The Carnation Truck

[Tom Chaney]

i actually happen to know where it is, and it's here in california right under your nose.

Frankly, I'm betting it is. If I had to stick a pin in a map, I'd choose Glendale. Anyway.... care to share?

[JeffYardDog]

i actually happen to know where it is, and it's here in california right under your nose.

That would require one heckuva big nose

[Tom Chaney]

Got a nice email from NestleUSA (who purchased Carnation in 1989) reading in part:

In response to your inquiry, we have forwarded your information to the proper department. We will notify you if we find the whereabouts of the Carnation Delivery Truck.

No response yet, however, from Disney.

[Cousin Orville]

I would contact the WDI Show Quality Dept if they still have one and ask them.

[Zeus]

It's located in the back of Disneyland in the building right next to the Security Entrance at Team Disney Anaheim, the one right next to the parade float building. I've literally seen it in the back, there are several other cars with drapes over them, not sure which ones...But it's there. Not sure on how you will acquire this item without a SWAT team and a tow truck :/

[Tom Chaney]

From my research, it seems that the Carnation truck belonged to Carnation and not Disney. It was built, using Bob Gurr's drawings, by Carnation workmen at Carnation's Atwater Village plant (near Glendale.) Its original function was to be a working truck to bring products from backstage to Main St. each morning, then be parked as a sort of "billboard" for the rest of the day.

That implies, to me, that Carnation/Nestle retained ownership. I'm inclined, at least for now, to view Nestle as the most likely source of information regarding the truck after it left Main St.

Disney doesn't seem to be very inclined to waste assets. If it was their truck but no longer necessary as a Main St. display... I would think that Disney would either sell it and get a few bucks, or repaint it and use it elsewhere in the park.

Either way, I'm puzzled how a Disney icon just vanishes. You'd think that whomever has it now would want to go, "Hey! Lookie what I got!"

(Old car people can be eccentric, however. Many of them absolutely DO NOT want anyone to know what they have... sometimes as a way to avoid getting robbed. Perhaps it is in some private garage somewhere and the current owner is merely content with knowing he has it.)

(Viewership of MiceChat grows daily. I'm hoping that someone might eventually land here who knows the answer and is willing to divulge the solution to the mystery.)

[Tom Chaney]

It's located in the back of Disneyland in the building right next to the Security Entrance at Team Disney Anaheim, the one right next to the parade float building. I've literally seen it in the back, there are several other cars with drapes over them, not sure which ones...But it's there. Not sure on how you will acquire this item without a SWAT team and a tow truck :/

Apparently, you and I were literally posting at the same time. My post above, was made before I read yours.

Thanks for the information. Perhaps someone can confirm this. A photo would be wonderful. Then the mystery is solved and we can all go back to our regularly scheduled lives of quiet desperation.

Obviously, if it is still retained by Disney, acquisition would be difficult if not impossible. So be it. It's still nice to just know that it still exists and where it is.

[Alchimedes]

Check out these photos from Disneyland.
Carnation Truck with Walt Disney Driving.
Eating Ice Cream,
And a TV tower in front of the castle.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true
I saw this and thought of you Tom.
The Pictures are almost at a 400.00 bid.

[almandot]

Apparently, you and I were literally posting at the same time. My post above, was made before I read yours.

Thanks for the information. Perhaps someone can confirm this. A photo would be wonderful. Then the mystery is solved and we can all go back to our regularly scheduled lives of quiet desperation.

Obviously, if it is still retained by Disney, acquisition would be difficult if not impossible. So be it. It's still nice to just know that it still exists and where it is.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's where it was heh. Lots of stuff just sitting around there. It's impossible to tell from satelite photos if it's there but there are lots of little cars that could be like it. I would've looked for you when I was backstage for auditions if this issue came up back then heh.

[Tom Chaney]

Finally, a communication from Disney:

3/22/2007


Dear Tom,

Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort.

Unfortunately, we are unable to locate information on the whereabouts of
the Main Street Carnation Truck. We apologize for any disappointment
this may cause you and your family.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write. We hope you will have the
opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and trust your visit
will be pleasant in all regards.

Sincerely,

(name deleted)
DISNEYLAND® Resort
Guest Communications

Why is this such a mystery?

So far we know:

1. The Carnation Truck was apparently sighted backstage in 2004. (Source: PM from someone who claims to have seen it. I have no reason to believe they are not telling the truth.) If the Carnation Truck is backstage, why is Disney unable to verify this? I doubt this is some secret conspiracy. Are the people who anwer guest emails just too lazy to do the research? Or... is the truck somewhere unknown now?
2. Nestle (who purchased Carnation in the late 80's) has failed to respond.)
3. Nobody seems to be able (or willing) to reveal the location of an iconic Disney vehicle.

Where is the Carnation Delivery Truck?

[Tom Chaney]

Just sent another email to Disney. Let's see if they're tweaked by this:



"A few weeks ago, I submitted an email request regarding the current whereabouts of the Carnation Truck that was an icon on Disneyland's Main Street for many years. I've recently received a reply as follows:

Dear Tom,

Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort.

Unfortunately, we are unable to locate information on the whereabouts of
the Main Street Carnation Truck. We apologize for any disappointment
this may cause you and your family.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write. We hope you will have the
opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and trust your visit
will be pleasant in all regards.

Sincerely,
(name deleted)
DISNEYLAND® Resort
Guest Communications

HOWEVER: I have also received information from a former Disneyland Cast Member that as of 2004, the Carnation Delivery Truck was: "located in the back of Disneyland in the building right next to the Security Entrance at Team Disney Anaheim, the one right next to the parade float building. I've literally seen it in the back, there are several other cars with drapes over them, not sure which ones...But it's there."

Obviously, you can understand my confusion. Is it there or not? Sorry to request such an imposition of your part, but I'd like to get an honest and definative answer. Is it possible to dispatch a Disneyland CM to the described location for a few moments to determine either, "Yep... it's there!" or "Nope, it's not!" Where is this iconic Gurr-Mobile????
Regards,
Tom Chaney"

[monotonehell]

For no apparent reason I also care about this. I hope we find out some information. I also hope a clandestine infiltration to said building is not required. Those ninja uniforms chafe so ...

[Jeronius]

I personally have not seen the carnation truck next to the parade center because I used to work at Toontown as a rotation back in the summer of 2006. I'm sure of it because to see something historic like that I would definitely have seen, examined and taken note of it. Maybe they're telling the truth.

[Malcon10t]

(Old car people can be eccentric, however. Many of them absolutely DO NOT want anyone to know what they have... sometimes as a way to avoid getting robbed. Perhaps it is in some private garage somewhere and the current owner is merely content with knowing he has it.)

(Viewership of MiceChat grows daily. I'm hoping that someone might eventually land here who knows the answer and is willing to divulge the solution to the mystery.)

You are so right about them being eccentric! (My s-dad is one of those.) Ask him what he has, he will tell you "A couple cars"... Once my uncle came over and walked the property counting. He gave up at 85. (That included the bone yard parts cars.)

I looked thru his "showroom" and he doesn't have the truck there... :wink:

[Tom Chaney]

Thanks to those who find this "quest" interesting. I'm just slightly baffled that something as big as a truck can just go missing and nobody knows anything. I'm certainly not intending to imply that Disney nor anyone else isn't being truthful. I'd love it if someone would, at least, go to the location where the truck was once seen and see if it's still there now. That's all.