Things got a little rough these past couple of days. Just when life seems to be right on track, certain choices can steer it in a different direction. In fact my life seems to have taken a 180, heading the opposite way of where I was going. But I don’t want to think about that right now. I need to somehow focus on staying positive. Moving forward. And one easy way for me to do that is by remembering the amazing things YOU recently uncovered.
Wallace’s latest masterpiece.
On August 1, Wallace made his first public appearance at Disneyland to announce the creation of a new work of art. A piece that reveals a project of Walt’s that never saw the light of day and celebrated other great minds that inspired him – Edison Square.
As far as most people know, Walt intended Edison Square to be another land, just off of Main Street, centering on the influence of electricity on America. Along with this seemingly pleasant American neighborhood, three depictions on Wallace’s piece call attention to three separate locations throughout Disneyland.
An illustration of the Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland has the following caption: CATCH THE VIEW FROM THE WHEELHOUSE.
An illustration of the PeopleMover track in Tomorrowland has the following caption: BEST ENJOYED FROM ABOVE.
And…
An illustration of a phonograph has the following caption: LOOK BEYOND THE LAMP.
Some of you who made it to Disneyland hopped onto the Mark Twain Riverboat and asked to ride in the wheelhouse. Upon completing the cruise, you then received a certificate, stamped with a specific time and date – 12:00PM SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1932 – the day Amelia Earhart completed her transatlantic flight.
Next, the shapes surrounding the image on the upper right corner of the page reminded a number of you of the Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. For those who rode the Astro Orbiter and looked onto the track of the PeopleMover, you found three shapes painted onto the track of the People Mover – a large circle, a large diamond, and another large circle.
Last and certainly not least, most everyone who saw Wallace speak on August 1 were treated to a quick visit to Walt’s Apartment. Wallace depicted the phonograph inside the Main Street apartment on the lower right corner of his Edison Square piece. Once inside, some of you looked beyond just the lamp and noticed a wax phonograph cylinder package with the image of the Eiffel Tower.
Unfortunately, some of you fellow Optimists spent much of the day searching for more clues. Trying to figure out what any of your findings meant. And finding nothing more. Many of you left discouraged, frustrated, confused.
Then this arrived in some of your mailboxes.
A number of you discovered that the link Wallace included – disneycartography.com/es – leads to an animated depiction of Edison Square made by Wallace’s assistant. It’s kind of adorable, if you ask me. BUT… like many things Wallace, there’s more to this depiction of Edison Square than one might first notice.
Each circular frame on the Edison Square map has some sort of arrow that points to one of three specific buildings on the assistant’s depiction of Edison Square. And if you click on one of 3 specific symbols that are somewhat hidden on the corresponding buildings (An anchor, a ringed planet, and a phonograph), you unlock 3 puzzles. The only way to solve the puzzles is to use what some of you discovered in Disneyland – Amelia Earhart’s birthday on the gift certificate; the painted circle, diamond, and circle on the PeopleMover track; and the image of the Eiffel Tower on the wax cylinder package in Walt’s Apartment.
Solving the puzzles unlock animated scenes that reveal what seems to be previously unknown attractions meant for Edison Square. And they look to be inspired by possible society members!
There was one other recent event worth noting that I haven’t yet covered. Wallace hosted a live chat, where he attempted to answer many of your questions. And he confirmed a few things:
- Wallace is a recruiter whose “mission” is to find people “dedicated to building a better tomorrow.”
- A group of “artists, engineers, futurists” worked on and held special demonstrations of top secret technologies.
- He didn’t know my Grandpa but was aware of him.
- His favorite color is sky blue.
Then Wallace patched legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr into the conversation who confirmed the existence of the secret society! Then his connection was abruptly lost and Wallace left the chat.
Anyway, I know there’s a lot for you all to be proud of. AND a lot to look forward to. Especially with everything that many of you are about to experience down in Anaheim, CA. Thinking about those things are good for me. I welcome the distraction.
Excellent summary, Amelia; I hope to post a more proper response when out of work, as I feel I’m to blame for your recent pain… :/
Derek, you have nothing to be sorry for. You all have been so good to me. This was just a conversation that needed to happen, and I rather it be now than later. This was my decision. Please take peace in that.
Thanks for the summary! It reminds what an exciting journey I’ve been going through. I’m patiently waiting in line in Anaheim at the D 23 Expo, wearing my Optimist button and seeing fellow Optimists. I’m excited to meet Wallace in a few minutes. Hope to continue helping!
I’m so jealous Louella! I can’t wait to hear and see what my fellow Optimists experience at D23! I’m with you guys in spirit!
I saw your picture on Twitter. Can’t wait to hear how it goes with the cartographer.
Awesome summary Amelia! I can’t tell you how happy my daughter was when Wallace answered her question on his favorite color! Thanks for mentioning it here. Hope things are going better with your Mom, it’s tough sometimes but in the words of a wise fish “just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”!
It was an excellent question, Olaf. So thank your daughter for asking it. Thanks also for the support and the wise advice.
I sure hope we hear from the expo attenders today. It will be good to figure this out more. Keep all our minds occupied on our optimistic adventure.
Hastin is livestreaming –> http://t.co/XiHkn8PpXl
Might be a good idea to check out the Blue Sky Cellar at DCA?
I just wanted to share something with you that I used to drive by on my way to work before our offices moved. If nothing else this whole adventure has taught me not to take for granted all of the history right “in my own backyard”. I really appreciate all of the places you and Wallace have introduced me to.
Very cool! Where is that?
Outside the North Hollywood branch of the Los Angeles Library.
I. Love this. Awesome of you to share, Amber.
Found this on the plaque under Nikola Tesla’s statue after completing the 3 puzzles. What does it mean?
What indeed!
Brian, we are all wondering exactly what it means, check a couple of previous posts or the inside the magic recap for some of the details. Afterwards, if you can shed some light on this…please share!
Your fellow optimist.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Is-PH_ASc-um6jDD-BdS5wPNnuZ5fcayci_mRd2Yb5Y/mobilebasic?pli=1
Hopefully, connections are being made right now at D23, even as we type…
How about Hastin and his team is AWESOME! They went and found more clues at Disneyland! Here is a link to Ustream
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hastinz?utm_campaign=ustre-am&utm_source=15359829&utm_medium=social
GREAT JOB GUYS! Lucky ‘Pin Wearing’ Optimists!
Wow Great Job Hastin. I was the one in the chat yelling Peter Ellenshaw! I love imagineering and know soooo much. You guys kept saying LN LN LN then the SHAW I was like bingo the matte painter! Great job!
So could someone sum everything up that has happened at D23 today. I can’t seem to watch the previous videos on my iPad.
Ditto. What is happening? What is at Disneyland? What does Tanya need to see? Any vision for us not there?
Thanks in advance.
Go to the Ustream above and watch what happened. Waaaaay to much to try to summarize in a comment.
But that’s just it, we aren’t able to watch the videos on our iPads.
Ipad people, the easiest workaround for watching the videos on your ipad is to download the free ustream app. Just look up Hastin’s stream once you’ve downloaded. Hope this helps.
Amelia’s Mom (May I call you Tanya?),
I want you to know that you have a daughter that loves, cares and respects you very much. I have come to respect you as a parent and an individual by seeing how you raised such a great daughter. Which also leads me to believe that you really love her and want the best for her. She has been slowly discovering who she is through this adventure. I think you will understand and appreciate this once you go to the D23 expo. Amelia asks that you visit Wallace’s booth in order to understand the legacy your father inspired. I truly believe that there is a side you have not seen of him and that I think you will really like. Out of respect and love for your daughter please go and see what it is all about. All of my fellow Optimists support you. Please go and see what the future holds for you and your daughter. I mean this sincerely and respectfully!
Sorry, have not seen it all yet and have not found a summary. If I do I will post it.
Thank you so much Angel! That would mean so much!
Right now all I know is that Hastin and his group met Wallace this morning and received a map. Then went around D23 expo to solve clues which lead the back to Disneyland. At Disneyland, they met quite a few DIsney employees which helped this go around the park solving clues. Then went back to D23 to meet Wallace who congratulated them and gave them a copy of once of his prints as a reward. So jealous! lol I hope someone got more with screenshots and details about the quests and clues.
I will post some HD photos from Hastin’s group on twitter tonight or tomorrow. Some came out great, others were blurry amidst the excitement. Hope you like em. @mach1monorail
Awesome! Thanks!
Here’s the link to my photos. Hope you guys like ‘em! http://m302.photobucket.com/?pbauth=1_uLEBonVPfaLdh1h3YMYz2e59IXo%2FwC4w%2F%2BmJudrk9nXKSTF3LVbgxENfElaccYDPt56%2BoJRa9GlY2omw8o7AKdCBwhZcybFaiM%2B228H%2B2BfPHohy2uYItaerWGzHrGGaPX9aJU43fV42CQWFteX6l3smY7q9rlVv1z0cxlmrpRI%3D&msg=Invalid%20Album
Amber and I, checking in from D23. We’re in line for the arena. Who else is here?
Ameila, we made buttons! Maybe this will help you keep your Optimism. =)
Amelia, rather… Can’t type, too excited. =)
Anyone downloaded the Tomorrowland App already?
Is it an official app from Disney?
There is supposed to be an iPhone app released, may be mentioned at today’s D23 panel. There is another Tomorrowland app that is for the Tomorrowland Festival and it’s not the Disney one.
Look for Tomorrowland D23 in iTunes…
I downloaded it! It is really interesting and gives some information about some of things we have been discovering.
And you can see the pin!
Note that the pin in the photo rests on sheets of paper marked with diagrams and equations. It’s not clear where exactly this photo was taken, but the environment resembles the set of the 1955 Disneyland TV program “Man In Space.” The introduction of the show featured Walt Disney and Ward Kimball in an artists’ studio filled with space-themed props and reference material.
The reference to Ward Kimball is interesting, because the audio files in the iPhone app are named “WALRATH” which is Mr. Kimball’s middle name.
Also it appears the Trylosphere’s 6-prong plug is on that drawing to the right of the pin.
Did anyone ever end up exploring in Marceline, MO?
Not that I’m aware of. I still think there’s something there…
Agreed Ricky.
Who wants to take a road trip with me and Amber? =) Anyone? The drive will take us through Wallace State Park just outside of Kansas City…
Tempting… I can see trying to explain it now – “see, I have to go to the abandoned Midget Autopia park, just to check something out…”
LOL – that would be quite a haul for you California people! I’m in Ohio, and it’s about 9 hours from me (coming from the opposite direction, of course) – and that’s a bit far for a weekend jaunt – let alone however long it would take to drive there from LA!
After waiting in line for the D23 Arena, a 25 hour drive doesn’t seem *that* bad.
I have a friend near Kansas City actually. The trip could be made to sound legit:-P
Ok so it’s decided then. And at 25 hours, if we left tonight we would have 12 solid hours to investigate there and still be back in time to go to work on Monday.
Ok maybe not, but it’s certainly a place that’s been added to my travel list. I still think if someone is close it should be checked out…
Kalani, have you been inside the Carnation Cafe? on the wall inside the cafe are some very interesting art pieces of a small town square — one even has the initials W.E.D. on it. Do you suppose that Walt used these and his memories of his family’s farm in Missouri as his inspiration for Main Street?
kalani, i would love to join you and Amber in Marceline. I live about three hours north of there. according to the map, marceline is east of cameron, mo. not sure where the family farm is but i do know that everything at the city’s museum came from Ruth Disney (Walt and Roy’s sister). oh, and don’t forget Walt’s old “Laugh-o-gram Studios” are in KC.
It sounds like you have the shortest drive of anyone who’s chimed in so far – let us know if you go to check it out!
I wonder if Wallace has been to Wallace State Park.
It’s only a 17-hour drive from my house in Florida.
I had to look…25 hours from my office, driving straight through, of course. Ha!