Just a random question about Walt in the parks...

[Wonderlicious]

To all of you people here, I pose a question.

What would you do if, as an addition to the familiar faces that can be found in Disneyland and the like for photo and autograph oppurtunities, a person dressed as Walt Disney was introduced as a walk around character?

Strange question, I know.

[Escapay]

I'd say, "Wow...you'd think after rolling in your grave so much you'd look a bit disheveled..."

Either that or "You look good for a 105-year-old!"

Escapay

[AwallaceUNC]

That would be completely bizarre. I'm going to have to raise this question to my podcast audience on the next show I record. Not sure it would go over well in the parks.

-Aaron

[goofystitch]

Walt Disney is my personal hero. I would be very creeped out! It's completely acceptable to have someone dressed as Mary Poppins walk around the park because they aren't pretending to be Julie Andrews, they are a famous fictional character. However, Walt has been dead for so long and if they actually found someone who looked and talked enough like him to walk around the parks, I think it would creep a lot of guest out. I saw a photo of a wax version of Walt and it realy creeped me out. I would find it and post it here, but I don't ever want to see that thing again. lol. However, it was from the Mouse Surplus warehouse. You can see a him in a photo on this page: http://www.mousesurplus.com/tour/index.html However, this isn't as zoomed in as a picture they used to have and from up close, it was frightening.

[crunkcourt]

I think people would be really freaked about by the idea in general. I guess it is because he was a real person that it just seems really odd. I don't think this will ever happen nor should it.

[xxhplinkxx]

My uncle Jimmy does this on the weekends.

<.<

>.>

o.0

[Loomis]

Hmm...this is an interesting question. Given that Walt Disney, as the public face of the company and 'The Dream' as it were, was very recognisable through his TV and public appearances, he has become almost as much of a trademark character as Mickey Mouse.

Do you not feel his presence as you walk through Disneyland now?

I think that someone dressed as Walt is potentially disrespectful. Even if done in a tasteful way - and I'm not sure how that could be done - many would see it as using the imagine of a dead man to make money. Now, for all intents and purposes, much of what Disney does is not too far removed.

However, I think the important distinction here was that Walt sold Disneyland to the world. Disneyland is a show, and he was pulling the strings from backstage. All the characters that "live" in Disneyland are part of the show, and while Walt was part of that show once, he has since moved off the stage. I think it is time to give him his curtain call.

[Prince Charming 12]

I just read through this older post and I decided to reply, because it is actually not as far fetched as some of the responders might think. If you have visited the Magic Kingdom (in WDW) since 2001, then you have seen a characterization of Walt! No, I have fully recovered from New Years Eve!

Actually starting in 2001 (with the 100 Years of Magic celebration), Walt is characterized in the afternoon parade. Yes a "live" portrayal, with the actor dressed in a 20's or 30' style outfit drawing who else but Mickey Mouse! This float lead the parade: "Share A Dream Come True Parade" and still leads the curent incarnation "Disney Dreams Come True Parade. While you can not get your picture with "him"I did take a few photos, as the parade passed by.

Should "Walt" be made available for meet and greet sessions - let the debate continue!

[candydog]

I just read through this older post and I decided to reply, because it is actually not as far fetched as some of the responders might think. If you have visited the Magic Kingdom (in WDW) since 2001, then you have seen a characterization of Walt! No, I have fully recovered from New Years Eve!

Actually starting in 2001 (with the 100 Years of Magic celebration), Walt is characterized in the afternoon parade. Yes a "live" portrayal, with the actor dressed in a 20's or 30' style outfit drawing who else but Mickey Mouse! This float lead the parade: "Share A Dream Come True Parade" and still leads the curent incarnation "Disney Dreams Come True Parade. While you can not get your picture with "him"I did take a few photos, as the parade passed by.

Should "Walt" be made available for meet and greet sessions - let the debate continue!

Oh yes, I remember that in the parade. I actually think that this is perhaps the most "tasteful" way he could be portrayed by an actor in the parks. It wasn't Walt himself signing autographs, it was a representation of him as part of a parade. Put it this way: Many famous historical figures are portrayed in films and plays all the time, but it would be disrespectful if the actors wandered the streets actually claiming to be that person.

[QueenRahel]

i think its cool for him to be in the parade (i saw that parade and agree it was very tasteful) and have memorable pics of him throughout the parks...but a character dresses like him that talks to people would be too weird...what would he say or how would his voice be...hmm...weird...

[candydog]

Actually, that just gave me another thought. It would be weird for Walt to appear in parks because he has been dead for years, as I've heard others on this thread say. So, how would you explain to a child that a disney villain who they SAW get defeated (killed in most cases) in the movie, is now walking around in front of them in the park? Remember, little kids actually believe that this is the REAL Ursula/Maleficent/Queen etc. It's nothing like the Walt question, as these are fictional characters, but it must be pretty weird for younger kids who don't know that.

[kbehm29]

I think the idea of a live person walking around pretending to be him would be creepy and confuse kids.

On the other hand - a holographic image of him - similar to the famous ones in the original Star Wars - would be very cool.