Here's another fun batch of photos from the Dream Team of Irene, Bruce, and James! Today's batch features the Disney Gallery (formerly in the space where Walt's New Orleans Square apartment was going to be), and an appearance by Disney Imagineer and Legend, Tony Baxter. I was unable to figure out the date of this event, unfortunately.
Tony B. was going to be there for four hours! That should give you plenty of time to have him autograph the cast on your left arm.
"The Art of Indiana Jones Adventure", I guess that should place this in 1995 (when that attraction debuted) or shortly thereafter.
It's nice to get a look at the old Gallery space again; I kind of miss it. Now it's a fancy place for VIPs to spend the night. Hey, there's Tony! I realize that we can only see five people in line, but none of them are young folks, much to my surprise. Of course there was Indy merch available for purchase, but I wonder what else was there? To the right is a framed print that may or may not be pirate-themed. Apparently you could have your item gift-wrapped if you wanted.
This fellow is asking Tony to inscribe his piece of paper (?), "To my greatest friend in the world to whom I owe everything including most of my money". And he has to do it! It's the rule, and nobody can break the rule. I met Tony once (humble brag), and he couldn't have been nicer.
Many thanks to the Dream Team, as always!
The Disney Gallery always had wonderful things on display (and for sale) - loved that place! Boy, that would've made a great apartment, especially pre-Fantasmic years! Can you imagine - jazz music playing, and great food at a couple nearby restaurants . . . beautiful atmosphere at night, with the Mark Twain going past . . .
ReplyDeleteMajor, did you autograph anything for Tony??
Thank you, Irene - and, Major, too!
Those colorful sheets on the table in the foreground (second to last pic) are actually very large plastic DL merchandise bags.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone had T.B. sign any of their body parts, so they could have it converted into a tattoo?
Thank you, Irene, Major and the Dream Team!
That's where I got my copy of the Disneyland Story, my favorite DL book. I almost didn't get it because of the expense but I'm glad I did. I always went up there on visits to the park.
ReplyDeleteThanks Major and the Dream Team,
Dz
The one attraction I would've sincerely been interested in that was never built was Tony Baxter's "Mary Poppin's Jolly Holiday" attraction. Like the "Western River Expedition" it's a shame it was never built. Oh well. Thanks, Major.
ReplyDeleteI used to love The Disney Gallery when it was here and I purchased plenty of items there when it existed. Thanks to the Dream Team for this rarely photographed gallery and shop.
dzacher, I too got my copy of "Disneyland: Inside Story" at The Disney Gallery, however I have numerous "favorites" when it comes to Disneyland books.
I forgot to mention, I wish I had also saved the bag that came with the book!
ReplyDeleteI love New Orleans Square. It is a great place to eat, stroll around, and relax. Check out the guy in the suspenders, no fashion sense, but his taste in Imagineers is aces. Thanks to the Dream Team and Major.
ReplyDeleteWe toured this gallery only once, and must have been around that time, since Indiana Jones was brand new and the line was insanely long.
ReplyDeleteI found the picture of the family with the truck in the queue, which was supposed to be the one from the film.
I barely remember the gallery, other than awe that it was backstage space formerly occupied by Walt. It's a shame that it is sealed up as another executive retreat. Don't those guys have enough fancy places all to themselves? Leave something for us.
Thanks Major and Dream Team.
JG
Bruce absolutely LOVED this ride! As with many things when my brother liked something he tended to go over the top with it. He really, really liked Tony Baxter and had the opportunity to speak with him many times. He also was able to do a walk through of the ride with Tony, along with others of course. So Bruce liked to build dioramas and one of them was of this ride. He tried to get the ride as perfect as possible when it came to lay out and also put in all the details. He would spend hours on these things. Unfortunately they were made of cardboard and really didn't hold up well over the years and became very dusty and dirty. I am sorry to say, they are all gone now. I have seen Tony several times over the years and spoken with him. The last time was at Knott's Berry Farm! He is such a nice person.
ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDeleteThis place was definitely a must-see on each visit. I still have a 9x13" mini reproduction of the original 1958 map, signed by Sam McKim. I also purchased two, original DL attraction posters there: the Matterhorn & the Carousel of Progress. It certainly was a unique and special place to locate the Disney Gallery before the 'bean counters' ruined it [along with everything else].
Thanks Dream Team, and The Major.
"That should give you plenty of time to have him autograph the cast on your left arm..."
ReplyDelete...that you got from sliding down that incredibly tempting bannister. I didn't go in the Gallery (was it still there in 2008?) but I do remember that gorgeous exterior.
Ken, I've been reading rumors for a while about a Mary Poppins attraction being part of the plans for the current EPCOT re-kerjiggering, but they're always very vague and who even knows how much of the current plans will be scaled back after the long closure. At least we've still got the mechanical bird in the Carousel of Progress.
Hey all, today has turned out to be a crazy busy day, for reasons too boring to go into. But thanks for all your great comments!
ReplyDeletePretty sure I was there the first year of its operation (forgot the year). I loved it. Got to see many beautiful things and so much fun being in that space. I remember an Adventure Thru Inner Space attraction poster was for sale...maybe $300. I didn't buy it.
ReplyDeleteI am now crying.
Ah, I finally have a little free time!
ReplyDeleteLou and Sue, I do miss the old Disney Gallery and its neat location. I never bought anything there, though! Tony didn’t want my autograph, sadly. I had sort of hoped he had heard of my blog, but he looked baffled when I mentioned the name!
TokyoMagic!, gosh I’d love to have one of those plastic bags in my collection - never seen one that big “in the wild”. Tony B. will sign anything, any time. Just you try him!
dzacher, that’s a great book! Definitely one of the books that inspired me to look for vintage Disneyland photos, and indirectly led to this blog.
K. Martinez, I have never even heard of the Mary Poppins Jolly Holiday attraction, I’ll have to look it up. What kinds of things did you get at the Disney Gallery? Do you still have them?
dzacher, there are LOTS of things I wished I saved from those old days!
Jonathan, wait a minute, are you saying that suspenders aren’t cool? What about rainbow suspenders? Like Mork, you know!
JG, I remember hearing that the truck was actually from the film, but with Disney I never know. Who would know? Steven Spielberg I guess. Like you, I am not happy that this area that was once a place that you and I could enjoy is now only available to the rich and famous.
Irene, There was a time when I wanted to try to build models of at least part of Disneyland, but I had no idea how to even start. I wish we had photos of Bruce’s models! I understand though, cardboard can just fall apart. I’m glad you’ve had positive interactions with Tony!
Nanook, oh man, I wish I had something signed by Sam McKim. Those maps are absolute genius, and one of the best souvenirs ever made. COOL that you got those attraction posters there! I know that they sometimes sold posters in the park (the “Disneyana” shop) for $300 apiece, so amazing.
Melissa, oh man, I am sure there were people who slid down that bannister! Maybe that was one of the reasons the gallery was closed, it was an “attractive nuisance”! I love the idea of a Mary Poppins ride. How about a “Lady and the Tramp” ride?
Sunday Night, OH NO! See my comment to Nanook, I’m sure $300 was right!
Major, what would that ATIS poster go for, now? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteSunday Night-
ReplyDeleteYep - as The Major said - $300.00 was the asking price for the real deal. And for those of us lucky to know CM's, once you apply the 35% discount, the out-the-door price was a "mere" $195.00 (+ tax). Seemed like plenty of money at the time - but now feels like an incredible bargain.
Lou and Sue, it's hard to say, since posters prices have gone so crazy lately, but I'd say that anywhere from $1500 to maybe $2000. The one at the "That's From Disneyland!" auction (the out of this world Richard Kraft collection) sold for $19,000!! But that is a crazy anomaly.
ReplyDeleteNanook, you are lucky! I don't think I ever paid less than $300 for an original silkscreened poster.