tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post1075639832120602853..comments2024-03-28T08:56:49.153-07:00Comments on Davelandblog: Walt in the parkDavelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720475138513029144noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post-41383726387102915562009-06-09T15:21:21.827-07:002009-06-09T15:21:21.827-07:00Chiana - I was at the premiere for Pirates 3, and ...Chiana - I was at the premiere for Pirates 3, and I can attest that as the celebrities walked down the red carpet, people behind the ropes were going nuts. When Orlando Bloom passed the roped off area and entered Frontierland (where park guests were not allowed), he had to be rushed through the Frontierland stores to avoid all of the female fans who were trying to mob the poor guy. Actually, my commentary on the changing of the guests had more to do with how guests look and conduct themselves in general at the park, not so much in how they react to famous people that they see. If you compare how people dressed in the 1950s at Disneyland with the average guest today, you'd see a huge difference. Going to Disneyland used to be somewhat of a special occasion; guests behaved (for the most part!), dressed up, and treated others with respect. Today, I often shake my head when I see how people "dress" at the park (I must be getting old!) and how they conduct themselves. Sure, the high numbers of people that visit the park daily make the situation worse, but I still state that overall, the majority of guests at Disneyland are not as well dressed or respectful as their 1950’s predecessors.Davelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10720475138513029144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post-9734142778365179412009-06-08T16:25:45.214-07:002009-06-08T16:25:45.214-07:00A Thousand-Watt smile on that girl's face in t...A Thousand-Watt smile on that girl's face in the 2nd pic. Priceless.<br /><br />Walt didn't seem to be marketing Katella because he was interested. He could use that for business but it would be informing his understanding of what people might like... a more "organic" approach I guess it might be called today, that allowed for more input from the guest and Walt.<br /><br />But about celebrities visiting the park. How much is true and how much perception? Have celebrities tried mixing in without handlers recently? If so do we know how it went? And paparazzi aren't guests, they're professional parasites. :p Disney could throw them out.<br /><br />There have been cultural shifts, some folks are bad and many more crass. Characterizing hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of people as "the guest" to assign negative attributes isn't right either though. I wouldn't fuss a "celebrity" and must of us at the blog here probably wouldn't either... for every bad apple you can extrapolate us times a thousand too. Still it's true a few bad apples do have a way of spoiling things.<br /><br />One problem might be how many folks are often packed into that park today (some in the company are probably moaning they want more). The crowd/pace might up the tension in a bad way? Hm. Also have to agree, there's no Walt.Chianahttp://www.exquisiteirony.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post-85562932995197281252009-06-08T13:10:49.409-07:002009-06-08T13:10:49.409-07:00Ever wonder what Walt said to those kids? I friend...Ever wonder what Walt said to those kids? I friend of mine (Jobie, about age 10)had an uncle that worked at Disneyland in the late 50's, and was able to get in on a comp pass.<br /><br />On a break, the uncle took Jobie backstage between Walt's apartment and the Jungle Cruise to show him some of the "secret parts" of the park.<br /><br />Well they got back there and Walt comes around the corner. The uncle thinks he's been busted big time, but Walt just walks up and starts chatting. <br /><br /><i>"Hi, what's your name? Where you from? Been here before? What have you seen? What was your favorite thing at Disneyland? What didn't you like? What's your favorite thing on TV? Favorite toy?"</i><br /><br />Now, looking at this as adults, we all realize that Walt's conducting a marketing survey, but Jobie didn't feel like he was being grilled for information, it was all very natural and conversational, and he got to ask Walt all kinds of things that a 10 year old would ask... the whole conversation took maybe 10 minutes.<br /><br />It turned out to be one of the high points of Jobie's life.Katella Gatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05562521359201308834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post-54758219699546897612009-06-08T08:53:53.214-07:002009-06-08T08:53:53.214-07:00thank you, these are very special. the middle pic ...thank you, these are very special. the middle pic has been around, the top and bottom ones are new to me. how lucky any one was to be in the park and meet walt. i was there then as a child, but never was lucky enough to run into him.<br /><br />very special, and no, there is no one like himThuferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07692445357659425688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post-12780396702881951522009-06-08T07:05:26.465-07:002009-06-08T07:05:26.465-07:00Nice post Dave, I always like seeing photos of Wal...Nice post Dave, I always like seeing photos of Walt at his park. Yes, where exactly are Walt's "Handlers" and "White shirt security" team? <br /><br />I agree there is no way a celebrity of Walt's magnitude could walk the park unattended today, it seriously wouldn't even be safe. <br /><br />On the other hand, is there really ANY current celebrity of Walt's Magnitude? I offer the answer; no.Vintage Disneyland Ticketshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14790755040005517146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29249921.post-91325818496699015892009-06-08T07:01:40.021-07:002009-06-08T07:01:40.021-07:00Growing up with just my Mom and sister, it was Mr....Growing up with just my Mom and sister, it was Mr. Disney who I chose to be my dad. Even though he was always away on business (<i>the</i> BEST, MaGiCal business ever!), I never worried about getting mail or phone calls from him as we comminicated telepathically, as only a young, swelled-imagination kid could hope for! It was so much fun knowing I was Mickey Mouse's little sister, too! Great blog-- thanks!SparkleFarkelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07354679950013636478noreply@blogger.com