Dining with Disney’s Finest

I just love this photograph taken in the employee cafeteria at Disneyland in 1961.  I am not sure if this was staged or if it was a candid photograph, but regardless I would have loved to be present at the time this was taken.

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Their smiles all seem so genuine and are just the kind of smiles we have come to know and expect from a Disney Cast Member. Do you ever wonder how they are able to maintain such authentically bright smiles? Take a look at a portion of this Disneyland Employee Handbook printed in 1962, it may help to explain the authenticity of their cheerful expressions.  Maybe this world would become a little more magical if we all learned this artistry 🙂

AN HONEST SMILE...

     At Disneyland a pleasant smile is a personality
trademark which we use all the time in greeting and directing
people.

     Unfortunately, a smile cannot be painted on, like
lipstick. You can't turn it on and off like a water faucet.
And, in fact, a "forced smile"...the "grin and bear it" type
may be worse than none at all.

     You've got to have an honest smile. It's got to come
from within. And...to accomplish this...you've got to develop
a sense of humor and a genuine interest in people.

     There are a few tricks which will help you develop an
honest smile, and here they are - -

     Don't take Yourself too seriously

        One reason people can't smile
        with others is because they
        can't smile at themselves. The
        first lesson in smiling...have
        a good laugh at yourself.
        You're a bit funny (or dumb)
        yourself sometimes.

     A frown won't help

        Maybe if you are a judge or the
        villain in a play, a frown or
        grimace will help you in your
        work. But generally it won't do
        anything but harm, and
        particularly at Disneyland.....
        the Happiest Kingdom in the
        World.

     You get paid for smiling

        If nothing else helps...
        remember that you get paid for
        smiling. You don't have to
        laugh -- just smile.

     Another way you can develop your smile is to use smiling
phrases.......

 

~Maureen

America on Parade ~ Looking back at the Bicentennial Year

On this happy July 4th of two thousand and fourteen, I would like to look back about 39 years or so to 1975/1976 when Disney introduced America on Parade in honor of the United States Bicentennial, celebrating the 200th year anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of independence.  It temporarily replaced the Main Street Electrical Parade making its debut in Magic Kingdom on June 6th, 1975 and Disneyland on June 12, with both parks grand finale held on September 6, 1976.

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As I was going through my vintage Disney vacation photographs I found some pictures of this very parade.  I was around the age of five at the time these were taken and though I was there I sadly do not recall this parade, but I am more than pleased to have a piece of this significant historical event.

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Notice the lamp posts dressed in their Bicentennial decor down Main Street USA and it’s side streets~

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This prideful patriotic parade, that I feel Walt would have been so proud of (being a man of great American pride), kicked off with our favorite pal Mickey and his pals Goofy and Donald dressed in their bicentennial best.

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The story of our American History was told beginning with early pioneer days to current history (what was current at that time).  This parade “spoke” of our achievements and our customs and featured influential figures throughout American history.

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Rounding out the ½ hour procession was more of our favorite Disney friends and for the grand finale on September 6th, 1976 the parade finished with a 1000 piece marching band, an amazing sight to see!  Here is a short 7 minute narrated video of this amazing parade,  a must see!  America on Parade Walt Disney World 1976

This bicentennial parade was created for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort and was the first time both parks worked together on a “production that would appear simultaneously in both parks.” (disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog)

Disney’s celebrations are second to none from their inauguration into the world to this very era; it is just another layer of Disney that draws me in and grasps my heart and holds me tight and why I love my Disney so very much ♥

~Maureen

To read more about Walt and his American pride see  Liberty Square a Nod to Walt’s American Pride