Dream It, Do It... Who is Marty Sklar?

Photo courtesy of MSI Chicago

That is the question many of my friends asked when I told them where I am going. The Museum of Science and Industries in Chicago reached out to Disney Gal Judy to cover Marty Sklar's presentation today, and she's letting me tag along! When I tried to explain to my friends exactly who this man is, words like "Disney Legend" and "He has a window" were met with many confused looks. (Yes, I have friends that are not Disney fanatics, believe it or not.)  Then I thought of the introduction in Marty's book "Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney Magic Kingdoms", written by none other than the fabulously talented Richard Sherman. He wrote this song in 2009 when Marty retired, to celebrate his 50 years of dedication. If this doesn't fill in the blanks for my friends, I don't know what will. (Maybe Marty's book!)

Sung to the tune of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious:

VERSE 1:
Before the doors of Disneyland
Were opened to the world
Young Marty Sklar was asked
To have his writing skills unfurled
The Disneyland newspaper
Was first product of his skills
Then PR and Publicity
Young Marty fit the bill...He's...

CHORUS:
Never fearing, Imagineering
Mar-ty Sklar-e-docious
For years he's led Imagineers
With passion so ferocious
Through stress and strains
He's held the reins
With leadership precocious
Never fearing, Imagineering
Mar-ty Sklar-e-docious

VERSE 2:
For Walt he wrote his speeches
And his annual reports
Then moved to WED to help create
Attractions and resorts
From Small World to Space Mountain
To eleven Disney Parks
Our Marty steered Imagineers
With their creative sparks... (and his)

repeat chorus

VERSE 3:
He's first to give out credit
To the great creative teams
His one persisting goal
Was to perpetuate Walt's dream
Succeed he did, and so we stand
As one to give three cheers
To Marty Sklar the champion
Of all Imagineers...He's

FINAL CHORUS:
Never fearing, Imagineering
Mar-ty Sklar-e-docious
For years he's led Imagineers
With passion so ferocious
Through stress and strains
He's held the reins
With leadership precocious
Never fearing, Imagineering
Mar-ty Sklar-e-docious!

We look forward to telling you all about this amazing opportunity this coming week. Keep your eyes on the blog for many pictures and stories!