I came across the article!
In June, we were asked to select a Magical Memory for the 100 Years of Magic
Celebration, and I chose Main Street, U.S.A., because of the memories I have
of coming to the Magic Kingdom. Park with my family. On January 4, 2002, my
Magical Memory changed. It changed because of the opportunity I had to spend
a very special day with a very special family.
On December 28, 2001, a fellow Cast Member from the Disney Reservation
Center, Elizabeth Mayer, received an e-mail from a Guest, Joanne
Stolberg-Alger, stating that her father, a former executive from General
Electric, was used as the model for the father figure in the Carousel of
Progress. Her father had kept the fact that he was "starring" in the GE
exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair a secret from his family and planned on
taking his family to see their reaction. Unfortunately, before he had the
opportunity, he passed away at the age of 40. The family never made it to
the World's Fair and only found out Dad's big surprise after his brother
attended and came home with the news.
Many years later, Joanne had the opportunity to take her children to the
Magic Kingdom. Park and view the exhibit. Unfortunately, however, her mother
Doris Stolberg, had yet to view the attraction. In Joanne's e-mail to Disney
Reservation Center, she stated that she, her daughter, and her mother would
be in the Orlando area on the 4th and asked if there was any way she could
buy a ticket just to experience the Carousel of Progress attraction.
Elizabeth, a former Cast Member of the Magic Kingdom. Event Group, picked up
the phone and called us to see if there was anything special that we could
do for these Guests. We made a few calls as well and asked Elizabeth to have
the Guest meet her at the Guest Relations Window in front of the park.
On January 4 Elizabeth came to our office; and we set out for the turnstiles
to meet Joanne, Doris, and Shannon. With the help of Marvin Smith, Operating
Manager of Magic Kingdom. Guest Relations, we had One-Day Park Hopper
tickets waiting at the Guest Relations Window. We met the family and
escorted them towards Tomorrowland.
At the Carousel of Progress, we had a Disney photographer waiting for the
group and took a picture outside the attraction. Judy Paulsen, a
Tomorrowland Guest Service Manager, was awaiting our arrival; and we
arranged for the Guests to have their own private showing of the Carousel of
Progress show. As soon as the theater made its first turn and the father
could be seen, Doris, Joanne's mother, covered her mouth and tears began to
well up in her eyes. She then smiled and said, "He looks exactly the same as
I remember him." The show continued, and we asked the photographer to take a
few pictures of the father on the stage and another with the family in front
of the stage and Dad in the background. At the end of the show, Doris took
out a picture to show us what he looked like and the resemblance was
amazing. As they exited the theater, Doris took my hand and said "Thank you!
You have no idea what this means to me."
At this point I invited them to enjoy the park and asked them to meet me in
front of City Hall at 2 p.m. I wanted to be sure they received copies of the
pictures and with the help of Dean Gaschler of Magic Kingdom. Guest
Relations, arranged to have the family ride in the electric car as Grand
Marshals of the Share a Dream Come True Parade.
They met me at City Hall and were delighted when Dean presented them with
Mickey Mouse Ear Hats and were excited when Dean challenged them to "wave at
each of our Guests equally, not only the cute fellas!" Though Doris is 78
years old, the second the car reached the parade route, her eyes lit up . .
. and she became a child again. At the end, Doris was beyond words, but
Joanne spoke for everyone when she said it was a day that they would never
forget. Now whenever I am asked about my Magical Memory, I tell people it is
the Carousel of Progress because of the day that I spent with this very
special family.
In June, we were asked to select a Magical Memory for the 100 Years of Magic
Celebration, and I chose Main Street, U.S.A., because of the memories I have
of coming to the Magic Kingdom. Park with my family. On January 4, 2002, my
Magical Memory changed. It changed because of the opportunity I had to spend
a very special day with a very special family.
On December 28, 2001, a fellow Cast Member from the Disney Reservation
Center, Elizabeth Mayer, received an e-mail from a Guest, Joanne
Stolberg-Alger, stating that her father, a former executive from General
Electric, was used as the model for the father figure in the Carousel of
Progress. Her father had kept the fact that he was "starring" in the GE
exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair a secret from his family and planned on
taking his family to see their reaction. Unfortunately, before he had the
opportunity, he passed away at the age of 40. The family never made it to
the World's Fair and only found out Dad's big surprise after his brother
attended and came home with the news.
Many years later, Joanne had the opportunity to take her children to the
Magic Kingdom. Park and view the exhibit. Unfortunately, however, her mother
Doris Stolberg, had yet to view the attraction. In Joanne's e-mail to Disney
Reservation Center, she stated that she, her daughter, and her mother would
be in the Orlando area on the 4th and asked if there was any way she could
buy a ticket just to experience the Carousel of Progress attraction.
Elizabeth, a former Cast Member of the Magic Kingdom. Event Group, picked up
the phone and called us to see if there was anything special that we could
do for these Guests. We made a few calls as well and asked Elizabeth to have
the Guest meet her at the Guest Relations Window in front of the park.
On January 4 Elizabeth came to our office; and we set out for the turnstiles
to meet Joanne, Doris, and Shannon. With the help of Marvin Smith, Operating
Manager of Magic Kingdom. Guest Relations, we had One-Day Park Hopper
tickets waiting at the Guest Relations Window. We met the family and
escorted them towards Tomorrowland.
At the Carousel of Progress, we had a Disney photographer waiting for the
group and took a picture outside the attraction. Judy Paulsen, a
Tomorrowland Guest Service Manager, was awaiting our arrival; and we
arranged for the Guests to have their own private showing of the Carousel of
Progress show. As soon as the theater made its first turn and the father
could be seen, Doris, Joanne's mother, covered her mouth and tears began to
well up in her eyes. She then smiled and said, "He looks exactly the same as
I remember him." The show continued, and we asked the photographer to take a
few pictures of the father on the stage and another with the family in front
of the stage and Dad in the background. At the end of the show, Doris took
out a picture to show us what he looked like and the resemblance was
amazing. As they exited the theater, Doris took my hand and said "Thank you!
You have no idea what this means to me."
At this point I invited them to enjoy the park and asked them to meet me in
front of City Hall at 2 p.m. I wanted to be sure they received copies of the
pictures and with the help of Dean Gaschler of Magic Kingdom. Guest
Relations, arranged to have the family ride in the electric car as Grand
Marshals of the Share a Dream Come True Parade.
They met me at City Hall and were delighted when Dean presented them with
Mickey Mouse Ear Hats and were excited when Dean challenged them to "wave at
each of our Guests equally, not only the cute fellas!" Though Doris is 78
years old, the second the car reached the parade route, her eyes lit up . .
. and she became a child again. At the end, Doris was beyond words, but
Joanne spoke for everyone when she said it was a day that they would never
forget. Now whenever I am asked about my Magical Memory, I tell people it is
the Carousel of Progress because of the day that I spent with this very
special family.
