Gary Cruise

Gary hails from Canada and he’s a lifelong Disney fan. In the 1950s he watched the original Mickey Mouse Club and The Wonderful World of Disney on a snowy old black-and-white television. Gary was mesmerized by the Disneyland that Walt introduced to the world during those Sunday night shows! In 1977 he took his young family to Walt Disney World for the first time and suddenly that Disney magic he experienced as a child was rekindled. Since then Gary and his wife Carol have enjoyed about 70 trips to Walt Disney World, 11 trips to Disneyland and 11 Disney Cruises.

Disney Fun Around the Country

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Several times each year Carol and I attend Disney-related events which do not take place in the theme parks. For us it’s an easy way to keep the magic alive without making that long trek south! It’s always fun sharing good times with people who also suffer from our Disney affliction! Over the last few … Continue reading "Disney Fun Around the Country"
2 Comments

Hockey “Disney-Style” . . . The Mighty Ducks

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Like most boys growing up in Canada in the 1950’s and 60’s my world revolved around hockey. There wasn’t much else to do in the tiny Ontario fishing village I called home. I played peewee hockey and my entire family followed the exploits of our local men’s Intermediate B team, the Port Dover Sailors. The … Continue reading "Hockey “Disney-Style” . . . The Mighty Ducks"
7 Comments

It All Started With . . . Storyboards

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Recently, while I was reading The Revised Vault of Walt written by noted Disney historian (and AllEars.net Feature Writer) Jim Korkis, I ran across an interesting quote. Walt Disney was writing of memories from his school days and commented, “It was always my inclination to think in pictures rather than words.” My mind started to … Continue reading "It All Started With . . . Storyboards"
3 Comments

A Swamp Buggy Tour With A Disney Twist

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Several months ago I wrote a blog about the Disney Wilderness Preserve and I told you that I would follow up with a blog about our “Butterflies by Swamp Buggy Tour” there. Well, we had a wonderful time on the tour and here’s the blog I promised! Before I describe the tour, I’d like to … Continue reading "A Swamp Buggy Tour With A Disney Twist"
4 Comments

From the Tickle Trunk – Disney Clubs

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Are you a member of D23? To the best of my knowledge, it is the only “official” fan club, organized by Disney, in operation today. But D23 has had several ancestors over the years . . . and those old clubs are what I’ll describe briefly in this blog. I’ll be using plenty of scanned … Continue reading "From the Tickle Trunk – Disney Clubs"
3 Comments

Favorite Disney Snacks

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Have you ever picked up a snack at one of the Disney parks, taken a bite and immediately thought, "Wow! This is good! I wish I had discovered this years ago!" That has happened to Carol and I quite a few times over the years and we've "discovered" a few favorites! There is a vast, and ever-changing selection of food choices at Walt Disney World and we often discover new choices. Here are a few of our current "faves".
40 Comments

Our Disney Christmas Tree

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Carol and I look forward to the Christmas season every year. She likes to decorate for the holidays and I really enjoy the results of her efforts. As you might expect, our love of all things Disney reflects in our Christmas décor! In our living room we have a very traditional Christmas tree; decorated with … Continue reading "Our Disney Christmas Tree"
11 Comments

From the Tickle Trunk – WDW News – Autumn 1989

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Let’s pull another old newsletter out of the Tickle Trunk. This is a colorful one; it was issued in the autumn of 1989 and the masthead calls it the “Wonders of Life Edition“. That new pavilion at EPCOT opened October 19, 1989 and this edition heralded all the brand-new attractions on the front page! Most … Continue reading "From the Tickle Trunk – WDW News – Autumn 1989"
6 Comments

Memories of Discovery Island

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Before I begin, I have a confession to make – I have never been to Discovery Island. Sad, but true! Fortunately, Carol and Rob enjoyed several short boat rides from Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to Discovery Island, so once again they have acted as my consultants! 1979 Postcard Bay Lake, which surrounds Discovery Island, … Continue reading "Memories of Discovery Island"
8 Comments

From the Tickle Trunk – Disney Matchbooks

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Here’s another piece of Disney history plumbed from the depths of the Tickle Trunk – Disney matchbooks! Carol’s old pine box of memories contains a shiny metal box full of matchbooks she collected decades ago! Times were much different in the 1970’s and 1980’s and our acceptance of tobacco smoke and those who used tobacco … Continue reading "From the Tickle Trunk – Disney Matchbooks"
3 Comments