Bob Welbaum: The Cost of Meeting Davy Crockett
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We collectors do strange things. Not that they seem strange at the time, but looking back in hindsight, some things we do can seem, well, just kind of strange.

For example, I attended the Official Disneyana Convention at Walt Disney World, September 6-10, 1995. If you have never been to any of these conventions organized by the Walt Disney Company, there were usually some special programs offered to the “conventionears.�? These were never part of the basic agenda, but were extras, and one could sign up for as many as the schedule permitted – and there was time set aside for these – with payment of the required fee.

This 1995 convention was no exception; in the convention paperwork I still have, I counted 18 such offerings.

Some were clearly promotional: “Bon Voyage! -- Discover Disney’s newest world of adventure as the Disney Cruise Lines get ready to launch (one hour, free).�?

Some educational programs were promoting the Disney Institute, which opened in February, 1996 and has since closed: “Windowsill Landscape -- Create a kitchen windowsill garden with edible herbs (one hour, $30).�?

But most were specifically designed for the Disney fanatic: “On Stage at the Magic Kingdom -- Have you ever dreamed of meeting all forty-two United States presidents, dancing with ghosts, or simply riding Space Mountain with the lights on? Here’s your chance… (two-and-a-half to three hours, $100 including a special character breakfast).�?

As I examined the list, my eyes fell across the following:

I) “Wine Tasting with Fess Parker�? Join Fess Parker for this exclusive experience in the newly remodeled “California Grill,�? located on the 15th floor at the Contemporary Resort Hotel. Fess Parker will be showcasing wines from his vineyard in Santa Barbara, California. Enjoy the beautiful view as you sample delicious foods and wines (two hours, $35).

At the time, I had little interest in wine. But as I continued to read down the page, I heard this little voice from somewhere in the back of my brain say “You call yourself a Disney fan, and you’re going to pass up an opportunity to meet Fess Parker, the actor who played Davy Crockett?�?

So my eyes returned to Item I. It wasn’t that expensive. It certainly seemed a better value than, say “Pluto’s Pursuit,�? a three-hour scavenger hunt through Pleasure Island for $60. And I always had been a big fan of Davy Crockett. In fact, as a grade-schooler, it was the only television show my mother had actually encouraged me to watch.

I immediately called to place my reservation. When I confessed to the operator that my sole motivation was meeting Fess Parker, her reply surprised me. “Save your money.�? She quickly explained how Fess would be appearing at an autograph session in the gift shop on the Contemporary Resort’s Grand Canyon Concourse on (if my memory is correct) the convention’s public day. In other words, I could meet him for free!

And I was dutifully in line at the appointed place and time. I even had something appropriate for him to sign: a copy of Tomart’s DISNEYANA Update magazine (for which I worked until recently) with a “Merchandise of Davy Crockett�? article. I was all set!