One Triviateer's Story
Page 3 of 3
I made it back to the finals the next year and was now one of the senior statesman. I really relished my role of having been there before and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing everything again through the eyes of my fellow cast members. One cast member cried openly as we entered the Festival of Fool arena (that year's site of the competition) from backstage. This was her first visit to Disneyland and here she was getting a backstage entrance into Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. That touched me so much and I will never forget how lucky I am everytime I visit Disneyland. I wish that I could say that my last visit to trivia was more victorious than my previous visit but alas history repeated itself with me tying for second with the eventual winner. I am left now with only the thoughts of what could have been.
Driving down to Disneyland that year for the competition, I popped in a tape that I had made myself of Disney songs. I remember having the song "You Can Always Be Number One" playing and knowing at that moment that I was going to win. I was truly convinced that I was going to bring that trophy home and stick it in our Disneyana case. You see, I've been very good at a lot of things in my life but I've never been the best at any one thing before. I saw Disney trivia as my chance to finally reach the apex of something. And while I'm sad that I didn't outright win the competition, as part of our "retirement" from participating in the contest again (because of the "Gary Pyle Clause"), I was given a plaque that they give the winner of the contest. It says:
The Disney Store Inc.
Proudly Presents
The Disney Trivia Achievement Award
and Declares
Matt Walker
a Master of Disney Trivia
Recognized for Outstanding Knowledge of
The Walt Disney Company Heritage
I was Number One because I tried my best - and I was recognized for my efforts. Goofy's song made perfect sense at that very second. I was sad that I would never have the opportunity to shine in the spotlight like I had but I was so happy to have had the experience.
My memories of participating in the trivia competition are some of the happiest in my life. I can’t believe that I was able to do things that many people will never be able to do - such as dine in Club 33 or visit Walt Disney’s apartment - just because I enjoyed learning about the Walt Disney Company and could answer questions based on my knowledge. I was also lucky to work for the Disney Store at just the right time so that I could have these opportunities. I’m sure that there are quite a few people who know quite a bit more about Disney than I ever did yet never wore the sweater that gave them the opportunity to bask in national trivia glory.
Working at the Disney Store was definitely the start to the best times of my life. After all, I met my wife while working there. But after seven-and-a-half years, it was time to move on to a more "grown-up" job, so I left the company that I love so much and haven't looked back. The nice part about moving on is that you tend to forget all the misery that you sometimes endured in a job like that yet you can still remember all of the good. And having been a Triviateer twice truly counts among my most precious memories. Thanks for letting me share them with you
Discuss It
Related Links
- Triviateers
Matthew Walker's June 28th article in which he talks to many past participants about their experiences. - StartedByAMouse.com
Matthew Walker's (the author) site
-- Posted June 29, 2001
-- Story Matthew Walker