I just noticed Doug's picture on LaughingPlace Live of the Disney Gallery's final night. I'm so sad to see the Disney Gallery close. I wish I could've been there to wander through the rooms and make sure that I captured it all on film. I used to sit up on the patio or by the fountain and read or photograph the area. I have many fond memories of watching Fantasmic from the balcony — before you paid and even a few from after it became a paid event with desserts. I met Roy Disney, Bob Thomas, John Hench, a few Mouseketeers and I'm sure some others I'm not remembering at Gallery events. I drooled for ages over Terri Hardin's sculpts of the Disneyland ride vehicles wishing at the time I could afford them – the tea cup, Toad car, Peter Pan Ship & Dumbo. Enjoyed Eric Robison's 100 Mickeys exhibit. I purchased an image of Big Thunder Mountain by Tony Baxter and received as a wedding gift a beautiful Mark Twain at dusk image after an incredibly thoughtful friend noticed how much I admired it. It hangs in our entryway to greet our visitors to our apartment. And now will also serve as a reminder of one of my favorite quiet spots at the happiest places on earth. It will be strange during the next visit to Disneyland when the New Orleans Square balcony is closed. But I'm glad to have enjoyed the space as much as I did while I had the chance.
