More Than Hot Dogs: The Story of Casey's Corner

[@DuchessRococoPuff]

It’s crazy to think that something I would consider a staple of Disney Parks culture wasn’t actually in the parks til the mid 90s. Great video Rob!

[@cyanmanta]

Earthbound has an equippable weapon called the Casey Bat. It hits like a dump truck, but it misses more often than it hits. Also a reference to Casey at the Bat.

[@JavaCake]

Yep

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I appreciate that this isn't just a reference to the obscure animated segment, but is an actual tribute to the early American culture that Mainstreet is obviously based on. It's always a bit odd seeing Disney war time films represented in the parks because of how obscure those films are to contemporary audiences, but this particular aspect of theming really fits well into the overall theme of Mainstreet.

[@ForrestClonts]

I like all my hotdog based meals to be inspired by poetry.

[@alli_mode]

There IS no other way.

[@FunDisneyFan]

How did I never know that the restaurant wasn’t called “Casey’s Corner” until the 90’s! Also the fact that it was in Disneyland Paris first was something I never knew! Cool video!

[@TheCoolCookieKitchen]

I love how your videos dig so much deeper than the bare minimum Disney facts. As someone who has always been looking for more on Disney your videos never disappoint.

[@Caleb-zt5ht]

I completely agree! Rob is the best at this!

[@CreativeSteve69]

huge facts.

[@brettforster6326]

Thank you Rob. I now understand the some of the lyrics in John Fogerty's Centerfield. The lyric is "I spent some time with the Mudville 9, watching it from the bench. You know I took my lumps when the mighty Casey struck out."

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

The "Casey at the Bat" poem also makes an appearance in the 1966 Kander and Ebb Broadway musical "Cabaret", when the protagonist Cliff, an American writer, is asked by deuteragonist and love interest Sally Bowles, to recite some poetry for her. (Also fun fact that kinda ties back into Disney: Julie Andrews was offered the role of Sally Bowles for the initial Broadway run of Cabaret, but her manager at the time turned down the role due to the character's "immortality".)

[@MandoHalrissian]

I visited WDW and Magic Kingdom in 1992 and 1994 before the retheme and don't remember it being called anything but Casey's Corner, that's how iconic it is.

[@birdlad]

This is my favorite kind of video on this channel. Just an inside look at an otherwise unremarkable Disney park staple that makes you appreciate it a little bit more. Thank you for this!

[@Tatsumaki910]

I loved Casey's already (cant wait for it to open again) and now I love it even more!

[@averyeml]

I did a virtual field trip to WDW with my third graders the other day and one kid kept coming up to me with questions like “so how many hotels are there at this place?” and “how many restaurants?” And “how long would it take you to ride everything?” I told him that (if his parents let him, of course) your channel was full of questions like that. I showed him thumbnails for stuff like “how many bodies of water” or “how long would it take to mow” and his little world looked rocked 😂

[@brecreates2733]

Aah I miss Casey's and its wall to wall jammed pack chaos. I hope it opens up soon

[@Caleb-zt5ht]

I love the details Disney puts into their parks! Established in 1988! Score is 4-2! Disney is the best at theming!

[@Drace90]

I just realized, even Pokemon referenced this poem. Early in the Johto arc of the Anime, a baseball loving girl named Casey is introduced as a recurring rival.

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat70]

This channel became my new morning addiction to listen to when I drive my daughter to my in laws. So much info that I wondered about over the years. Keep it up Rob! From a past WDWCP cast member.

[@m.hreels9822]

This is why I love this channel so much! You learn something new every time, with such a monumental piece of history! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 Thank you Rob, you’re always teaching me new things I would’ve never know about.

[@yotsubafanfan]

Casey's was my family's favorite restaurant in all of Disney World. Whenever we went to the Magic Kingdom we'd take a break by grabbing some ice cream at the confectionary and take it across the street to Casey's. There we'd sit on the bleachers and watch the vintage sports cartoons that played on the tv in there. (Our favorites were the ones that had Goofy in them.) I remember watching them until my parents fell asleep. We did that every time until the trip we went on for my 18th birthday. That was when we saw something truly devestating. The benches and tv were gone. My family and I (who never were the silent types) stood there for a solid 3 minutes in silence at the shock that our beloved hidden gem was no more. No more Dad napping on the bleachers, no more Goofy cartoons. Now it was just another bland and boring restaurant in Main street USA.

[@Caleb-zt5ht]

Oh my! I'm sorry to hear that😥

[@ryeinc]

One of my favorite poems ever, and that’s a worthy stat. It doesn’t get much more intense than Casey at the Bat.

[@MissMyMusicAddiction]

Casey's never was just "that hot dog place at the corner". It's a must do, when it's not closed by a pandemic.

[@alli_mode]

This is one of my favorite cartoons from Disney. ❤

[@PixelsLtd]

Wow, as Paris is my home park and I knew it inside out before I explored Orlando, I had absolutely no idea we had Casey's corner first and then it transfered across the pond. That's awesome. 😊

[@shanestuddard2606]

I guarantee that thousands of people pass the restaurant on Main Street every day who have zero knowledge of this poem or even the Disney animated version. That’s what I love about Disney Parks (obscure details) AND Midway to Main Street (pointing out obscure details).

[@robertschaapsmeerders]

Again the creator of this channel has given great insight into Disney's love for detail en American history. Thanks a million, Rob! Keep up the excellent work!

[@scottgoodman2857]

I love there corn dog nuggets. I've missed them cause they've been closed at WDW MK.

[@Tokopimv]

In Disneyland Paris restaurants used to close pretty early, oftentimes an hour or more before park closing. Every restaurant, except for Casey’s corner. And every restaurant would redirect guests towards Casey’s. By the time you’d get there, everyone looking for more than a snack was in line and you’d be better off doing more rides and eat after park closure.

[@UmmYeahOk]

Yeah, that was a total cultural shock for me. It’s still daylight out, not even dinner time, and they’re essentially telling you that every land is closed. I remember there being a larger restaurant in Main Street though. We ate there.

[@tgscritchCR]

such a cool little history about a lesser known place in the disney parks!

[@ZipEmUp48]

Another great video. You really "knocked this one out of the park."

[@DeepCrack]

This channel has changed a lot, I used to watch back in the mcmagic days

[@merrivideo]

I went to WDW for the first time 5 years ago and my dad decided we would eat at Casey's corner just because they had hot dogs. This video made it worth it since it has been the place we have eaten the three times we have gone to Magic Kingdom.

[@KyraHogue]

I had no idea this was a thing. Great video, as always.

[@safetyguy]

Love your ability find great stories behind so many Disney stories! Can you maybe do a story on the history of Doritos at Disneyland?

[@SaturnCanuck]

A nice bit of history, and a nice slice of Americana

[@gabirg]

That's amazing man! Thanks for the video!

[@mdf3530]

You forgot to mention the John Fogarty song “Centerfield”. He references the poem: “I spent some time in the Mudville nine, watchin’ it from the bench! I took some lumps when the mighty Case struck out.”

[@JimmyGoodYT]

Never knew about this! Great video, Rob!

[@portalpiggy]

Never thought i would see Enter the Gungeon in one of your videos! great video!

[@Matt02341]

Off topic but visually cited, is the entrance to “Disney California Adventure” at 4:35 in reference to a movie?

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Oh! I knew toooo well the meaning of that name + nod. I still love that short & the sequel. I'm also an Astro's fan & former Diamond Club server during World Series & play off games. And Yes! I have to have a hot dog & Coke @ WDW Casey's & one on the day I work the game. Mustard, relish, chili & cheese. "Onions only If grilled) LOL!!! Now I gotta go listen to Lord Vader's version! LOL!!!!

[@michaelgreenslade7260]

What was DeWolf Hopper’s Disney Connection? He was married to Edna Wallace-Dunsmuir. The Dunsmuir’s were one of Canada’s wealthiest families. Her uncle James Dunsmuir was the owner of the Hatley Park Mansion. That mansion is used in Marvel’s X-Men franchise as Professor Xavier’s school for the gifted.

[@PD-mi3qj]

If only there was a poem to inspire a bacon themed eatery, all my Disney dreams would come true.

[@Kimzapoppin]

Fun fact: On the wall at Casey's Corner there is a sign advertising a game between Clinton and New Hartford which was happening on May 24th, 1911. My father and I graduated from Clinton and my mother from New Hartford. The 2 schools are about 5 miles from each other.

[@nathanpowers8313]

Thanks for sharing the magic!

[@michaelharrington4503]

At Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland, inside Mickey's House is a radio set to the local station W.A.C.K.Y. At random intervals, the station broadcasts a news report on a baseball game presumably between Toontown and Mudville, as it mentions the Mighty Casey striking out again, while Donald Duck scores the winning run (Donald apparently hit the baseball so hard that he gave it two black eyes).

[@dpamio]

You don't stop to amaze us.

[@rafaelprimera107]

Hey Man!. I'm pretty sure I just saw you at epcot. I was too shy to say hi haha. I love your content. Keep it up!

[@warriorseamonkey1693]

My dad used to read that book to me all the time

[@trickycrayon]

I had absolutely no idea that Casey's Corner was younger than me. 😂

[@andyrofl]

hey! aren't you the crypt keeper?

[@MarkiusFox]

I remember this poem as part of the English curriculum in high school.

[@mdf3530]

It’s a good demonstation that even our heroes are human and baseball is a sport where where you’re considered successful if you fail 7 out of 10 times.

[@slipknottin]

I worked there for one day a couple years ago. Only place I’ve worked in Disney where guests were angry all the time.

[@UmmYeahOk]

Interesting. So around the time they brought Casey’s Corner to WDW, Disney also acquired ESPN, and got way into sports, with ESPN complex, and brought Team Mickey’s Athletic Club to the Disney Village Marketplace (Now CoOp in Disney Springs). I remember getting reasonably priced sport themed statuettes of Donald playing Hockey, and Donald playing Basketball. My brother got Goofy playing basketball, and my father got Grumpy playing golf. All these foot tall statues had “Walt Disney World” printed on the base. I also got a Donald hockey jersey, and a Stitch football jersey. Those were more expensive though, as they cost about the same as a real officially licensed team jersey, because that’s exactly what they looked like. These products could also be found inside the Emporium on Main Street, in the area that connects to Casey’s Corner. They may sell year specific baseballs there now, but back then, anything sports related you could think of was sold at these two places. I mean, think about how big the CoOp is, and then think about it being nothing but sport related merch.

[@robberbaron1994]

That's so cool! I'm about to check out the poem

[@IamSnowbird]

I didn't remember Casey's being anything else even though I was at WDW before the change.

[@Richard-fv7rq]

Would never of known this, found it really interesting. My next trip into Casey's Corner will feel 'different'!

[@RedPandaStan]

I remember getting mini corn dogs here when I was like 9 after I had scraped my knee and started crying. I approve.

[@houston-coley]

HARBOR HOUSE NEXT. HARBOR HOUSE NEXT.

[@William_mailliW]

Researchin' skillz to da max!

[@TackyFlamingo]

I always associated Casey’s Corner to Disneyland Paris, I didn’t know WDW had one too

[@robertmachnica9100]

Great vid Rob! Do you know how many hot dogs they sell, a year?

[@Clay3613]

The place is always surrounded by ducks and pigeons looking for free scraps.

[@twixieshores]

What's better than hot dogs? Baseball themed hot dogs at Disney World!

[@krzyktty101]

My son actually had to read that poem for his sixth grade English class.

[@DarthDaddy-cg6ro]

Thanks.

[@mdf3530]

And because it’s not currently open, there’s no joy in Mudville tonight.

[@taffysaur]

Not only are hotdogs a baseball game staple, they were invented specifically FOR baseball games (according to Ken Burns’ baseball documentary).

[@astroguster5522]

Your videos got 100% better once you changed up the selfie style videos. I don't know anyone who prefers that style over this. Fan for a bit. Appreciate the cool unique video this week!

[@hayleywaalen2612]

Now you're making me hungry for a hot dog.

[@mdf3530]

Casey came to bat with two outs. He was due up fifth in the inning. The narrator said that the fans weren’t expecting him to come to bat because of the first two batters making outs and the next two were percieved as weak hitters.

[@Vodhin]

I think you *should* do a reading of _Casey At The bat_ - James Earl Jones may seem a tough act to follow, but any time I hear _his_ voice I think of Darth Vader...

[@missybarbour6885]

Or Mufasa!

[@TheDAExperience]

The one time I knew the backstory on a place before he did the video.

[@KevinGoldenEnterprises]

We love the corndog nuggets at Casey's Corner. One of my favorite places to go at MK. And now, I'll enjoy it that much more thanks to the backstory you provided in this most wonderful video. THANK YOU!

[@user-hl9ww3ml2m]

I always really liked the theming of this place, but I never knew it had to do with the poem. I thought they just picked the name Casey’s corner for alliteration purposes lol

[@328am]

We owe it all to Archibald... ❤️🌭🏰🚝🌴🌞

[@thaisgregorio2734]

As I'm not American, I had no idea about any of this.

[@poego6045]

I'm so bummed that they took out the stands eating area in the back where you could watch the cartoon (and other sports cartoons) by Disney as you ate the hotdogs as if you were at a game. Was so cool, but now it's just more shopping space :(

[@trickycrayon]

EYYYY FABLES

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Huh, cool, I want a hot dog now.

[@artilights]

i wonder if that Casey is the same Casey from "Take me out to the ball game" ...

[@PS-zw4yc]

Nice video I was the 999th like. I guide others to a treasure I cannot possess

[@brianford8716]

*Runs over to disney+ to see if casey at the bat is on there* ...😔

[@WilliamSchmidNetwork]

And the poem itself has a great lesson attached. Overconfidence can be your downfall.

[@kiprohner1380]

Good video

[@mikechicago6200]

Fun vid i like it.

[@missybarbour6885]

Spoiler Alert: Casey, mighty Casey, struck out.

[@Taydar]

Disneyland Paris has the best main street. There I said it.

[@clffliese26]

You didn't put in the link to the James Earl Jones video. Shame. SHAME. SHAME!!!!!🤣

[@MidwaytoMainStreet]

It should appear as an interactive card during that segment in the upper right corner.

[@clffliese26]

@@MidwaytoMainStreet I missed it, sorry. I, just, searched for it and found it. I swear, that man's voice box must start somewhere down around his ankles. By the way, I was joking.

[@DocPicklez]

Um..... I still thought it was the Coke corner.. probably because i never go in there and there is a Coke Sign Still... And im apparently super unobservant. Guess ill go stand in line for Horizons and reflect on my life

[@HebaruSan]

I wonder if WDW has its own lawyers to work on intellectual property questions with new attractions, or if they borrow a team from the Disney company as needed.