Travel Review: If you ever Get an Opportunity, see a Disney Archives Exhibit: It's A Nostalgic Sentimental Journey You Need to Take by Lud Kozlowski

Nostalgia is a journey worth visiting. Here we can go back to times we remember and cherish happy memories in those moments that we just love to reflect dearly upon. For me it is a happy time of growing up and watching Disney movies or entering their theme parks.

Growing up I spent my time going to California in the summer. Before and after going to California we would go to our Public Library and watch Disney animated movies in the summertime. Our local public library screened Disney classics such as Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins, and Pinocchio. Beautiful cinematic pieces of art with musical numbers and enchanted storytelling with dazzling special effects. Then came the ultimate visit. The visit to my grandma, Great Uncle, Aunt and cousins in Southern California.

Traveling cross country by station wagon we went to San Diego and Los Angeles. We would go on visits to Tijuana, Mexico and barter for sombreros and maybe just maybe once drank tequila before I turned 21. I remember the countless workers selling their product and photo opportunities in front of donkeys painted as zebras on Revolution Avenue. This is back when it was safe to visit Tijuana on a day trip. Other summer rites of passage included boogie boarding the waves of Mission beach. But no summer would be complete without a visit to Disneyland.??

Disneyland is a park where Disney stories came to life and where you could be living those stories while your imagination runs wild. Where you wish upon a star and dreams comes true. Where else you can fly through the air like Peter Pan and see Tinkerbell fly through the sky lighting up the castle with an array of fireworks. Disneyland where the cast members magically treated you like you were special and their ultimate guest of honor. Where Mickey and Minnie Mouse would give you a hug and where the queen of hearts would come chasing down after you. This park had tons of memories for me growing up and the entertainment that the park offered was one of a kind.

Where else could I travel into space on a rocket and roam out of control through danger. See pirates battle each other out in the Caribbean, be invited to join in a ghostly world as the 1,000th happy haunt becoming a grim grinning ghost for life or travel the jungles of the world and be introduced to the backside of water. Disneyland was my happy place. A place to escape from the horrors of the world.

Growing up I had a hard time socializing with the other kids. I did not find out until I was an adult that I'm on the autism spectrum. My dad told me I did not talk until I was three years old and he told me that the first words muttered were me singing “It's A Small World After All" repeatedly over and over again. While I was three and can’t quite remember that far back, I do believe it. Disney, its movies and its original theme park had such a comforting feeling that on those days when I struggled and just needed to get away from the madness of the world I could just turn on the Disney Sunday Movie or play the Mary Poppins record and instantly be transported to a world of peace, happiness, and no worries.

Walt Disney, his life, movies, and theme parks had such an influence on me that I dreamed of one day working at a Disney theme park. I dreamt of being a part of the magic and of working at Walt's original park Disneyland. While I haven't achieved that yet, I have worked at a Disney theme park and it was a dream come true for me. In 1997 when I was a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock I learned that the Walt Disney World college program was coming to do a presentation on campus. They were looking for individuals who would be willing to live, work, and earn for a semester in their theme parks. You would have to work at least a semester in their parks in merchandise, transportation, or an abundance of other roles at the resort while attending a series of classes to achieve either a "Ducktorate" degree, a "Mousters" degree, or a certificate of completion. That day I had to be very neurotypical which meant masking my autism or in normal speak be a regular, typical human being. I had to make eye contact, actively smile, and forcibly engage in small talk. While the above can be done by individuals on the spectrum, it can be emotionally and physically draining when you have to do it for hours on end. It is like getting pricked for a blood sample by a doctor. It is very discomforting and jarringly painful. By the end of the day, you are extremely exhausted.???

However, I made it through the interview and I got to work at the Tower of Terror as a merchandise host where I served customers from around the world, wore a toga, managed the crowds at the Hercules parade, and entertained guests from all over the world making their dreams come true. It was one of the best jobs I ever had and it made me even gain a harder work ethic which I keep to this day. It taught me a lot and I am forever grateful for it.

So after graduating I have always gone back to the parks. There are stories I would love to share but I just don't want to ruin the magic. When I go back and walk down Sunset Blvd and go to the Tower of Terror I think back at the times I had and always smile and laugh and sometimes have a tear of joy come down my face. I really loved my job and I really like Disney.

Earlier this summer I found out that the Walt Disney archives were coming to Graceland in Memphis TN. I felt like a kid in a candy store once I heard that news. For those who don't know, the Walt Disney archives are not open to the general public. Instead, they are just for cast members and for individuals wanting to do research. Disney has made two stops where the archives are on display to the public. One of these is in Graceland in Memphis TN where it is currently on display until January 2nd. When I found out about this I said there is no way I can miss this and have to see this for myself. I would regret it if I didn't go. So this past weekend I drove up and took the 2.5 hour trip to Memphis TN to see the Walt Disney archives exhibit.

The Disney archives offer a self-guided tour and a VIP tour. The VIP tour, which is $50 plus tax includes a souvenir pin, a VIP lanyard, a $15 voucher for lunch or dinner at the restaurant in Graceland and a VIP tour guide who will give a personal tour of the exhibit and an overview of the different sections of the inside the Walt Disney archives exhibit.

If you want a keepsake souvenir, the VIP ticket comes with a Inside the Disney Archives VIP pin that is a neat little souvenir to keep. You also get a big lanyard that says VIP and has the little Graceland VIP graphic on it. I'm glad I did it because the souvenir stand had minimal souvenir Disney archive items available.

Our VIP tour guide mentioned that the archives are not going to be appearing anywhere else and are only going to be available at Disney HQ for cast members and for people conducting research and those with connections once this exhibit ends. In other words, there will be no more general public viewings of any part of the archives. When we started the tour, we learned about what started the archives and original archivist David Smith. You also see different artifacts from history they have a series of original drawings, costumes, and different items over the years. They have the original Disneyland map, along with construction survey tools. They have jungle cruise sketches and models that Walt Disney used. There are letters he wrote, telegrams he sent, and even script meeting discussions on Mickey and the Beanstalk.??

Going through the exhibit I learned Disney was ahead of his time on diversity. If an artist was left-handed, they had desks positioned with the writing tools situated for left-handed people to use with ease which was not seen in many other industries in his time. You also get to see equipment used to restore photos. Finally, you will see models, miniatures, and vehicles including a certain Love Bug named Herbie. I got to see props for Mary Poppins specifically the blocks and carpet bag which really made me smile.

If you are a true Disney fan you need to see this exhibit! It is worth the time and effort if you are able to get to Graceland. If you cannot afford the VIP tour you can do the self-guided tour and spend all the time you want looking, reading, and just soaking it in. It is truly a wonderful sensory experience (in a positive sensory way). If you go for the VIP tour, once your VIP tour is complete, you can go back through the exhibit and spend as much time as reviewing and savoring everything in more detail. Go see it before they lock it behind the vaults at Disney headquarters for only researchers and employees. You won't regret it!

Inside the Walt Disney Archives was a tour that visited Graceland Exhibition Center at Graceland in Memphis, TN. It ended on January 2, 2022. However, if you ever get a chance to see a Disney archives exhibit, jump at it! It truly is amazing!