DAVE SMITH

Here I am pictured with Disney Legend Dave Smith on the first day of the Destination D event. 

He is the founder and former Chief Archivist of the Walt Disney Archives at the Walt Disney Studio in Burbank, California. He is the author of several books and is very knowledgeable about nearly all things Disney. He was named a Disney Legend in 2007. He can also be seen in many Disney documentaries (Here is his IMDb entry)

After the picture was taken, he started talking to me. I told him my name and he asked me things like "are you enjoying the event so far", and "where are you from", etc. Greg's friend Traci was the one who took my picture with him and she mentioned to him that it was my ambition to be an animator at Disney. From there he gave me advice like good classes to take in school and different things. After that he told me to look him up on Facebook because he was interested in following my career! Now, I don't know how realistic me becoming an animator is, but it's pretty cool anyway! On the second day, right before the Alan Menken concert (pics of that to come!!!) me and Traci went to meet some other Disney celebrities that were there talking to the guests. Dave Smith was there too and he called out to me. He said "Hi Dean! How've you enjoyed the event?" I was so shocked that he remembered my name! I told him that I was loving it and that I was sad it was almost over. He and Traci talked awhile and he told me again to look him up on Facebook.

The next day when me and Greg got back from California, I got on mom's computer and looked him up and added him as a friend. He added me back not too long after that and sent me this message...

August 13

Dave Smith

• Hi Dean: How did you enjoy Destination D? Any favorite sessions? I thought the whole program was well thought-out, with a lot of interesting panelists. And how could you beat Alan Menken as the climax!
  
  Ah, Flagstaff--it has always been a favorite city of mine, though it has been too many years since I was last there. I remember touring around Northern Arizona University and thinking what a wonderful place it would have been for college. Gateway to the Grand Canyon: on my bucket list, I always wanted to hike across the canyon from north to south rim, but now I guess I am too old for that. 

Pretty amazing, huh? He and I have been messaging each other since then and he's told me lots of cool stories. This experience has blown my mind because I knew who he was long before this trip.

More to come!