Conference koolit::disney

    How about a quick trip to the library.  There are several biographies
    of Walt that have been written for children.  In fact I wasn't able to
    find one at the library that was written for adults.  (I did see one for
    sale at WDW a few years ago, and kick myself for not buying it.)

    You might also have her drop a note to the Walt Disney Company
    corporate HQ in Burbank CA, (I think the address is in the "Official
    Address and Phone Number Note").  I'm sure they will send you a whole
    packet about Walt.

    BTW, the myth about Walt's body being frozen has pretty much been
    debunked.  William Poundstone covered it in one of his books, (or was it
    Cecil Adams, or Jan Bovuland?)  Walt was cremated after his death and
    his remains are buried at Forest Lawn.

    I have a deal for you....if you send me a blank video tape I'd be more
    than happy to make you a copy of "The Walt Disney Story" which I taped
    at The Magic Kingdom last Summer.
    
    The film talkes about Walt's beginnings and other things. Remember, I
    videotaped a film so the quality isn't great but does provide some
    information on Walt that others may not know.
    
    Mike
    

    
re: .1 

>    BTW, the myth about Walt's body being frozen has pretty much been
>    debunked.  William Poundstone covered it in one of his books, (or was it
>    Cecil Adams, or Jan Bovuland?)  Walt was cremated after his death and
>    his remains are buried at Forest Lawn.

		I've hesitated to enter this reply because, I wasn't sure
	how it would be received.  I mean, you just don't hear people 
	speaking of cemeteries as "points of interest".  Then I said to 
	myself, "Self, Forest Lawn is not just another cemetery.  "And,"
	I continued, "there are many people I'm sure, who would pay respects 
	to Walt if they knew where he was buried".  I hope that a local 
	though, might provide more concise directions than I'm 	able to 
	recall.

		Forest Lawn in Glendale Calif. is simply a remarkable, and 
	beautiful facility.  I moved from the Glendale area some 17 years 
	ago.  I spent many impromptu hours walking about this special place. 

		For many easterners vacationing in So. Cal., and driving 
	from Disneyland to tour Universal Studios, Forest Lawn is just a 
	very short detour off the Golden State Freeway, (Brand Blvd I 
	believe).  It may be 5 minutes off the highway, about 15 
	minutes from the LA Zoo, and about a  half hour from Universal
	Studios.  

		So, bear with me here for a sec... It's easier to drive to
	Disneys grave site than give directions.  And, while I've been 
	to Forest Lawn recently, it's been awhile since I've visited 
	Disneys Grave.  

		Forest lawn is one big hill.  There are several roads that 
	traverse the hillsides.  As you enter the cemetery,  proceed 
	straight ahead, taking the upper road on the western side  of 
	the hill (the right side).  This road will wind about.  The 
	goal is to reach the top of the hill from this side.  If you 
	achieve this, eventually on the drivers side you'll see a granite 
	(might be marble), long wall.   At the far left end, is where 
	Casey Stangel (sp?) is buried.  To the right is a mausoleum.  As 
	I recall, if you were to walk along this wall, toward the Mausoleum, 
	you'll come to a garden.  There may be a gate to open to enter this 
	30'x30' garden, (I'm guessing on the size).  This is Disneys Grave.  
	On the wall hangs a bronze plaque with his name.  You may have to 
	move some foliage to  find it.  Sit down on the stone bench.  Spend 
	some time here.  It's really quite a place.

		Bryan
    

    RE: .3

>   Forest Lawn in Glendale Calif. is simply a remarkable

    Hummnn.  I do not remember a Forest Lawn in Glendale...this isn't the
    one on the backside of Griffith Park (behind NBC) where several other
    celebs are interred, is it?  You mentioned this one was about 15
    minutes from the LA Zoo (also in Griffith Park) which confuses me since
    I would imagine the drive you describe as being longer than 15 minutes
    (but I haven't been in Glendale in 4 years so what do *I* know).

    Help?


    Thanks,
    David.

    RE: .4

	Alright, I couldn't take the confusion any long so I called
	Gram.  Gram lives right around the corner a couple miles
	from all the above. 

	Yes, You are correct.  The Forest Lawn you recall is the 
	Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn.  There are three Forest Lawns, 
	Glendale (the original), Hollywood Hills, and West Covina.  
	Disney is buried in Glendale.  

	The Glendale FL is at San Fernando Rd and Brand Blvd.  But 
	Chevy Chase Blvd plays a part somewhere in there too.  Couldn't 
	get that one straight though without a map. 

	To get to FL Glendale, off the Golden State Freeway take
	Los Felix to San Fernando Rd. &  S.F. Rd. to Brand Blvd (could
	be Chevy Chase though).  

	Is this making sense?	I think I'm confusing myself again.

		Bryan
    

    I just finished "Disney's World" by Leonard Mosley, and as far as the
    question of burial, this author said the body was "claimed" to be
    buried there, but still left a rather large doubt as to the
    authenticity of this claim.  He mentioned in the book, that there was a
    rather large time span, (about 4-5 hours) between the actual time of
    death, and the announcement to the world. And questioned, if this was
    the time, that the body was actually being frozen or cremated?  He left
    it up to the reader to decide.  
    
    He also mentioned an incident just before Walt's death, when Walt had a
    lung removed due to cancer, and that he had this cancerious lung frozen
    also, for the possibility of reuniting the organ with his body at some
    future date.  
    
    Who know?  The man was very complex.  But it is an interesting book.
    
    Becky

    On December 15, 1966 Walt Disney died of acute circulatory collapse
    after surgery for the removal of a lung tumor one month earlier.
    
    I think he would have been in his late 80's, early 90's today.
    
    Mike

	I think that to get a real understanding of Disney, you must read more
than one biography.  I've read the Mosely book as well as another that I cannot
recal right now, but they had diferent points of view, one was rather sympath-
etic while the other seemed to dwell more on his bad points.  In any person's
life, there are people who feel that they are the best person that has ever
lived and others who feel oppositely. I just think that in order to really under
stand him reading one bio is not enough.
	You have to remember too that times were different when Disney was 
building his empire.  Employees were treated differently etc.  I think that
rather than simply 'taking credit' for the work of his employees Walt was 
really trying to keep the Disney name in the forefront because he knew that
that was what sold pictures.  It wasn't a conscious effort to belittle his
artists so much as it was a (very effective) marketing strategy.  As to his
being frozen, I think it's a bunch of bull, his family says that he is not
and why would they not tell the truth?  
	I think the fact that any bio on Disney would agree on is that he was
indeed a very complex man, a brilliant man, and a true visionary who's likes
we may not see again for a very long time (sadly).

Tom

    For those of you who rue the day that "The Walt Disney Story" closed
    down in TMK I have good news.
    
    "The Walt Disney Story" is now available on home video. I don't know 
    when/if it will be available in The Disney Stores but if it's for sale
    I'm sure you'll be able to get it.
    
    Not sure of the price.
    
    Mike