Episode 5 – The Magical World of Carlsbad Cavern [Radio scanning stations, crackles into doowop rendition of the hymn “Rock of Ages,” and continues to play in the background.] INTRO: Hello, everyone! Welcome to this episode of Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages will take on a different form as we all adapt to the challenges of this year. This project has been made possible by the diligent work, research, time, and vocal talents of the interpretive staff at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Our episode today takes us on a stroll through the cave in 1963 alongside some well- known voices, who are looking to glean inspiration from the spectacular sight before them. So, sit back, relax, and listen to our park’s history. NARRATOR: Even the most famous artists of our time need to find inspiration somewhere. Walt Disney looked to the most inspirational places he could imagine, the national parks, through his entire entertainment career. He and his wife, Lillian, arrived at Carlsbad Caverns National Park for a surprise visit on May 16, 1963. Walt has dreamed of visiting Carlsbad Cavern since childhood. The day he saw the first colored photographs of the cavern in a National Geographic article, “Carlsbad Caverns in Color” in 1953, he knew he had to make this dream a reality. So enchanted was he that he even brought a copy of that issue to read on the long flight from Los Angeles to New York. Since they are flying over New Mexico anyway, the Disneys decide this is the perfect opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Though their visit is unexpected, Superintendent During is delighted to offer a private tour of the Big Room to perhaps the most celebrated entertainer of this century. [Water drips in the background, voices echo in cavern chamber.] DURING: Welcome to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Mr. and Mrs. Disney! We’ve cleared the Big Room for you to enjoy the wonders of the cavern without a lot of other visitors infringing on your time. WALT: [With a sense of awe] I’m flabbergasted! I’ve dreamed of coming here since I was a child. But, you really didn’t have to give us a private tour, Superintendent During. I love people! DURING: Nonsense, it’s no trouble. You’ll enjoy the cavern much more without a lot of commotion, believe me. But [heavy sigh] I’m afraid I have an important matter to attend to. I’ll rejoin you later on to escort you out of the cavern. Enjoy your visit, Mr. and Mrs. Disney! [Footsteps echo on the cave trail as Superintendent During walks away, fade into distance.] WALT: I’m flabbergasted, Lillian. I never thought it would be so enchanting. LILLIAN: The cavern looks magical! It’s just like the panoramic picture from the National Geographic article we were reading on the plane. WALT: It does! But, there is something nifty about seeing the cave in person. Look at all the details of the smooth sweeping arches and rough popcorn texture. LILLIAN: Yes, Walt. Look at this column! It’s almost like a frozen waterfall. WALT: These whimsical and beautiful limestone formations are making me consider Upton Sinclair’s “The Gnomobile.” I mean, this cave would be a great setting for a movie. Episode 5 – The Magical World of Carlsbad Cavern LILLIAN: Oh, yes. The family of gnomes who live in California’s redwood forest and get crowded out by deforestation in an ever-increasing human population, right? WALT: Yes! However, a kindly human takes them to each of the nation’s national parks in search of other gnomes who face extinction in a crowded world. [Pause] WALT [loud voice]: I am the nifty gnomobile, Before my name all nations kneel; LILLIAN [laughs]: I’m neat and nice in all my motions, But sometimes have annoying notions; WALT [jokingly]: And when I have a nut that loosens . Then I become an awful nuisance. LILLIAN [jokingly]: Take notice not to drive too quick— I’ll knock your noodle like old Nick; WALT [deep breath]: But know enough to nurse your speed, And I will never fail your need. [Both laugh in delight.] LILLIAN: Walt, couldn’t you finish by bringing them here to live with another family of gnomes in Carlsbad Cavern? This would be the type of place lonely gnomes might flee to. WALT: [Contemplates the idea.] Hmm. What a wonderful idea, my dear. I seem to remember that the displaced gnomes end up finding a cave to live in. They even created their own industry with smokestacks belching out black smoke. [Pause] There is a terrific problem of lighting the cavern sufficiently for filming, though. It’s so vast! I don’t think it would be possible to capture it on film with all the lights in the world! [Pause] We should send some of our artists down to do some sketches. Maybe we can find other uses for the cave? LILLIAN: I remember you talking about creating a new ride at Disneyland that has to do with pirates. Could you use cave scenes? WALT: The Pirates of the Caribbean experience! Picture this, Lillian: instead of a pathway, we can have a water course that travels through the passages of a coastal cave. LILLIAN: [Teasing.] Are you going to put live sharks in the water just like you wanted to put alligators in the jungle boat ride? WALT: [Chuckles.] Golly! No. I can imagine creating scenes of what’s most important to pirates. LILLIAN: Looting, plundering, sea battles . Episode 5 – The Magical World of Carlsbad Cavern WALT and LILLIAN: [Exaggerated, excited whisper] . and a hidden treasure! LILLIAN: . in a cave nobody knows exists. WALT: I’m so . [deep intake of breath, overwhelmed] . flabbergasted! LILLIAN: You can put stalactites that are dripping water from the ceiling, and stalagmites rising up out of the water. WALT: With a pirate sitting on top! LILLIAN: Look, here’s the Painted Grotto. Look at how magnificent it is, all the colors and delicate formations. It’s a cave within a cave! WALT: [Gasps with sudden inspiration.] We can end the ride with the treasure hidden in a secret grotto. LILLIAN: Behind a false wall! WALT: It is magical! It would be hard to replicate this type of beauty, though. LILLIAN: I love the inspiration you glean from national parks, Walt. WALT: So, do I. The differing landscapes and wildlife impress me. Carlsbad Cavern has shown me that there is beauty above ground—and below. LILLIAN: I agree! These caverns are wonderful! They are so free-form. The contrast between the lights and shadow create a sense of the unknown . of mystery, depth. WALT: I know; I feel like a big kid! I’m flabbergasted! I still don’t believe it! LILLIAN: We have been talking for years about coming to visit and have finally managed to fit it in. [Footsteps in the distance grow louder as they approach.] DURING: Mr. and Mrs. Disney? I apologize for not being able to walk with you the entire way. But I hope you’ve had a splendid time. What do you think about our cavern? WALT: I feel impressed and deeply inspired by this fantasy created by nature. It’s truly magical. The massive formations and spaciousness of the caverns are difficult to absorb. Superintendent During, you folks really have something here! LILLIAN: We are going to have to go home and reevaluate ourselves. NARRATOR: And reevaluate themselves, they did. Walt and Lillian Disney never forgot their unbelievable journey seven hundred fiftty feet below the surface. Walt Disney was instantly captivated by the famous Carlsbad Cavern. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction at Disneyland Episode 5 – The Magical World of Carlsbad Cavern was the last that Walt Disney personally had a hand in creating before his death in 1966. Although his movie The Gnomobile does not feature a cave as does the book, the inspiration Disney derived from Carlsbad Cavern is clearly evident in other animated films and future documentaries. There are many scenes of awe-inspiring beauty that are subtle tributes to Disney’s fateful visit to this magical world below. Disney artists visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park to create the underwater fantasyland in the 2001 animated feature, Atlantis. The cavern even makes a parodied appearance in Disney’s A Goofy Movie. The majestic Carlsbad Cavern has thrilled guests the world over, some perhaps subconsciously through the beautiful images created by Disney and other visual artists. Motion pictures have the ability to capture the imaginations of audiences throughout the world. They have the ability to shape our perceptions of what was, is, and could be. No icon has done that better than Walt Disney, and his advocacy for protecting the wonders of our national parks, such as Carlsbad Caverns, is evident in everything he created. [Doowop rendition of the hymn “Rock of Ages” begins and continues to play in the background.] OUTRO: We sure hope this episode left you flabbergasted! This episode featured the voices of rangers Max Berlin as Superintendent Henry During, Dave Brumbaugh as Walt Disney, Margaret Gray as Lillian Disney, and Aubrey Brown as the Narrator. This episode was researched and written by Margaret Gray and Kialey Day. Recording production was done by James Gunn and Anthony Mazzucco, music and audio engineering by Gabe Montemayor, with Abby Burlingame and Aubrey Brown at the creative helm. We hope you’ll join us for our next episode! Thanks for listening. See ya soon . and happy trails! [Music fades to silence.] .