There’s a strange dark sense of humor that runs through Disney fandom. One of the long running ghoulish jokes is that Walt Disney didn’t actually die, but rather had his head cryogenically frozen in hopes of being revived in the future and that occasionally theme park managers consult Walt’s head for how to run the park. It’s not true, of course, but it is the conceit behind a quirky comedy – “The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head.”
Although the movie was filmed back around 2015, the movie is just having its film festival premiere next month in Santa Cruz followed shortly by a premiere in Orlando on October 13. Post-production took a bit longer than the film’s producers originally envisioned. But it’s worth it to get it right.
You can watch the original trailer here:
The filmmakers made this film without the knowledge or permission of the Walt Disney Company, including filming inside Disney’s theme parks.
The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head is a quirky comedy about the unlikely friendship between the frozen head of Walt and Peter, a low level theme park employee. During his yearly dethaw to oversee the direction of his company and guard his creative legacy, Walt demands to be finally allowed up to see his final dream, Walt Disney World. When management scoffs, he recruits Peter, a low level cast member, to kidnap him for a day in the Magic Kingdom.
The film stars Ron Schneider as Walt and Daniel Cooksley as Peter. Schneider is known for his long history performing and writing for theme parks across America, including Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Universal Orlando, and EPCOT Center, where he originated the strolling character of Dreamfinder for the much beloved Journey into Imagination pavilion.
“I’ve been a passionate fan of Walt Disney’s since the 1950s, I never could have imagined I could have been a part of anything like this,” says Schneider. “It’s a wild story told with respect, humor and a lot of love.”
The film’s world premiere will be held at the Santa Cruz Film Festival a week earlier on October 4 at 9:15pm, with an additional screening at the festival on October 6 at 2:30pm. The film’s producers will be on hand for a Q&A at both screenings. Tickets are available on their website: www.santacruzfilmfestival.org.
A week later, the film will screen in Orlando at the Marshall Ellis Theater on October 13 at 7pm. Many of the cast and crew are expected to attend. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director and cast. Tickets are available at waltsfrozenheadscreening.eventbrite.com.
The producers are anticipating announcing more screenings at film festivals across the country soon.