The second official Disneyana Convention in 1993

Collecting Dreams

Click Here to read the article about the 1st official Disneyana Convention in 1992

08.02.11 – Savvy Disneyana connoisseurs’ wishes came true when Disneyland Resort hosted the second official Disneyana Convention in 1993. 

Enthusiastic “Conventionears,” made up not only of collectors but also serious investors, could find every kind of Disney collectible imaginable—from T-shirts and buttons commemorating the convention itself to vintage produc­tion reels used to create Walt Disney’s animated classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; from original illustrations to a memo signed by Walt himself.

The event was an impressive collection of museum-quality art, Disney icons, entertainment her­itage, and personalities that make up what has come to be referred to as “Disneyesque.”

The event, which ran September 16-19, included a “fun­tastic” evening reception held in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park. The evening’s highlight was a sneak preview of Toontown’s newest attraction, a wacky ride on the wild side of town.

Many conventioneers opted for one or more of a variety of unique tours of Disneyland. One of these tours included a ride in the Lilly Belle car on the Disneyland Railroad, a tour of Walt’s apartment above the firehouse in Town Square, and a guided tour of the Disney Gallery above Pirates of the Caribbean (which had originally been slated to be Walt’s official apartment.

As important and exciting as the mesmerizing memorabilia and count­less collectibles at the show was the wealth of memorable and equally valuable information and history shared by an impressive collection of speakers. In his opening remarks, Judson Green, President of Walt Disney Attractions, welcomed the gathering by offering a look at some future plans. He modeled, then gave away a baseball hat from Alien Encounter, a white-knuckle thrill attraction to be built in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

President of Walt Disney Imagineering Marty Sklar took this opportunity to tell a few first-hand sto­ries about Walt Disney: The King of Disneyland and His Court. His favorite Walt story was the day science fiction writer Ray Bradbury visited Walt at the Studio to persuade Walt to run for mayor of Los Angeles. Walt’s response: Why should I want to be mayor when I’m king of Disneyland?”

Appropriate to Mickey’s 65th birth­day, Dave Smith, Director of the Walt Disney Archives, spoke about the gene­sis of Steamboat Willie. Quoting let­ters written by Walt during his three-month stay in New York City, he told the history-making story of putting sound to a cartoon (considered a novelty at the time) and getting a theater to show it. Walt was pretty sure he had a hit on his hands, and, in Mickey, a char­acter that would be “as well known as any cartoon…” When he showed his creation to the people at Paramount who were attempting to do the same thing, he was positive. “They laughed at it while it was being shown, and looked around amazed when it was over.” Walt wrote at the time.

Pam Haynes, Director of Disneyland Costuming, recounted the historic evolution of outfitting the Theme Park Casts through the years. She also described the monumental task of designing, maintaining, and replacing those costumes. Haynes explained that the job doesn’t stop with the human Cast. “The next time you sail through It’s a Small World or explore Pirates of the Caribbean,” she said, “remember that each of those perform­ers has had our special touch of magic.” She then presented a fash­ion show of Disney costumes, highlighted by the uniforms of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

On Friday, the col conventioneers attended an auction that offered the ultimate in Disney-oriented collectibles: animation cels featur­ing the likes of Snow White, Pinocchio, and Roger Rabbit; illus­trations used for advertising and merchandise: sculptures, dis­plays, and even a check and a copy of the origin book, Lady and the Tramp, signed by Walt himself. These last two extremely coveted items brought in winning bids of $4,250 each.

The auction was as Disneyesque as the items on the block. Introduced by Ariel and a few of her underwater friends, the terms and conditions of the auction were listed to the tune of “Under the Sea.” Then David Redden, Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s, con­ducted a lively and most unusual auc­tion. Imagine this dignified gentleman taking bids from a crowd waving mouse-ear placards to indicate their bids!

That same evening, hearty collectors, armed with pillows and lawn chairs, waited through the night to have first crack at the objects d’art, which had been created in very limited quantities to be on sale the next morning.

An Lladro Peter Pan figurine, a 14-inch Annette Funicello doll by Madame Alexander Dolls, and “The Disneyland Barbershop Quartet” lithograph by Disneyland Master Illustrator Charles Boyer were among the items offered. Other world-renowned artisans with limited edition pieces included Goebel, Gund and Arman. Adding to their value, most pieces were signed by the artists at the time of purchase.

During the course of the Convention a peerless collection of Disney talent was on hand to meet and greet their fans: Artists and animators like Carl Barks, Ward Kimball, Eyvind Earle, Marc Davis, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson. The Disney Trivia Book authors Dave Smith and Kevin Neary were on hand to answer questions and sign autographs, as was animator/illustrator David Pacheco, and many more.

And speaking of autographs, what true Disneyana collector could pass up the chance to add the signatures of original Mouseketeers like Cubby, Lonnie, Bobby and Karen to their collection?

Displays by the Disney Business Groups were designed to update passer-by on what’s going on in the Company’s many and diverse divisions.  Included in the assemblage were Disney Software, The Mighty Ducks, Disney Collectibles, The Disney Collector Society, Hyperion Press, the Magic Kingdom Club and Disney News, The Disney Store, Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons, and more.

The trade show, comprised of independent collectors rounded out the entire affair with a myriad of vintage Disney collectibles of nearly every shape and size.

The Saturday night banquet featured keynote speaker Jack Linquist, President of Disneyland, and a finale that showcased a never-before-performed song called “Mickey, Donald Duck, Goofy and the Gang,” A joyful recounting of Walt’s cartoon contributions to the world, the song was written anonymously shortly after Walt’s death in 1966. This was the song’s public debut.

All in all, the experience enjoyed by this year’s “ConventionEars” was fun, entertaining, inspiring, informative- an experience of which dreams are made. Disneyesque.

From Disney News, Winter 1993.

Click Here to read the article about the 1st official Disneyana Convention in 1992

Walt Disney World hosts its first Disneyana convention, as told by Dave Smith in 1992

Whether it’s early Mickey Mouse watches, original cartoon cels, recent limited edition figurines, or 1955 Disneyland guide­books, Disneyana collectibles have a fascination for Amer­icans young and old. And, with the opening of Disney Parks in Japan and France, and the expansion of The Disney Stores throughout the world, what started as an American hobby has grown to where it is enjoyed worldwide today.

Disney Archivist Dave Smith with the first Disneyland

attraction vehicle ever sold at a Disneyana convention

To provide an event where Disneyana fans could gather together for several days of collecting, guest speakers, good food, special merchandise, and the fun experi­ence of a Disney Theme Park, Walt Disney World Attractions hosted its first Disneyana Convention. Held September 24-27, the Convention Center drew over 750 Disneyana collectors and fans to Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Guests arriving on Thursday morning took care of their hotel check-in and convention registration, then rushed to the Disneyana Collectible Shop where special merchandise featuring the convention logo had been placed on sale. Eager collectors grabbed up ornaments, decals, buttons, T-shirts, spoons, and even stropping bags. The hottest items were a $25 plate—in a limited supply of just 500—and a watch. One watch had been given to each registrant, winch left less than 500 available for sale.

The convention began in earnest Thursday evening with a welcome reception Ice Cream Social. The Fantasia Lobby was decked out with banners flags, park benches, gazebos, and greenery, along with tables loaded with ice cream, pastries, and other delectable taste treats. Disney characters were on hand to greet guests, and as a special added attraction, three of the original Mousketeers—Bobby, Sharon and Sherry—were there to autograph photographs in a Mousketeer Clubhouse in the West Rotunda.

Friday dawned with a buffet breakfast outdoors in front of the Convention Center. Mickey Mouse and Dick Nunis, Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, made a grand entrance in the LiMOUSEine. Other members of Mickey’s gang gathered with some of the Park’s singers and dancers for a couple of musing numbers to lead guests into the Fantasia Ballroom for the opening session.

After the surprise entrance of the Voice of Disney—Jack Wagner—to emcee the events, the morning got off to an exciting start with a kinetic audio-visual presentation covering the history of The Walt Disney Company. The morning speakers were Dick Nunis, reminiscing on his many years with Disney, landscaper Bill Evans sharing experiences in creating the natural scenery in all of the Disney Parks, Max Howard speaking on the expansion of the feature animation division in Florida and showing pre­views of Aladdin, and Esther Ewert of Disney Art Editions, relating the history of Disney animation art in the market­ place. The climax of the morning ses­sion was the introduction of the Al­addin characters in a festive parade complete with a live camel and horses.

For the afternoon, convention-goers had many choices. They could attend a Limited Edition sale and Artist Signing, where a number of very special pieces had been created especially for the convention by the likes of Lladro Goebel, Armani, R. John Wright, Ron I.ee, Laurenz, and others. Nearby was a Disneyana Fair, where Disney signs, artwork, and props—many never before offered for sale—could be purchased.

There was a preview of auction items, and, upstairs, a Disney Business Group Presentation included displays from Disney Art Editions, Disney Stores, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Gallery, Disney Classics Collection, The Disney Channel, Disney Publishing, the Magic Kingdom Club and other divisions of the Disney organization. Finally, down the hall was a Disneyana Trade Show where independent dealers displayed their wares. It was almost more than a collector could han­dle in one day.

The day was capped by a thrilling Disneyana auction, with selected pieces from the Disney vaults bringing record prices. An original Dumbo attraction unit from Disneyland brought $16.000, as did a bronze-cast Mickey Mouse statue. A Carousel horse brought $4,000 and the art for a Little Mermaid plate $8,250.

At Saturday morning’s session, my assistant, Robert Tieman and I had the thrill of being delivered into the banquet with Mickey Mouse it an armored truck, bring­ing 30 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives for show and-tell. Tony Baxter, from Walt Disney Imagineering, brought insight into Euro Disneyland’s design, and a high­light was a conversation with 98-year-old Joe Fowler, builder of Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

The public was allowed to join conven­tioneers at the various fairs and trade shows on Saturday and then the convention culminated with a deli­cious banquet, followed by comments by Dick Nunis, and Bob Bowman and Bo Boyd of Disney Consumer Products. The Kids of the Kingdom brought the house down with The Best of Disney and each guest received a valuable medallion as a keepsake.

It was an exhausting three days, but those in attendance praised the conven­tion planners. The First Disneyana Convention had been a rousing success. Now, off to Anaheim for the next one in September, 1993.

From Disney News, Winter 1992.

1975 - America is Marching Down Main Street

05.12.11 - "America on Parade" premiered last June as a joyful, colorful, wonderful patriotic pageant of the music, people and heritage of America — both past and present.

From the first strains of "Yankee Doodle" to the closing bars of "God Bless America," Disney's "America on Parade" is itself destined to become a part of the Americana it celebrates: something to be seen, remembered and treasured for years to come.

Thousands of Disney guests have already watched and cheered as Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck proudly lead the three-quarter-mile-long procession through the center of each theme park.

The 50 giant-size parade units in the fun-filled musical extravaganza depict a variety of historical and memorable moments in the nation's 200-year past and highlight the contributions and achievements of the country's people. They present a stylized, whimsical and never-to-be-forgotten festival of America as only Disney can present it.

Towering above the throngs of young and old who gaze with delight and amusement are Disney's newest creations, the eight-foot-high, doll-like "People of America" — from Indians to auto drivers, Can-Can dancers to Ben Franklin, a Keystone cop to Uncle Sam — they dance their way through America's history and into the hearts and memories of those who watch one of Disney's most unique and delightful creations.

The parade, which features more than 150 people, is performed at both Disney theme parks daily and 3:00 p.m. During the summer months and some holidays there will be special evening performances of the parade followed by a red, white and blue fireworks display. As an extra attraction, each week the parade will salute one of the 50 states.

The parade's grand finale features high school and college marching bands especially invited to take part in this bicentennial salute.

From the first strains of "Yankee Doodle" to the closing bars of "God Bless America," Disney's "America on Parade" is itself destined to become a part of the Americana it celebrates: something to be seen, remembered and treasured for years to come.

From the Fall/Winter 1975-1976 edition of Vacationland magazine, published by Disneyland.