seklipp.bsky.social
@seklipp.bsky.social
My treasure… “The Art of Walt Disney”… signed by Walt Disney. Authenticated by Dave Smith.
August 22, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I know if the bulb burned out they would replace it with what they had on hand. Would rather have double white lights than bad show with a missing or dead bulb. But it would eventually be replaced with a split bulb.
August 16, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I gave new employee orientation tours in 1981-82. The split bulb was there then. We were told it had been there from the early days.
August 16, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Age verification?

I rode the PeopleMover through the Carousel of Progress and saw the city of the future…”Progress City”!
July 30, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I worked canoes at DL 81-82. Getting close to the Columbia wasn’t much of an issue but the paddle wheel of the Mark was a real danger zone. There were often guests who deliberately tried to steer us into it.
July 8, 2025 at 4:41 AM
It was used for evac, but it’s after the second drop. It’s the transition tunnel before you enter the main show building.
May 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Huge two story stockroom with a separate locked cage for the expensive merch. Once had to sequester Michael Jackson down there when he showed up in the Square without security and was mobbed. Hung out with him until security arrived. Weird night all around.
May 4, 2025 at 1:10 AM
That was the gate to the stairs down to the merch stockroom. Huge space. The back entrance is directly beside the Pirates transition tunnel. On Grad Nights, we would black out the lights and hit kids with a flashlight when they lit up a joint. We’d confiscate the pot then go out back and smoke it.
May 4, 2025 at 12:57 AM
There was an advantage to Disneyland being closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the off-season… everything was refreshed and repaired every week.
March 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
And considering the trays were inches from hot set lighting.
March 6, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The crazy thing is that at least in 1980, the “hydraulic alert” was literally a float in a cafeteria tray under each character. Even then it didn’t seem the best option for an attraction that cycled 3000 people an hour and a disaster waiting to happen.
March 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Back before ATMs and
Direct deposit, the BOA on Main Street was one of the only places employees could get cash in a pinch. Provided it was before 3pm, when all banks closed.
February 8, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I was in merch from ‘78 - ‘80.
January 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I used to sell those! Miss the old Gourmet shop.
January 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I know Hildegard also bought for WDW. Really exquisite antique furniture. I was called in for 5am on a Saturday because Mrs. Disney (then Truyens) had lunch at Club 33, stopped by the shop and bought out most of the furniture. Had to swap it all out before the park opened.
January 19, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I was a lead for NO merch in ‘79-80. One-of-Kinds buyer was named Hildegard and she did travel the world for antiques and other unique goods. The shop had its own warehouse out back behind Small World.
January 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
It was the same. Once something was wrapped, it had to be sealed with rectangular pewter seals with the NOS insignia.
December 21, 2024 at 3:52 AM
New Orleans Square used to have its own wrapping paper - gold with a black NOS logo pattern. I worked merch 78-80 and we were considered the “high end” shopping area- most of our merch was specialty imported themed to the area. And real antiques. Any purchase over $100 had to be boxed and wrapped.
December 21, 2024 at 2:18 AM
It was the rear cone and it was locked at the hotel. My sister was a monorail driver in the early 80s. The original bubble top trains.
December 21, 2024 at 1:31 AM