Disney's Polynesian Resort and the Breakup of the Beatles?!

 by Sam. 10.25.21

Walt Disney World is filled with a bevy of interesting historical tidbits. From Richard Nixon's "I'm Not A Crook" speech at the Contemporary ballroom to another far less known event - the official breakup of the Beatles? Check out Ultimate Classic Rock's article below, followed with our photos of just where it went down...

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Leave it to John Lennon to make the Beatles break up official by signing the termination papers while on holiday at Disney World. Lennon, the last of the four to actually sign off on the contract, was the first to shout out “I want a divorce” before he walked out of a meeting at Apple headquarters with the other three members present back in 1969.

Both Ringo Starr and George Harrison had already quit by 1968, prior to this incident, yet they were convinced to return, whereas Lennon never did. Then there’s Paul McCartney, the one who publicly announced the news to the press in 1970, declaring, “I’m quitting The Beatles.”

After years of red tape and millions of dollars spent, the official dissolution papers were drawn up and ready to be signed off on at the Plaza Hotel in New York in 1974. George and Paul had arranged to fly in and be present, while Ringo signed the necessary documents at an earlier time, while still in England.

So as George, Paul, Apple lawyers and business managers grouped around a large table to dissolve the partnership, Ringo was on the phone to confirm that he was alive. Meanwhile, everyone in the room was curious about John’s whereabouts. This seemed especially ironic, given Lennon lived within walking distance of the Plaza Hotel.

Harrison’s lawyer telephoned Lennon for an explanation. “The stars aren’t right,” Lennon relayed to his then secretary/lover May Pang, who then responded to the lawyer’s query. When John’s response broke across the room, everyone present was furious. John chose to follow his astrological and didn’t come to the arranged meeting.

John and May planned to spend Christmas in Florida, leaving New York for West Palm Beach. After the holiday, an Apple lawyer brought the mammoth contract for Lennon to sign at Disney World, where he was staying at the Polynesian Village Hotel. Thus, with the Magic Kingdom as his backdrop, he picked up his pen and officially finished off the Beatles right then and there. The date was Dec. 29, 1974.

Cast member Hal East - monorail operator - had this pic snapped by May Pang of himself, John Lennon and a young Julian while waiting to board the monorail at what appears to be the Magic Kingdom monorail station.

Just breaking up the most famous band in the history of the universe. No big deal.

Neatorama has a blog post here that goes on to describe the moment even better:

"Take out your camera," John instructed May, wanting her to capture the moment for posterity. Then he called George's lawyer to go over some final points. When John hung up the phone, he looked out the window wistfully. According to May, she "could almost see him replaying the entire Beatles experience in his mind."

John finally picked up his pen and, in the unlikely backdrop of Disney World, at the Polynesian Village Hotel, officially ended the greatest rock'n'roll band in history by simply scrawling "John Lennon" at the bottom of a page.

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Anyway, a lot of blogs are adamant that this happened in the Samoa building at Polynesian, specifically room number 1601:

No, not this one..

But this building has no access to the beach that allegedly Julian and his famous dad sat on with "Cinderella Castle as the backdrop". I'm pretty sure it was actually the Hawaii building, and room number 1501:

This room's back door opens up with direct access to this beach, which I'd imagine (...all the people...) lacked all the pesky alligator netting:

Anyways, that's where it all allegedly went down. Just another strange thing that happened on WDW property. 

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So you might not be John Lennon. You might not be in a band at all, but you can still take vacations like a true rock star. Save time, money and energy by booking with a former cast member herself. We've got the expertise to get you in the resorts and parks and do almost anything you'd ever want to. Even break up the NEXT biggest band in the world. Best thing, it's no cost to you! Hit up our FB page HERE or email us HERE.