Walt's Apprentice Keeping the Disney Dream Alive

Walt’s Apprentice: Keeping the Disney Dream Alive is the memoir of Disney Legend Dick Nunis. It is a warm personal reminiscence of learning directly from Walt Disney for 12 years, followed by more than 30 years devoted to championing his vision and standards as the Disney empire grew.

The story covers Disney’s highlights, including the 1960 Winter Olympics, 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, and the development and opening of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Unlike other Disney books, this story is told from the perspective of operations rather than Imagineering. It touches on decisions that defined the guest experience and Disney’s reputation for quality in areas ranging from capacity and people-moving, training, delivering a consistent “good show,” food service, and more.This first-person narrative is presented as a series of wide-ranging vignettes. Some vignettes focus on personal, character-shaping events, such as the injury that ended his collegiate football career. Other stories touch on national events, such as Nikita Khrushchev’s derailed visit to Disneyland, the decision to close the park following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan’s assistance in expediting the visa process for cast members staffing the Epcot World Showcase. Few people have enjoyed a life so immersed in Disney magic.

These stories share that magic through the memories of one of the original doers and dreamers.

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Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World (By Jeff Kurtti)
Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food (By Marcy Carriker Smothers)
Walt Disney: An American Original (By Bob Thomas)

Dick Nunis was a cast member when the gates of Disneyland opened in 1955. For the next eleven years, he learned professional and personal lessons from his mentor Walt Disney, America’s greatest showman. This personal journey takes us through his remarkable 44-year career with the Walt Disney Company, beginning as an hourly cast member, and rising to Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where he nurtured and applied with unwavering dedication and tireless energy the lessons he learned alongside Walt Disney. Thanks to his contributions, Dick Nunis is a Disney Legend, and Walt’s Disney’s dream of creating “the happiest places on earth” continue to delight each new generation of guests around the world.

AcknowledgmentsPrefaceA Quick Career Time LineThe Day My Apprenticeship Ended

Act 1:Life Before Disney
Sincerity + Guts = SuccessThe Family You FindIt Can Be DoneBig Men on CampusMy Lucky BreakHanging Ten with HobieLet’s Shake on It

Act 2:The Early Years at Disneyland (and “Other Duties as Required”)
DisneyficationHired, Despite My ShoesCreating “Creating Happiness”The Opening Before the OpeningBlack Sunday SurvivorThe Cruise That Launched My CareerThe Nunis Theory of Ones, Twos, Threes, and FoursClimb Every Mountain?What I Did in the Cold WarThe Miracle of Squaw ValleyAn Unofficial Training Ground OpensThe Day We Closed DisneylandMineral King, a Park That Never WasShow Me Vs. Sunshine?Small World, Big AppleA Jolly Holiday at Grauman’sThe Class of ’55 Celebrates the TencennialCloak & Dagger & CansProject X-plainedWalt Leaves a Hole in Our WorldScaring Up CapacityThe Invasion That Failed
Act 3: Project X: the Biggest Dream YetThe Gofer Hires His BossLosing an AllyGreen Side Up!Pajama PartyThe Disney UndergroundCarving Out a WildernessTiny and the MonorailHitting the Greens“Disney’s Finally Done It!”Making WavesMike, Mickey, and Me on TVWhetting an Appetite for QualityFarewellBringing River Country to Disney

Act 4:Disney Goes Global, at Home and AbroadUnder New ManagementDelivering the 21st Century—Some Assembly RequiredGeneral Nunis Reporting for DutyKanpai!Merchandising Was Not Lost in TranslationThe Kids Who CouldFree-Range FranceThe Ultimate Souvenir HuntTwo (Extra) Ordinary JoesManagement by Rampaging Around“On Call” to Our PartnersFriends in High Places Help EPCOTHow EPCOT EvolvedThe Challenges of EPCOTAnother Opening, Another Show(place)Becoming a FloridianPeople MoverDisney AhoyClub 22Serendipity-Do-DahWho Wore It Better? I Did.Cast Members Have Their SayPlaying FavoritesMr. BusinessKeeping Quality on the MenuDisneyanaHelping Give Kids the WorldMingling with Mutants and MuppetsDown Under

Now It’s Time to Say Goodbye . . .
May 26, 1999I Do WindowsThe Man, the Myth, the Punch Line

Encore!
Go Knights!E-Ticket to RideThe Industry Recognizes Walt’s Dream, RealizedA Final Word: Gratitude