Walt Disney's Grumman Gulfstream I

Walt Disney, the pioneer cartoonist/showman-turned-entrepreneur, personally selected the site for Disney World while flying over Central Florida in this plane during April of 1964. For several years before that, Disney had wanted to build an East Coast version of his successful Disneyland attraction in Anaheim, CA. In order to operate year-round Disney had to choose a location in the south that wouldn't compete with the ocean for tourists. Disney chose the future location of Walt Disney World from the air when he spotted a vast tract of virgin land west of the junction of Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 4, which was then under construction. Years later the plane is now parked at Hollywood Studios. While trying to bring the plane to Hollywood Studios an attempt was made to land on Disney's 2000 foot runway just southeast of Magic Kingdom, but was denied permission because of the elevated monorail that now runs adjacent to the strip. Instead, it landed on World Drive where it was then towed to the park. Tail number N234MM.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Gulfstream I
• Walt Disney
• back lot tour

[MrNorthernRed]

Still a very classy-looking aircraft.

[TheTriSec]

Not sure I believe the landing story....you can see the airstrip in Google Earth, and the Monorail line to EPCOT is actually closer to World Drive. Why would that be safer?