The Backstories and Magical Secrets of Walt Disney World
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Smith, Thomas (Disney Parks Blog). Video Sneak Peek: Haunted Mansion Interactive Queue at Magic Kingdom Park. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/03/video-sneak-peek-haunted-mansion-interactive-queue-at-magic-kingdom-park/
Snyder, Chuck Windows on Main Street: Discover the Real Stories of the Talented People Featured on the Windows of Main Street, U.S.A. (2009).
Surrell, Jason. The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies (2009).
Surrell, Jason. The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak (2007).
Thayer, Ernest L. “Casey At the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888” (1888).
Untiedt, Keneth L. Celebrating 100 Years of the Texas Folklore Society: 1909-2009 (2009).
Yee, Kevin. Walt Disney World Hidden History, Second Edition (2014), p. 21.
Acknowledgments
I have enjoyed reading books since I was a child. Until a couple of years ago, however, the thought of actually writing my own book never crossed my mind. With the support of many friends and family members, I took a large leap of faith and wrote my first book, The Walt Disney World That Never Was: Stories Behind The Amazing Imagineering Dreams That Never Came True, in 2016. Because of both the fun that I had writing that book, and because of the overwhelming positive response I received from readers, I decided to write about another Disney topic that I thought would be a whole lot of fun for Disney fans of all ages. This acknowledgement section is, in large part, a duplicate of the same section from my first book. This is not due to laziness, but instead because of the continuing support of those close to me and how appropriate my previous acknowledgements are to these people even after the past year. As I said two years ago upon release of The Walt Disney World That Never Was, to the extent that I have created a book that readers will enjoy, the credit for that accomplishment should go to the people that are listed below much more than to me.
First and foremost, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to my wife, Alexis. As is the case with every other aspect of my life, Alexis was overwhelmingly supportive and encouraging of my work on this book. My professional work schedule is time intensive, as is my “father schedule.” There are not many spare hours lying around within which to write a book. Instead, a great deal of family time, vacation time, and otherwise quality time with Alexis had to be sacrificed in order to see this book completed. Given the fact that she had done this during the writing process for the first book, her willingness to continue to do so for my second book is an even bigger testament to the woman that she is. Alexis never complained but instead continued to support and encourage me, even at those points where my own enthusiasm for the project started to wane. I have still “outkicked my coverage,” and you are still “the one.”
To my mother Gradie Mae Smith, thank you for being the kindest and strongest woman that I have ever known. This past year has been such a test for you, and you have endured pain that I’m sure I could never comprehend. Yet the strength you have displayed continues to have a profound effect upon me. I have always known that, notwithstanding any mistakes I may have made in my life, I could still find unconditional love and understanding from you. In writing this book, I knew that no matter how terrible it might be for a “neutral” reader, you would swear it was the greatest book ever written.
To my father Edmon Smith, I honestly don’t even know how to put a thank you into words. But thank you for being the best man I have ever known. You have worked countless hours to support our family, and I could never repay you for that. All I have ever wanted to be is you, but I realize that is an unrealistic goal. However, if I can even become half the man, husband, and father that you are, I will have achieved a tremendous goal indeed. Although I wrote these same words over a year ago, they are even more appropriate today than they were then.
To my oldest son Dakota, thank you for being such a kind and true-hearted young man. You have insisted on carving your own path, and I could not be prouder of that. Our trips to Walt Disney World when you were a child are some of my best memories, and played a key role in rekindling my love for the Most Magical Place on Earth. I could not be more proud of you.
To my youngest children, Samuel, Scarlett, and Alice Anne, thank you for showing me what true joy and happiness really are. Even when I have had a discouraging day, the sight of your smiles when I walk in the door each night continually reminds me of what is important in life. In 2016, Alexis and I took Samuel and Scarlett to Walt Disney World for the very first time. To say it was an amazing trip would be an understatement. I saw the joy and excitement in your eyes that I know my parents saw in my eyes in 1984 when I took my first trip to there. I hope that all of you (don’t worry, Alice Anne, your first trip will be very soon) can find some of the joy in this magical place that I continue to have, and I hope you see that joy in the pages of this book when you are old enough to read it.
I also want to thank my good friend David Block who, as it turns out, is a pretty darn good editor in his own right. David contributed many great ideas and thoughts about the structure and content of this book. He was also brave enough to actually read over these chapters and provide invaluable input and suggested revisions. In short, he was a valuable role player in this project. Clearly, his work as an editor is only surpassed by his efforts managing sports teams. Not little league or Pop Warner…fantasy.
I have to also send another big thank you to my editor, Bob McLain, without whom this book would not have been possible. Bob, thank you for letting me have another bite at the apple with Book 2, and thanks for your patience as a corporate attorney “tried” to write another book, and for turning whatever the heck it was I sent to you into this finished product.
As strange as it may sound, I must also thank both Walt and Roy Disney for creating my favorite place on earth, Walt Disney World. During the dedication ceremony for the Magic Kingdom, Roy stated: “May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place…a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.” If Roy and Walt were alive today, I would tell them that Walt Disney World has certainly brought me joy, inspiration, new knowledge, and so much more. I always tell people that Walt Disney World is truly a magical place. It is more than just bricks and mortar, rides and shows, hamburgers and hot dogs. It is a place where adults can become kids again and a place where dreams really come true.
Finally, I thank you, the reader of this book. A dream of writing a book really doesn’t mean much if nobody is there to enjoy it. By taking the time to acquire and read this book, you have made a lifelong dream come true, and I am eternally grateful for that.
About the Author
Christopher E. Smith is a lucky husband, a proud father, and a blessed son. He is also a corporate attorney practicing law in Huntsville, Alabama. Theme Park Press released his first book, The Walt Disney World That Never Was: Stories Behind the Amazing Imagineering Dreams That Never Came True, in 2016.
Chris graduated from the University of Alabama in 2001 with a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2004 where he was awarded the M. Leigh Harrison Award, the law school’s highest academic honor.
He first visited Walt Disney World in 1984 at the age of 7. That inaugural trip forever shaped his outlook on life. As a child growing up in rural Speake, Alabama, Chris was accustomed to seeing cow pastures, barns, and cornfields. He certainly did not know what to make of the “magic” of Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But that Disney magic did put a smile on his face that has been there ever since.
Chris has visited Walt Disney World countless times with family and friends over the course of the roughly thirty-four years since that initial trip. During that
time, he has realized what so many other Disney fans already know, that Disney World is so much more than bricks and mortar, attractions and shows, and hamburgers and hotdogs. It is truly a magical place where dreams really can come true.
Chris lives with his wife Alexis, his sons Dakota and Samuel, and his daughters Scarlett and Alice Anne in historic Mooresville, Alabama, the oldest incorporated town in the State of Alabama and the primary filming location for the Disney live-action film Tom and Huck (1995). In his spare time, Chris enjoys going on dates with Alexis, watching movies with Dakota, going fishing with Samuel, getting kisses on the cheek from Scarlett, sharing a cupcake with Alice Anne, watching his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide with his father Edmon, running much farther than he should, eating cheeseburgers and his wife’s world famous carrot cake, and occasionally sipping bourbon on his front porch.
You can learn more about Chris at chrissmithbooks.com and follow him on twitter @csmithdisney.
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