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.

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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The Evolution of Pal Mickey

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 I have to admit, technology leaves me in awe. When I was a kid, back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, the idea of walking around with a phone in your pocket was simply unthinkable. So, too, were things like home computers, microwave ovens and other futuristic gadgets that we simply can’t do without in this … Continue reading "The Evolution of Pal Mickey"
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Imagineering’s Kevin Rafferty turned love of cars, fear of bugs into hit attractions

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Long-time Imagineer Kevin Rafferty poses for a photo while in attendance at a Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet. [AllEars.Net] As the saying goes, you have to start somewhere. In the case of Card Walker, who was the Walt Disney Company’s CEO from 1971-1983, that “somewhere” was the mail room at the Walt Disney Studios in 1938. … Continue reading "Imagineering’s Kevin Rafferty turned love of cars, fear of bugs into hit attractions"
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Former Imagineer Eddie Sotto reflects on his contributions to Disneyland Paris

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Eddie Sotto poses for a photo in front of Main Street Motors right after Disneyland Paris opened in 1992. [Courtesy of Eddie Sotto] Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland was Walt Disney’s pride and joy … a window into his life as a young boy growing up in Marceline, Missouri, in the early 1900s. According to … Continue reading "Former Imagineer Eddie Sotto reflects on his contributions to Disneyland Paris"
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Jennifer Hudson used stint on the Disney Wonder as a springboard to success

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Singer and Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, a former Disney Cruise Line cast member, poses with Mickey Mouse on board the Disney Dream. [Disney Cruise Line] The presentation of “Hairspray: Live” last December was a pre-holiday gift to television viewers, as well as fans of the smash Broadway hit musical. The broadcast showcased the considerable … Continue reading "Jennifer Hudson used stint on the Disney Wonder as a springboard to success"
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This blogger’s been busy: Two new books recently released

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The entrance to Disneyland Park in France goes under the Disneyland Hotel. [Ginny Osborne] When my first book was published, I had what can be best described as a George McFly moment. You remember the scene from Back to the Future: Surrounded by his family, George proudly opens a box containing copies of his newly … Continue reading "This blogger’s been busy: Two new books recently released"
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Disney Legend Marty Sklar learns that inspiration can be a two-way street

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Marty Sklar, center, poses for a photo after his presentation at the Festival of the Arts in Epcot in February. From the left are Julian Robinson, Chuck Schmidt, Marty, Janet Schmidt and Gail Robinson. [Courtesy of Gail and Julian Robinson] “One little spark, of inspiration, is at the heart, of all creation.” – Richard and … Continue reading "Disney Legend Marty Sklar learns that inspiration can be a two-way street"
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The Castaway Cay 5-kilometer run … and some unfinished business

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After several missed opportunities, the author took part in the Castaway Cay 5-kilometer run earlier this month. Call it unfinished business. Back in 2012, and again in 2015, I was registered to take part in the Castaway Cay five-kilometer run around Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. The Castaway Cay 5-k is sanctioned … Continue reading "The Castaway Cay 5-kilometer run … and some unfinished business"
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