The newest member of the MousePlanet family, Wade Sampson, answers some letters about articles from his column, Wade’s Wayback Machine (link), including articles on the history of Disneyland’s Matterhorn and Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island.
Andrew Gott writes:
Hey Wade, I have been a big fan of yours for a couple years over on JHM, and was saddened to learn you had left the site—but overjoyed when I learnt you had come to MousePlanet! Can I just say what a wonderful article this was. I got chills down my spine when I read the part about Eisner and Wells walking past cheering Cast Members at the Magic Kingdom—and 50 ducklings following Donald just sounds awesome. He sounds like such a cool guy, and this article alone has spurred me on to purchase the Walt’s People books. Thanks a lot, and its great to read you again.
Thanks for your kind words, Andrew. I am loving my new home here at MousePlanet and fellow writers like Mark and David have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and Alex and Lani work very hard to make my stuff look good. I’ve always enjoyed MousePlanet and I hope my stories about Disney history will entertain and enlighten. Jim Hill Media has been very gracious to keep my old columns for that site available in their archives so that Disney fans can continue to access that information. In fact, there are lots of fascinating articles in the Jim Hill Media archives by a variety of writers that are worth checking out. I am glad I inspired you give the “Walt’s People” series of books a try. There are a lot of wonderful Disney-related books out there now including Mickey and the Gang by David Gerstein and Mouse Tracks by Greg Ehrbar and Tim Hollis.
Andrew Knight writes:
Dear Wade, I really enjoyed reading your article about the Matterhorn’s history. It is always good to expand my knowledge of the park. Anyway, a comment about the yeti being named Harold. I have read this in several other places, some indicating that upon start-up of the attraction’s computer system, a message flashes saying, “Uh oh. Harold isn’t gonna like this.” That always amused me… anyway, I have a theory about his name. Isn’t it quite possible that the nickname for Harold (Harry, or Hairy) would explain it logically?
I discovered a lot of contradictory information when I was researching the Matterhorn story, especially about the Abominable Snowman. I even ran across those Web sites like you did that had that “Harold” information. I never like to print speculation unless it is clearly identified as such. My friends in Imagineering even have a term for the type of information out there that Disney fans and cast members “create” when they don’t know the real story. It is called “logical erroneous conclusion,” meaning that based on the information available it seems to make sense but unfortunately it is incorrect. I’ll give you an example. I asked Imagineer X. Atencio why he made Yale Gracey the master of the Haunted Mansion. He sighed and pointed out that on the “inside joke” tombstone listing “Master Gracey” that he was referring to the fact that at the turn of the century the term “master” referred to a young boy like “Little Master Fauntleroy.” When you were an adult male, you were referred to as “Mister.” However, cast members didn’t understand that reference and determined in a “logical erroneous conclusion” that “master” must refer to the owner of the mansion. It has now become the established fact even though that was never the intent of the original storyteller. Anyway, you asked me for the time and I built you a clock. Yes, I have heard that “Harold” was a reference to “hairy” but then I also heard some other possibilities. Since I couldn’t confirm one story over any of the others, I just avoided it. In another decade, people will probably vaguely remember your question and just assume it is correct and you will have influenced Disney history.
Gil writes:
I heard a rumor that the reason for the basketball court was regarding some laws in that for something to be that big, it had to be a sports arena, so adding the small half-court made the laws easier. Specifics escape me. Rumor, or truth?
To the best of my knowledge, that is just another Disney urban myth. Logically if it had to be a sports arena, Disney would have done something a little more permanent and elaborate than the makeshift half court. So here is a great example of a “logical erroneous conclusion.” However, you are absolutely correct that the Matterhorn is a building. Lots of folks forget that fact and that it has to meet building codes.
Stephen James Waller writes:
“Third Man in the Mountain” calls the peak “The Citadel.” I wonder why the name of the mountain and the Disneyland ride didn’t agree? (rhetorical question, possibly unanswerable.)
Calling the mountain “The Citadel” would run into copyright issues and financial issues since that is not a common public domain nickname for the Matterhorn. You know, of course that in the newly redone Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the ship is still named The Wicked Wench because things like The Black Pearl and the monkey are owned by Jerry Bruckheimer and not Disney. That would probably make an interesting future article. Also, knowing Walt, I am also sure that he felt the name “The Citadel” wouldn’t be theatrical enough or familiar enough for guests. Everyone has heard of the Matterhorn but today very few have seen the movie or read the book telling the story of “The Citadel.”
TJ writes:
I’ve enjoyed your columns (at various sites) for a couple years. After reading your Matterhorn column, I’m wondering if you know of a good interview with Joe Fowler. I’ve seen the Storyboard interview. But is there a better one? Thanks, Todd
I know of several good interviews with Joe Fowler but unfortunately they are all in private collections. Disney historian Paul Anderson interviewed Fowler over the phone from my house nearly 15 years ago but I will bet he still hasn’t transcribed it yet for his long delayed magazine Persistence of Vision. I would strongly recommend picking up back issues of that magazine while they are still available at cover price. If you were a Disney cast member, I would recommend that you go to one of the Learning Centers for cast members and ask to borrow a copy of the videotape of a nice hour-long interview with the Admiral that took place on January 13, 1988. Give me some time and maybe I’ll transcribe a short interview I did with Fowler and include it in a future column.
Rich writes:
I loved your recounting of the Pleasure Island story! Thanks!
Thank you. Lots of folks seem to have enjoyed that story so maybe I will work on a sequel to reveal some of the other stories that space prevented me from including the first time.
Michael Dugan writes:
I wanted to thank you for the great story about Pleasure Island. It was awesome! I remember the glory days of Pleasure Island and the awesome moments of standing out with the band and counting down to midnight. I remember the Fireworks Factory and watching each club change and morph and having my picture made by Jessica at Pleasure Island. Now I watch as Disney finally dismantles Pleasure Island. I remember and now it is part of history… How sad!
Thank you as well for your kind words. Not only has Pleasure Island changed but the demographic make-up of the people who now visit Pleasure Island has drastically changed as well. Like many areas in the world of Disney, it is not as “family friendly” as it once was. Actually, my favorite memory of having a picture taken with Jessica was at the Disney-MGM Studios in the Toon Factory area after the tram ride. I am wearing a trench coat and a big smile.
Mike writes:
The wonderful article on the back-story of Pleasure Island brought back so many memories. I remember when Pleasure Island opened; every building had a plaque posted on it from the “Pleasure Island Hysterical Society” that explained the history of that building or particular area.
It was so much fun searching out and reading all the different stories. It was like a big puzzle and once you had read all the plaques you had the whole history of Merriweather Pleasure and his wonderful island. There were a couple of stories that I remember not mentioned in the article. The old round building that contained the Jazz club (now Raglan Road) was designed originally to manufacture carousels. I also seem to remember that the sail factory (Mannequins) was converted to manufacture steam locomotives (hence, the large turntable dance floor). Yes, there was nothing quite like the original Pleasure Island.
When you passed through the turnstiles you felt like you were transported to an exclusive adult fantasy world where the party never stopped. Now it’s disintegrated into a mish-mash of clubs that are no different than anything else offered in Orlando. The construction of the new “chain” restaurants and the removal of the West End Stage and the turnstiles to allow families to stroll through really destroyed the last bit of magic that was left. It’s heartbreaking when change brings mediocrity instead of improvement.
You are absolutely correct, sir! I didn’t have enough room to talk about “Maxwell’s Demon,” the locomotive manufactured by the Pleasure family or any of the other wonderful stories but since the column seems to have gotten such a strongly positive reaction, it looks like I will have to revisit Pleasure Island again and recount some more stories.
David Koenig, MousePlanet writer and author of the Mouse Tales series, answers letters from readers about his most recent article, Golden Goofs (link), which details some of the errors that can be found in the Disneyland historical model on display in the Opera House on Main Street. Christopher Merritt writes:
I don’t have time this morning to go through it with a fine-toothed comb, but I think there are fewer errors on the Disneyland 1955 model than you claim. One claim I dispute is your item stating that the Autopia garage building (serving as the base of the Tomorrowland Skyway in 1956) should be on the model.
I asked Bob Gurr about that shop this year.
“Yeah—I remember that. What a ratty, ratty shop! It was put in about late summer of 1956, and serviced both the Autopia and the Skyway buckets. It was supposed to be out of sight, but guests could still see right in there. I only recognize one fellow—the guy at extreme left with the 1/2″ long drill bit, but I forget his name. He was there for many years…”
And what did they do to work on the cars before the Skyway went in?
“I remember what we had opening week—a little junky automat building—just a curved fiberglass sunshade and a water cooler behind it. And I was there every day, fixing those cars—they were breaking down every hour! I used to park my Cadillac and my tools right back there, at the far left of your picture. Well, Walt came by one day, and I complained, “Walt—we have no mechanics, and no tools—no shop here to fix these things!” He left, and a half hour later a maintenance guy came up that road, driving a tractor, which was pulling a wooden building on a skiff! The guy said, “Where do you want your damn building?” And that’s what we had until 1956…”
I think to blame errors on the model makers is a little off too; the folks in Dimensional Design only build what they are told. There is rarely “interpretation” involved. One of my former bosses directed parts of the model, and they used almost exclusively 1955 aerials. I think you are off on your interpretation of what was in the Frontierland Wagon trails as well, but I better check my photos closely before I challenge you on that one!
Thank you for the note. I appreciate being kept on my toes.
Unfortunately, I suspect the model contains more not fewer errors than I mention—and we just need wait for someone even pickier than me to speak up.
As for the Autopia garage, you (and of course Bob) are correct that they did not use the old garage’s actual wood, steel and fiberglass to build the Skyway station; the garage was obviously rebuilt from scratch to support the Skyway on top of it. Yet my charge stands that there was an Autopia garage on that spot on Opening Day in 1955 and it ain’t in the model.
I would trust Bob’s description of each building, since he has a stronger memory and—more importantly—better notes than about anyone else I know. To confirm that a garage was there Opening Week, find any aerial photo taken Opening Day or later. It’s quite visible. (If you have access to a Golden Anniversary edition of Mouse Tales, there’s a fold-out aerial that was taken three days after the park opened.) It’s a little more difficult to make out the Frontierland wagon and mule paths from old overheads, but I’m sure if I could walk you through a handful of sharp aerials you’d become a believer. Remember, these were dirt roads that lasted less than six months before Walt tore them out, so they haven’t exactly burned indelible impressions on too many people’s memory banks.
When you find the time and that fine-toothed comb, I’m looking forward to hearing about my own goofs.
Jack Richardson writes:
Besides meeting you a couple of times, and writing you a couple of times, being also an anal-retentive stickler, I must say how much I loved today’s 30 things wrong with the model article.
“You’re” as Ethel Merman used to sing, “the Top!” Excellent work. Thanks.
Thanks, Jack! Let me know if you come up with anything else to add to the list.
J. Blocher writes:
When my wife and I visited Disneyland last Christmas, we spent a lot of time ogling the model.
And it got me to thinking. You know what I’d really like to see? A virtual model of the first 50 years of Disneyland. You could not only navigate it in three dimensions, but through time as well. How cool would that be?
Thanks for the note. That would be very cool. Are you volunteering to design and manufacture it?
