Getting to Know Our Members: Les Mize!

 

Les started collecting Mickey Mouse and Disney memorabilia in the mid-seventies after his first visit to Disneyland. He was so taken with every aspect of the magic kingdom that he began filling his home with toys and collectibles—not a bad hobby when you have six children. Already a long time fan of Christmas with festive light displays and other decorations, incorporating his growing collection became just another aspect of the Mize family holiday décor. This tradition has grown quite a bit over the years and it is most certainly a family effort.  There are established “work-weekends” for major set-up and take-down, as it is a lot of work. Decorating starts immediately after Halloween and takes the better part of a month to put together. Patty has played a key role in orchestrating the decorations and accommodating Les’s new acquisitions, as he is still collecting!

Les is an active member of his community as a 47-year member of Lions Club and charter president of his local club, serves on various boards and committees, and volunteers at community events. He has been in sales in the commercial printing industry for more than forty years, and his affinity toward all-things Mickey Mouse has proved successful in his business relations, as various clients and colleagues have referred to him as “Mickey Mouse” over the years –always sporting a Mickey watch, necktie, socks, shirt, and other items. His office at work is entirely decorated with Mickey Mouse collectibles, often making it a ‘stop’ on plant tours.

Les and Patty enjoy trips to Disneyland to checkout the newest attractions, the latest parades and entertainment, and especially holiday decorations—particularly Halloween and Christmas. They are also enjoying being able to visit Disneyland with their grandchildren.

I was so excited when the Disney family announced that they were opening the Walt Disney Family Museum in the San Francisco Presidio. I commute by the Presidio everyday on my way to and from my office, as I have for more than forty years. My wife and I joined the first year and have continued to renew our membership each year. 

 

I enjoy and look forward to the newsletters and announcements of new exhibits and film showings, which help keep the magic alive. I love that this is all available year round right in my own backyard. I love the various items on display that are unique to the museum—family artifacts and such—that you can’t see elsewhere. Also the gift shop is full of unique Disney collectibles. I hope to be able to take advantage of more of the special events and speakers in the future, and bring the rest of my family.

 

Walt Disney inspires me because of his imagination and creativity and his vision to create something so family oriented as Disneyland. I am an all-American family man and have enjoyed having such a fun, wholesome place to take my family over the years. I have now accompanied my grandchildren on their first visits to Disneyland. Hard to believe that it all started with a mouse. 

 

Here’s a little anecdote/memory: My first visit to Disneyland was when my first-born was just two years old in the mid 70s. Being of Irish decent, my young daughter was predisposed with some pretty fair skin. Of course we promptly bought her mouse ears, complete with her name embroidered on the back, and by the end of the day the stares we were getting from people grew a little intense. It was then we realized that mouse ears, do not a sun visor make. Our daughter was pretty sun burnt, so we attribute her freckles to that visit to Disneyland.

 

An early inspiration that stems from that first visit resulted in a real interest in gardens and landscaping. I loved the landscape and how colorful and immaculately kept everything was, and I endeavored to bring some of that to my own garden. 

 

My wife, Patty, and I started attending the Disneyana Conventions in the early 90s. We enjoyed this opportunity to see behind the scenes at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The events brought together all the various components of the Disney Company to showcase their current projects and future plans. As “ConventionEars” we have the opportunity to meet various Disney cast members, artists, writers, entertainers, Imagineers, and many other talented people who continue to make the magic. A unique opportunity that stands out was a chance to attend classes, similar to the training that most cast members go through, to learn about being a representative of the Disney Company. Attendees to these various classes ultimately earned their “Mouseter’s Degree” and moved up to their “Ducktorate Degree.” Patty and I completed all the degrees and have a full sense of and admiration for the Disney culture.

 

One of our daughters worked at Walt Disney World for a number of years in their Creative Costuming Department, which gave us another unique perspective. We loved visiting her in Orlando and hearing about the various projects she was involved with. She even had a stint on the Disney Cruise line, outfitting the onboard performers—she even outfitted the now, well-known Jennifer Hudson. 

 

While I have enjoyed many trips to Disneyland, and even Walt Disney World, I have also had the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris—in the snow—and the grand opening of Hong Kong Disney.