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.

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"
No Comments

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"
One Comment

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"
One Comment

Through the decades, the Magic Kingdom has remained true to Walt Disney’s vision

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
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"
One Comment

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"
2 Comments

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"
No Comments

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"
No Comments

Omnimover and PeopleMover: A look at two Disney-designed ride conveyances

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Bob Gurr sits behind the wheel of a car as he tests the ride system that would be used on the Ford Magic Skyway attraction during the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Note the individual drive wheels embedded in the track. [The Walt Disney Company] From the time when Disneyland was in the planning stages … Continue reading "Omnimover and PeopleMover: A look at two Disney-designed ride conveyances"
No Comments

‘Ink & Paint’ is a celebration of the women who toiled behind the scenes at Walt Disney Animation

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
A painter carefully places color onto a celluloid sheet as she works on a scene from “Pinocchio.” [The Walt Disney Company] The next time you have the opportunity to watch a classic Disney movie, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or Bambi or Pinocchio, make sure to read the opening credits. Some of … Continue reading "‘Ink & Paint’ is a celebration of the women who toiled behind the scenes at Walt Disney Animation"
No Comments

After leaving WED, Tania Norris took on several eclectic challenges

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Edna and Roy Disney pose with Mickey Mouse in Town Square. [The Walt Disney Company] Tania Norris made some remarkable contributions during her nine years with WED Enterprises, supplying the interior designs for New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion and the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Disneyland, as well as doing interior design work for some … Continue reading "After leaving WED, Tania Norris took on several eclectic challenges"
No Comments