Tuesday Trivia - Disneyland Horticulture

A big part of the "living backdrop" for the stories being told throughout each of the Disney Parks around the globe - horticulture, or landscaping - plays a tremendous role in the various stories that come to life in such places as Adventureland, Fantasyland and Frontierland.  When Disneyland was under construction in 1954, as Walt's dream was slowly rising from former orange groves in sleepy Anaheim, CA and becoming a reality - landscape architects began filling in the initial tropical jungles and pine forests of the themed lands.  They also had to dress Gay Nineties America with formal floral gardens, medieval countrysides and futuristic landscapes as well.  But the surrounding nurseries and landscape companies simply couldn't provide enough of what was needed, and as Hedda Hopper, noted Hollywood columnist of the day wrote, "Walt Disney depleted our nurseries from Santa Barbara to San Diego."  Not only did the Disney team procure needed plant items from the nurseries, but trees along the then-under construction I-5 freeway route were relocated to the Disneyland job-site as well.  Once in place, the Disney horticulturalists then had the task of providing massive doses of "TLC" in making the plant life look as if it had always been there.  

Today in Disney Parks and Resorts History - It's a Small World

May 30, 1966 - Disneyland

Walt Disney and Disneyland honor both Memorial Day, and the park's newest Fantasyland attraction - "it's a small world".  Walt presides over a Grand Opening celebration for the attraction that was first built for the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York. (The original flume and attraction components - the more than 500 "singing and dancing" dolls - have all been installed at the park in Anaheim).  During the celebration, appropriately costumed children representing nations of the world, join Walt Disney in pouring waters from the seven seas into the flume. The attraction features the well-known song of the same name, composed by Richard & Robert Sherman. (Since it premiered in 1966, more than 256 million guests have experienced Disneyland's "it's a small world" attraction.)

'it's a small world" decked out for
the Christmas season by day - 2008

and by night, when it is seasonally transformed
 into "it's a small world holiday" - also 2008

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Epcot Center

May 15, 1974 - Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney Productions president and chief operating officer, Card Walker, announces to a meeting of the American Marketing Association that Walt Disney Productions has begun moving forward with a "a phased program" of development for Walt Disney's concept for EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Walt's idea of a real city serves as the inspiration, and the imagineers are in the process of taking apart and concocting something different.

Today in Disney Parks and Resorts History - Legislation Creating Reedy Creek

May 12, 1967 – Orlando, Florida

Signing legislation, Florida's Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr., officially enables Walt Disney Productions to build and operate Disney World (later renamed Walt Disney World by Roy O. Disney, in honor of his brother Walt, whom Roy wanted everyone to remember who’s dream it was the company was building in Central Florida).  With the legislation signing, the Reedy Creek Improvement District is created as well as the cities of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, and Florida taxpayers will not have to spend public money on Disney construction – and the Disney organization will not have to rely on state agencies for approval of anything built.  

Because Disney has so many plans for the theme park, the company decides to build it in phases.  Phase One will consist of a theme park, two resort hotels (called the "Tempo Bay Resort Hotel" and the "Polynesian Village Resort") and a campground.  The theme park will be a modeled after and built as a larger version of the company’s original theme park, Disneyland, in Anaheim, CA.  The park and the two hotels will be situated around a large, man-made lagoon, and near the existing, natural Bay Lake – located at the northwestern edge of the vast 43 square mile property acquired by the company between 1966 and 1967. 

Tuesday Trivia - Disneyland

In 1957, Walt Disney gave a personal tour of his kingdom, Disneyland, to King Mohammed V of Morocco.  After the King and his entourage arrived back at his hotel, the king slipped past his bodyguards, returning to the Magic Kingdom incognito, wishing to see it again through the eyes of the average tourist.

Tuesday Trivia - New Orleans Square

New Orleans Square opened at Disneyland in July 1966 as the park's first new "land" since opening day in July 1955.  The grand opening dedication was given by Walt Disney, with New Orleans Mayor Victor Schiro accompanying him.  This three-acre land cost approximately $18 Million to build - $1 Million more than the park's original construction cost!  This land authentically captures the winding streets, iron-laced balconies, and the intimate shops and courtyards of the city of more than a century ago.  It was the first time Disney Imagineers used one single location - and one real city - as inspiration for the land, instead of using an amalgam of design concepts to create the overall feeling of time and place such as is found in Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Frontierland or Fantasyland - each drawing their inspiration from multiple sources.  

Walt Wednesday - Another Look

It's been quite a while since I wrote anything about the latest Walt Disney book I've been reading - since November actually, but it's time once again.  I started the book back then, and then got side-tracked with a lot of other things going on.  Here's a link to the first post about it, in case you're interested in going back and seeing it.   Walt Wednesdays #1


After the flurry and hubbub of the holidays died down, I got back to reading it, a little at a time.  Even though it is a very good book, I'm not such the avid reader that I "must finish it now".  My wife reads that way, I don't.  But I did take it along with me on my recent trip to Hawaii and California, and had some great reading time on the various planes associated with that trip.  I've been reading a little bit each night for the past couple of weeks, and once again I'll say - it is a great book!  Filled with all kinds of wonderful information about Walt Disney, the man, not just the personification that we've all come to know through various television features through the years.  


The book, once again, is "How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life", written by Pat Williams, with Jim Denney. 


I haven't gotten through each of the individual lessons yet, but wow, they are very good.  I have studied Walt Disney and his body of work for years.  This book helps to put a lot of what Walt experienced - his successes and failures - into such a great light.  Especiallly now in this extended period of transition in my own life.  Leaving the corporate world after nearly 20 years to branch out on my own was very scary at this stage of life - but you know what, I've learned to deal with it a lot better thanks to this book.  I'm not trying to say that this book is the end all, be all - it's not.  But it does have some great advice about how to tackle problems and better motivate yourself, thanks to many examples from the life of this one man who inspired millions with his stick-to-it-ivity.  Pick up the book and read for yourself, and you'll see what I mean. 


Here are just a few more lessons from the book, that are well worth applying to our own everyday lives:

• Take a Risk!
• Ask Yourself - "How About Tomorrow?"
• Live for the Next Generation
• Build Complementary Partnerships
• Stay Focused 

Tuesday Trivia - Mark Twain Riverboat

Did you know that Disneyland's Mark Twain Riverboat, a July 17, 1955 opening day attraction found in Frontierland, was at the time of its' construction, the first functional paddlewheel steamship built in America in over 50 years?  The 105 ft long, 150 ton ship was constructed in two different locations, and then transported to the still-under construction theme park site. The hull was constructed at Todd Shipyards in the nearby Long Beach/San Pedro port, and the body was built in Burbank at the Disney Studios. They were assembled together in the park's dry dock, "Fowler's Harbor" on the southwest edge of the Rivers of America. The Mark Twain embarked on its' maiden voyage on July 13, 1955, four days prior to the park's Grand Opening, during a private party to celebrate Walt & Lillian Disney's 30th wedding anniversary.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Rose Parade

January 1, 1966 - Pasadena, CA

Walt Disney presided over the 77th annual Tournament of Roses Parade as Grand Marshall, riding alongside Mickey Mouse in a  white Chrysler Imperial as they drive down Colorado Boulevard accompanied by numerous costumed characters walking alongside and behind the vehicle.  

January 2, 2012 - Pasadena, CA - The 123rd annual Tournament of Roses Parade will kick off at 8am PST (the parade never runs on the 1st when the 1st falls on a Sunday).  Be sure to watch this beloved tradition starting at 8am PST!  It is a wonderful parade - like Disneyland is to theme parks, the Rose Parade is the "granddaddy" of all parades.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Walt Disney Passes Away

December 15, 1966 - Burbank, California - St. Joseph's Hospital

Walter Elias Disney:  Dec 5, 1901 - Dec 15, 1966

Just 10 days following his 65th birthday, Walter Elias Disney passes away at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California - across the street from the Walt Disney Studios. His death comes from acute circulatory collapse, as a result of lung cancer.  Walt's older brother Roy immediately postpones his imminent retirement.

When the news of Walt's death reaches Disneyland in Anaheim, consideration is given to closing the park for the day, but just as Walt would have wanted, the park remains open and the flags on Main Street USA are lowered to half-mast.  That evening Disneyland's Fantasy on Parade, the park's Christmas parade, steps off for the first time of the season.  Being an unusually cold night for Anaheim, a very light snow falls over a somber Disneyland.

On the "CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite" that evening, commentator Eric Sevareid states this about Mr. Disney:

"It would take more time than anybody has around the daily news shops to think of the right thing to say about Walt Disney.

He was an original; not just an American original, but an original, period. He was a happy accident; one of the happiest this century has experienced; and judging by the way it's been behaving in spite of all Disney tried to tell it about laughter, love, children, puppies and sunrises, the century hardly deserved him.

He probably did more to heal or at least to soothe troubled human spirits than all the psychiatrists in the world. There can't be many adults in the allegedly civilized parts of the globe who did not inhabit Disney's mind and imagination at least for a few hours and feel better for the visitation.

It may be true, as somebody said, that while there is no highbrow in a lowbrow, there is some lowbrow in every highbrow.

But what Walt Disney seemed to know was that while there is very little grown-up in a child, there is a lot of child in every grown-up. To a child this weary world is brand new, gift wrapped; Disney tried to keep it that way for adults.

By the conventional wisdom, mighty mice, flying elephants, Snow White and Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy and Dopey - all these were fantasy, escapism from reality. It's a question of whether they are any less real, any more fantastic than intercontinental missiles, poisoned air, defoliated forests, and scraps from the moon. This is the age of fantasy, however you look at it, but Disney's fantasy wasn't lethal.  People are saying we'll never see his like again."

  

Walt Wednesdays

I have never been an avid reader. Sure I like to read, and pour over things from time to time, but I've never really been one to just sit down and curl-up with a book - at least it's not normally my first choice of recreational activity. My lovely bride loves to do just that. Not me. I do love to read to my kids, and of course I've done the obligatory reading in school, and from time-to-time will find a book that intrigues me. With all of that said, I will admit that my absolute favorite book is actually nearly 1,600 pages long (and I've read it 7 times in my life)... a book that has been transformed into countless film adaptations and one stunning, majestic and absolutely incredible stage musical - a musical that is currently celebrating 25 years of productions around the globe - LES MISERABLES. But I'm not posting to write about Victor Hugo's classic - rather to introduce you to a book about my other favorite topic - Walt Disney.  While I might not be a typically avid reader, I do voraciously devour almost any books about the man who transformed the 20th century in so many wonderful ways. Walt was a visionary. A creative genius. A legend in his own right. My shelves are literally FILLED with books about Walt and the theme parks.


Recently I acquired a new book and I just can't put it down. It really speaks to things that I have attempted to do throughout my own life, even though I am no where near as creative, inspired or inspirational as Mr. Disney was. The book is called, "How  To Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life", written by Pat Williams.  If you can get a copy of it yourself, I would highly recommend it. It covers 17 lessons from Walt's life that we could all employ to make ourselves, and our surroundings better. Lessons such as:

• Make Your Family Your Top Priority
• Dare to Do the Impossible
• Become an Animated Leader
• Dealing with Loss
• Plus Every Experience
• Be the Person God Made You to Be
• and many others.

I haven't worked my way all the way through it yet, but it has been very enjoyable, with practical tips, suggestions and concepts that anyone can apply to their own situation in life. If you do get a copy of it, or have already read through it yourself - let me know what you think (or thought) of it.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History

November 7, 1966 - Burbank, California


Walt Disney is admitted to Burbank's St. Joseph's Hospital, on Buena Vista Street, across the street from his studio complex for surgery the next day. His cancer has continued to grow and spread, and the doctors estimate he has 6 months to 2 years to live.  (Sadly the reality is that he only lived another 5 weeks). 

New Must-Have Book for those Disneyland-lovers On your List

I was given a copy of this new book recently, and wanted to share it with any Disneyland loving fans out there that might not be aware of it. It is a great little addition to any Disneyphile's library, Disneyland afficianado's library, or just anyone interested in seeing more of Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom. It is mostly a picture book, but is filled with various quotes by Walt Disney about the park that he built, which spawned the "Disney universe" that we know today - 11 current theme parks (with 1 more under construction) found in 5 nations on 3 continents. Just wanted to share.


http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2525477

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Pirates of the Caribbean

October 31, 1966 - Disneyland

Water is filled for the first time inside the flume of Disneyland's upcoming new attraction - Pirates of the Caribbean (which would open in March 1967). Pirates of the Caribbean was the last attraction personally overseen by Walt Disney, and is located in the first, entirely new land added to the park since Disneyland opened in 1955 - New Orleans Square. 

(Pirates of the Caribbean, while not included in the original attraction roster for Florida, would later be added to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 1973).