Helmsman Mickey Statue

[mmouse37]

Just thoughts folks might be interested in how DCL got the idea for the Helmsman Mickey statue in the Atrium of the Disney Magic. Many people think it comes from Steamboat Willie but that is not the case.

It comes from the famous statue "Man at the Wheel" that is located in Gloucester, Mass. It is a memorial to all the fisherman that were lost at sea and an icon and wish for all sailors to return safely to port. My mom grew up in Gloucester and ever since we were kids we spent every summer up there so I grew up always seeing that statue. Imagine the first time I boarded the Magic and saw helmsman Mickey...I immediately knew what the statue was based on. Anyway...I was up in Gloucester this week and decided to take a pic and post it here so everyone can see a bit of history.....

The original statue.......

The Mickey Statue.....

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[backtoTX]

Interesting.

Just curious - do you know that to be the case here or are you presuming it based on the similarities?

Adam

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Interesting, MJ!

 

[mmouse37]

Interesting.

Just curious - do you know that to be the case here or are you presuming it based on the similarities?

Adam

Good question......yep..it is a fact....it is mentioned in the Art of Disney Magic self-guided tour guidebook you can get from guest services.

 

[Candy Apple]

... the Art of Disney Magic self-guided tour guidebook you can get from guest services.

What is that? Is there a charge for that?

 

[mmouse37]

What is that? Is there a charge for that?

No charge. I believe you just go to guest service and ask for the guidebook (the guidebook is very small, about the size of a pocket monthly calendar) and you walk around the ship at your leisure and check out all the different artwork onboard. The guide give a brief description of the artist and a bit about the different types of art pieces onboard.

 

[Tink rules]

So it really wasn't after the Gorton's Fisherman???

 

[mmouse37]

So it really wasn't after the Gorton's Fisherman???

Ha Ha.... hadn't heard that one before but Gorton's is also from Gloucester.....too funny!

 

[mmouse37]

bump

 

[sarahmarie]

No charge. I believe you just go to guest service and ask for the guidebook (the guidebook is very small, about the size of a pocket monthly calendar) and you walk around the ship at your leisure and check out all the different artwork onboard. The guide give a brief description of the artist and a bit about the different types of art pieces onboard.

Do they still have this guide book, and is there only one for the Magic, or are there ones for each of the ships? (I'll be on the Wonder next April.)

 

[Meg'n'walt]

It always makes me think of this statue in Monte carlo ..

 

[dmarie5]

Just thoughts folks might be interested in how DCL got the idea for the Helmsman Mickey statue in the Atrium of the Disney Magic. Many people think it comes from Steamboat Willie but that is not the case.

It comes from the famous statue "Man at the Wheel" that is located in Gloucester, Mass. It is a memorial to all the fisherman that were lost at sea and an icon and wish for all sailors to return safely to port. My mom grew up in Gloucester and ever since we were kids we spent every summer up there so I grew up always seeing that statue. Imagine the first time I boarded the Magic and saw helmsman Mickey...I immediately knew what the statue was based on. Anyway...I was up in Gloucester this week and decided to take a pic and post it here so everyone can see a bit of history.....

The original statue.......

The Mickey Statue.....

[/URL][/IMG]

mmarie37...what a wonderful surprise to see this...Gloucester is my hometown! I currently only live 20 minutes away but miss my summer walks on the boulevard.

 

[mmouse37]

mmarie37...what a wonderful surprise to see this...Gloucester is my hometown! I currently only live 20 minutes away but miss my summer walks on the boulevard.

I should break out in "It's a small world"....my mom grew up in Gloucester and we spent every summer there growing up. Love it there. We try to go each year when we can. Good Harbor Beach is my all time favorite beach on the East Coast. So many fantastic memories. My mom grew up on Division Street (near the school) and my grandma lived right on E. Main Street. Aunt lived on Wheelers Point!! I am so happy that I passed on my "love" for Gloucester, Rockport and Salem to our kids (who are now 23, 26 & 27). They have been visiting with friends when they can. Actually my great, great......grandfather was the 1st Governor of Salem....there is a statue of him in the center of town...Roger Conant. My cousin and her family live on that hill that looks over Nugent condos with views to Good Harbor. Their last name is Nugent.

Again...small world!!

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

Do they still have this guide book, and is there only one for the Magic, or are there ones for each of the ships? (I'll be on the Wonder next April.)

I honestly do not know if they still have them....I would think so. I am going on the Wonder on the 16th and I will ask if they have a similar art guidebook for the Wonder.

MJ

 

[kcashner]

OK, trivia question. In what other Disney venue can you find a duplicate of the Helmsman Mickey statue (full size, etc...not a tiny replica).
I'll post the answer tonight.

 

[networktek]

very interesting thanks for the info

 

[kcashner]

The answer is that the Helmsman Mickey statue is also on display at Tokyo Disney Sea....and if I knew how to attach a photo, I'd do it.