Walt's Apartment

Originally Posted By Anacon

I am having doubts about the apartment built inside Cinderella's castle that was intended for Walt & his family. Walt died December 15, 1966. As far as I know, there were no specific plans drawn up for the castle at that time. The earliest plans for the castle that I've seen were dated 1968. So, I don't see how this apartment was built with Walt in mind. The only other reasons I can think of that it is still referred to as Walt's apartment are:

1. Walt requested it before he died and the company
went ahead and built it.
2. It was intended for his family to use.
3. It was intended for Roy & his family to use.
4. It's a made up Disney myth. Naw, they would
never do that.

Any thoughts?

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

The apartment was included in the WDW MK castle plans and was actually framed in when the castle was built. But it was never completed, when Roy died just months after the new park opened.

The apartment was never really meant for Walt. I think it probably would have been for him had he lived to see WDW/MK. I think that's where the confusion comes from.

This apartment was to be for Roy and the Disney family. After Roy passed away, it was never completed.

They tell me that the space is still there, but that it's used for misc storage and what-not. It's on the third level of the castle, above the restaurant. Would be neat to know which windows.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

You touch on a subject that's of great interest to me.

Walt died without seeing ANY of DisneyWorld or the Magic Kingdom actually built. But did he at least see any preliminary works of what the new castle would look like?

The castle in Florida is so different from the one in California. Did Walt know that, or have anything to do with it?

So much of Disneyland has his personal creative touch in it. I would like to think that some new elements in the MK did too. (other than the touches that were copied over from Disneyland)

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

Also note, what is commonly referred to as Walt's Apartment is his actual apartment inside Disneyland over the fire station. I think you may just have gotten slightly confused about which park has Walt's Apartment.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

I always think of Walt's apartment as above the fire station at DL as well.

 

Originally Posted By DLFAN1979

""But did he at least see any preliminary works of what the new castle would look like?""

Nope none. All he saw was the property layout. The first sketch of the Castle wasnt even made till Jan 1967. Its a Herb Ryman charcoal sketch.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

I believe that it was said on TV during one of those WDW segments on Travel or the History Channel that there was an apartment for Walt in the castle. I knew it was untrue when they said it but I'll bet millions think it is true now.

Wouldn't make much sense to have an apartment for someone that had been dead for about 4 or 5 years. I'd be kind of afraid to dust.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> Walt's Apartment is his actual apartment inside Disneyland over the fire station. I think you may just have gotten slightly confused about which park has Walt's Apartment <<

This is true, except that Walt's new apartment at Disneyland was going to be upstairs above the Pirates of the Caribbean, where the Disney Gallery is now. Never happened. It was mostly completed, but after Walt's death never finished, or occupied by anyone else.

Trivia point -- I always wondered if they would have a 24/7 lighted lamp in the window on the second floor of the fire station in WDW/MK, like they do in DLR. Even though the second floor of the firestation at WDW/MK is just storage?

Well, they don't. Even though I understand in Tokyo Disney they do!

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

Walt did, indeed, occupy the apartment over the firehouse in Disneyland. It still has a few of his personal possessions inside.

The Gallery over Pirates of the Caribbean was intended to be a much larger and well appointed apartment for Walt and his family. Try to get a good tour of it some time. Of course, Walt never occupied this apartment; it wasn't even finished when he died. He did dedicate New Orleans Square in 1966, but PotC and the Blue Bayou were not ready until the following Spring.

Roy didn't have any interest in finishing a lavish apartment for his personal use. The framed in area above the PotC sat unused for several years, until it was turned into a private lounge for the Insurance Company of North America. (they paid for the work-- that's why it was finally done.) After their sponsorship ended, the area was used as offices. (Most famously as the planning area for Tokyo Disneyland.) Later it was converted into the Disney Gallery.

It seems unlikely that Roy would have wanted an apartment in Cinderella Castle, inasmuch as he didn't get around to completing the one in New Orleans Square. This sounds more like something the designers would do on their own, thinking it would please the boss. Roy was a very practical man. A long time cast member who retired from New Orleans Square several years ago told me about her interaction with Roy. Whenever he would come into the store to get anything, they would offer him the use of an office. He would always decline, choosing instead to wait in a chair in the corridor. She said that once or twice he went up to the second floor, and sat out on the balcony in a straight chair.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> But did he at least see any preliminary works of what the new castle would look like? <<

>> Nope none. The first sketch of the Castle wasnt even made till Jan 1967. <<

I kind of figured this and I'm not surprised, but haven't been able to find out for sure.

My understanding was that Walt had wanted a larger castle for Disneyland and that changed (budget?) So if that rumor was true, then maybe the larger castle for WDW/MK came partially from that wish. And that he might have at least seen some preliminary designs, perhaps even some larger proposed designs for the original Disneyland park?

The other storyline of course is that nope, the Disneyland castle is the size that it is because it fits the park dimensions best. And it purposely cannot be seen from the other lands.

The castle in Florida CAN be seen from the other lands, over the tops of trees. Again, I'm sure purposely.

 

Originally Posted By gurgitoy2

"My understanding was that Walt had wanted a larger castle for Disneyland and that changed (budget?) So if that rumor was true, then maybe the larger castle for WDW/MK came partially from that wish. And that he might have at least seen some preliminary designs, perhaps even some larger proposed designs for the original Disneyland park?

The other storyline of course is that nope, the Disneyland castle is the size that it is because it fits the park dimensions best. And it purposely cannot be seen from the other lands."

My understanding is that it's a combination of both of your storylines. Walt did want a bigger castle at first, but it would have been the same design, only built to larger scale. When budget didn't allow that, he realized that perhaps a smaller, less intimidating version might be best anyway, so as to not overwhelm his guests. I could be wrong, but from the sketches and stories I've seen, that's what my understanding is.

 

Originally Posted By gurgitoy2

I just realized that I started that with "My understanding is", and it looks so redundant coming after yours, LOL....oh well.

Anyway, I would not be surprised if Roy O. had NO imput on the apartment inside Cinderella Castle, and it was done by WDI to please, or impress him. I've heard his "humble" stories as well, and he certainly didn't seem like the kind of guy to want that kind of attention.

 

Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire

I read somewhere that this room was considered to be used as an ultra-deluxe room for guest use. I know i read that somewhere but i cant recall where i read it! Dont know how true it is though

 

Originally Posted By DLFAN1979

OMG! The Honeymoon Suite rumor!! HA!! Yes for the 25th, as a promo, they wanted guests to book the apartment as a Honeymoon Suite. The detials on why it didnt happen are skethcy, but ONE of the things is that they didnt want guests IN a park after closing.

 

Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire

Totally understandable!

 

Originally Posted By aracuanbird

PLus, I mean, what would people be doing up there in a Honeymoon Suite? It would definitely change my perception of the castle if I knew, well, ahem. And, er, maybe while I'm in the park and, um (blush).

 

Originally Posted By aracuanbird

Don't come a knockin', I guess...

 

Originally Posted By Mouskateer

I've read with interest all about Walt's apartment and I've heard most of themm but not the honeymoon suite one... I have a question... What about the secret niteclub in MK... is that real or not..

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> secret niteclub in MK. <<

Never heard of it. Are you thinking of Club 33 at DLR?

 

Originally Posted By Mouskateer

>> secret niteclub in MK. <<

<<Never heard of it. Are you thinking of Club 33 at DLR?>>

No.. I'm pretty sure it was in WDW at MK...