Scott Wolf: You were the last Ambassador to work with Walt. What were your encounters with him while you were Ambassador?

Connie Swanson Lane: Well, whenever he'd come to the park I would report to him and give him an update on whatever marketing ploy we'd been using. Whatever setup and how it had gone from my standpoint, because he had professionals who could give him the professional viewpoint. Jack (Lindquist) could give him a rundown on that. But, how did my trip go to Sweden and what did I think of it and where did I like, so that type of thing.

So he was genuinely interested in what you thought?

CSL: Oh, it was amazing, and a little bit daunting because I idolized him so much. He was just so awesome.

In this picture where Walt and I are together in the office, he gave me an attaché case and we had some pictures that were shot at a globe. He's telling me how to pose for the camera there. As you see, he's got a three quarter view and he's telling me I'm not supposed to look straight at the person. I'm supposed to look slightly over here and it gives me a three quarter view. You can tell how enchanted I was because I can't stop looking at him. I'm like, "I'm standing with Walt Disney!"

Was it an easier drive to the studio in Burbank from Anaheim than it is now?

CSL: No. (laughs) Well, that traffic was pretty daunting at the hours I would go. Half of it was fun because it wasn't like I drove it everyday. Then you'd see the old Glendale area, that was the old California. I used to like to drive in the homes around the studio because they were just so wonderful, beautiful houses. But, no it wasn't easier to get to I don't think.

You were the Ambassador when Walt passed away. Did you know he was sick?

CSL: No. Actually, I had just been released and I was hostessing and Donna Parton who was my lead got off the phone and said, "Guys, Walt's passed away," and we couldn't believe it. (This is difficult for her to speak about, but teary-eyed, she is kind enough to tell me about the day.) It was like losing a family member. Very difficult. Most of us stayed at work because that's what Walt would have wanted us to do. The flag was lowered at half mast...

It just was very, very hard and I stood at the Town Square for the retreat that night until the flag was totally lowered because it was my way of saying goodbye. (1969 Ambassador) Shari (Bescos) Koch's husband remembers me doing that. He was working in Publicity and could look down and he saw me out there.

Do you have any favorite memories of Walt?

Well, we opened the Blue Bayou and I sat with Walt at the table and I believe the mayor of New Orleans was there, but I'm not positive about that because when Walt was in the room, I couldn't see anybody but Walt.

So Walt said to me, "Do you have a pencil and paper?" I went, "Uh... I can get one." He said, "No, no, no problem." We had linen napkins on the table in those days so he pulled out a linen napkin from the table and he pulled his pen out of his pocket and he started making notes of things he wanted perfected in the Bayou. "Tree too low. Raise the tree ten feet." "Serving station not hidden from Guest view," and then he just sort of stuffed it in his side pocket. So if you ever saw him with his jacket looking lumpy it was because he'd written it on whatever material was available and stuffed it in his pocket.

I found out his wife never used linen napkins, and that was at a time you didn't use paper napkins, because he would write things on them and then go to the office with them.

Did you ever have any casual conversation with him Walt,  other than reporting to him?

CSL: Occasionally. Generally here in the park, but generally his mind was working on what we were going to do, what was being planned, how did the parade go, how was it received.

He really cared so much about what the people thought.

CSL: Oh yes. He said coming to Disneyland was like having Guests in your backyard, and you want them to have the best time possible, so you want to be the best host or hostess with your family and friends.

More from Connie:
Becoming Ambassador, and the first Ambassador ceremony

Favorite Ambassador memories



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