FROM: The 626 Published Fridays

Rockin' with Rolly

During Jeff's recent trip to Disneyland, he was able to meet, hang out with, and guzzle wine with childhood hero, Disney Legend Rolly Crump, who gave Jeff a tour of Crump Manor and access to the voluminous archives of his Disney career.

- by Jeff Heimbuch, July 1, 2011

Last week, I wrote about going to Disneyland for the first time in over 20 years. I'll write much, MUCH more about my experiences there next week (short version: it was wonderful!), but today I'd like to tell you why I suddenly ventured 3000 miles to the opposite coast.

It's no secret that I love Disney.

I've loved Disney since I was old enough to even know what it was, and that love has grown exponentially since.

When I was old enough to appreciate all that went into the parks, I became aware of these mythical men and women called Imagineers - the people who helped turn Walt's dream into reality.

My favorite Imagineer was - and still is - Rolly Crump.

A Childhood Hero

Perhaps, at such a young age, it was just his unique name that drew me, but as time went on, I began to fully appreciate his myriad accomplishments for The Walt Disney Company. His beautiful artwork, concept drawings, and models helped shape many of the iconic attractions and images you can still see in the parks today. His designs for unrealized attractions, such as Museum of the Weird, have become legendary. He is one of the most unique and creative individuals ever to have worked for The Walt Disney Company. He was an idol of mine growing up, and he continues to be one now.

Last week, I traveled 3000 miles, cross-country, to meet Rolly Crump.

I won't lie... I was a little intimidated at first. For days leading up to the trip, I was extremely nervous! Sure, I had interviewed Rolly before for From the Mouth of the Mouse, but that was by phone. And I've spoken to him and Marie, another former Disney employee, numerous times. But faced with actually meeting a childhood hero of mine, let alone working alongside him (for a project that we'll announce soon!) - that was daunting.

In the Flesh!

Of course, my fears were unjustified. The second I met him, I knew Rolly was one of the most down to earth people you could ever meet. In fact, he and Marie treated me like family the entire time I was with them, and made me feel quite welcome.

By now, I'm sure you all know of Rolly quite well, whether through his various interviews over the years or through his weekly column right here on Disney Dispatch. Anyone who has heard Rolly speak immediately appreciates his laid-back, easy-going nature. His personality is exactly what you'd expect: funny, charming, but still sharp as a tack. Though an artist by nature, Rolly is a natural born story teller, and can enthrall you with the many tales he enjoy telling about his life.

I soon found that Rolly has kept detailed files over the years about every project he has ever done. He literally has folders and books filled with original concepts, drawings, files, articles, and much more about absolutely everything.

The man's house is his own personal equivalent to The Walt Disney Archives!

In fact, in some ways, it even rivals the Archives. Looking for the original sketch that Mary Blair drew of the it's a small world clock? He's got it! The original model Rolly made for Walt based on that sketch? He's got that, too! Dozens of Museum of the Weird and Knott's Berry Farm's Bear-y Tales concept art that has never been released? It's all there! The amount of stuff that Rolly has kept over the years is absolutely incredible.

I was able to go through these files. To do so is every Disney fan's dream. There were mountains of information that have never seen the light of day, even in our fast-paced, information-savvy, digital world, where everything is supposed to be on-line. (It's not.)

I was able to see many famous Disney attractions from the perspective of what could have been, if Disney had done it Rolly's way. Even experts on the history of some of these attractions would be amazed by all this new information.

Not only do Rolly's 'archives' contain his work for the theme park industry, but also his personal art as well. And believe me when I say that his personal art is just as, if not more, impressive as his Disney art!

What Makes Rolly Tick

Rolly's memory is incredible. He has over 50 years worth of Disney knowledge and stories in his head, and can recite any story at any given moment. The number of behind-the-scenes tales he shared with me was absolutely amazing. I was only with him for 3 days, but I could have easily spent another 3 weeks with him just listening to his stories.

Despite all of his accomplishments over the years, Rolly is incredibly humble. Regardless of the fact that without his work Disney wouldn't be what it is today, he remains amazed that people admire him as much as they do.

He summed it up best to me one night at dinner: "Who knew people would still be interested in this stuff we made 50 years ago?" He told me that the Imagineers were only doing their jobs, and that they had no idea of the significance of their work. Disneyland was the first of its kind, and so it was mostly trial-and-error. They had no idea that it would have lasting cultural impact.

What struck me the most about Rolly is his happiness. I have never met anyone so joyful. His cheerful demeanor made it easy to see why he and Walt got along so well, even when others couldn't understand their relationship.

He was never upset or angry when telling me stories either, even when they were about people he may have had a rough time working with. While most folks tend to sugar coat their Disney stories, Rolly told them truthfully. He never skipped over some of the 'other stuff' we never hear about, but always told it with a laugh. Whether it was 7 in the morning or 11 at night, that smile never left his face.

So, while going to Disneyland was definitely something I wanted to do, spending time with Rolly and Marie was definitely the highlight of my trip. Both were incredibly sweet and gracious hosts, and I can never thank them enough for letting me spend a few days with them. They truly made this once in a lifetime opportunity unique and special, and it's a experience I will never forget.

I went to California to meet a long time idol, and left with two brand new friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

In the coming weeks, be sure to be on the lookout for our big project announcement! Trust me, it's something that you will most definitely enjoy!

Follow me on Twitter for updates!

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