Walt Disney Art Classics Convention 2004 - Part 2
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O’Day asked about the three teams, identified as red, blue, and white. Bobby said that the red team consisted of twelve members, some of whom didn’t last through the series. He recalled Johnny Crawford, Paul Peterson, Don Grady, and the Rooney boys (sons of Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney) had to be let go.

Bobby also told more about the Little Red Schoolhouse. He said it was like having a private tutor. He remembered that in Spanish class, they used Spanish names for each other, and sometimes still used them to this day. When O’Day mentioned that Bobby had gotten good report cards, he said, “I’m glad Sherry sat in front of me for geometry!�?

Classes for the Mouseketeers were conducted right on the studio lot.

The Mouseketeers personal tours were the next subject at hand. Sherry eagerly recalled spending weekends at the Disneyland Hotel. She remembered the fun of doing the shows at Disneyland. They would perform in the theater, sign autographs, and appear in the parade. Security guards were on hand to help protect them, and their valuable ears. Each pair was custom made, valued at $50, and were the personal responsibility of each Mouseketeer. Bobby recalled that the boys hated the ears, because they covered up their carefully composed pompadours. Sherry teased, “Today they cover up the bald spots.�?

Bobby laughed as he recounted a story from the road. At the State Fair of Oklahoma, he leaned out a bus window, and someone grabbed his ears and ran. But an assistant director tackled the kid and got them back. Bobby said that his original ears, along with nearly all the others, were given to a children’s hospital. Only Cubby’s were kept in the Disney Archives, and Annette had hers bronzed.

O’Day then asked for memories of the Mickey Mouse Club Circus. Bobby immediately pointed out that their mothers were in it, too. His mother played Chip, half of Chip ‘n Dale. He told about doing all sorts of things: horseback riding, trampoline, and participating in the circus parade. He even played Peter Pan. But, concluded Bobby, Walt wasn’t “positive�? about the circus. When Sherry asked if it had been in the parking lot, Bobby corrected her, saying it had been where the Submarine Lagoon is now located. He mentioned it was featured in ViewMaster reels that were released in 1956.

Memories of the short-lived Mickey Mouse Club Circus have been preserved on ViewMaster reels.