The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 43

i tfHlanbo feentintl Orlando evening star It All Started With A Mouse Awn 1 Walt Disney Bob Hope called it the "biggest vacation kingdom in the world." Then he grinned the tip-ofTfor a punch line and he added: "And just think, it all started with a gentle mouse, a bad-tempered duck and seven mixed-up dwarfs." The 68-year-old Hope was in typical form last week as he rolled out his bag of gags for the official opening of the 1,057 room Contemporary Resort Hotel. (Hundreds of special guests gathered to hear the comedian's remarks which were taped for Friday's NBC television spectacular. Dressed conservatively in a light blue suit, Hope arrived amid applause and was escorted from the monorail by two attractive girl guides. He told them with a wink: "Wait for me in Adventureland." Hope described the attraction as a swamp made into a magic kingdom. Then he posed a question: "Did you ever stop and think how you relocate 8,000 angry alligators:" Hope said the recreation complex should receive the highest compliment given to anything man-made: "Ralph Nader would like it." Hope told the crowd that he arrived that morning at 5 a.m.

from Indiana. "I just looked Disney World all over, then went back to my room and read my Gideon." Surveying the spacious inner Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary Hotel, nine levels high and longer than a football field Hope joked: "Now I know where the Goodyear Blimp goes in mating season." Hope said there was a lot to see in Fantasy-land. He described it this way: "Fantasyland, that's Agnew winning the National Open, the Shah of Iran eating at Col. Sanders, Howard Hughes having a press conference." Hope paused a minute. "And me," he added, "winning an Oscar!" The crowd broke into laughter.

im -A -i'i irm trr ir i fun mrim iiWn UkMfart iuttJu4JL V. 1 Wi 1 WMiwAi Bob Hope marvels at Disney World When you wish upon a Rock Hudson Annette Funicello. She drew whistles, along with the autograph hunters. Around her neck was a Jacqueline Susann fertility, symbol on a chain. The crowd speculated on what it was.

My how she had grown. Jonathan Winters. The comedian grin-ned widely as he wandered around shook hands with admirers. Agnes Moorhead. Her bright red hair went well with her pink dress and green striped coat.

She tried to walk in the shady areas of the park. Fess Parker. Television's Davy Crockett and his wife, Marcie, were probably the most colorful of the honored guests. Parker wore mink cape and asked by a tourist if it was -really mink, he drawled with a grin: "Well, I'm not sure, but it's something from off the ground." Ray Bolger. The famous dancer was still spry, the crowd noted.

Bolger told them that his autograph. She eased the hurt by saying the movie star "didn't look as good in real life as he does on television." Fred MacMurray. They said he looked just like his photographs. "The Absent Minded Professor." He appeared warm wearing a grey and blue striped winter suit. Accompanying the actor was his wife, actress June Haver.

She seemed shy. Greg Morris. The star of TV's "Mission Impossible" was unable to see "The Hall of the Presidents." The reason was the crowd which surrounded him, begging for autographs. Cesar Romero. He winked at ladies and obviously enjoyed the adulation.

Walter Brennan. He affected the limp that millions have seen in movies and Fred MacMurray joked with him: "Walt, they didn't bring our wheel chair." Some said they were more popular than the rides. And seeing them walk through Walt Disney World last weekend, it was easy to believe. They stood out like pied pipers, trailed by eager armies of notebook-clutching autograph hounds and camera-toting tourists. They were mobbed, surrounded, followed everywhere.

The celebrities. Many of them arrived Saturday in a special plane. They landed at Orlando's McCoy Jetport and a huge crowd of spectators oohed and aaahed as the stars stepped from the plane. Walter Brennan was applauded. The crowd squealed at Fred MacMurray.

And Annette Funicello, one of the original Disney Mousketeers, drew fervent and delighted whistles. Disney's grand opening drew hundreds of celebrities, who rivaled the storybook rides for attention. Most of them tolerantly missed Disney attractions as the autograph hunters descended upon them: These were t'at a few of the star-studded galaxy. Rock Hudson. Everywhere he went there were disappointed, sometimes embittered ladies, holding unused pencils and blank notepads, left in his wake.

One woman said Hudson refused to sign Arthur Fiedler conducts World Symphony Walt Disney would have been proud of his Sebastian Cabot; The rotund butler of TV's ffair" Signed auf ographI5lion- constantly The crowd loved him. Andy Devine. "Jingles" of TV fame was recognized instantly. He speculated that Walt Disney was perhaps seeing this show. "I feel Walt is here," he said, "and he, probably has the best seat in the house." Robert Stack.

The actor was with his wife, Rose Marie. They were colorfully dressed in shades of pink and purple, and the tourists recognized them easily. TfT" TiT 7S 7-. sjr8 V1- Z.Ji- ft YV Fred MacMurray '4 1 A CS in jr 'i Cesar Romero 1 i Hollywood celebrities arrived Saturday afternoon, were treated to World Symphony concert that night. Sunday, they appeared at Contemporary Hotel for dedication ceremonies followed by buffet luncheon.

mi i mi jf- Staff wrileri ond photographer in thi tpeciol edition included Richard Williamt, Frank Ruttell, Steve Paulson, Tom Netiel, Andy Hickman, Gene Blythe, David Wilkening, Dick MaHowe, Fred Wogner, Bill Dunn, Jim Smith, editor. Hardly a child leaves Disney World without a Mickey Mouse hat or balloon..