A couple of days ago, I received a review copy of Charlie Ridgway‘s “Spinning Disney’s World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent” (The Intrepid Traveler, March 2007). And — in preparation for the full-blown review of this book that I’ll be posting on this site next month — I began paging through this 240-page hardcover.
Copyright 2007 The Intrepid Traveler
And as you might expect from a guy who has helped to open seven different Disney theme parks over the past 44 years, Charlie has a lot of great stories to tell. But — for today’s column — I’m just going to concentrate on Ridgway’s experience as Disney World‘s very first publicity manager.
Now you have to understand that the Mouse was desperate to get as much advance publicity as possible for its new “vacation kingdom.” Which is why — even though the Magic Kingdom was still under construction at the time — Ridgway began escorting photographers through the unfinished theme park in the Spring of 1971. So that these shutterbugs could then get glamour shots of WDW, which could then be used in the major magazines of the day.
Given that the Magic Kingdom really wasn’t ready for its close-up at this time, getting these photographers the sorts of images that they needed was often a real challenge for Charlie. As Ridgway explains in “Spinning Disney’s World,” these photos …
” … had to look like the park was finished, even though landscaping and parts of buildings were very much unfinished. So we shot in colorful little corners of the Magic Kingdom or close to finished portions, usually photographed after the end of construction each day.”
Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro
Given the Magic Kingdom was still a construction site at this time, creating the illusion that this theme park was actually complete often took a little doing. Take — for example — this shot of Main Street U.S.A.’s Town Square area.
Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro
At first glance, the above photo looks pretty normal. A bustling street scene loaded with turn-of-the-century vehicles & appropriately costumed cast members, as well as happy tourists interacting with Disney characters. But now take a closer look at the photo. Paying particular close attention to the ground.
Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro
Notice anything missing? Like the pavement?
Yep. This photo essay for “Look” Magazine was actually shot before the construction crews had gotten around to pouring the pavement at the Magic Kingdom. But notice how Charlie & his crew created the illusion of finished walkways in this part of the park by laying down sections of sod. Which were reportedly ripped up as soon as this photo shoot was over.
As Ridgway explained:
Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro
“(By) focusing on limited portions, the “Look” crew managed to get finished-looking shots of Cinderella Castle and City Hall, masking the un-landscaped grounds in front of them, We posed pretty girls at play on the beach across from the Contemporary Hotel while construction cranes dominated the skyline. The photographer hid them by placing his camera strategically behind a pair of palm trees.”
Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro
Trying to hide those construction cranes evidently became a regular thing by the Fall of 1971. Here’s another fun excerpt from “Spinning Disney’s World” :
“(On Thursday, September 30, 1971, the day before Walt Disney World officially opened its doors to the public), giant cranes still rose high beside the Contemporary Hotel, which would have spoiled the appearance for the first visitors. The offending cranes were taken down by the inaugural weekend. Where they had rested was covered, as if by magic, with bright green grass.
Those … cranes were back up on Monday so workmen could get as much work done as possible before the celebrity guests arrived. They stayed until the day before the Grand Opening in late October when the cranes came down for good. Actually, the hotel was not completely finished until the New Year. But enough rooms were done to accommodate Grand Opening guests and ceremonies in the Grand Canyon concourse on October 25th.”
This — I have to admit — is one of the real joys of reading Ridgway’s memoirs. You’re not getting the carefully edited, buffed & polished version of WDW history. This is the real story from a guy who was actually there. Who remembers all-too-well how close the Magic Kingdom came to not being completed in time. How sometime senior staffers had to really go above & beyond the call in order to get things done.
Take — for example — this story:
“Walt had a habit of tabbing one individual for a particular job even if it were outside his normal duties and perhaps clearly outside of his expertise. He called it “naming the sheriff.” The idea was adopted in Florida.
Shortly before the opening of Disney World, workers were ready to pour concrete for red-colored sidewalks on Main Street. No red coloring powder. It was delayed on Boston docks. The “sheriff’s” job went to Marketing Director Jack Lindquist, later president of Disneyland. It was a Friday. “It must be here by Monday morning.”
No problem. Jack flew to Boston, chartered a plane, supervised loading of the coloring powder despite having to get it done on the weekened and flew back with it. I’m not sure if he had to hold it in his lap. The concrete was poured on time.”
If you enjoy these sorts of tales about the real history of the Disney theme parks, then you really should pick up a copy of “Spinning Disney’s World.” Or — if you’d prefer to get these stories straight from the horse’s mouth — then maybe you should make a point of being in the Orlando area this coming weekend.
Why For? Because Charlie Ridgway will be the guest speaker this Saturday night at the World Chapter’s meeting of the N.F.F.C. And — right after his talk — you can purchase an advance copy of “Spinning Disney’s World : Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent” and then have Charlie autograph his book for you.
Does that sound like a fun evening to you? If so, this meeting of the National Fantasy Fan Club for Disneyana Enthusiasts is being held at the Quality Inn Orlando Hotel. Which is located at 8700 S. Orange Blossom Trail right next to the Florida Mall. The doors open at 6 p.m., while the meeting itself doesn’t get underway until 6:45 p.m. Admission is free for all N.F.F.C. members, while guests will be charged a $5.00 entry fee.
So if you’re “Look” – ing …
Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro
… for a good time and/or a fun read, you should make a point of attending this Saturday’s World Chapter meeting to see Charlie Ridgway in person and/or at least pick up a copy of “Spinning Disney’s World.”
Your thoughts?