Marceline Part 1

In front of the castle with Lisa and Trace.

I have wanted to visit Walt Disney’s boyhood hometown of Marceline Missouri for a few years now. I had been trying to figure out when would be a good time to visit and when Lisa and Jennifer had Trace on Those Darn Cats to discuss Toonfest, my mouse ears perked right up. I figured that a visit to Marceline would be the most fun during Toonfest and if I could be down there and meet some like minded Disney fanatics, then that was all the better. Marceline is only about 3 ½ hours away from my home. (how I wish Orlando was that close) Friday I went to bed early and after six hours of sleep I left home around 3:45 am. My drive down was spent listening to Those Darn Cats, WDW Radio, All About The Mouse, and Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me. Sadly I must inform you that there is now one less coyote running the plains along the Missouri Interstate. At 6:00 I pulled into a McDonalds parking lot in Cameron, Mo. to assess the damage. Some minor damage to a driving light assembly but that was it. My co-pilot Flat Stanley gave a cheer and we set back out on the road.

Arrived in Brookfield at about 7:10 and stopped at another McDonalds to stretch my legs. Around 7:25 I left a message for Lisa and her entourage that I was in town and then I drove on into Marceline. I stopped for gas and collected my first souvenir. (A receipt that says Marceline) While waiting for Trace and Lisa to arrive I snapped this picture of The Lamplighter Motel.

Shortly afterward they came down the road and I followed them to Main Street.

We walked along Ripley Park and had breakfast at “Susie’s.” I had an omelet with wheat toast. Here are a few Main Street Pics.

One interesting thing that occured throughout the day was how often we ended up taking pictures of someone taking pictures. Susie's is located in the corner of the building behind Lisa.

Down From Susie's is the Emporium. Lots of antiques and a plethora of vintage Disney collectables.

A little further down the street is the Uptown Cinema House. It was closed this early in the morning but we had plans to come back later in the afternoon.

Across the street is a building that is currently a bar and according to Trace tis is the place that inspired Coca Cola Corner. If you enlarge the picture and look behind the building you will see a faded Coke ad that was painted on the brick work.

As ten o'clock approached we claimed our own little area for viewing the parade. I will post more pics and details tomorrow.