Disney Legend Fess Parker Remembered
posted on March 18th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Tonight, the Disney Parks family is mourning the loss of a legend — Fess Parker. In his role as Davy Crockett, Fess Parker not only helped promote and open Disneyland Park but he also became a hero to many of us, including Walt Disney Company President and CEO, Robert Iger.
“Like many kids growing up in the 50’s, Davy Crockett was my first hero, and I had the coonskin cap to prove it,” according to Iger. “Fess Parker’s unforgettable, exciting and admirable performance as this American icon has remained with me all these years, as it has for his millions of fans around the world. Fess is truly a Disney Legend, as is the heroic character he portrayed, and while he will certainly be missed, he will never be forgotten.”
Fess Parker was also a childhood hero to blog author and Walt Disney World photographer Gene Duncan. Gene shared a unique photo and touching story after learning of the news and we’re sharing it with you tonight — unedited.
“I photographed Fess Parker at Disneyland during the 35th Anniversary press event. I photographed him at the train station, prior to the parade, mingling and shaking hands with those celebrities who had been a part of the opening of Disneyland- Milton Berle, Bob Cummings, Art Linkletter, Ronald Reagan and many more…..After the parade on Main Street, U.S.A., I spent the afternoon inside the office of Dick Nunis, President of Disney Parks, photographing various executives and others with Ronald Reagan. One of those was Fess Parker, who, for me, was a childhood hero. (I have a photo of myself wearing a coonskin cap)……
In 2004, I noted that Fess Parker and his son were to be present during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival- they owned a very successful winery inn the Santa Barbara area, and were slated to conduct a workshop at Epcot, as well as host a special dinner. I called out to Disneyland, where the 1990 negatives were archived, and asked for a couple of them to be scanned, which were then sent to me. I wondered whether Mr. Parker had ever seen the photos.
On October 1, 2004, I was assigned to photograph him, autographing wine bottles for guests. Just prior to doing that, I approached his son, introduced myself, and indicated that I had some prints for him to give his father. He waved to his dad and asked him to come over, which he did. I introduced myself, and he asked me to sit down with him in the workshop area. As he pulled the 8 x 10′s from the envelope, he became teary-eyed, and announced to me that he had never seen these images. We sat for nearly fifteen minutes, talking about all things Disney, Reagan and wine. His meaningful dialogue at the time involved his first encounter with Ronald Reagan. It seems that his very first screen audition ended the morning of, with Parker getting a call from the studio canceling his screen test, announcing that they had awarded the role ( don’t know which one ) – to Ronald Reagan.
As I photographed him later that evening, during the fantastic Fess Parker dinner, I observed a man truly bigger than life, lighting up a room when he appeared.
I am so sad…Gene.”
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Disney Parks ‘Quick Hits’ – March 18th, 2010
posted on March 18th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Join me for a walk around the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and you’ll hear it — “I want that in my yard.” I say it when seeing images like the one Gene Duncan captured for today’s “Quick Hits” post. But for others of you, it’s strictly character topiaries. So, this week, we asked our Walt Disney World Facebook fans, “If you could create a Disney topiary for your yard, which character would you choose?” Thanks to the thousands of you who have already responded.
Here are a few other items of interest that didn’t make it to the blog this week.
Moms Panel: Dining with Ariel — The Walt Disney World Moms Panel answers the question, “Can you dine with Ariel at Walt Disney World?”
New Disney Pin: Dino Jack — This special pin contains actual pieces of the iconic dinosaur Dino Jack from the Dino Jack Sunglass Shack at Disney’s California Adventure Park.
Disney Gardening at Home Series — Meet Disney gardening experts as they share tips and secrets you can plant in your own garden — a new series begins later this week.
The Land Pavilion at Epcot — More than 30 tons of fruits and vegetables grown at The Land Pavilion each year are served in Walt Disney World Resort restaurants.
New YouTube Channel — Disney Weddings has a YouTube channel. Click here to see more.
The Flower Power Concert Series — Turn back the clock with David Cassidy under the skies of the open-air American Gardens Theatre at Epcot theme park from March 19 – 21.
Balloon with a View
posted on March 18th, 2010 by Paul Hiffmeyer, Chief Photographer for Public Relations, Disneyland Resort
No matter where you are in the Parks you can’t help but see balloons. Here’s a unique perspective I captured while looking through a Mickey Mouse balloon on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland park.
Drawing Characters ‘Is Way of Life’ for Disney Artist
posted on March 18th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
If you joined us at launch, you know Don “Ducky” Williams has been a part of the blog family since day one. His Sorcerer Mickey helped give life to our first post — it’s what he does as an artist with The Yellow Shoes Creative Group. For Don, the characters are more than drawings, they’re living, breathing personalities and creating the art “is a way of life.” I can’t look away when he begins working and you won’t be able to either as he draws a quick Goofy in his office.
Yes, Don is able to look at a cartoon from the 1930s and tell who animated the scene. I’m also amazed at how many characters he can draw. He has produced characters for Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.
This is the first of our visits to Don’s office so let us know which character you’d like to see “come to life” next.
The Disneyland Band Shares Walt Disney’s Love for Music with Local Students
posted on March 17th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
Walt Disney loved music and he believed it had an important role to play in the experience at Disneyland park, so for opening day he hired a group of musicians to play band concerts in Town Square. He called the group the Disneyland Band. While the original run was only supposed to last two weeks, the band has performed for hundreds of millions of guests and the group is still playing 55 years later.
The Disneyland Band has logged more than 3,500 marching miles since opening day and has traveled to dozens of cities as a representative of the Resort.
The band performs annual music education concerts for 40,000 second graders at local schools from January through March every year. The 45-minute performances often include a visit from Mickey Mouse, as well as an introduction to musical instruments, musical styles and proper concert manners. An additional element of the program engages local high school students and gives them the opportunity to play on stage with the Disneyland Band.
Unique Muppets Cel Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
posted on March 17th, 2010 by Dara Trujillo, Manager, Merchandise Synergy, Events, and Communication
Hi everyone…just wanted to let you know that we’re debuting a new Muppets hand-painted ink and paint cel on Saturday at Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Wocka Wocka Room is exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort. Artist Costa Alavezos will be there to sign the cels and you can meet the Ink and Paint Artists too.
For more information or to pre-order the cel, click here.
What is Vinylmation, Jr.?
posted on March 17th, 2010 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
One day last summer, Donald Ferro, developer for Vinylmation, asked me, “What is Vinylmation, Jr.?”
I responded, “I don’t know. What is Vinylmation, Jr.?”
He didn’t answer.
A few months later while working in the Disney Trading areas at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, he asked me again.
“I’m still not sure Donald,” I responded. “What is Vinylmation, Jr.?”
No response, just a smile. What was he planning? I felt like I needed some super secret clearance to discover the truth. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one he asked. I’ve seen the Vinylmation fan community buzzing with speculation about the answer to this question.
Well, I have good news … sort of. It will be good news for those fans who like solving a mystery. In honor of the opening of D-Street at the Downtown Disney West Side, we are launching a “What is Vinylmation, Jr.?” quest on Friday, March 19, 2010.
Visit www.Vinylmation.com and click on the “What is Vinylmation, Jr.?” banner (pictured above). This banner will be your gateway to unraveling the mystery of Vinylmation, Jr.
By the way, Donald finally told me the secret, and can’t wait for you to discover it too.
First Kid to Run Through Sleeping Beauty Castle Now Guards the Resort
posted on March 16th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
See that tow-headed little boy in the checkered shirt in the center of the photo, behind the boy in the glasses? That is Robb Fischle, and he was one of the lucky kids to run through Sleeping Beauty Castle for the very first time. It was July 17, 1955, and it was opening day for Disneyland park.
Fast forward 55 years and you can still see Robb Fischle at the Happiest Place on Earth (and one of his favorite places in the world), but it’s not just a place for him and his family to play. Robb now works at the Resort as a Security Officer (and has been working here since 1972).
We found this video of Robb that we taped during the 50th anniversary celebration. In the interview, Robb talks about how he would spend Sunday nights watching “Disneyland” on television to get the latest construction updates and how he and his family would try and peek at the construction as they drove down Harbor Boulevard. I especially like hearing his memories from opening day.
Take a look back.
Big Adventure on Main Street, USA
posted on March 16th, 2010 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
Somehow, I doubt the bright orange Tigger hat influences this young man in any way as he carefully and slowly places his sneakered feet in just the right spots as he journeys down Main Street USA, but it is the perfect topping for this adventurous lad. I would characterize this image as a portrait of an imagination at work, (lest we forget how little is required in order to enjoy the simple pleasures of life).
St. Patrick’s Day at Walt Disney World
posted on March 16th, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
Get your green on and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Raglan Road at Downtown Disney, where the fun starts early – doors open at 11 a.m., with a $10 cover charge to get you in the door for the entire day (with free party favors, and a wristband that lets you come and go). Kids under 18 are free.
The real fun starts at noon with the 3-piece Irish band Creel with “darlin’ dancer” from Dublin, Danielle Fitzpatrick. The exuberant Myra Watters Dancers follow Danielle at 1 p.m., with the revelry continuing until 9:30 p.m. Elevation, the awesome U2 tribute band, starts at 10 p.m. and closes down the place.
Be a traditionalist and order those addictive Dalkey Duo sausages, a hearty Shepherd’s Pie or decadent fish and chips, then jump in the fun with games and competitions throughout the party with plenty of prizes.
No advance reservations, just show up at the door!
