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Wally in a tight spot

About the Column

Wally, a distant relative of popular Disney blogger Bruce G, was detained abroad when the scoundrels shuttered the Adventurers Club on Pleasure Island. Returning several years later, Wally found his old friends scattered and his old haunts refurbished. Ever the intrepid soul, Wally chose to stay, having nowhere else to go. In characteristic high spirits, Wally retrieved his trusty brown fedora from a locker at the Orlando bus station and commenced his wanderings through Disney World. He graciously takes time (as if we could stop him) to regale us weekly with the sights and sounds of his unique adventures.

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FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

Main Street, U.S.A.

As is the rage these days, Wally has acquired a stalker, and his latest attempt to foil the fiend leads him to Main Street, U.S.A., where he meets Mayor Weaver and Scoop Sanderson, then wanders in search of a root beer float (for medicinal purposes).

KUNGALOOSH!

Would you like a cup of coffee with me, my friend?

Very good, then - up for an adventure, are we? I'm heading to Boardwalk Joe's for a quick cup, and then on to the Magic Kingdom. Yaaaawn.

Wally's Troubles

Sorry, I am a little tired this morning. I have not been sleeping well lately. My room at the resort is wonderful, the bed is comfortable, but my mind has been working on the problem of who has been stalking me.

If you remember, a few weeks ago, I was left a message here at the resort, then a Cast Member gave me a second message in Toy Story Mania, and then when I was buying my dear old Mum a present in the United Kingdom Pavilion, a stranger commented about my prowess in finding treasures. As I tried to track him down, I only seemed to get myself into more of a mental quandary. I am stumped!

So, after a nice cup of coffee at Boardwalk Joe's, we'll walk through Epcot to the monorail and thence to the Magic Kingdom. I know of a man there - Sanderson by name - who keeps his ear to the ground and knows all about the happenings in Walt Disney World.

Finish up, my friend, there is the International Gateway, and beyond it Epcot.

Wally L'Amour

Good morning, my good woman, I was wondering if we could walk through to the Monorail - I know the Park isn't open yet, but I was hoping...

What is that? Why, yes, I am Wally March. Well, yes, I think I do recall meeting you one afternoon. We had... tea together, that's right, at the Garden View Lounge in the Grand Floridian.

Oh, yes, what a lovely time that was. Thank you for letting us cut through, my dear.

What is that? Well, I'd love to meet you for tea. Tomorrow? That sounds pleasant. I'll meet you there. Very well, have a great day.

Isn't it wonderful that such lovely people are in the employ of such a great place?

Hmmmm? Her name?

It'll come to me, I'm sure...

Wally on the Monorail

Ah, here we are up the stairs, and we'll have to wait for... well, no, we won't, it must be our lucky day: the monorail waits for us!

Perfect timing! The doors are just shutting, and here we go.

Do you hear that voice? Jack Wagner! I love this part: "Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas. Please stand clear of the doors."

Did you know that Jack Wagner voiced many of the attractions in Disneyland? So many that he was known as the 'Voice of Disneyland'. His is also the computerized voice used in the Main Street Electrical Parade. And he had a role on The Adventurers of Ozzie and Harriet Show back in the 1950s. (The malt shop owner - yes!) He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2005.

Here we are at the Ticket and Transportation Center. We'll have to either switch monorails or take a ferry across to the Magic Kingdom. Your choice, my friend! Well, if you're leaving it up to me, I'd prefer to board the express monorail, as it would be quicker

Quite quick, in fact: we've arrived at the Magic Kingdom.

Wally on Main Street

The reason I wanted to get here first thing is that Mr. Sanderson, also known as Scoop, is usually found around Town Square early in the morning, following up on leads, and then he's unavailable until later in the day. Let's try to find him.

Scoop, as you probably know, works as a reporter (possibly the reporter) for the Main Street Gazette, and he is also a hard-core pin trader. I have been told by reliable sources that several pins were released in his honor.

There! The fellow with the pencil and all the pins. I must have a word with him. Why don't you wait here. I'll be back shortly.

Well, that wasn't very fruitful. Mr. Sanderson didn't have a clue who I was and said that he didn't have the foggiest idea why someone would be watching me. But he was a very nice chap, and he did trade me a pin - see, it's Mickey Mouse Explorer. I rather like it.

Mr. Sanderson suggested that Mayor Weaver might be able to help. Do you see him? He's usually around shaking hands and asking for votes. Ah, there he is, in the straw hat: Mr. Mayor! Mr. Mayor!

Hello, sir, I am... well, yes, I am Walter Octavius March. How would you know that? Oh, I see, my reputation precedes me. May I introduce my friend... what's that, your Honor? You need to speak with me in private? I guess that would be alright, sir.

Would you mind waiting for me here, my friend? (Don't be upset!) I'll be with you again presently...

How about that. The Mayor expressed his condolences for the loss of my cousin Bertie, and then told me that someone was in Town Hall a few weeks back asking about the memorial (yes, the one with my likeness stamped upon it) in the new 'haunted' queue at Gracey Manor. This stranger thought the memorial was mine. When told it was for my cousin Bertie, the person seemed relieved and then inquired after my whereabouts. None of the Cast Members in Town Hall at that time knew how to find me.

Now here is the odd thing: the inquirer was a woman. Yet I'm sure the stranger who whispered to me in the United Kingdom Pavilion was a man!

I am truly baffled by all of this...

Wally's Friend Flees from the Float

I think I need a root beer float to help me think. Would you like to accompany me to the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor where perhaps you would treat us to...

Oh, I see, you're anxious to run over to Splash Mountain, and the lines are quickly growing long. I understand completely, my friend. May I recommend you take the railroad? It will drop you off at the base of Splash Mountain.

Speaking of railroads, have I told you about the time I prevented a locomotive from plunging off a bridge above the New River Gorge in West Virginia? Well, it was...

Where are you running off to - the train isn't here yet!

Ah, well, perhaps you want to sit near the engineer.

You there - would you like to come with me for a root beer float, in exchange for which I'll share the story of how I prevented a locomotive from...

One second...

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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