A Very Lurkyloo Christmas is FINISHED! New 3/16: Last Day of the Trip!

[lurkyloo]

Waiting for us inside the Archives was none other than Dave Smith, Chief Archivist and founder of the Walt Disney Archives! Like a lot of other Disney nerds, I want to be him when I grow up.

Dave is great! He told us a bit about what was in the cases around the room and then brought out some rare items for us to see and showed them around. Most of them were in archival sleeves, but some he’d take out and hold in his hand, and I’d think “Yikes! Shouldn’t he be wearing gloves or something?”

Cases full of merchandise from many different decades

Walt’s personal items

There are maquettes (3-D models used as reference by animators) all along the tops of the bookcases.

I think my favorite artifact we saw was the mechanical bird that inspired Walt to develop Audio-Animatronics.

Dave showed us a postcard Walt drew for his mother, noting that it disproved the theory that Walt couldn’t draw:

A complete Disneyland ticket book

Probably the first merchandise licensed by Disney

This script for Steamboat Willie was found in Walt’s desk drawer after he died, seeming to indicate that he was always mindful of the roots of his success.

Original backgrounds for Steamboat WIllie – gack! Only one of them is in plastic!

Walt’s doodle in a scrapbook

We also saw the very first ticket sold to Disneyland (Roy bought it) and some Opening Day ephemera like the commemorative ticket and an intact parking pass. We were given about 10 minutes to wander around the Archives, and when I saw someone getting their picture with Dave, I jumped on the bandwagon!

Looky! I wear glasses too! I could be the next Chief Archivist!

Original background plate from The Old Mill

Dave recently told a story in one of the Disney publications about how he found this in the office of a Disney janitor, who said he’d found it in the trash years ago and pulled it out to keep on his shelf. It’s the original snow globe from Mary Poppins!

All too soon, they were shooing us out of the Archives to get ready for the next group. On our way out we got replica Disney Studio security officer patches, which was cool but what am I going to do with all these patches? (They gave us a Disneyland one in the latest issue of the magazine). It’s not like I still own an acid-wash Guess jean jacket I can sew them on or anything...

 

[lurkyloo]

On the way out, we took some more random pictures. Someone saw me on my iPhone and asked “Are you taking notes?” to which I proudly replied, “I’m live-blogging on Twitter for the DIS!” I don’t think they had ever heard of the DIS before – MiceChat and MousePlanet are more popular in this neck of the woods...

Lurkyloo: Proudly bringing to the DIS such thrilling shots as these!

Our last stop was the building containing the Disney Employee Center and the Studio Store. As a D23 staffer held the door open my eyes got big as saucers and I gasped, “You mean we actually get to BUY things here?!!!” Then I dashed inside and started filling our basket like I was on Supermarket Sweep.

My brain got the part where we were being allowed to shop in a store that is off-limits to the general public, but it missed the part where we didn’t get the huge discount that Cast Members get. However, we didn’t fare too badly because a lot of stuff was on sale.

I didn’t realize there are actually two stores – the Employee Center had the more exclusive, cast member-only stuff (plus random daily necessities like Ritz crackers and InTouch Magazine), while the Studio Store was just a mini Disney Store with all the same junk—er, stuff.

As I sprinted around the Employee Center trying to find my souvenir for the day, I kept coming back to the colorful display of generic gift shop merch at the front of the store. But I kept telling myself not to get it because it looked like stuff you could get anywhere!

Even these Fantasia-themed candles look like you could find them in any old gift shop

Since I was striking out, I just started dumping stuff in the basket for Patrick: a “D” logo hat, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit pins, and an ugly but limited edition Studio pin. He added a $12 T-shirt and some postcards.

After we checked out there, we went next door to the Studio Store.

I guess DH really liked this mural!

Finally, after another couple of turns through the Employee Center, I settled on a unique souvenir that would capture the essence of our tour and forever remind me of the very special day we spent at the Walt Disney Studios...

... OK, no, for reals I broke down and got an anonymous mirrored picture frame with a vaguely Moroccan theme that seemed perfect for one of my fave wedding photos, and of course *I* will always know where I got it even if no one else does.


Our loot!

 

[lurkyloo]

To continue the theme, after we left we drove over to the circa 1945 Smoke House restaurant, where the Disney studio folks used to lunch. I read that it’s one of the stops on a personal tour D23 is auctioning off at the Expo in September, which also includes meeting Dave Smith, visiting the sites of all three Disney studios in L.A., riding on a miniature train courtesy of the LA Live Steamers, and visiting Walt’s Barn—all things we’ve done, so we pretty much just saved ourselves thousands of dollars!

Talk about a throwback, this place still has red Naugahyde booths, a neon “Cocktails” sign outside the cavernous bar, and a menu where you half expect to see canned peaches over cottage cheese and a lettuce leaf as the “diet” special.

The Smoke House is also HUGE – there were three dining rooms, plus a private room, and that bar the size of the main dining room. However, we were one of just four groups eating there that Saturday afternoon. They seated us next to a grouchy older couple who spent their entire meal complaining about people who constantly need to be on their “Palm-berries” and “peep” their every move. So I peeped about ’em!

We started with neon orange garlic cheese bread that tasted like a salt lick and doubles as a handy safety beacon in traffic....

Next we split a tough, water-logged “grilled” artichoke accompanied by the Smoke House’s special mayo, which must’ve had MSG or crack or something in it because I would have eaten it on ANYTHING, even my Palmberry!

But the meal got a lot better after that. We split the Signature Barbeque Tri-Tip and a baked potato, which required them wheeling out a cart laden with vats of sour cream, chives and whipped butter so they could smear it all over the potater table-side.

Yeah, this is only half a meal at the Smoke House...

After beaning both the remaining patrons when the top buttons ricocheted off our pants, we were going to pass on dessert.... until they brought over a ginormous dessert tray and one of the things on it was Boston Cream Pie! You never see Boston Cream Pie in restaurants! We had to get it.

I loved that it had so much chocolate on it – usually the chocolate-icing-to-custard-and-cake ratio is really off. This was the perfect amount.

After that, we pretty much didn’t have to eat for the rest of the weekend!


The End! Stayed tuned in September for live Tweets from the D23 Expo!

... But, I mean, I’ll be back before then, cuz I gotta get my ADRs in a few weeks...

 

[annnewjerz]

Looky! I wear glasses too! I could be the next Chief Archivist!

AH-HA!!! I caught you red handed, you fibber, you!! I seem to recall someone in my PTR saying they don't do "disney-wear" and that the most disney thing they'd worn was a pair of silvery earrings.

...........Well, if I'm not mistaken that sure looks like a Disney shirt you are wearing.

Now before you get all "It doesn't even have a character on it" or "Well we were wearing it for a D23 event so it doesn't count"----I assure you, it does count.

If you hadn't already crossed over to the dark side (which I'm sure you had and just kept is a secret reeeeeally well), you just did in the instant you posted that picture. You are Ms. Non-Disneywear no longer and I officially revoke your membership to my exclusive club.







Okay so in all seriousness your tour looks awesome. I LOVE that Walt kept the script for Steamboat Willie in his drawer, it's nice to see someone with a shred of humility still existed somewhere in the world (no pun intended )

Looks like you guys are getting some good use out of the new camera. I know we'll be in WDW at the same time in December, but I'm so looking forward to logging on when I get home (or on my iPHONE if you are live blogging) to see WDW at Christmas through the eyes, camera and iPHONE of Lurkyloo. It's like when you go to a hockey game and watch the whole thing on the JumboTron even though you're there in person. That's probably a hard comparison to understand unless you've done it countless times.

 

[jennifaerie]

Now before you get all "It doesn't even have a character on it" or "Well we were wearing it for a D23 event so it doesn't count"----I assure you, it does count.

It doesn't count if you've made it yourself to get free desserts and other treats while on your first anniversary trip.

Lurkyloo, I can attest to those hallways Jennifer Garner was running down. We are re-watching Alias right this moment, and those are, indeed, VERY familiar. I kept expecting the Bristow clan to come running down the hallway at any moment!

 

[annnewjerz]

It doesn't count if you've made it yourself to get free desserts and other treats while on your first anniversary trip.

I think I'm going to have to respectfully disagree and say it still does count. There is no "hand-made for our anniversary for extra desserts" stipulation in the Non-Disneywear Club, because if there was---I'd know about it and would have made our first ever Disney shirts for our upcoming anniversary trip in October.

 

[PopArtGal]

So awesome.

Thank you for sharing the tour with us.

I, like you, would love to have Dave Smith's job.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Chocolate Eclair, chocolate mousse, and Cake 'o the Day from the France Bakery. I wasn't expecting the chocolate eclair to have chocolate cream inside but it was still good. Also the Cake of the Day (bf's choice) was very good and not as rich as I was expecting it to be (I was also quite relieved to not find any hidden raspberry sauce ).

 

[romymichelle21]

Marc Davis, Ward Kimball, Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston – Look closely, cuz one of these things is not like the others!

Ward has 5 fingers!

Also, Frank's wife was probably pretty annoyed that he got concrete on his wedding ring...

I still can't believe you hung out at Dick Van you-know-who's house. And then I met you at Disneyland - so Will and I are like, Dick's homies by association!

Oh, speaking of Dland, this week starts official off-season! Are you guys as excited as I am?? Walk-on days!

 

[lurkyloo]

AH-HA!!! I caught you red handed, you fibber, you!! I seem to recall someone in my PTR saying they don't do "disney-wear" and that the most disney thing they'd worn was a pair of silvery earrings.

...........Well, if I'm not mistaken that sure looks like a Disney shirt you are wearing.

Now before you get all "It doesn't even have a character on it" or "Well we were wearing it for a D23 event so it doesn't count"----I assure you, it does count.

Hey now....

It doesn't count if you've made it yourself to get free desserts and other treats while on your first anniversary trip.

What she said!

I think I'm going to have to respectfully disagree and say it still does count. There is no "hand-made for our anniversary for extra desserts" stipulation in the Non-Disneywear Club, because if there was---I'd know about it and would have made our first ever Disney shirts for our upcoming anniversary trip in October.

But there IS and you SHOULD! That's not Disney wear - it's a Free-Dessert Magnet! It doesn't have any characters on it and it's not officially made by Disney and I say I'm still a card-carrying member of the Non-Disneywear Club so there!

Now get thee to Zazzle/Spreadshirt/Cafe Press et al and make yourself a Free-Dessert Magnet before it's too late!

Lurkyloo, I can attest to those hallways Jennifer Garner was running down. We are re-watching Alias right this moment, and those are, indeed, VERY familiar. I kept expecting the Bristow clan to come running down the hallway at any moment!

That is awesome! I love it when they're so resourceful with locations. Now I'm going to have to watch at least one episode of Alias to see what it looked like.

Looks like you guys are getting some good use out of the new camera. I know we'll be in WDW at the same time in December, but I'm so looking forward to logging on when I get home (or on my iPHONE if you are live blogging) to see WDW at Christmas through the eyes, camera and iPHONE of Lurkyloo. It's like when you go to a hockey game and watch the whole thing on the JumboTron even though you're there in person. That's probably a hard comparison to understand unless you've done it countless times.

Oooh! Ooh! I do this too, at concerts! I'm always like "Why am I watching the JumboTron - I'm actually AT the show!" but then I remember "Oh yeah, because I am in the *nosebleed section* and can't even see the stage...."

So awesome.

Thank you for sharing the tour with us.

I, like you, would love to have Dave Smith's job.

Seriously - what're they going to do when he retires? Who knows as much as Dave? Nobody, that's who. They'll need to hire a bunch of us to fill his shoes...

Chocolate Eclair, chocolate mousse, and Cake 'o the Day from the France Bakery. I wasn't expecting the chocolate eclair to have chocolate cream inside but it was still good. Also the Cake of the Day (bf's choice) was very good and not as rich as I was expecting it to be (I was also quite relieved to not find any hidden raspberry sauce ).

Whew! That *was* a close call. Thanks for the fab pic - it was like some kind of cosmic collision of chocolate!

Ward has 5 fingers!

Also, Frank's wife was probably pretty annoyed that he got concrete on his wedding ring...

I thought that too! I noticed Thurl Ravenscroft had on two rings, and one of them looked like it was an X pattern. Very cool!

Oh, speaking of Dland, this week starts official off-season! Are you guys as excited as I am?? Walk-on days!

The thing is, to hear Al Lutz over at MiceAge tell it, D-land is actually going to be MORE crowded in the off-season because now none of the 800,000 annual passholders are blocked out and they're all flooding back into the parks. He's got me thinking I shoulda been going on Saturdays all summer when everyone else was blocked out - tee hee!

But, yeah, I'm excited! I'm actually starting to miss it again, which is a nice feeling.

 

[MyMuse]

Just thought I'd come out of lurkdom to say how much I am enjoying your TR.

Thank you for posting about your D23 tour! How fantastic!

Someday, I'll get to Disneyland.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Loved the rest of your Studio Tour trip report! I'm so jealous that you got to shop the employee store. And nice to see the return of your fabulous hat.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Loved the rest of your Carrie! It was so cool to see all the old stuff and to hear some of the stories.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

What an awesome experience (the tour AND the cake/pie!) Thanks for sharing it!

I actually had to google to see if Ward had an extra finger

 

[jennifaerie]

I think I'm going to have to respectfully disagree and say it still does count. There is no "hand-made for our anniversary for extra desserts" stipulation in the Non-Disneywear Club, because if there was---I'd know about it and would have made our first ever Disney shirts for our upcoming anniversary trip in October.

No, that just means you didn't get the memo!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Carrie! I've been crazy busy, but all caught up now. I loved your D23 tour report! I read the link to MouseChat from Twitter, then realized you had it all here - double the fun! I'm stalking you. (OOps! did I say that?) I mean following you on Twitter! I'm www.twitter/TammieManfull

We're heading out tomorrow for our trip, so maybe we'll see you at the Happiest Place on Earth!

 

[Happydog]

So I am simultaneously happy and grouchy to report that WDW is officially going back to a 180-day window for booking dining reservations and posting park hours -- but not til Oct. 27.

I will try to use this as an excuse to get DH to go back to WDW in February for our 2nd anniversary (since our ADR window would be, like, Oct. 27) but I don't think it's going to work...

WHY COULDN'T THEY HAVE DECIDED THIS SOONER?!

That is all.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBER irritating, I agree...

 

[Happydog]

I have been gone for two weeks, hence two posts! Very cool photos on your tour, that must have been a really neat opportunity to see all the artifacts and to hear the historians, etc.

Also, thanks for the note on the pre-menu for the new Cat Cora restaurant -- I don't know about olive toast either! But the flavors sound promising otherwise!

 

[jwwi]

Very cool tour of D23, I loved all the pictures and details from the tour. Your dessert looked yummy! Not sure the rest of the meal looked all that appetizing though. Love the look of the outside of the restaurant. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Disneygrl36]

All caught up again & excited for you for the special DIS party you get to go to in Dec.

I read your D23 report on MiceChat & then found it here (after I sent you a pm about it). You got to see so much more of the Studios than we did on our ABD Backstage Magic.....we totally did not get to see the ink & paint tunnel or the hallway with the offices of the GREATEST animators of all time or the archives. ABD better improve that part after these D23 events or they might have some sore customers if they know what a great tour you guys got.