Bob Welbaum
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During my next visit (about 18 months) later, I made a special trip to the top of the Contemporary. Not to eat or take in the view, but just to see Marti. She was still there, graciously giving me a moment of her time... and the latest version of her art.
Unfortunately, that’s the last time I saw her. I hope she’s still out there somewhere, spreading her special brand of cheer.
Does this establish a new category of Disneyana? Special mementos created by cast members? I would be curious to know how many other people have had similar experiences.
Of course, there have been other, more intangible memories. My second visit, in the summer of 1972, was to show the Magic Kingdom to my mom and dad. Our first attraction was the Hall of Presidents, and the young lady host was named Bambi. How appropriate!
Putting the hometowns on name tags was a great idea. My hometown is a wide spot in the road in Miami County, Ohio named Pleasant Hill (current population: 1134). Once when I was checking into the All Star Sports Resort, the cast member behind the desk was from... Pleasant Hill, Ohio. I was flabbergasted! Turned out we had some friends in common, too.
Then there was the time I noticed my lunchtime server at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano at Disney-MGM Studios had listed his hometown as Budapest, Hungary. He was a mature gentleman, and this really piqued my curiosity. So I asked him about it. “No, actually I’m from Hackensack, New Jersey,�? he explained. “But my family was originally from Budapest, and I thought that sounded more interesting.�? It certainly did to me!
Finally, once while we were waiting for an elevator in the Contemporary, a cast member showed the little girl in our party a magic trick: he tried to make a penny disappear. He wasn’t quite able to do it, but he did make it a lot smaller much to her surprise.
So to all those cast members who add these special touches, they are appreciated, remembered, and saved. Thanks for the memories, and I look forward to seeing you again real soon!
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-- Bob Welbuam
Bob Welbaum has been associated with Tomart Publications for the past fourteen years, and is currently Managing Editor of Tomart’s DISNEYANA Update magazine.
Photo processing by Chad Sowald
-- February 17, 2005