Disney Tidbits

[tiggerguy]

Animator Ollie Johnston's lifelong hobby was steam trains. Starting in 1949, he built a 1" scale backyard railroad, with three 1/12th scale locomotives. His railroad was one of the inspirations for Walt Disney to build his own backyard railroad!

[tiggerguy]

Lucasfilm's Computer Graphics Division (started by filmmaker George Lucas) was sold to
Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs. It then became Pixar Animation Studios.

[tiggerguy]

"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for my having been there."
- Jim Henson

[tiggerguy]

"Disneyland wouldn't have been, and wouldn't be, the same without him. His voice was one of the things that made it all come alive."
- former Disneyland president Jack Lindquist on Thurl Ravenscroft

[tiggerguy]

The idea for Disney's Lady and the Tramp came from a short story called
"Happy Dan, the Whistling Dog" by Ward Greene.

[tiggerguy]

Disneyland's Space Mountain is actually sunk 17 feet into the ground so it won't dwarf the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

[tiggerguy]

In the early days of Disneyland, Mr. Toad did not appear in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, nor did Peter Pan or Snow White feature in their own rides. Disney's idea was that riders would view these attractions from the lead character's point of view. Hardly anyone understood this concept & now each character makes a brief appearance.

[tiggerguy]

The initials of the mythical radio station "WJBO," heard during the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, stand for the original display creator, William Jennings Bryan Osborne.

[tiggerguy]

"What's the matter with his ears? I don't see nothin' wrong with 'em. I think they're cute."
- Dumbo's Timothy Q. Mouse (voiced by Edward Brophy)

[tiggerguy]

May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire, and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere."
- EPCOT dedication This Day in Disney History 1982

[tiggerguy]

"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney ... and to the talents, the dedication and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a magic kingdom where the young heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn ... together."
- Roy O. Disney's dedication
Magic Kingdom Town Square

[tiggerguy]

At one time, a nighttime water show called "Noah's Ark" was planned to take place in the middle of Disney World's Crescent Lake.
It never went past design stages.

[tiggerguy]

Actors Dennis Weaver and Clint Howard played father and son on the 1967 television series Gentle Ben. Weaver went on to voice the character of Abner in the 2004 Home on the Range and Howard went on to supply the voice of Roo in the 1974 Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!.

[tiggerguy]

Brooklyn-born architect Robert A.M. Stern designed Disney's Boardwalk, the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and the Casting Center building.

[tiggerguy]

Tokyo Disney Resort's shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is called Ikspiari (the Japanese equivalent of the Downtown Disney complexes at the U.S. parks).