Research on Walt Disney during trip for DD....

[minniebeth]

My DD is doing a large research project in 5th grade and she chose the life of Walt Disney. I figured since we will be in Disneyland, this would be a good opportunity for her to do this. She needs a multitude of resources for the project. It would be great to get as many suggestions as possible, as part of her grade will include a creative approach as to how she does the research. Does anyone have any suggestions on where in the park she could gather info., photos, any other creative approach you can think of?
It would be greatly appreciatated! Thanks!

 

[jemilah]

Take a picture of Walt and Mickey statue in Main St , I know Barnes and Noble has a great bio for kids, my DS10 asked for it and read it . Oh and how about a photo of the window above the fire station that was Walt's apartment with the light that is always on in his memory. I'll try to think of more.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I know this isn't directly from Walt but what about including pictures of Hidden Mickey's she finds? Or a picture of the nail at the center of th park?

 

[DizneyMommy]

There was a show, I think it was called something like The First 50 Years, and I think they were playing it in place of the old Lincoln show on Main St. Maybe they have since removed it, but this had a LOT of great historical info, and your daughter could take lots of great notes from this about original rides, etc, and then take photos of what the rides look like today.

 

[DizneyMommy]

OH! I just thought of somethign else!! If you go to Carnation Inn to eat one day, ask if she can speak to Oscar. Oscar has been there since the park opened and is the head chef at Carnation. He will come around to guests occassionally and greet them, and he will give you his baked potato soup recipe if you ask. It would be really neat if she was able to interview him and ask him about meeting Walt!

 

[BecBennett]

IMO by just going to the park she's got the creative side covered, I'm sure most kids in her class will be getting the majority of their info from books or the net.

I think if she takes lots of photos of original rides and that sort of thing it would help.

Also if she does a search on youtube.com there's a short documentary about the park opening. If she has the ability, she could probably play that for the class as well, so long as she states where she got it from and that it's not her own.

 

[minniebeth]

Thanks for ALL the ideas everyone!
We will defiantely formulate a plan!
I have a question though, and forgive my ignorance, but can anyone tell me what the original DL rides are?? So I can make sure she gets phots, notes on them! SO APPRECIATIVE TO ALL!

 

[Pezalicious]

Do you like tours? You could take the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, and you could even try asking the guide questions you think would be good for the report.

 

[BecBennett]

Autopia was there opening day, - I think Frank Sinatra rode it... It has been refurbished since then though, but I think most of the rides have been.
Walt designed the Matterhorn I think... the Disneyland web site's pretty good to have a look at too...

 

[silence]

we met oscar on this past trip. what a nice guy! my DH was so impressed that he came to our table to talk to us.

i think i read too that one of the ladies that does the silhouettes has been in the park a long time as well.

 

[PrincessNya'sMom]

There is a show in DCA in the anamation place that tell the story of Walts life and about where he lived, worked and how his dream came true. Very interesting. You might try seeing that for inspiration. Its next to Disney play house.


Hope this helps.

 

[flyinshirer]

Pezalicious......my thoughts exactly! I have wanted to go on that tour for a long time. If it were my DD I would take her on that!

 

[fairycat]

The original Rides-
Jungle Cruise
Dumbo
Mister Toad
Peter Pan
Tea Cups
King Arthurs Carousel
(snow white and pinochio I am not 100% sure of)
Autopia
The Train


I think that is all but you might want to double check my list. For the 50th the original rides all had one golden vehicle to show that they were there from the beginning.

In a quick look for something totally different I came across this Disney Site Maybe this will help her some

http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html

Also important things to take note of at the park first the plaque above the tunnel "Here you leave the world of today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy", the opening day speech is at the hub of Main Street and of course Disney's Family Crest is over the drawbridge at the Castle. These things all remind me the most about the guy who built this magical place.

One last helpful hint, go see some of the classic photos at not only the First 50 magical years show on main street (your daughter will laugh pretty hard at the old costumes), but also head over to the Disneyland hotel, their lobbies and ground floor halls (between the ball rooms and shops) have some great classic photo displays and other fun displays. A nice side trip if you are heading over for Goofy's Kitchen.

 

[fairycat]

There is a show in DCA in the anamation place that tell the story of Walts life and about where he lived, worked and how his dream came true. Very interesting. You might try seeing that for inspiration. Its next to Disney play house.


Hope this helps.

Actually this show has been moved for Turtle Talk with Crush but it is at WDW. I miss it, it was a good show.

 

[Avery's mom]

I know that if I were grading your daughter's project, I would love to see a multimedia angle included in her presentation. If you will be at the parks, perhaps you could have your daughter narrate a movie (simple camcorder movie) describing Walt's impact on people as she encounters them in Disneyland. She could interview guests and ask them how Walt's life and contributions affect them - even today - over 50 years later.

You could also interview (by this I mean, just ask them a couple of questions) cast members to provide their perspective on Walt's original park.

As a teacher, I am always looking for methods that encourage students go the extra mile to become more engaged with the material. Incorporating technology and human interest to her project would be a nice way to show that she has delved a bit deeper into her work.

JMHO

 

[Phalene]

Its been a few years since I've been, but I think there is a window in Toon Town with Walt's name. Also, all of the windows on Main Street have names, including I believe his daughters and imagineers/people who helped with Disneyland.

 

[jemilah]

Steakhouse 55 in the DLH also has great photos of Walt and old time movie stars!