BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 From the Disney Parks blog... Take a Flight Back in Time with ‘The Mouse’ posted on May 3rd, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager If you’ve ever experienced The Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, chances are you’ve seen “The Mouse” – a white airplane with a Mickey Mouse icon on its tail. As the tour says, this airplane was used to fly Walt Disney on secret scouting missions over Central Florida when he was looking for the perfect spot to build a second theme park. I’ve always been intrigued by this airplane and the important role it had in Disney history. After digging through our archives, it turns out the story behind this aircraft is actually much bigger than I ever thought. Walt purchased the Grumman Gulfstream 1 (G1) in 1964, and worked with his wife, Lillian, to select the plane’s interior design and color scheme. (Remember, this was 1960s fashion!). The plane seated 15 and featured a galley, two couches and a desk. Walt even designed his own special seat in the plane, which was in the rear left cabin. The seat was equipped with a special altimeter and air-speed gauge, which Walt added to satisfy his endless curiosity about flying. The plane’s first trips took Walt and his Imagineers to and from California and New York to oversee the final preparations for Disney’s contributions to the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Later that year, Walt (pictured above, center) began surveying land in Central Florida, considering the site a possibility for his second theme park. The plane also led Walt (literally) to find inspiration for the look of one classic Disney attraction. According to Mark Malone, son of Pilot Chuck Malone, Walt spotted El Morro fortress while flying over San Juan, Puerto Rico, and remarked that it would be the perfect look for his new Pirates of the Caribbean, which at the time was still in the planning phase. In addition to taking Walt on his secret trips, the plane also took Disney characters on goodwill tours and visits to children’s hospitals around the United States. An estimated 83,000 passengers have flown aboard the plane, including Disney animators and several famous faces, including former Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, as well as Disney Legends Julie Andrews and Annette Funicello. The airplane’s last flight took place Oct. 8, 1992, when it touched down on World Drive, west of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and was added to The Backlot Tour for all to enjoy. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/05/take-a-flight-back-in-time-with-the-mouse/ datgrt@fw .... Doug and caveat lector 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momoffive aka Loretta 34 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 That was great! Thanks for the information. He was an amazing man! :heart: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
daddyphat808 - Eric 16 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 That is the kind of things that I love. Better than just seeing the plane for a few seconds on a tour! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
datgrt@fw .... Doug 1 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 'Excellent' Post BradyBzLyn12 ......... Thanks for sharing this with us! I really enjoyed the pictures and also the information that you provided about "The Mouse"! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dngtrumps 0 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Very cool! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 I guess they had to land it on World Drive instead of at the landing field near the Wilderness Lodge because they could just tow it to DHS. If you look at the satellite images of the area near the WL, you can still see the landing strip that is no longer used. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingpixi 11 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Now that is some very cool info!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ftwildernessguy 778 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 If you look at the picture of the interior, my seat was the one on the right hand side up front. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caveat lector 181 Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 This totally cool!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for sharing the pics :suspense: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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