When Officials dubbed it "The 17-Million-Dollar People-Trap that Mickey Mouse Built," they didn't know how right they were
Walt Disney, the fellow who first put shoes on a mouse, has done some pretty revolutionary things in his day. Last fortnight he decided to revolutionize press openings. Traditionally, a press opening is a commercial enterprise whereby reporters are invited for a preview showing, stufied with goodies, flattered and praised and bundled off to their typewriters with the hope that they’ll say nice things which will ipso facto bring cash customers.
The Disney version - apparently based on the theory that the year of drum-beating prior to the opening would bring the paying guests anyway neither flattered nor filled the reporters. What’s more, they couldn’t get close enough to see anything to praise.
For Disney invited the press and a few “guests” - 30,000 to be exact. Everything was free. If Disneyland officials had hoped to give the illusion of wild enthusiasm for the TV show of the opening they were satisfied beyond their wildest dream. Guards kept guests confined to crowded areas during the parade and show while their children were being trampled.
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