Did you know... Tom Sawyer's Island had four rafts; Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer, Injun Joe and Joe Harper. Joe's raft was always found nearby the Burning Settler's Cabin, But now Injun Joe has no raft!! Did you know... Ever notice these clever and whimsical little fellas who "work" to keep the popcorn poppin? They have been inside the Popcorn wagons; some for well over 30 years... are the direct creation of the Walt Disney Studios! They are each featured in their respective 'lands' ... Of course, Harold the Yeti has been around as one of the youngest, and the Main Street wagon displays a strange touch on his costume... yes, a moustache!! Long before the appearance guidelines permitted beards or facial hair!! Their 'wardrobe' is cared for by some meticulous hands, and if they should become work weary, they get all freshened up just like Woody in Toy Story II! They are one of a kind, and some kids stand and watch them 'grind it out' as its own form of entertainment!! Sometimes you will see the Rocketeer in Tomorrowland, and on occasion, you may find Big Al churning in Critter Country, he has been there since 'back in the day' of Bear Country. In Frontierland, you may find a Davy Crockett sort of fella from time to time, churning out the buttery hot popcorn, too!
I didn't have any popcorn while we were there.........so I didn't pay attention to the carts.........next time I go I will have to look for them!
The apartment that Mr. Disney kept for himself and his family above the Main Street Fire House is now on display, kind of! You can see a window display of the furnishings at Disney Clothiers!! The display window is outfitted with replica furnishings and assorted knick-knacks of the actual apartment! Turn of the century furnishings and arranged just how it is found in the apartment. There is one photo on display... the only photo Mr. Disney ever permitted of his family to be taken inside the Apartment. He and Mrs. Disney, and their grand children. This is a very nice way to let everyone have a glance at the apartment without the traffic of Lookie-Loos. For many years people have wondered what it looks like. Fresh flowers are still brought daily to the apartment. And when the Apartment is in use by the Family, the Fire Station doors below are closed. Also, notice the lamplight glowing in the window. This is for Mr. Disney.
Although Mr. Disney insisted on a "first name basis" for himself as well as Cast Members, at all levels, the only four to be addressed as "Mr." are Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Johnson (Mission to Mars Control Room), Mr. Toad, and Mr. Smee! Everyone else is just first name! But there are those who do have Royal titles, military or tribal ranks before their names. I wouldn't dare forget "Captain Hook"!
I was told by a 'secret source' that in the movie Fantasia there are scenes that are painted with a translucent purple, I think it is the Nutcracker part or some darker more dramatic segment, that the artist who was painting a background didn't like the pigment of the purple paint and he just couldn't get the right mix. He went to lunch and began to eat his peanut butter and GRAPE JELLY SANDWICH!! So he noticed the GRAPE JELLY WAS JUST THE RIGHT PIGMENT!! IT WORKED!! He set about to have the paint mixed in that example!! I guess his wife really got him out of a 'jam' on that one with a nice little lunch!! Remember, 'brown bagging it' was an ordinary thing back then and what a thrifty way to experiment!!
Did you Know that in the past, up to the late 70's,early 80's, Winnie the Pooh donned a Hunny Pot on his head. Atop the Hunny Pot was a bee!! This bee was a really expensive bee! He was crafted at the Studio, cost (back then, $500.00!! Just for the BEE!!) and was mounted to the Hunny Pot with an 'invisible spring' .So wherever Pooh went with this Hunny Pot, the bee kept right on up with him!! Pooh also used to wear a turtleneck style top with his name in yellow cursive lettering. So sometimes changes are subtle, and made to keep things simplified.
