Welcome to Bill Cotter.com

Bill Cotter

Here you'll find memories of some by-gone times, a wealth of Disney information, and a look at some of my favorite things. It includes information on the books I've written and some other fun projects over the years.

The site is undergoing a major redesign, so please let me know if you spot anything that managed to get broken or lost in the process.

My Tribute to Zorro

Walt Disney's Zorro

There have been many versions of the Zorro legend over the years, but my favorite, by far, is the Walt Disney version starring Guy Williams. It aired on ABC Television during the 1957-58 and 1958-59 seasons, with four hour-long episodes later aired on the weekly Disney anthology series. I thought Guy was just perfect in the role, and it remains one of my favorite Disney shows. Please join me for a complete history of the series, an episode guide, photos, and more.

The Wonderful World of Disney Television

The Wonderful World of Disney Television

Enjoy the Zorro pages and want more? Here's information on my book, The Wonderful World of Disney Television, a history and episode guide of every Disney television series, published in 1997 by Disney. Come relive those days of The Mickey Mouse Club, Davy Crockett and more, including all of the Studio's recent hits. This section describes the book, including the table of contents, and includes a list of all of the anthology series episodes and air dates. 256 pages of material not in the original book are now available on CD. Details on how to order are available online.

Disney Information

There's a lot of Disney information already on the Web, but here's some you may not have come across anywhere else.

Disney information

World's Fair photos and books

World's Fair Photos

I have been collecting memorabilia from world's fairs for years, ever since I first visited the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. I still have a box of treasures I collected as an excited 12-year-old enjoying the sights and sounds of Flushing Meadows all those years ago. I have several thousand photos from that fair, with pictures of all of the pavilions, shows and more, available online. You will also find information on many other world's fairs and expositions, with details on all of my world's fair books, on my other site, worldsfairphotos.com.

Onteora Scout Reservation

Onteora Scout Reservation

This is a look at Onteora Scout Reservation, a summer camp operated by Theodore Roosevelt Council (formerly Nassau County Council) in New York. Please stop by and take a virtual tour of the camp and look through a collection of Scout patches, photos, maps, and trail guides. The site also includes information on Camp Wauwepex, Alder Lake Scout Reservation, and other Council activities.

Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch

In 1967 I traveled from Nassau County, New York to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. This is a look back at that trip, which took us by bus across the United States with a stop at the 12th World Jamboree in Idaho. It was a great trip, one that I wish I could do again. This is a look back at that wonderful month, with pictures, maps, and notes from a journal I kept all these years.

Places I've Been, Things I've Seen

Places I've Been, Things I've Seen

As long as I can remember I have been taking photos. Many of them are the typical family photos, first of my parents and brothers, and now of my own family. Along the way, though, I have been lucky enough to see some great places in the world, to meet some interesting people and to occasionally get something passable on film. This section of the site is a small look at some of the thousands of slides and negatives filling a large closet in my office. It will be updated on an irregular basis as time permits, with no set schedule, pattern or subjects. Last updated March 2023.

Designing a Rose Parade Float

Designing a Rose Parade Float

On January 1, 2005 I had the thrill of seeing a float I helped design come down Colorado Boulevard in the Rose Parade. The float was "Dinner's On... FIRE!", the entry for the City of Burbank. It was the first of the four award-winning floats we designed. How they progressed from rough sketches to the final designs is an interesting story.

Past Projects

Past Projects

I've always enjoyed writing and photography. I haven't tried to make a living at it, but over the years I have been fortunate to have convinced people to publish some of my efforts. Here's some information on books I've written, shows I've worked on and other things that have helped pass the time.

No Sprint

Sprint Sucks

If you're looking for a cell phone vendor you might be interested in learning why I think Sprint Sucks. I had zero luck in getting them to fix a cell phone tower problem in my area for four months. Instead, they kept making promises and then not doing anything. Check out the whole painful saga - it might save you some time in trying to deal with them.