Disney & Sons

[Tom Cole]

I haven't visited the park in many years but remember, back in the
fifties, that there was a Wurlitzer grand in a shop on Main St. There
might have been a spinet there, too, but I'm not sure. This was long
before I became a piano technician so I was not so tuned in to what
instruments they had. But for some reason I remember that Wurlitzer.

Thanks for the Disney piano report, Rob.

Tom


Robert Goodale wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I just got back from S. California for the weekend.  I spent
> all day Sunday at Disneyland acting foolish.  Along the way
> I took note of all the pianos I could find.  Here are my
> observations- a little trivia for you!
> 
> 1. Yamaha U1 at Coke Corner, (at end of Main Street).  Used
> for Ragtime entertainment for patrons.
> 2. Yamaha U1 in New Orleans Square for various jazz
> entertainment.
> 3. Yamaha Grand- (probably a C-3 or G-3) at Carnation Plaza
> Gardens.  Used for various entertainment at the Plaza Stage.
> 
> 4.  Small grand of unknown origin in the Haunted Mansion.
> It is rigged to play itself- (piped in audio sound).
> 5.  Small square grand in the Pirates of the Caribbean.  It
> is rigged to play itself but the sound is a recording.
> 
> Non-piano observations:
> 1. Mid sized Welte orchestrian in the Penny Arcade.
> Unfortunately the sound was a recording.
> 2. Wurlitzer Band Organ, (possibly model 165?) behind the
> Dumbo ride.  At one time this largely modified organ, (for
> Disney theme), used to play.  Sadly it is now only a
> recording.
> 3. A completely fake band organ on the King Arthur Carousel.
> 
> There are of course many other small instruments used
> throughout the park, both in practical use and as props.  I
> used to work there many years ago and I can recall two other
> pianos.  One was a very ornate birdcage that was used for
> display in a frontier cabin at Big Thunder Ranch.  The other
> was a Seaburg "L" coin piano in what used to be called the
> "Mile Long Bar Arcade".  This was in "Bear Country" which
> was renamed "Critter Country" after the log ride was opened.
> 
> Well anyway there's my Disney piano report.
> 
> Zippidydooda!!
> 
> Rob Goodale, RPT

-- 
Thomas A. Cole, RPT
Santa Cruz, CA
mailto:tcole@cruzio.com