With the plane’s last pilot, Manny Regateiro, at the controls, “The Mouse” made its final landing on World Drive at the Walt Disney World Resort on October 8. Seven years later, in 1992, after logging in an impressive 8,800 flights, and nearly 20,000 flight hours, the aircraft concluded its impressive 28-½-year career as the workhorse company shuttle. There, it was repainted white with new livery that included a blue stripe and a waving Mickey Mouse on the tail. The Gulfstream was based in Burbank from 1964 until it moved to Orlando, Florida, in 1985. Making two appearances on the big screen, the Gulfstream was featured in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) and Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972), both starring Disney Legend Kurt Russell. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts also utilized the aircraft for promotional purposes, including anniversary celebrations. After Walt’s passing on December 15, 1966, the Gulfstream would remain in service solely to help promote company projects, namely the latest Disney feature film releases and reissues of the animated classics. A compartment divider ensured that Walt, whose seat and lavatory were in the rear of the aircraft, was also able to enjoy his privacy while on board.Īn aviation enthusiast, Walt had an instrument panel, complete with altimeter, airspeed gauge, and clock installed on the bulkhead by his seat so that he could keep tabs on any in-process flight. There was also a fully functioning lavatory for passengers sitting in the area. The main cabin, along with its seating, was equipped with a drop-down desk, storage area for stationery (including letterhead and postcards), lamps, ashtrays, and drink holders. The galley maintained a sink, a warming oven, food storage containers, two hot cups for heating soup, and undoubtedly, one of Walt’s favorite dishes, chili. One significant feature of the aircraft was a fully outfitted galley in the main cabin capable of providing in-flight meals for 18 people. Walt’s Gulfstream was customized to comfortably transport 15 passengers, a pilot, co-pilot, and a stewardess. Here are a few more detailed photos of the plane before taking a look at the historical exhibit.Ī suit worn by Tom Hanks in Saving Mr. Here’s a look at Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane exhibit at the 2022 D23 Expo!Īttendees could get their photo with Walt’s Plane during the D23 Expo. Throughout its 28 years of service to The Walt Disney Company, the plane flew 20,000 hours and transported an estimated 83,000 passengers before it was grounded. Mickey’s initials were eventually included in the tail number of the plane, too, as N234MM, in 1967. In 1963, Walt acquired the iconic Gulfstream that would come to be known as “The Mouse.” The interior of the plane, initially designed with creative input from Walt and his wife, Lillian, seated up to 15 passengers and included a galley kitchen, two restrooms, two couches, a desk, and nods to the mouse who started it all, including matchbooks and stationery adorned with a silhouette of Mickey Mouse. The recent exterior repaint and finishing work, along with the cross-country move of the aircraft, was made possible thanks to collaboration and support from Walt Disney Imagineering. Walt’s plane returned to the West Coast for the first time since October 8, 1992, when the aircraft landed on World Drive near Orlando, Florida, at the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), where it resided as a part of the Studio Backlot Tour until 2014. The plane, which was dubbed “The Mouse”, was restored over the past couple of years and then transported across the country to the Anaheim Convention Center where D23 Expo attendees could see it on display. One of the more exciting projects that we’ve been able to watch come to fruition is the storage, restoration, and delivery of Walt’s Plane from the Backlot Tour at Walt Disney World back to Anaheim, CA and the 2022 D23 Expo.
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