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POSTED Fri, 07/28/2017 - 17:47 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Disney Legend Marty Sklar Dies at 83

The death of Legendary Disney Imagineer Martin A. "Marty" Sklar at age 83 has left the Disney community heartbroken. We here at Walt Disney World for Grown-ups mourn with out friends and colleagues as we honor one of the most beloved Imagineers. If you love the Disney Parks, you have been touched in some way by the indomitable spirit and Imagineering of Marty Sklar. He was a mentor to generations of Cast Members and Imagineers, and a icon to Disney fans around the globe.

While the kids don't care too much yet about Walt, Roy, and their hope and dreams, those of us who grew up watching their rise to fame and playing in their theme parks always want to know more about how it happened and how we got from the "Florida Project" to what we have today. The column will be dedicated to history, Disney-style.

Articles

POSTED Thu, 11/26/2015 - 06:05 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in 'The Turkey Catchers'

A look through our archives brought me to this Thanksgiving favorite!

It's another holiday, and another Disney animated short film. I went hunting for something to help celebrate Thanksgiving and discovered that in 1938 Walt Disney went through a lengthy pre-production on a cute piece entitled 'Pilgrim Mickey' that never got off of the ground and was canceled by the spring of 1939.

POSTED Wed, 02/11/2015 - 13:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Rides That Never Were: Walt Disney World – 'Beastlie Kingdomme', Animal Kingdom

With completion of the final piece of the expansion to Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs progressing well, attention is now turning back to the recent 2014 ground breaking on the new Avatar-themed 'Pandora' land at Animal Kingdom and it seems an apt time to revisit the original concept destined for this area of the park.

POSTED Tue, 12/30/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Walt Disney World for Grown-ups Most Popular Posts of 2014

2014 has been an awesome year here at Walt Disney World for Grown-ups, and our staff and guest authors have enjoyed every minute of bringing you all the exciting happenings from the Vacation Kingdom of the World. We compiled a list of the top articles representing each month of the year, as voted on by you (and by "voted on," we totally mean "clicked on").

POSTED Thu, 12/25/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Looking Back: The Art of Skiing, A Goofy Short

With much of the country covered in snow, I thought it might be the perfect time to sit back and watch a little instructional video by our favorite Goof.

POSTED Fri, 12/05/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Remembering The Legacy of Walt Disney

December 15 will mark the 48th anniversary of the world's loss of Walt Disney. Each year as we approach this anniversary, it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the legacy that he left behind. Today let's explore Walt Disney's legacy at Walt Disney World by examining three locations at the resort - Main Street and Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom and Future World at EPCOT.

POSTED Thu, 11/06/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Disney History: The Creation of Mickey Mouse

I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing, that it was all started by a mouse.
~ Walt Disney

No other character connects generations quite the way that Mickey Mouse does. On November 18, we will celebrate the 86th anniversary of the premier of Steamboat Willie, but the real story of the creation of this iconic figure probably isn't the one that you think you know.

POSTED Wed, 08/13/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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A Brief Look At Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek Improvement District

If you've ridden on a Walt Disney World bus and found yourself staring out the window to pass the time, it's no doubt that you've noticed the brightly colored public services buildings - one of which is labeled in bold, red LCD letters "RCFD". You probably guessed from the yellow trucks with flashing lights that the "FD" stands for Fire Department. But would you have guessed that "RC" stands for Reedy Creek?

POSTED Wed, 07/02/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author

Looking Back: Roy O. Disney (June 24, 1893 – December 20, 1971)

Walt Disney World is tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney ... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn - together.
- Roy O. Disney, October 25, 1971


POSTED Tue, 06/17/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Disney History: Remembering Mickey's Birthdayland, Starland, and Toontown Fair

Minnie and Mickey have been victims of Eminent Domain! This was my first thought upon hearing the announcement that Mickey's Toontown Fair was closing its doors and being leveled to make way for New Fantasyland. On my first visit to Walt Disney World, I was fortunate to visit Mickey's Birthdayland, which opened on June 18, 1988 to celebrate Mickey's 60th birthday.

POSTED Thu, 06/12/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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With Love to Disney’s Fab Five Father – Goofy

While we all know that Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are well known to be Uncles, Goofy is the only one that can claim the title of Father. He's used a wide range of names since his creation for "Mickey's Review" in 1932. He's been called Dippy Dawg, George Geef, or G. G. Geef, John, James Boyd, Goofy Goof, or G. G. Goof and even occasionally been given as Goofus D. Dawg. No matter what the origins may reveal, we all know him and love him by his nickname "Goofy."