The gems that come up in casual conversation.
 

My pops and I had breakfast this morning so he drove me into work. We took Sunset through Beverly Hills.

"When I was a younger man, I wanted to live in this area."

"I'm sure a lot of people feel the same."

"I think it's because of Walt Disney's house."

"What?"

"I spent some time there and after I really wanted to live here."

"Wait. You met Walt Disney?"

"Yeah. My girlfriend at the time went to school with his daughter Sharon."

"You knew him?"

"I attended his daughters wedding! Swam in his pool. He took us on a tour of the property conducting that little train of his."

"..."

"..."

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY DISNEY GEEK FRIENDS I HAVE?!?!?!?"

"No, really?"

"Heidi!. ALL THOSE PEOPLE YOU MET AT MY BIRTHDAY PARTY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO!!!! I can't believe you never mentioned this before."

"Oh. Neat."

"Was he nice?"

"Was he NICE?"

"I mean, was he nice to you?"

"Of course he was nice. I was only 19-year-old man. He was very nice."

I'm sure there's more to the story and I can't wait to get all the details out of him. Fun!

Oh my gosh!! Can you believe he never shared this with you???? I mean, even if he didn't know your friends are Disney Geeks, he knows YOU are!! :D

I hope to hear more!! {as you do!}

Wow, I'd be presseing him for more details and stories. It's funny what you can learn during those quiet moments with your parents!

uh...pictures?????

OMG!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

Though maybe it was better we didn't know...

Wow!

My boss also met him, and rode the train as a small boy. It's amazing how many people Walt affected.

Can I have your Dad's number? I enjoyed talking with him at the party, but now I REALLY want to talk to him!!!

So when are we all having that dinner with your dad???

Ways to impress your friends in high school:

Dress trendy, wear cool make-up, sleep around

Ways to impress your friends on a Disney message board:

Have direct contact to Walt Disney.

What a great story. Your father must have been there multiple times. Sharon was married in 1959, and I believe the train was take out a few years earlier. The Walt Disney Family Museum has a good article on the Carolwood Pacific.

He rode the Carolwood Pacific? He rode the Carolwood Pacific?!

Gee, no, why would he possibly mention THAT?

This totally reminded me of the conversation I had with my mom about 5 years ago.

Basically, a cousin (who died a few years prior) helped design the Matterhorn and the Subs. But it never occurred to her that I would have been interesting in knowing that, or talking to him about the design, rides, Walt and Disney while he was alive.

Parents are funny with their thought logic sometimes. Nah, you wouldn't be interested in talking to people who knew Walt. But we're sure you care every time we have a backed up shower drain.

If your father knew the rabid type of geekery you have just unleashed on him, he'd be heading for the hills.;)

When we took my family to Disneyland, my father suddenly opened up with all these memories of Disneyland, including riding on the Flying Saucers :eek:

I thought that was pretty cool. Your dad is way cooler. As is BTD's cousin. :snap:

What? You had a birthday party???

Forevvvvver ago. Like, so far back in the day - I don't even think we had LoT then...

Shhh, I've tried to block all pre-LoT days from my memory.

You mean MP? ;)

There were others in-between. Rebounds, as they were.

Hey, I was with this group since MP days. :(