This is likely mentioned elsewhere, but when I saw a snippet on Disney Insider that the Walt Disney Archives was on tour, I had to find out where. There was no official website that I could find but by searching, found that it would be at Graceland, beginning in July. Being a massive Walt Disney fan, a passive Elvis fan, & my birthday was July 31st, why, it was a trip trifecta!
From the Disney Archives, there was a nice smattering of artifacts including animation, MMC, parks (including a certain Toad ride vehicle that you could NOT get on
), along with costumes & props from films that made it a nice couple hours for a fan of all those things, such as myself. We even sprang for the VIP pass, a bargain at $50 for anything Disney! This included “credentials“, a pin, $15 food voucher, & guided tour (you could go back through on your own, if you wanted). Our guide was employed by Graceland but an avid Disney fan as well. She had done her own research, too. Her passion for this project was evident.
Afterward, we enjoyed all things Elvis: Graceland, his planes, cars, costumes, memorabilia, & more. It’d probably been a dozen years since I’d first been to Graceland & much has been improved. The racquetball court had been restored, having previously housed costumes & such. All of that has moved across the street to “Elvis Presley’s Memphis“, where all the displays, shopping, & restaurants are located. Each of the display attractions ends in a gift shop; there’s your Disney tie-in. There are a few interactive stations, sure to delight any Elvis fan!
The hubs & I were within a 6-hour driving distance, & since our route took us by Tupelo, MS, we began our journey there. At Elvis’ birthplace is that home, his childhood church, a museum & gift shop, all within a park like setting. There’s even a picnic pavilion, for your DIY lunch. We’d spent the night before in downtown Tupelo, where there’s lots of cool Elvis stuff. Not the least of which is an Elvis mural with a not-so HIDDEN MICKEY!
If you’ve stuck with me this far, please indulge me as I make my last Disney-Elvis connection. Since returning from our trip, I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube Elvis videos. One video was with Billy Stanley, Elvis’ stepbrother. He was just 7 years old when he moved to Graceland in 1960. Elvis picked Billy up from school one day, in his pink Cadillac. Lots of people were gathered round, getting autographs. When Billy got in the car, he asked Elvis if he was famous or something. Elvis replied, “Some people think so”. Billy thought for a second, thinking about the most person he knew & asked if he was more famous than Mickey Mouse. Elvis chuckled and replied, “Some people think so”.
From the Disney Archives, there was a nice smattering of artifacts including animation, MMC, parks (including a certain Toad ride vehicle that you could NOT get on
), along with costumes & props from films that made it a nice couple hours for a fan of all those things, such as myself. We even sprang for the VIP pass, a bargain at $50 for anything Disney! This included “credentials“, a pin, $15 food voucher, & guided tour (you could go back through on your own, if you wanted). Our guide was employed by Graceland but an avid Disney fan as well. She had done her own research, too. Her passion for this project was evident.Afterward, we enjoyed all things Elvis: Graceland, his planes, cars, costumes, memorabilia, & more. It’d probably been a dozen years since I’d first been to Graceland & much has been improved. The racquetball court had been restored, having previously housed costumes & such. All of that has moved across the street to “Elvis Presley’s Memphis“, where all the displays, shopping, & restaurants are located. Each of the display attractions ends in a gift shop; there’s your Disney tie-in. There are a few interactive stations, sure to delight any Elvis fan!
The hubs & I were within a 6-hour driving distance, & since our route took us by Tupelo, MS, we began our journey there. At Elvis’ birthplace is that home, his childhood church, a museum & gift shop, all within a park like setting. There’s even a picnic pavilion, for your DIY lunch. We’d spent the night before in downtown Tupelo, where there’s lots of cool Elvis stuff. Not the least of which is an Elvis mural with a not-so HIDDEN MICKEY!
If you’ve stuck with me this far, please indulge me as I make my last Disney-Elvis connection. Since returning from our trip, I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube Elvis videos. One video was with Billy Stanley, Elvis’ stepbrother. He was just 7 years old when he moved to Graceland in 1960. Elvis picked Billy up from school one day, in his pink Cadillac. Lots of people were gathered round, getting autographs. When Billy got in the car, he asked Elvis if he was famous or something. Elvis replied, “Some people think so”. Billy thought for a second, thinking about the most person he knew & asked if he was more famous than Mickey Mouse. Elvis chuckled and replied, “Some people think so”.
to the DIS!
