“Favorite job ever.”
That’s the way Lisa Whelchel describes her role on “The New Mickey Mouse Club” in the late 1970s.
Whelchel, who became a household name for her role as Blair Warner on the long-running series “The Facts of Life” in the ‘70s and ‘80s, also recorded a Grammy-nominated Contemporary Christian album, became a best-selling author and was most recently a contestant on “Survivor: Philippines,” where she tied for second place.
But before all of that, she was chosen in a nationwide search to star as a Mouseketeer on a new version of the famed Mickey Mouse Club TV series. As a teen, she was living her Disney dream, visiting Disneyland park almost every week. She was featured on a lunchbox (which she still has, thanks to her grandmother), recorded a cast album and starred in a made-for-TV movie, “The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World,” which aired on “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
Earlier this summer, Whelchel brought her family back to Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate her birthday. Disney Parks Blog reporter John Graham met up with her in Magic Kingdom Park to chat about her career, family and “favorite job ever.”
And of course, what Mouseketeer visit would be complete without a visit from the leader of the club himself?
Comments
WOW! i watch her on survivor i cheer her to win the whole thing, but now this happens! the more we know about the “forgetten mice” the more we get closer to a official reunion, annette may smiling in heaven when she and mickey r together i know i’m happy and i’m know i’m following her on twitter! and others in the mouseketeer family.
I was there! Lisa was wonderful!
🙂
Jud
I remember seeing Lisa in concert shortly after she put out her Christian pop album in the early 80s–it was a very fun concert!
I still have that album. 🙂
I grew up with Lisa. Great segment. Thanks for posting this one.
Great post!! I love seeing all pics and clips from the 70’s. Thanks for sharing. This definitely put a big smile on my face!
Great interview! Loved seeing the old clips again from 1977.
This is one of the best blog posts ever!!
Love me some Lisa Whelchel and some Mickey Mouse! Couldn’t think of a better combo.
I love Lisa Whelchel! Thanks so much for posting this!
I had that album 😉
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