ford Magic Skyway attraction from the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Brought to you by the Disneyland Attraction. - From: CarouselofProgress

This ride was commissioned by Ford but developed by the Walt Disney Studio. Riders would travel on a rail in a Ford car through different scenes utilizing audio-animatronics. You will recognize the dinosaurs at the beginning of the attraction as they have been in Disneyland’s Primeval World diorama since 1966.

[video link via: mod*mom]

Technorati Tags: Ford, Walt Disney, puppy, video, Worlds Fair

RobotJohnny.com picked up a scanner and scanned in some of his drawings. I particularly liked this sketch of Walt Disney.

Technorati Tags: Disney, Sketch, Walt Disney

Thats right, according to MiceAge, Disney has its eyes on Tom Sawyer Island for a $28 Million makeover into a Pirate of the Caribbean themed playground. I am as sentimental as the next guy but honestly, my kids have no interest in Tom Sawyer Island - other then to play on the rocks and bridges. They would be thrilled to play pirates on it, because to them, its just an awesome park.

I’m not opposed to changing the resort to make it modern or relevant in today’s world. I do think they need to use some strategy so that they don’t wreck what Walt envisioned but I don’t think Walt Disney ever imagined keeping attractions around just because they have been long running.

Already available are peaches with Daisy Duck and Goofy stickers, and table grapes packaged in Mickey and Minnie Mouse boxes. Organic apples with Winnie the Pooh — the mascot for Disney Garden organic selections — are due out sometime in September…

Denise Hanisee, 60, said her 9-year-old granddaughter gets the most excited in aisles with hot chocolate and candy. She believes that enthusiasm could carry over to Disney-branded fruit because she loves Mickey Mouse and his cartoon companions.

[via BoingBoing]

These photos, from the collection of Ray Aragon, were taken in June and July 1958 at Disney Studios. Most of the artists in these pics worked in the layout and background departments at Disney. At the time they were completing work on Sleeping Beauty and beginning production on 101 Dalmatians.

View them here.

This 24 minute film was recorded just before Walt’s death. It was presented to the media and government officials in February of 1967. It highlights thier “Florida Project” a Disney World in Florida.

These plans include a theme park, industrial center, transportation center and “the heart of everything” the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow - EPCOT. You will see the original plans for a true, planned city.

Waltopia: Walt’s Last Film

Flickr User Sears Wishbook has posted up scanned images from a Business Week article from 07/09/1955. You can read the whole article in the scans but it details Walt Disney’s Transition from animating Mickey Mouse to opening Disneyland.

If you scroll further through the pictures, you will find articles in 1956 from American Forests, Better Homes and Gardens, American Homes and Popular Science.