Like many things recently, the leg of the journey that led to Club 33 began with one of Wallace’s latest pieces of art – a map of Walt’s Haunts that included Le Grand Courtyard in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. Writing in small print appeared on the archway above the courtyard entrance: 7/26 8:10-8:20am. This past Friday morning. Early. Which if it weren’t for class, I’d have my comforter pulled up to my nose with Nora and Sofia purring into each ear. But some of you made the trek. Powered by coffee and curiosity. (What more do you need?) And from the sound of it, you were rewarded with a unique surprise.

While taking an extended break to the computer lab, I sat in front of a corner computer with my eyes glued to the screen, watching your reports, pictures, and Hastin’s livestream. And honestly, there was so much that happened that I’m not really sure I’ve completely wrapped my brain around it. And a recap from me, 3000 miles away in little, old Rhode Island, doesn’t really do this part of the adventure justice. So maybe I should leave some of that to you.

]]> http://storyorbit.fans/welcome-to-the-club/feed 76 http://storyorbit.fans/the-way-to-walts-haunts http://storyorbit.fans/the-way-to-walts-haunts#comments Fri, 26 Jul 2013 23:08:42 +0000 Amelia http://storyorbit.fans/?p=451 Continue reading →]]> Wallace has a new piece of art on his site called “Walt’s Haunts,” and even a modern-day young woman in Rhode Island can figure out these are places in California that Walt Disney – and maybe Grandpa? – used to frequent. (Thank you, Internet!) But this girl wonders, “What are these places?”  And, “Could she want to be in California any more right now?”  And, “Why am I referring to myself in the third person?

Wallace’s latest creation!

I can already see my new friends – through whom, let’s be honest, I’m kind of living vicariously – driving along Interstate 5 to investigate these California destinations, excited about possible discoveries to be made. If I squint real hard, I can see myself there with them – with you. If I squint even harder, my eyes are practically shut and I can’t see a thing. Yeah, I sometimes do that when I’m scared. And the mere idea of leaving my tiny state gives me the willies.

But now I’m opening my eyes and peeking between my fingers. And isn’t that what life’s about? Little peeks at the great big world? For as long as I can remember, Mom taught me to focus on school, work, and home, school, work, and home. Don’t get me wrong, those are all important, but I feel like there’s an ingredient missing. I mean, she’s provided me with a perfectly healthy, nourishing chili, but sometimes you need a little extra spice.

Hmm, wonder why I have chili on the brain?

Above and Beyond. That’s where you’ve gone. And thinking about all the amazing things you all are finding and figuring out, I have that feeling I get while watching a parade. With fireworks. And confetti. And silly string, the kind that doesn’t get stuck in your hair.

It’s probably because I went so long thinking I had to do everything on my own. Yes, Grandpa believed in the power of optimistic people teaming up and joining forces. But Mom? Well, let’s just say she’s been looking out for me. She’s tough, independent, and she raised me to be the same. But I personally love the idea of merging both those worlds. Grandpa AND Mom’s.

This isn’t about me, though. This is about making sense of the last week or so, giving credit where credit is due.

First, I came across a nuclear fusion brochure in Grandpa’s apartment, and Stephen figured out that the message on it was written in shorthand. Chad’s grandmother and Reid’s mother translated the message, discovering a possible schedule for meetings with Wernher (Von Braun?), (Ray?) Bradbury, and Howard (Hughes?).

Who knew Grandpa knew shorthand!

Then we discussed Wallace from disneycartography.com, who posted his own map of the refreshed Tomorrowland in 1959. There appears to be three locations on Wallace’s map that seemed to be designated as points of particular interest – Submarine Voyage, Tomorrowland Monorail Station, and Tomorrowland Autopia.  Kalani found a secret code at the Midget Autopia statue. And Hastin found two more codes at Submarine Voyage and Tomorrowland Monorail Station.  Amber then pointed out those codes are U.S. patent numbers.  But what do they mean?

Then – remember those World’s Fair records I mailed out last week?

I mailed the records out to a bunch of you to thank you for all your help and hard work. After receiving one of the records, Elizabeth discovered that they were multi-grooved, with an extra track containing alternative narration for certain World’s Fair attractions – the Carousel of Progress and the Primeval World diorama.*  The audio for Side A can be found here and Side B can be found here.

James figured out that the alternative audio narration on the record was intended for special VIP guests. I believe each alternative narration was meant to be listened to at specific points in their corresponding attractions! The extra track audio hints at advancements in technology that didn’t come about until well after 1964.

A while back, we found out from Lott’s email footer that we can access protected pages on his website by adding a slash after the Lott Family Construction URL, followed by the codename of the project requested. After I posted a note about Grandpa that hinted at his involvement in something referred to as “eticket59”, Stephen entered “/eticket59” at the end of the Lott Family Construction URL and unlocked access to blueprints for the original Tomorrowland.

From the ‘client area’ on the Lott Family Construction website.

Within the original Tomorrowland blueprints, Jody and Stephen discovered secret keys to those patents, and the secret meanings of the patent diagrams were revealed. Shining light on top-secret tech. Finally illuminating what “Signal Flag,” Auto Apparatus,” and “Mark 0” were code names for!

Either way, all of the work you did and discoveries you found continually inspire me to continue on. To forge ahead. Undaunted. Overall, awesome progress this week. Looking forward to tomorrow. Always.

*Update:  Oops!  In my sleepy haze last night I posted the wrong name.  Silly me.  After listening to it, I think Stephen is right and the track is referencing Primeval World.

Now I’m*really* late to lab – gotta run!

Anyway, while Vivian was crafting me a tin foil fedora, we talked about this Wallace guy. You all seem to know him.  First of all, I’ve always admired people who dedicate their lives to doing what they love. And the man behind http://disneycartography.com seems to be doing just that. On the surface, he seems to be a talented illustrator who focuses on creating Disney fan art. But looking closer, as many of you have pointed out, there seems to be more to him and his creations than meets the eye.

Wallace’s awesome artwork!

Vivian and I could not stop talking about Wallace’s ridiculously awesome Tomorrowland map you all found. On its own, the map is SO cool! And then seeing what it led to: Kalani finding the U.S. patent number at the Midget Autopia statue. And Hastin finding two more patent numbers at Submarine Voyage and Tomorrowland Monorail Station.  Incredible!  Does anyone have more pics to share?  I couldn’t really see the submarine flags. And still don’t really understand what happened at the Tomorrowland station.  Hastin, did you have to do anything special at all? Or was the patent number just printed on the sign? I’d love to hear more! (I’m also wishing I lived closer!)

This is all totally mind-blowing to see. Vivian and I were trying to wrap our heads around what all of this means. And all of your theories and ideas. And how awesome it was to have people go out to Disneyland and take pictures in the first place. Especially for those of us who live on the other side of the country. Or who have never even been to Disneyland before!

Which ultimately brings us back to Wallace. All of this action and all of these questions are because of that map. I don’t’ know about you all, but I’m not sure what the deal with that guy is and whether or not he’s connected to Grandpa’s work. But he sure seems to know more than he’s letting on.

PS – Pretty please send more pictures!  I really wish I could go to Disneyland and see for myself.

PPS – I’m so excited you’ve started getting the records.  It makes me happy to think of all of you spread around the country with a little bit of optimism in your hands.