I’ve covered the wonderful world of Disney for more than 45 years.

During that time, I’ve met some amazing Disney cast members, had some unforgettable experiences and, along the way, have amassed a collection of photos that are quite interesting. Some have historic significance, some are funny, some are a bit quirky, but all have a connection – however loosely – to Disney.

Each photo in this blog will be accompanied by text which will explain why I’ve insisted on keeping these photographic gems in my computer archives. Enjoy!

CATCHING A FEW RAYS

So, there we were, walking near the Yacht and Beach Club Resort’s wonderful pool area this past January, on our way to a character breakfast, when we stumbled on this happy “couple” lounging in the sun.

As you can see, they’re all set for a day at the pool. They’re both wearing floatation devices and they have plenty of towels to dry off after swimming. There are even a few not-so-hidden Mickeys on their lounge chairs.

The best part? Our sunbathers are holding hands. Or are they washcloths? It’s hard to tell …

Just another example of Disney cast members going the extra mile to make your vacation memorable.

TRAINING FOR BIGGER THINGS

All around the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, there are hidden gems, little nuggets placed by Disney creative staff to intrigue those of us who find hidden gems fascinating.

Take this photo of Walt Disney, for example. It’s located, appropriately, under the Main Street train station. In fact, there’s a whole wall of tributes to Walt and his love of trains.

This photo shows Walt riding on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad line he built in the backyard of his home in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles.

Walt reveled in taking his two daughters and their friends on rides along the route, which included a winding tunnel underneath his wife Lillian’s prized flower garden.

Walt’s obsession with trains eventually led to the creation of Disneyland, which has had a much larger train line circling the park since opening in 1955.

NEXT-LEVEL TRANSPORTATION

Have any idea where or what this is?

It sure looks spacious and clean and there’s a strong Mickey Mouse influence throughout. When you ride it, you get from Point A to Point B in style and comfort, thanks to those cushioned seats.

There are even Mickey-shaped windows and overhead handles. In short, this looks nothing like the elevated transportation systems that have been in use at Disneyland and Walt Disney World for decades.

What you’re looking at here is the interior of the Tokyo Disneyland monorail.

That’s right. When guests at the Japanese resort want to get around the property, they do so in ultra-stylish, ultra-modern vehicles that are the height of Disney luxury.

WHAT’S UP, DOCK?

Who are these two women and why are they looking perplexed near a big, red ocean liner?

Well, to begin with, the ocean liner is The Big Red Boat II, part of Premier Cruise Line’s fleet of red-tinged ocean liners.

Premier Cruise Line and the Walt Disney Company partnered from 1985 to 1993, offering land-and-sea vacations out of Port Canaveral, Fla. In fact, during their partnership, Premier was known as “the official cruise line of Walt Disney World.” And, yes, there were Disney characters on board.

But after the relationship ended, Premier’s fortunes floundered. In September of 2000, the company filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.

The cruise line’s fleet of seven ships, which were located at various ports around the world, were seized by U.S. marshals. It turns out, Premier was drowning in a sea of red ink.

The Big Red Boat II ended up being escorted to the former Navy home port on the New York City borough of Staten Island after unloading its unsuspecting passengers in Manhattan.

A total of 492 of Big Red Boat II’s crew members, including the two pictured above, were left stranded on Staten Island for several weeks as lawyers sorted out the financial quagmire.

After severing ties with Premier, Disney decided to set its own nautical course, launching the Disney Cruise Line in 1998.

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

For decades, the Disney Store was a cherished part of the Disney experience.

Most Disney Stores were located in shopping malls across the country. There also were Disney Stores located in major cities around the world; all were must-do stops for adults with young children in tow.

I worked for the Disney Store for more than 12 years, so I know how passionate guests – and my fellow cast members – were about Disney.

Sadly, most of the Disney Stores were closed following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 as the company shifted to an on-line business strategy.

During a trip to Europe in May of 2023, it was a pleasant surprise to find the Disney Store pictured above, located along the famed Champs-Elysees thoroughfare in Paris.

But it was a not-so-pleasant surprise to learn that the Paris Disney Store was closed just a few weeks after the photo was taken. We’ve also learned that The Disney Store in the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris has closed.

Ce’st la Vie, as they say in France.

Chuck Schmidt is an award-winning journalist and retired Disney cast member who has covered all things Disney since 1984 in both print and on-line. He has authored or co-authored eight books on Disney, including his On the Disney Beat and The Beat Goes On, as well as his latest, Marty, Mickey and Me, all for Theme Park Press. He has written a regular blog for AllEars.Net, called Still Goofy About Disney, since 2015.

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