Chuck Schmidt

Chuck Schmidt, bitten by the Disney bug at an early age, remembers watching The Mickey Mouse Club after school in the mid-1950s. During his 48-year career in the newspaper business, he channeled that love of Disney as the Sunday News and Travel editor for The Staten Island Advance. Chuck has written or co-authored seven books for Theme Park Press, including Disney's Dream Weavers, On the Disney Beat, An American in Disneyland Paris, Disney's Animal Kingdom: An Unofficial History and The Beat Goes On. Chuck has shared his passion for all things Disney in his Still Goofy About Disney blog on AllEars.Net since 2015. He resides in Beachwood, N.J., with his wife Janet. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.

Eleanor Audley gets a full-throated endorsement for her vocal work for Disney

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Actress Eleanor Audley strikes a menacing pose, left. To the right is Maleficent, the character based on Ms. Audley’s distinctive look. Do the names Tom Hanks, James Earl Jones, Irene Bedard and Jodi Benson ring a bell? Of course they do. How about Eleanor Audley? Not so well known, right? All of the above mentioned … Continue reading "Eleanor Audley gets a full-throated endorsement for her vocal work for Disney"
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During its four-year run, Holidayland gave guests a Disneyland experience right outside the fabled berm

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
An aerial view shows Holidayland during its heyday, right outside the berm at Disneyland. Much has been written about the berm at Disneyland … those large mounds of dirt, cleverly placed foliage and other inconspicuous obstacles which keep Disney guests from seeing the outside world, effectively insulating them from reality. As Disney Legend John Hench … Continue reading "During its four-year run, Holidayland gave guests a Disneyland experience right outside the fabled berm"
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C.V. Wood: The most nefarious Disney villain of them all

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Walt Disney, left, goes over plans for Disneyland with C.V. Wood, center, and Harrison [Buzz] Price. [The Walt Disney Company] Disney Villains are all the rage. These days, bad is good. You can’t go anywhere in a Disney park without crossing paths with the likes of Lady Tremaine [a.k.a. the Wicked Stepmother], her daughters Anastasia … Continue reading "C.V. Wood: The most nefarious Disney villain of them all"
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Jack Lindquist graduated from marketing guru to one of Disneyland’s greatest cheerleaders

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Disney Legend Jack Lindquist made significant contributions to solidify the success of Disneyland. [The Walt Disney Company] During the first few years of Disneyland’s existence, although hopes and expectations were very high, “the success of the park wasn’t a slam dunk,” according to Marty Sklar, the Disney Legend and former head of Walt Disney Imagineering … Continue reading "Jack Lindquist graduated from marketing guru to one of Disneyland’s greatest cheerleaders"
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Disney Cruise Line sails into its 20th year with major expansion on the horizon

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
A rendering shows one of the three new ships that are scheduled to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 2021, 2022 and 2023. [The Walt Disney Company] Disney Cruise Line turns 20 years old this year with the anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Disney Magic on July 30, 1998. The seeds for … Continue reading "Disney Cruise Line sails into its 20th year with major expansion on the horizon"
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Ben Rossi brought the Wild West to Walt Disney World’s Frontierland

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Performers flip and tumble on the rooftops in Frontierland during a live action show in the early 1980s. [Courtesy of Ben Rossi] Return with us to Walt Disney World, circa 1980. The Magic Kingdom has been up and running for nine-plus years and is living up to its “vacation kingdom of the world” nickname. Indeed, … Continue reading "Ben Rossi brought the Wild West to Walt Disney World’s Frontierland"
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Through the decades, the Magic Kingdom has remained true to Walt Disney’s vision

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The fabled photo of Walt Disney World’s cast members in front of Cinderella Castle, taken a few weeks before opening day in 1971. [Life Magazine/Yale Joel] Remember the first time you visited Walt Disney World? I certainly do. It was in November of 1972 during the Thanksgiving break, a little more than a year after … Continue reading "Through the decades, the Magic Kingdom has remained true to Walt Disney’s vision"
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The stories behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which turns 20 in April

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
The entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. [Walt Disney World] Around this time last year, I was searching for an idea for my next AllEars.net blog. With the opening of Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom looming in the spring, I figured it might be a good idea to write something … Continue reading "The stories behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which turns 20 in April"
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Marty Sklar had ‘the write stuff’ on many different Disney projects

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Walt Disney is seen during the recording of The Epcot Film. The script for the film was written by Marty Sklar. [The Walt Disney Company] Disney Legend Marty Sklar will always be remembered for his contributions to the company as the creative leader of Walt Disney Imagineering. It was his skill as a writer, however, … Continue reading "Marty Sklar had ‘the write stuff’ on many different Disney projects"
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Soarin’ Around the World … and behind the scenes

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
The entrance to Soarin’ Around the World at Disney’s California Adventure. Prior to a recent trip to California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort, my wife Janet signed us up to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Soarin’ Around the World attraction. The one-hour tour is offered to members of the Disney Vacation Club. Soarin’ Around … Continue reading "Soarin’ Around the World … and behind the scenes"
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