Is the "Porch Potato" Still Around?

[Tinkaboo]

I think his name is Frank? I stopped to visit with him last year but these last couple of trips, I've taken to walking through the stores to avoid traffic and I missed going by the porch. Just thought about him today, that's all...

 

[DizMe]

I saw him when I went to DL with my daughter in April (18-20th). I've been able to sit and chat with him many times, but that trip was about my dd and Frank was very busy with what looked like fans

 

[Tinkaboo]

Thanks, Diz! Glad to know he's still tickin'...and that he has fans!
Guess I will have to make a point to walk by there this time !

 

[DizMe]

Thanks, Diz! Glad to know he's still tickin'...and that he has fans!
Guess I will have to make a point to walk by there this time !

Best time is earlier in the morning. Most people are off to the rides! Grab a coffee or whatever and go have a visit with Frank

 

[evilmommie]

When Frank is at The Park, he’s there super early and usually leaves early afternoon. You can follow on him on Instagram.

 

[LKing]

He was there today.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I just saw on Instagram that Frank passed away. My heart goes out to his family. So sad. Next time I visit, I'm going to try to get a spot on the porch and have a coffee in his honor

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

ETA screenshot in case folks don't have Instagram.

 

[LKing]

Oh wow, we just saw him last Sunday.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I looked for him on my trip at the end of July but never saw him. I sat on the porch with him in March for a little while though. Sad that he has passed. On that note has anyone seen Peter Tu (Clapping Man of Disney) lately? I saw him last August, I think but not since.

 

[LKing]

On that note has anyone seen Peter Tu (Clapping Man of Disney) lately? I saw him last August, I think but not since.

We saw him a couple of months ago but dont see him often.

 

[DisneylandFreak2013]

He seemed to be in really good shape with how fast he would walk at rope drop to get to the porch first, I didn't think he was older!

That's sad, a lot of people really enjoyed visiting with him.

 

[xApril]

I looked for him on my trip at the end of July but never saw him. I sat on the porch with him in March for a little while though. Sad that he has passed. On that note has anyone seen Peter Tu (Clapping Man of Disney) lately? I saw him last August, I think but not since.

I saw him in June.

Really sad about Frank. Life is too short.

 

[KPeterso]

Oh wow, we just saw him last Sunday.

I saw online that people said that they had seen him as recently as Friday. Very sad - never visited with him but always saw him on the porch.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Was glad I stopped to chat with him last visit in June...he was quite the character and will be missed. He and Peter are the kind of people who make our DL unique and homey...RIP Porch Potato.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I saw Frank most weekends for the past year, we didn't talk but he was always friendly to everyone. On the bus rides over to the park I would see people come up and talk to him or ask for advice on the park since he has gone so much

The CMs seemed to love seeing him so its a sad event but I saw in the silhouette shop they had a tribute to him.


Also Clapping Peter I saw like two weeks ago in the park..

 

[evilmommie]

When I worked at The Park, we had Arthur. He was a one of a kind guy. Very sweet and part of the Disneyland family.

Frank was a very special kind of person. He chose Disneyland as his retirement destination. Lived for his porch days, Disney community, Dodgers and his wonderful friends & family. Exactly what Main Street USA should be all about. Miss you, Frank!

 

[Simba's Mom]

When I worked at The Park, we had Arthur. He was a one of a kind guy. Very sweet and part of the Disneyland family.

I'm wondering if Arthur could have been Art Bartner. He worked for the Disney parks for many years, was the band director for the All American College Band. He retired in 2005 (as an aside, DS was lucky enough to be a member of the band during Art's last year) and I can definitely see him returning to the park as a retirement destination, as Frank did.

 

[evilmommie]

I'm wondering if Arthur could have been Art Bartner. He worked for the Disney parks for many years, was the band director for the All American College Band. He retired in 2005 (as an aside, DS was lucky enough to be a member of the band during Art's last year) and I can definitely see him returning to the park as a retirement destination, as Frank did.

Not the same Arthur.
https://jungleis101.blogspot.com/2008/08/main-street-1984-meeting-arthur.html?m=1

 

[LKing]

I'm wondering if Arthur could have been Art Bartner. He worked for the Disney parks for many years, was the band director for the All American College Band. He retired in 2005 (as an aside, DS was lucky enough to be a member of the band during Art's last year) and I can definitely see him returning to the park as a retirement destination, as Frank did.

He was also the director of the Spirit of Troy (USC's marching band).