Walts Airplane at MGM

[Karl C]

While we were on Backlot Tour I noticed a classic part of Disney history in a nearly hidden display in a remote part of the tour.
It is the airplane that Walt used in his endeavor to build his dream. Though I have searched, I have not been able to locate any history of it on the internet.
WDW is missing a chance to develop a static display somewhere on Disney property were anyone interested would be able to get a closer look at this piece of Disney / Aviation history. If anyone has found a link, knows any of it's past or anyone who is a cast member that knows if this idea has ever been considered, I would like to hear from you.
For instance, The G-1 could be displayed on a podium or even a "In flight" pedestal if it is not airworthy any longer. It's past could be presented using a photographic timeline.
This aircraft was not a movie prop. It is being displayed totally out of character to the roll it played in the early years Walt's interests. Not to mention that it is a multi million dollar piece of equipment.
Being a aviation buff in addition to a avid Disney fan combining the two would be the best of both worlds. I would jump at the chance to be able to pose near the aircraft.

 

[goofyernmost]

GREAT IDEA! Hopefully, someone will think of it that has the power to do something about it. It would be great. I have wondered about that myself. It just seems like an after thought or prop.

My guess is that someone with limited foresight probably gutted the plane and, if they didn't, sitting in the florida sun all these years probably didn't do much for its interior condition. If it could be restored it would be an attraction that I would stand in line to see. Just think the very plane that Uncle Walt used in the process of creating our playground. Wow!

It could even be said that it could go in the Smithsonian. Look at the roll it played in the recreational and entertainment segment of our economy and lifestyle.

 

[Baloo]

WELCOME to the DIS Karl C

Ya know Karl I have thought the same thing over the years.I remember when I saw the plane on my 1st trip to WDW in 1991.I knew what it was before the CM told us. I was thrilled to see it in" real life" because I remembered seeing it on the Wonderful World of Disney when Walt was telling about finding the land in Florida and building WDW.

Hopefully someone will do what you suggested.I think it's a great idea too!

 

[Baloo]

I was talking to a friend of mine and he knew a couple good airplane stories about WDW.

Walt's plane, known as Mickey Mouse 234 because of it's FAA letters MM234, was flown into WDW in the early nineties. They blocked off the North-South road, painted it up with runway strips, and landed the plane right on the northbound lane. Michael Eisner was in it when it landed.

They then hoisted the plane over the berm wall of the Disney/MGM Studios with a large crane. It sat for weeks backstage.They said it rivaled the nicest limos or tour buses you'd ever seen. Posh all the way. Very luxurious. State-of-the-art avionics.Disney company then proceeded to remove the engines and completely gut the aircraft. What you see today is just the empty shell of the plane. It is totally empty. The engines you see holding the props on are, well, props. They are fake engines to make the plane look complete.

Rumor had it that the plane was so old it would have been cost-prohibitive to fix all the airframe problems it had, so they just retired it.

In another aircraft fiasco, there is a rumor that the plane seen in the Great Movie Ride "Casablanca" scene was the actual aircraft used in the movie. Apparently, they looked all around to find a plane similar to the one in the film, and bought the first one they liked. After cutting it in half to put it in the ride, they checked the serial numbers and discovered it was the actual Casablanca plane from the film! The tail end could be seen for years sitting in the boneyard on the tram tour. I think this urban Disney legend has since been debunked, but it's fun to think about, though.

 

[Karl C]

Thanks Baloo! that makes it sound like Disney had at least the right idea when they kept the aircraft after retiring it and chose not to sell it off outright. It is a fairly common practice to remove the engines of the aircraft when it is removed from service. Then to hang the props back on it, as if the powerplant was still there, when it is known that the aircraft is going to be relegated to a life as a display piece that will most likely never fly again.
With that said, It would be my fondest wish that Disney would take the last step and give Mickey Mouse 234 a dignified, in flight pedestal display, in a area that gives MM234 it's proper credit due. It is a debatably historically signifigent piece that they should take seriously in comparison to any of Walt's property that has been placed on public display.

( Humm, sounds a lobbyist with a cause may have been born )

 

[movingtoorlando]

does anyone know if the landing strip at disney is still servicable or not?

 

[Karl C]

WDW has or had a runway?

 

[disney queen]

yes they have a landing strip. i asked one of our sons who is a former CM about it and he told me it is near MK.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by Karl C
WDW has or had a runway?

Yes, and it is supposed to play "When You Wish Upon a Star" while landing because of the grooves in the runway!

 

[Dznefreek]

Yes, and it is supposed to play "When You Wish Upon a Star" while landing because of the grooves in the runway!

HA!

STOLPORT - short take off and landing located across from MK parking lot under the monorail beam after you pass through the toll booths to go to FW, WL.

 

[Karl C]

Spaced groves in a runway that mimic
"When You Wish Upon a Star" while rolling out ?
Sounds like somebody was a little "out there" on that one.
I can't help but wonder what those groves would sound like
backwards when taking off.
"Off to Neverland" or "I can Fly". ( hearty lol )


If anyone had told me that, and this was at any place other than
Disneyworld, I would have never considered it.
Still it sounds like urban Mouselor to me.

I always knew that one had to be creative to work for Disney.
However this gives a whole new meaning to the word.

 

[NotUrsula]

According to the Hidden Mickeys site, the "tune" played by the bumps in the airstrip paving is actually "Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da."

For details, check out the notes under item #13 on this page:
http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Property/Secrets/Secrets.html

Snopes.com debunks the Casablanca plane story:
http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/casablan.htm

BTW: Not at WDW, but a few weeks ago, another famous plane went on display at an Orlando theme park. Jimmy Buffett's Grumman Albatross seaplane, the "Hemisphere Dancer" has been placed on display at Universal's Citywalk, to celebrate the opening of a new restaurant.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
According to the Hidden Mickeys site, the "tune" played by the bumps in the airstrip paving is actually "Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da."

Thanks for the link! I knew it was one of the Disney songs.

 

[Grinning Ghost]

Originally posted by Karl C
While we were on Backlot Tour I noticed a classic part of Disney history in a nearly hidden display in a remote part of the tour.
It is the airplane that Walt used in his endeavor to build his dream. Though I have searched, I have not been able to locate any history of it on the internet.
WDW is missing a chance to develop a static display somewhere on Disney property were anyone interested would be able to get a closer look at this piece of Disney / Aviation history. If anyone has found a link, knows any of it's past or anyone who is a cast member that knows if this idea has ever been considered, I would like to hear from you.

Karl C, I recently came across an article that you might be interested in reading. Jim Korkis, a Disney historian, wrote an article about this very plane. He provides some interesting information about Walt Disney and planes, as well as some statistics about this specific plane.

Click on the link below and then scroll down to the article titled "Flying High with Walt" dated August 27.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm

 

[Tagrel]

We finally took the backlot tour for the first time this year and saw this plane. I think its a great idea to move it out where more could enjoy it (and get a decent picture!)

This was the best I could do...

 

[Karl C]

Hey Grinnin thanks a bunch for the article. That was more info then I was ever able to come up with myself. I appreciate your time.

Tagrel. What's up with that picture? when was it taken? If it's current, it looks as if it is being repositioned in the park. It looks to me that it is still "off the walking path" though. Did you hear any buzz on what their up to?

 

[ktulu]

The plane is on the backlot tour, and they point it out on the tour. My wife and I got a picture of it when we were down Aug9-16.

darren