Disney meets Star Wars!

So, while Celebration V was still at a fever pitch in Orlando, those of us in the Outer Rim (!!) got to meet some true, die-hard Disney fans.  What an interesting experience; hardcore Star Wars costumers and geeks thrust into a convention center filled with the most fannish of the Disney fans.  I think they were as fascinated as we were!


Here's some pics from our charity troop at the PNW Mouse Meet...

The Rebel Legion's Wild Ride!

More information:

Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet

Disneyland may be more than 1,000 miles away, but Don Morin is aiming to bring its magic here.

Saturday at the Lynnwood Convention Center, he debuts the second Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, featuring Imagineers and even Tinker Bell herself.

"Not everyone can get to Disneyland or Disney World all the time," said Morin, the 43-year-old coordinator who's been to both parks more than 100 times. "So this is an opportunity for folks to have fun in a related way and experience some magic."

Around 300 Disney aficionados are expected, double the number from last year.

Dole Whip, the pineapple frozen dessert sold only in select U.S. cities and the Disney resorts, will be available. There'll also be exhibits like a Pirates of the Caribbean display, a vehicle from the attraction Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and a 12- by 12-foot Lego version of Disneyland's Main Street.

The meet's keynote speaker is Bob Gurr, the Imagineer behind such classic Disney attractions as the Monorail, the Matterhorn and the Submarine Lagoon. Disney historians Jeff Kurtti and David Lesjak are on the lineup. And, Margaret Kerry, the reference model and inspiration behind Tinker Bell, will be there giving autographs.

"I became this icon when I dressed up as Tinker Bell," said Kerry, now 83. Disney "made her the hostess for Disneyland, because she's just magical, so I feel like I'm magical, and [at meets] we get together and chit chat about Mr. Disney."

Kerry acted out Tinker Bell scenes for artists to pattern the character after. She handled larger than life scissors, poked her head through a big keyhole and pouted.

"I asked them — 'What do you want me to be? Betty Boop?" said Kerry, who was 21 at the time and working as a dancer. "They said, we want you to be you."

She recalls stories of Walt Disney — how the unassuming founder would join staffers in the cafeteria, asking how their days went. Kerry also remembers when Disney asked Gurr to create the Monorail. Gurr said he knew nothing about monorails, to which Disney replied, "It's about time you figured it out. You have two weeks."

In addition to speakers, there's a pin swap at the meet, along with contests for pins. Pins have been hugely popular among Disney fanatics, who collect the enameled beauties detailing rides and characters.

And while Mouse Meet is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the Walt Disney Company, Kerry said it "is actually in some ways, without all of the rides, like being in Disneyland for a whole day. The love that comes back and forth, it's magical."

by Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com