Meet the Man Who Built Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdoms
Admin 
We recently discovered this lost interview deep within our ImagineeringDisney.com home library. This rare discussion with one of Walt Disney's right-hand men was conducted at Walt Disney World in 1988 in front of a live audience. Join Admiral Joe Fowler (1894-1993) as he tells his story of building Disneyland, working alongside Walt right up until the night before Walt's death, and carrying out Walt's plans for Disney World*.
• Hear how Walt Disney hired Admiral Joe Fowler without him knowing it.
• Join Joe as he shares unique Disneyland construction challenges you’ve never heard before.
• What was Walt’s opinion about roller coasters?
• What’s the real story behind the water on the Matterhorn?
• Hear about some of Walt’s wackier ideas, including freezing Disneyland’s Rivers of America during the winter.
• What was the real relationship between Walt and Roy?
• What was Joe’s involvement with Audio Animatronics?
• What’s the real reason the Stage Coaches closed at Disneyland?
• Hear about escaped circus animals running through Disneyland.
• Joe tells us why he thinks Walt could have beaten any candidate for President in the late 1950s if he wanted to.
• Learn how almost every country in Europe tried to persuade Walt to build a Disneyland on their continent and why Walt refused.
• Hear the reason Walt backed out of his plans for an indoor Disneyland in St. Louis just hours before the papers were to be signed. (The park was to be called Walt Disney’s Riverfront Square).
• What was the “best-kept secret ever known in this country”?
• What was Walt’s travel alias when he was searching for property in Florida?
• Hear the touching story of Walt and Joe spending two of Walt's last 24 hours talking about Walt's plans for Disney World.
Running time: 1hr 10min.
Format: MP3 Audio File - Joe Fowler speaking
All proceeds go to further theme park research.
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*At this time Walt Disney World was referred to as simply "Disney World"
Related posts:
WDW Construction: Liberty Square
Bob Gurr answers "How do I become an Imagineer?"
WDW Construction: Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World in 1971 [Part 1]
Walt Disney World in 1971 [Part 2]
Carolwood Pacific and Other Backyard Railroads
THEN AND NOW: Walt at Disneyland
Reader Comments (11)
Just finished listening. VERY GOOD. I feel like I'm well versed in early Disneyland history but this taught me a lot.
My wife on the other hand doesn't care much about this stuff and even she was interested in the thing I shared from this interview.
Thanks.
Fascinating stuff from one of Disney's unsung heroes. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who remotely likes Disneyland history.
GREAT FIND!
My wife and I both enjoyed listening to this. What a sharp man he was even at the age of 93 when this was recorded.
This is wonderful
Fantastic stuff! I'd love to have heard so much more from the Admiral.
I wonder who the "starlet" was . . .
Mitch, thank you for making this rare recording available. It's a treasure! I have read many books and blogs on the Disney theme parks. Admiral Joe Fowler and General Joe Potter are mentioned here and there, but nothing exists that is as extensive as this recording. At least that I know of.
I've always assumed these two men were hard and tough. Well, now we get a little insight into Fowler. I was surprised how genial and articulate he sounded. Really, a great speaker and at age 93! He made quite an impression on me. Clearly, he enjoyed sharing his stories. It seems he could have spoken for days. Too bad he never wrote a book about his experiences. The recording quality is excellent too.
Priceless! Thanks so much.
$3 for an interview?! How long until the mp3 becomes available on Torrent?
Thanks for this post!! it was amazing!
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