D23 Reveals Member Gift for 2016 Highlighting Disney's Rich History:
The 2016 member gift for D23 Gold members will honor the restoration of Walt's office suite on the Burbank Studios lot. The gift highlights Disney's rich history with D23 working with the Walt Disney Archives to reproduce 23 items from Walt's career that trace back his path from America's heartland to the world stage.
The gift comes in a 'book' designed to hold all 23 items and will be sent to all D23 Gold and Gold Family members who join or renew from January 1 through December 31, 2016. Some of the items included are items from Walt’s early years in business such as his 1923 Laugh-O-gram Films Inc. business card and the famous 1928 “Everything OK” telegram, which Walt cryptically wired his brother Roy when he lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Also in the collection are the 1955 Disneyland invitational press preview pass and Walt’s notes on pages from the “EPCOT Film” script from 1966. Pieces representing animation, live action, television, and theme parks—as well as Walt’s own personal life—make up this one-of-a-kind set. Here is the complete list of items you will receive in this year's gift:
1 – “Walt Disney, Cartoonist” Envelope (ca. 1921) - In the early 1920s, aspiring newspaper cartoonist Walt Disney discovers the art of animation. Experiments in his parents’ backyard garage lead to his first, though short-lived, business venture in Kansas City.
2 – Laugh-O-gram Films Inc. Business Card (1923) - Madcap takes on classic tales give Walt his first screen success. Pen-and-ink Goldie Locks, Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella pave the way for a live-action Alice, whose comedic adventures in a cartoon wonderland click with audiences and spawn a series.
3 – The Ocean Hop Poster Art (1927) - Walt’s second successful series starred Oswald, a rabbit whose ”luck” held through a series of 26 silent shorts. In this poster design, Oswald salutes American air ace Charles Lindbergh, whose transoceanic flight captivated Walt—and the world.
4 – “Everything OK” Telegram (1928) - Following the devastating loss of Oswald to his New York distributor, Walt cryptically wires his brother that all is well. Ever the optimist, as his train speeds west, Walt plans his next act… and the mouse who will be its headliner.
5 – Disney Hyperion Studio Letterhead (ca. 1930) - Walt Disney’s studio on Hyperion Avenue grows steadily as the triumph ofSteamboat Willieallows Walt and his artists to establish and refine animation with an emphasis on storytelling and personality.
6 – “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo” Sheet Music (1930) - Movie theaters play host to the first Mickey Mouse Clubs, where throngs of “Mickey Mice” convene for Saturday matinees with their favorite star. The official club song, “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo,” is the creation of music director Carl Stalling and Walt Disney himself.
7 – Walt and Lillian Disney Christmas Card (1931) - 3 years after his debut, Mickey Mouse is a global celebrity, and his creator’s name is a household word. Walt and his wife, Lillian, send this elegant holiday greeting to friends and acquaintances, anticipating a decades-long tradition of illustrated Studio cards.
8 – Silly Symphonies Film Industry Trade Ad (1932) - Pushing established boundaries, the Silly Symphonies explore music and color in vibrant and unexpected ways. The series paves the way for an entirely new motion picture genre: feature animation, beginning with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
9 – Radio Broadcast Publicity Photograph (ca. 1938) - Eager radio listeners tune in to The Mickey Mouse Theatre of the Air, a Sunday afternoon treat featuring original stories, music, and character voices from Disney pictures… including Walt as both himself and Mickey.
10 – Staff Handbook Organizational Chart (1943) - At his bustling new studio in Burbank, Walt’s creative team expands. New arrivals learn that the friendly atmosphere originates from their famous boss, who insists on being addressed by his first name.
11 – Memory Book Sketch by Walt Disney (1944) - On December 28, 1944, a testimonial dinner is held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood for Mr. A.V. Cauger, who had given several future animation luminaries their starts at the Kansas City Film Ad Company—including a grateful Walt Disney.
12 – London Train Shop Receipt (1949) - Miniature railroad enthusiast “W. Disney, Esq.” eyes an engine for his backyard layout, as does designer Harper Goff. Walt gets the train, but Harper gets a job that will make him a Disney Legend.
13 – Walt Disney “Fan Card” (ca. 1954) - The Studio Fan Mail Department receives mail for all Disney personalities, particularly Walt himself. Special fan cards are sent in reply, including this portrait of Walt with a collection of characters drawn by legendary artist Bob Moore.
14 – Walt’s Mickey Mouse Club Notes (ca. 1954) - To fund his theme park plans, Walt agrees to produce both a weekly anthology and a daily children’s TV series for ABC. The groundbreakingMickey Mouse Club features a talent showcase, history, current events, and, naturally, Disneyland fun.
15 – Invitation to 30th Anniversary Party (1955) - Time flies as Walt and Lilly mark 30 years of marriage with a spectacular Disneyland party four days before the park’s dedication. Humorous lovebirds caricature the happy couple on their own copy of the invitation.
16 – Disneyland Press Preview Pass (1955) - While the nation watches on live television, Walt hosts the invitational opening of his original Magic Kingdom on July 17, 1955. Disneyland becomes every child’s vacation goal—and welcomes its one-millionth guest in less than two months.
17 – Inter-Office Memo to Ward Kimball (1955) - Directing animator Ward Kimball, who had helped fan the flames of Walt’s love for trains, receives the title of Honorary Vice President of the new Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad and, most importantly, a pass to enjoy its scenic route around the park.
18 – Walt Disney’s Autograph (1958) - Increasingly, Walt is recognized while roaming Disneyland, and to avoid gathering crowds while still accommodating autograph requests, takes to carrying pre-signed paper in his pockets. He quickly hands a sheet to a requestor then hurries on his way.
19 – It’s a Small World Notecard (1964) - Walt’s salute to children everywhere, It’s a Small World is one of four Disney exhibits showcased at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Visitors can aid its sponsor, UNICEF, by purchasing this and other Mary Blair art cards beneath the landmark Tower of the Four Winds.
20 – Mary Poppins Promotional Piece (1964)
Walt seeks the rights to P. L. Travers’ enchanting stories for decades and is rewarded with the biggest hit of his cinematic career. Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke dazzle in this extraordinary musical fantasy, rightfully heralded as “a supreme achievement.”
21 – Postcard of Walt’s Plane (ca. 1964) - Actively enjoying the perk of a company plane, Walt follows two earlier Beechcraft models with this sleek Grumman Gulfstream I, which is used for travel and to scout land parcels in Florida. Delighted passengers receive this postcard as an exclusive in-flight amenity.
22 – Walt Disney Productions Pass (ca. 1966) - Visitors to Walt’s 44-acre lot in Burbank find a charming, campus-like environment, much the same as when it was built in 1940. Stages and backlot streets are later additions to this community of collegial creativity where anything is possible.
23 – Walt’s Notes on EPCOT Film Script (1966) - Walt annotates writer Marty Sklar’s script introducing the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Executive Card Walker will see both this film and the EPCOT project through to completion.
Pizza Planet to Close for Lengthy Refurbishment:
Well, we may have an idea what or where Pizza Planet will be and look like by next November when it closes for the lengthy refurbishment beginning January 19, 2016. The refurbishment is slated to last until November 7, 2016.
Much speculation has been put out that when Toy Story Land eventually opens in Hollywood Studios that Pizza Planet would re-open in the new land across the park from where it currently is located. As details come out about Toy Story Land, one would assume that when Pizza Planet will open to new theming, even possibly a new name when it re-opens in November.
Stay tuned for details on this refurbishment and news on both Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land as construction is set to begin sometime in early 2016.
Disney Testing Paid Parking at Walt Disney World Resorts:
After an earlier test at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney will resume testing of paid parking at its resorts with a test at Disney's Boardwalk. It will be the latest attempt to control parking at the resorts. If the successful test continue resorts with paid parking will prevent guests from lying to park at resorts saying they are visiting when they are just using the parking to spots to visit the theme parks instead.
With the new policy, guests without reservations and guests who are not resort guests will have to pay a parking fee to park at the resort. Guests with dining reservations, Tables in Wonderland members (who get free valet when dining at resort restaurant only, and of course resort guests would not have to pay the parking fee.
