An Imagineering Blessing from Walt!

McNair's father was an officer in the Navy Reserves and stationed at a converted elementary school. The school/base happened to be at the end of the parade route of the Tournament of Roses Parade where all the parade officials gathered. The guests included the Parade's Grand Marshal, the Mayer of Pasadena, and the Rose Queen and Her Court. In 1966, Walt Disney served as the Grand Marshal of the rose parade. McNair's father arranged for the children of the officers on the base to meet Walt Disney. Walt went into the reception hall to meet and greet the kids. Walt asked for a chair, and McNair hurriedly went to get one for him. McNair's shoe got caught on the linoleum flooring and created an awkward teenage moment. The chair slipped from his hands and slid into Walt Disney's shin. Later he found himself sitting alone with Walt Disney showing him his own sketchbook. Walt Disney was impressed and asked McNair “You want to be an Imagineer?” Walt Disney poked him on the shoulder and said, “and so you shall be.”

Walt's Autograph?

After that encounter with Walt Disney McNair realized he didn't think to ask for Walt Disney's autograph. McNair told his father, and he said, “we'll get it.” It wasn't until 2009 when McNair was cleaning out some old boxes that he came across some old boxes full of keepsakes. On one of the envelops he found was written the words, “Craig's Rose Parade.” As McNair's first name is Craig, he thought it strange and opened the envelope and found the program from the 1966 Rose Parade. In the program was a photo of Walt Disney and his bio as the Grand Marshal. Also, on the page in the program was Walt Disney's autograph that his father had gotten for him all those years before.

McNair also discovered many other items from his Imagineering days. One, in particular, is an original map of Disneyland with lots of the Imagineer's autographs on them.

The Priceless Map

McNair explains that he bought a Disneyland map as a child in 1958. When he worked at Walt Disney Imagineering, he had about 20 of the original Imagineers from Disneyland sign the souvenir drawing such as Sam McKin, Harper Goff, Marty Skylar, and Xavier' X' Atencio. We briefly discussed the value of this autographed map. Disney collectors concluded, the only way to determine the value of this autographed map is the place it on an auction and see what it brings.

Harper Goff signing McNair's map with Harper's Wife

McNair explains the legendary “Dinosaurs Club” lunch gathering of Disney animators & Imagineers. Disney insiders knew about this gang, even where they met; however, you could not go unless a member invited you. The first time I went, I was invited as a guest of Claude Coats (Disney Legend and one of my mentors.” In this photo, L to R, Collin Campbell, Bill Martin, Clem Hall, Wren Wicks, myself (Craig McNair Wilson), and Ken Anderson. Every week was a casually rotating stream of amazing folks—as few as four to well over forty when Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson released a new book. I continued to attend even after leaving Imagineering and continuing to work as a consultant through Michael Eisner's office to facilitate brainstorming to all 23 divisions of the Disney corporation.

The Dinosaur's Club

Imagineering Pleasure Island & Naming Downtown Disney

The backlot project was being proposed for a one square mile plot of land in downtown Burbank, California. This project was the forerunner to Pleasure Island, Downtown Disney and Disney Springs. These three gentlemen plus architect Chris Carradine became the core “concept & design” team on Pleasure Island. The “Disney Backlot” proposal as mixed-use entertainment, mini-theme park, luxury hotel, a retail center, a movie backlot attraction, ABC network studio, and Disney Animation headquarters.

Manager Rick Rothschild (left) with Joe Rohde (center) and McNair Wilson presenting the