Eyes on Walt Disney's Plane

[Mike2023]

You beat me to it. The plane, in its current form, looks nothing like what Walt rode on. So why would one more cosmetic change make a difference. Do you really think that the plane had the words "Walt Disney World" on it during Walt's lifetime? The resort itself was not given that name until after Walt died. So if they painted extra words on the plane, what is the big deal about a temporary decal of a smile and some eyes to promote a movie. Walt was a promoter. Odds are he would endorse the promotion. (But maybe not the lame movie which should have been a "straight-to-DVD" release.)

It's funny right? I wonder what would happen if Disney decided to restore the plane to cosmetically match the way it looked when Walt was actually using it. I bet the uproar would be greater then what happened with the eyes.

 

[safetymom]

Apparently the eyes have not come off yet.

 

[Paul in CT]

I wouldn't be too concerned. This decoration is probably only temporary. Even the way it was decorated before may have been done or retouched since Walt's passing. Was the "Walt Disneyworld" actually on the plane when Walt flew in it? I think not. I thought that Roy Disney decided only AFTER Walt's passing that it should be "Walt Disney World".

 

[DisneyDetective]

I agree with everything Nikki said. It should not have been touched.

That being said, the plane was one Walt flew on but not the first 'Disney plane'. The original was painted orange.

Still..... It's kind of sacred in my eyes and I don't appreciate them plastering it with this nonsense.

I agree! I cannot believe they would do something like that to a piece of WDW history even if it isn't the real one. It will surely make the backlot tour interesting!

Does anyDibb know if there are any photos of the original plane as I never knew it was actually orange?

 

[SkyMedik]

I agree! I cannot believe they would do something like that to a piece of WDW history even if it isn't the real one. It will surely make the backlot tour interesting!

Does anyDibb know if there are any photos of the original plane as I never knew it was actually orange?

I used to have one, along with an interview they did about the company planes. I'll see if I can dig it up. Believe it was a Beechcraft Queen Air....

 

[scjo68]

Apparently the eyes have not come off yet.

They were definitely still there on the 23rd.