I remember years ago when my grandparents, Paul and Laura Eakins,
were contemplating selling their collection to Walt Disney World.
I was introduced to Roy Disney, as he himself came to Sikeston to
view the collection.  When you have someone that high up in the Disney
organization personally come to view the collection, you know that
they really knew they had something special and would take care of it.

It took two years and fourteen semi-trucks to transport the collection
to Orlando, Florida.  Once there, the music machines and numerous
vintage arcade machines were placed all over the park where everyone
could enjoy them.  However, later, with new management and their desire
to get rid of machines and make room for more gift shops, the decline
started.  It sounds like with the restoration of the Wurlitzer "C"
orchestrion ("Mr. Sam") it's the start of a return to the appreciation
of the machines that they do have.  We can only hope.

Chris Carlisle
Sikeston, Missouri