Interviews - Page 1

Interview Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss

LaughingPlace.com: Why did you decide to redo Mr. Lincoln?

Cynthia Harriss: I think you’ll see in the attraction, as I think I mentioned in the opening remarks, that Walt Disney had a very special affinity towards Abraham Lincoln and he was one of his personal heroes. And I think it was charming that we were able to unearth this photograph of him in the 5th grade standing there dressed in his homemade Abraham Lincoln costume when he addressed his 5th grade class with the Gettysburg Address. But I think, more than that, I think the ideals of Abraham Lincoln inspired Walt Disney himself and so when he had the opportunity to bring it to the world, which was certainly his brainchild, the first Audio-Animatronic human figure, I think Mr. Lincoln was the obvious choice. I think, as you know, Mr. Lincoln has delighted millions and millions of guests. It is hard to calculate how many of the 450 million guests that have seen Disneyland have been here. And we are just thrilled that we have been able to update it and give it a whole new life.

LP: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is one of the classics of the park. Why did you choose this attraction for this new technology?

CH: First of all, because it is such a classic. I think that all of us recognize the fact that technology has advanced dramatically from when it was first introduced. And also many of most loyal guests have seen it many, many times. So what we wanted to do was re-energize all our guests - from the most loyal guests to the newest guests to see this in a new way using new technology, which is awesome. It truly is. And in addition to that, give it a whole new twist. And the Gettysburg Address being delivered in full scope is a first.

LP: Do you think the technology will make it enticing to a whole new group of people who might otherwise skip Mr. Lincoln?

CH: I think so because truly the experience - even if you weren’t already a fan of Lincoln - is extraordinary. And I think that is what we are hoping to do. And also because of that, engage some folks to get to know Lincoln a little better, too.

LP: Why was Martin Landau chosen to read the Gettysburg Address today?

CH: I think his exquisite voice and the partnership we’ve had in many endeavors. His Academy Award-winning movie, and he has been a good friend of ours making him the perfect choice. But I think, more importantly, as you heard today he has one of those perfect voices to read a historic speech like that.

Interview with Martin Landau

LaughingPlace.com: What did you think of the attraction?

Martin Landau: I liked the attraction. It is presented in an interesting way. You are presented with the idea that you are Private Cunningham in the Union army. And you are taken through an experience with interesting sound where you get a haircut, you hear insects buzzing in your ear, and you have a sense of being in Mathew Brady’s studio and going to the White House and meeting the various people including Frederick Douglass. It’s…I liked it. I was with my 4-½ year old Godson who's interest span is never enormous. He sat quietly and paid attention and there wasn’t a peep out of him through the entire thing. Of course, right afterwards he said he wanted to go on rides. It obviously held his interest, which is a good thing because you’re going to go into here with kids and they’re going to be rapt. I think the sound, the earphones you have and stuff, allow you to experience stuff. The audience laughed in the right places. And of course, the animatronic Lincoln at the end gives the very eloquent Gettysburg Address.

LP: Did you ever meet Walt Disney?

ML: I met Walt Disney a number of times and I met Roy a number of times. And I know Michael Eisner. I didn’t know Walt well. A number of years later I met his widow and spent time with her and some of the family. I first came to Disneyland in 1958 before my kids were born which was only three years after the park had opened. It was considerably smaller then but it was still a whole day - there was enough to do. It's grown and grown and grown and grown and it's still obviously…my goodness [looks around], its only 9 o'clock in the morning and the place is jammed. It’s a great day. Its not too hot and the exhibit’s a wonderful one. Come on down.