My Disney History


I have always wanted to write about how and why I am such a fan of the Disney name and products. I have tried to do it in a book form but it just doesn't seem to come off for me. So I have thought that I would use this as a way of recording my throughts on my Wonderful World of Disney!


My Earliest Memory

My earliest memory relating to Disney has to be attending the movie of 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' at the Vegas Cinemas, (now the Mechanic Institute) in Sturt St, Ballarat, Victoria. I am trying to track down the exact release date in Australia, but I believe that I am thinking sometime between 1972 and 1973. I would have been maybe 4 or 5 at the time. It is one of those few times I remember my Dad taking me to a movie.

I don't recall too much of the movie, only that 'King Leo' was out the front welcoming movie goers as they entered the theatre. It was one of those magical moments that live with you for all time. I can clearly see the magic 'Star of Astoroth ' medalion around his neck and the kingly robes he waore. Can I recall if i was frightened or scared to see him, not sure, but I do have this feeling, faded image, that I gave him a big hug?

Outside of this specific memory, the rest of my moments in history come from watching shows like the 'The Mouse Factory' after school. I loved it when the Disney 5 (Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Pluto and Minnie Mouse) would go through the turnstiles and clock in for work at the 'Factory'. The whistle would blow and then some Disney star of the time would present the cartoon shorts or live action bits. The programs were always themed and it was all good fun. It is a shame that Disney never did a 'Walt Disney Treasure' tin DVD sets release of these. That has possibly died now with the passing of Roy E Disney in 2009.
My Holy Grail

My wife thinks I am a little crazy, ok a lot crazy, with this passion of mine. The one thing that she doesn't get is why I have this need to rummage through secondhand stores old record albums looking for the Disneyland Records logo. Every now and then I will find a little treasure that gets me excited. At a waste recycling store I discovered a copy of 'Mary Poppins' in good nick, it had been tossed out in the weekly rubbish collection.

I suppose, when I sit back and think about the reason why, comes down to a very visual memory that I have of sitting in my Aunty Val's house in Bunniyong, just outside of Ballarat, constantly listening to the 'Peter Pan' movie record. The year must have been around 1975 to 1977, as my aunt moved into a shop in Lydiard St sometime in 1978. I know this because when my Mum boke the news of our father leaving my sister, brother and I we were staying with her until my Mum returned to tell us what had happened.
Enough of that, let's get back to the real story here. This LP is one of those memories that is very clear in my head. It has not faded in time, I can clearly see myself on the floor setting up the LP on the player, ready to drop and set the needle on the first track. The cover has the ship in the background flying across the moon and Peter, Wendy, John and Michael flying towards the front of the cover. I did find it once on the internet but have not been able to find it since. But if I found it this way it would end the cool hunt to find it Australia in an obscure place.

To me if I found this item, it would complete a search that has taken years to complete. Will it stop me in my endeavours to find strange Disney items, no but it will be the crowning glory of never giving up on a quest, no matter what people think of your passions!


To be continued .....

To come:
- the 'Alice in Wonderland' recording my grandparents had and how it came into my possession.
- A dream fulfilled - my first trip to Disneyland USA.
- plus much more.


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