What WDW artifact would you donate to the Smithsonian?

[PaisleyMF]

Been reading this thread and make me wonder.

The set up of Walt Office? A Vintage Mickey and Minnie Mouse costume? The Carousel of Progress? The Epcot Center scale? But.

What makes Walt Disney World unique? What makes The Disney experience what it is?

This would be my Disney contribution to the Smithsonian Institute:
A full costume of Mickey with the "dress" variations (space Mickey from Epcot: or as refer to the Rainbow Brite costume) Jedi Mickey and so on; Cast members costumes from different eras, even maybe the whole set (sprint, summer, fall, winter) and some from different years to show the evolution; sketches and plans for some of the classic rides; a replica of the Partners Statue (real size); maybe some scale mockups or walk thru of Pirates (it most be somewhere stored); 2 audioanimatronics one Original from the oppening and one from circa 2003 - 2004 in working conditions; The programmers computer for the animatronics; Maybe a full Monorail (they got space to show it and store it); .Remember the old mosaics at Tomorrowlan: a full wall

 

[Pongo]

I think one thing from each park should be represented.

From MK: A car from a ride that originated there. Like a Space Mountain Rocket or a Buzz Car or a Hunny Pot.
From Epcot: I liked the SSE tile idea, or maybe a Maelstrom Boat.
From MGM: A RnRc Train or replica of the Spinning Globe/Mickey at entrance.
From AK: A Time Rover or Safari Jeep.

Yea.

 

[Connor002]

though i would never want it out of the park, i think that the partner statue ithe hub of MK would best represent disney

a man and his dream, his creation, his passion, his values, his life.

the absolute perfect representation of disney

 

[Cheryl]

:lol: I'm going to get so bashed for this one....how about a turkey leg! I'm sure it'd last for a few centuries at the Smithsonian! LOL :lol:

All these answers are really great on this thread...and I have to admit, great question!!! :sohappy:

I would have to agree with most of the answers but how I think something from IASW should be included in the Smithsonian as well. :animwink: I'd also like to see the statue of Walt and Mickey together at the Smithsonian and perhaps the Main Street Electrical Parade sign (I know, it's probably been used at all the parks, not a good suggestion, huh? :veryconfu)

Thanks for listening! :wave:

 

[TP2000]

I'd donate the One Mans Dream Walt's office set up.

That's actually from Disneyland. It was in the Disneyland Opera House from 1973 to 2000. They moved it from Disneyland to WDW for the Walt's 100th birthday promotion. The larger section of Walt's office, his Working Office, is still at Disneyland. Although it's behind some temporary displays for the First 50 Magical Years exhibit that is there for the next 18 months.

But donating Walt's office from WDW would just be donating something that really belonged to Disneyland originally, at least for the first 30 years it was on display there.

 

[TP2000]

Does WDW having the same monorails as DL? If not, let's donate the cab of a monorail! It truly is a part of Disney history!!!

BTW, is there a Walt & Mickey statue in DL? (I've never been, I've only been to WDW)

WDW has different monorails, but I'm not sure that's a very good choice since Disneyland had the first daily operating Disney monorail beginning in the summer of 1959. Disneyland's current monorails look very similar to WDW's to the casual observer, although Disneyland's trains are narrower and have a very different interior.

And the first Partners Statue (Walt & Mickey) was installed in Disneyland. The WDW statue is an exact duplicate of the Disneyland original.

Which brings me to this thought.... So many of the suggestions here are from the Magic Kingdom Park in WDW, and thus far they are all copies of Disneyland originals or attractions that started first at Disneyland and were later moved to WDW (Walt's Office, Carousel of Progress, EPCOT Model, IASW etc. Walt's Office: Disneyland 1973-2000. Carousel of Progress: Disneyland's Tomorrowland 1967-1973. EPCOT Model: Disneyland Carousel of Progress Post-Show Upper Level 1967-1973. IASW Original Sets/Building/Flume: Disneyland 1966-Present)

I really think if The Smithsonian is going to install something from WDW, it needs to come from Epcot. Epcot is the Park that is truly unique to WDW.

 

[matt88mph]

I had some more ideas.

Real Ideas:
Something from WoM
The preparation models for Hall of Presidents
A Small World AA
A Test Track Car (one of the most unique attractions at WDW)
A ToT cable
A car from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Joke Ideas:
Something from SGE (not so much to show its impact, but mainly to get rid of it)

 

[awallaceunc]

I think a ride car from any of the classic, WDW-original attractions would work.

Were WDW ever to close CoP (*cringes at the thought*), it would be VERY appropriate for the Smithsonian, given its theme and history. That would also be another great way to keep it alive and running, and I'm sure the Smithsonian people would love to be able to offer an actual attraction to their visitors.

-Aaron