ONE WAY WITH WALT: JULY 2023

Walt Disney author and college instructor to complete “One Way with Walt” on 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s epic trip across country

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – On the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney taking his epic one-way train ride from Kansas City to Hollywood, Christopher Tremblay will be recreating this journey in what he is calling "One Way with Walt."

Tremblay is the creator of the only college course on the life of Walt Disney, "Walt's Pilgrimage" that he has taught at the Lee Honors College of Western Michigan University since 2015. Tremblay is also a Walt Disney expert, author, and former Walt Disney World cast member.

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, Tremblay and his friend, Kristin Gartner, will arrive at Union Station just like Walt Disney did in 1923 and will take the train across the United States arriving in Los Angeles on Monday, July 31, 2023. Tremblay originated this idea in 2019 and has been planning it ever since. This 36-hour train ride will be the longest train ride Tremblay has ever taken. On the train, they will re-read Walt Disney's biography, challenge each other with some Disney trivia questions and enjoy the ride across country. While Walt rode the Santa Fe California Limited train, Tremblay and Gartner will be taking Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train. Ironically, they will visit 23 cities in six states (23 is symbolic because of the year 1923).

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, the two will follow in Walt's footsteps, visiting places where Walt worked, lived and played in the metropolitan area. And, of course, they are heading to Disneyland, the only Disney theme park that Walt ever walked in.

"It was July 1923. I packed all of my worldly goods – a pair of trousers, a checkered coat, a lot of drawing materials and the last of the fairy tale reels we had made – in a kind of frayed cardboard suitcase. And with that wonderful audacity of youth, I went to Hollywood, arriving there with just forty dollars. It was a big day the day I got on that Santa Fe California Limited. I was just free and happy!“ -Walt Disney, as stated on the Plaque on the Storytellers Statue of Walt and Mickey Mouse, Disney’s California Adventure

“I am honored and thrilled to be going on this adventure. Since I was a child, I have admired Walt Disney and his contributions to society. I look forward to being a part of recreating this part of his life, which was a big risk at the time,” said Tremblay.

The year 1923 is not only special because of this train ride, but October 16, 1923 is the official founding date of The Walt Disney Company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary with "100 Years of Wonder" throughout 2023. Tremblay and Gartner will visit the original site of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, located at 4651 Kingswell Avenue, Los Angeles. Walt and Roy Disney used a small office in the back of Holly-Vermont Realty and paid $10 for rent. They will pay homage to Walt and Roy.

From July 6-14, 2023, Tremblay will be teaching his eight selected students about the life of Walt Disney as "Walt's Pilgrimage" college course takes place. They will travel from Kalamazoo, Michigan and across the country following the life of Walt Disney.

About Walt’s Pilgrimage

This unique, biographical college course will take students from birth to death of the famous Walt Disney. This historical journey will include most of the significant places in Walt's life. Nearly 40 destinations with a connection to Walt will be visited in as much chronological order as possible. This experience will include stops at 2 official Disney museums and Disneyland. Students will learn about Walt's struggles, risks, and successes -- through the lens of his impact on American history and culture. This trip offers an exclusive perspective on Walt Disney, beyond what most individuals know from their own personal Disney experiences. 2023 marks the seventh year that this course has been offered.

About Tremblay

Dr. Tremblay is a graduate of the WMU Lee Honors College and has been fascinated by Disney since his parents took him to Walt Disney World when he was five years old. During his undergraduate studies, Tremblay participated in the Walt Disney World College Program, where he spent a semester learning all about the Disney enterprise and earned his “Ducktorate Degree.” One of Tremblay’s upper-level honors course was “American Pop Culture,” and in that class he wrote about the cultural impact of the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Tremblay’s honors college thesis was entitled, “Promoting Square Feet with Character: The Influence of Fantasy on Meetings and Conventions at Walt Disney World.” Dr. Tremblay serves as an adjunct instructor for this course he developed. He has been teaching this course since 2015. He is a member of the Disney College Program Alumni Association and a Walt Disney Company shareholder. Tremblay is also the author of six books on the life of Walt Disney.