Digitizing History

One of my passion projects is to find pieces of Disney History and digitally recreate them so that others can see them even if they can't go and see them physically. The models are all made to be scale accurate and highly detailed. I treat each model as if it were a digital backup of the real thing, so even the smallest detail has to be exact. In some cases, if I can get close enough access to them, I even generate the textures from high wuality photos of the objects, ensuring the highest accuracy possible.

Walt's Second Grade Desk

In July 1956, Walt and his brother Roy decided to visit their old hometown, Marceline, Missouri. During this trip, they visited Park Elementary, Walt’s old school. While admiring the familiar surroundings and reminiscing over fond memories, the two discovered that the same desk Walt sat in all those years ago was still in the school. They knew it was his because the young Walt was known, and sometimes infamous depending on the teacher, for carving his initials into his school desks. This desk in particular is on display at One Man’s Dream in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. By taking high quality photos of components like Walt's initials and using reference images of the same make and model desk from a restoration video, I was able to make an accurate recreation of the desk that people can see from wherever they are.

Tomorrowland Ticket Booth (Circa 1967)

This futuristic design for a ticket booth was designed by Disney legend Rolly Crump. The replacement to the old Central Ticket Booth was meant to give off a more “Out of This World” appearance.

Haunted Mansion Original Promo Sign

Created in 1965 by Imagineering Legends Marty Sklar and Dorothea Redmond, this sign was the first introduction for many people to the Haunted Mansion. During this time, the main theme of the Haunted Mansion was in constant revision and controversy, specifically over whether it be a “funny” ride or a “scary one. Eventually, the decision was made to make a good balance between the two, and Marty Sklar’s concept, which he showcased in this sign, became the premise for the ride, a tour of a lovely retirement home, post death of course.

Stitch's Great Escape: Entrance Sign

Stitch's Great Escape was not exactly one of the most well received rides Disney ever made, with some people feeling incredibly nostalgic for the ride while many others found it to be unpleasant, especially due to the infamous chili dog burps that permeated the entire room. Whether from popularity of the movie or a genuine fan base for the ride itself, Stitch's Great Escape managed to continue running for 14 years, and its entrance sign lasted even longer, being used as the new Stitch character meet and greet sign until it was eventually removed in 2020. For me personally, I only ever went on the ride once as a child, but the entrance sign for me was just as memorable as any other icon in the park.

Horizons: Robot Butler

Horizons was one of the most famous closed rides Disney has ever built, and it is one that I am deeply saddened that I was not able to experience since it closed the same year I was born. Horizons was in many ways a showcase of Walt's original dream for EPCOT. It may not have been an actual city like he wanted, but it told the same story and showcased what the future of humanity could be if we were to try to make it. The robot butler was designed by Imagineer Ernie Soos to showcase easy living in the concept home in Horizons. While the attraction no longer exists, the butler remains a fan favorite, and many references can be found of him throughout Epcot Center.

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