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.

Former WED designer Tania Norris saw Disney from the inside

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Inside the Disney Company plane. Walt and Lillian are seated, left. Also in view are Bill Martin, seated center, and Herb Ryman. The woman in the back, right, is unidentified. [The Walt Disney Company] In 1964, Walt Disney’s world was expanding. There was the California-based company’s participation in the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, which … Continue reading "Former WED designer Tania Norris saw Disney from the inside"
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The short, bumpy ride of the Rocket Rods attraction at Disneyland

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For three decades, the WEDway PeopleMover was a cornerstone attraction in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. [The Walt Disney Company] The late 1990s were a dark time at Disneyland. It was not unusual to see signs of aging and decay throughout the park: Peeling paint, cracks in the pavement, crumbling woodwork, rusted iron railings. Marty Sklar, the … Continue reading "The short, bumpy ride of the Rocket Rods attraction at Disneyland"
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With a tinge of sadness, Ryman Arts carries on with a ‘Celebrating Marty Sklar’ fund-raiser

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Juliana Hansen, accompanied by Nelson Kole, sings “A Kiss Goodnight” for the guests at the Celebrating Marty Sklar fund-raiser for Ryman Arts. [Courtesy of Ryman Arts] During dinner at the Ryman Arts fund-raiser in the Hollywood Hills home of Marty and Leah Sklar on Sept. 16, guests were asked to write down words of inspiration … Continue reading "With a tinge of sadness, Ryman Arts carries on with a ‘Celebrating Marty Sklar’ fund-raiser"
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So much has changed at Walt Disney World since Animal Kingdom opened in 1998

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A neon version of Jessica Rabbit invites guests to join in the fun at Pleasure Island in the former Downtown Disney area. At this point in time, THE place to be on Walt Disney World property is Animal Kingdom park. Specifically, the focus of all the attention [not to mention overflow crowds and hours-long wait … Continue reading "So much has changed at Walt Disney World since Animal Kingdom opened in 1998"
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Disney’s participation at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair was a pivotal moment for the company

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The endearing dolls in the it’s a small world attraction at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. [Chuck Schmidt collection] Before there was Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland or Shanghai Disneyland, there was just little, ol’ Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. Although Walt Disney detested doing sequels to his movies, he … Continue reading "Disney’s participation at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair was a pivotal moment for the company"
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When a ‘hard freeze’ hit Walt Disney World in 1989, cast members turned to faux plants along Jungle Cruise

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During the hard freeze of 1989 in Florida, most of the vegetation along the Jungle Cruise died, forcing Disney to bring in plastic stand-ins. [AllEars.Net] The term “hard freeze” sends shivers up and down the spines of anyone in Florida associated with plant life. When the temperature dips below 32 degrees and stays that way … Continue reading "When a ‘hard freeze’ hit Walt Disney World in 1989, cast members turned to faux plants along Jungle Cruise"
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Pandora reaffirms Animal Kingdom’s commitment to animals, great, small and mythical

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The head of a Na’vi was on display near the Windtraders souvenir shop inside Pandora: The World of Avatar. [Cavrel Silvera] With the opening of Pandora: The World of Avatar, all eyes are on Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. And well they should be. The new land is everything it was hyped to be … … Continue reading "Pandora reaffirms Animal Kingdom’s commitment to animals, great, small and mythical"
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