Walt Disney's private jet, affectionately nicknamed 'Mickey Mouse One,' has been restored to its original 1960s condition after decades of neglect and is now on public display at the Palm Springs Air Museum in California.
The Grumman Gulfstream I jet, which served as a mobile headquarters for Disney during a transformative period for his company, underwent a three-year restoration project. This meticulous revival was undertaken by Phoenix Air Group in Georgia, working in conjunction with the museum, to return the aircraft to its appearance during the 1960s when Walt and his wife, Lillian, flew aboard.
Disney acquired the jet in 1963 after finding his initial Beechcraft Queen-Air 80 inadequate for frequent travel between California and New York. The 'Mickey Mouse One' became a crucial tool for Disney, logging nearly 20,000 flight hours and carrying an estimated 83,000 passengers over its 28 years of service. It was aboard this aircraft that Disney famously surveyed Central Florida for the development of what would become Walt Disney World Resort.
The interior of the 15-passenger plane was customized with input from Walt and Lillian, featuring an autumnal color scheme of rust, orange, brown, and gold. The cabin was designed to feel like a compact living room and boardroom, complete with a galley kitchen, two couches, two tables, a drop-down desk, and separate restrooms for passengers and the crew. A clear divider filled with leaves and long grasses from the Disney family backyard separated Walt's private space.
Disney-branded touches, such as Mickey Mouse silhouettes on notepads and matchbooks, were also incorporated. The registration number N234MM, with the 'MM' honoring Mickey Mouse, was transferred from the earlier Beechcraft to the Gulfstream. Walt's personal customization included an instrument panel allowing him to monitor flight conditions from his preferred seat, and a direct phone line to the cockpit.
Following Walt Disney's passing in 1966, the plane continued in service for company business and appeared in two Kurt Russell films: "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" (1969) and "Now You See Him, Now You Don’t" (1971).
A Deteriorating History
After retiring from the Disney fleet on October 8, 1992, the aircraft was displayed as part of the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). When this attraction closed in 2014, the plane was moved backstage at Walt Disney World and left in a fenced field for years. Exposed to Florida's heat and humidity, the interior deteriorated significantly, with window sealant eroding and moisture penetrating the cabin. The cabin was stripped, and the engines and cockpit equipment were sold.
The plane was reportedly offered to Florida air museums without success before the Palm Springs Air Museum agreed to take it on. At a D23 Expo in 2022, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek noted the aircraft had been "basking in the Florida sun for about the last 40 years" and that its historical importance warranted a revival.
The aircraft was subsequently placed on a long-term loan to the Palm Springs Air Museum through an agreement with the Walt Disney Archives, paving the way for its restoration.
