WALT
DISNEY
the man behind the magic
An Invitation for Pam & Robert English
"Born of necessity, the little fellow literally freed us of immediate worry. He provided the means for expanding our organization to its present dimensions and for extending the medium cartoon animation towards new entertainment levels. I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse.� - Walt Disney
WALT DISNEY the man behind the magic Merry Christmas from all your children The Apolinario Family Paul, Karen, Alan, Christopher & Maddie The English Family (San Diego) Kevin, Julie and Red The English Family (Santa Clarita) Karlen
An Invitation for
Pam & Robert English
E
ver since July 17, 1955, folks have come to what started out as a 160 acre amusement park here in Anaheim,
California. I do hope that you have enjoyed your visits since the opening, and that you have shared that with your family and friends. Disneyland has always been a work of love for me - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together. I would like to thank you for sharing your memories with your children and grandchildren. And so, with help from your children, I offer you both an opportunity to spend some time at the happiest place on earth, with me as your tour guide. Well come on! Let’s set a date. When does anybody get to go to Disneyland with Walt Disney himself?
O
n July 17, 1955, Walt Disney’s dream for a happy place for the young and the young-at-heart was realized when Disneyland Park opened. And to this day, it remains the only Disney theme park in the world that
Walt himself personally experienced! Step back in time during the Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps Guided Tour and experience attractions significant to Walt’s past, in addition to those that connect with Walt’s very personal vision. Prepare yourself for a magical journey as you learn how Walt Disney wove his personal history into the development of Disneyland Park.
Learn about
The Magic Kingdom
W
elcome Pam & Bob to Walt Disney’s
Magic Kingdom, Disneyland.
Once upon a time at Disneyland, we learned that there were many guests were interested in having a guide to introduce them to our giant Disneyland stage. You have no doubt seen the Tour Guides working their way around the park, with a large gaggle of guests in tow. We wear the distinctive plaid outfits and take them through the Magic Kingdom. Now it is your turn.
Of Walt Disney that walks with you
“H
ere you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.
Prepare yourself to step back in time for a magical journey as you learn how Walt Disney wove his personal history into the development of Disneyland Park. Along the way, you will even see a part of the theme park unavailable to most Guests.
“
It’s the spirit
Building the Dream
How it was all started
H
ere at the magic kingdom, we have several important traditions that are part of the special magic of Disneyland. The most famous is a wish
Walt Disney made the day that Disneyland opened, that Disneyland will never be complete, as long as there is imagination left in the world. Sometimes, even at Disneyland, it takes years to make a dream come true.
California in July
101 degrees melts cement
“B
iggest problem? Well, I’d say it’s been my biggest problem all my life. MONEY. It takes a lot of
Disneyland. About seventeen million it took. And we had everything mortgaged including my personal insurance.
“
money to make these dreams come true. From the
very start it was a problem. Getting the money to open
Tribute to
Elias Disney, Contractor, est. 1895
L
isten to stories about what inspired him, the challenges he faced and the excitement he encountered while designing what is now one of
the most famous vacation destinations in the world. Along the way, you will even see a part of the theme park unavailable to most Guests. It’s a perfect opportunity to gain a unique perspective of each of our Fantasy realms!
Comencement
Openning Day July 17, 1955
“T
o all that come to this happy place: welcome.
Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor
“
the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is
dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.
The enchantment
Of the Tiki Room
E
xplore Walt’s life as you experience classic Disneyland attractions.
See Jose and learn that it’s about more than just birds that sing and flowers that bloom. The Tiki Room was designed to be a show featuring AudioAnimatronics birds serenading guests as they dined.
It’s punny
The most anticipated ride
H
ere is the adventure that started it all. Guest traveled to the remote rivers through a treacherous regions of the jungle. Fear not, for
the only thing that could go wrong was the timing of the skipper’s punchline. Did you know that The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn is the inspiration for this ride?
The legend lives
Frontierland
W
alt believed it was important to pay tribbute to the pioneers who blazed the trail across frontier America.
Here is where you will find the inspirational America of the past century. Here is the treasure of our native folklore. Guests visited the mining town of Rainbow Ridge, watched Billy Hill at The Golden Horseshoe, played on Tom Sawyer’s Island, paddled the Mike Fink Keelboats with Davy Crockett, rode on the Mark Twain, dropped from Chikapin Hill, and raced around Bryce Canyon, Utah all in a day.
“I
Go up a waterfall to escape pirates
don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the Park (Disneyland). I want to feel they’re in another world.
“
Intriguing
D
isneyland is filled with nostalgia and memories. But that’s only part of the magic. Let’s not forget... FANTASY!
Wish upon a star
Dreams come true
I
t’s a familiar tune to everyone, When you wish upon a star your dreams will come true. For Walt, that was the very essence of Fantasyland. Of all the lands, this
was the closest to his heart. So much so, that he placed the Disney family crest just above the castle gate. Here is where Walt’s animated stories came to life in an orange grove in Anaheim. For the first time guest could step into those fantastic worlds and be part of the adventure.
The E-ticket ride
Matterhorn Bobsleds
W
alt Disney fell in love with the real Matterhorn in Switzerland while filming the 1959 liveaction film Third Man on the Mountain. Back
at Disneyland Park, Walt decided to cover a forested 20-foot-high mound named Holiday Hill with artificial snow, add a toboggan run and rename it Snow Hill. However, Walt always dreamed big, and his “hill” grew into a 147-foot-tall “mountain.” Innovation was an integral part of Walt Disney’s character. Matterhorn Bobsleds is not only the first roller-coaster-style attraction at Disneyland Park, it is also the very first tubular steel roller coaster in the world.Also, no other Disney Park in the world has a Matterhorn Mountain. This iconic attraction at Disneyland Park is indeed one-of-a-kind.
Learn About how it is still growing
T
omorrowland gives a preview of the amazing futuristic world of possibilities of the future. Guest travel through outer space, inner space and even
liquid space. Tomorrowland has always been a showcase for new ideas and new inventions. It’s the world of possibilities that bring hope to a brighter, more beautiful tomorrow.
Great Moments
I
Walt’s favorite president
f you miss this part of the tour, you’re missing a real treat. Not only was Mr. lincoln an influential part of American history, he was a great inspiration to me as
well.
Dream, Create, Inspire Why it all began
“T
he idea for Disneyland came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always Daddy’s day. So we’d start out and try
to go someplace, I took them different places and as I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round and did all these things- I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started. Well, it took many years… it was a period of maybe fifteen years developing. I started with many ideas, threw them away, started all over at Disneyland. But it all started from a daddy with two daughters wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them, too.
“
again. And eventually it evolved into what you see today
from Steve Martin
Summing up 50 magical years
T
hat’s one of the great things about Disneyland; everyone has their own special memories. For some, it’s the first time they walk through the castle
gates, for others it’s their first parade. However, while shows and attractions are all great, the real magic of Disneyland is having Mickey and the gang make us feel like old friends.
from Walt Summing up 50 magical years
“T
he idea of Disneyland is a simple one. It will be a place for people to find happiness and knowledge. It will be a place for parents and
children to share pleasant times in one another’s company; understanding and education. Here the older generation can recapture the nostalgia of days gone by, and the younger generation can savor the challenge of the future.
“
a place for teachers and pupils to discover greater ways of
Be Our Guest
A
It’s fine dining we suggest ll this adventuring is bound to make a person mighty hungry. When it does, just visit one of the delicious restaurants the elegant Blue Bayou, where boats
float by your table. The Bengal Barbeque soothes a roaring hunger. The carnation Cafe has a nice leisurly pace. Big Thunder Ranch BBQ will give you that finger-lickin’ feast. California Adventure has the Alfresco Lounge and the Napa Rose for some exquisite dining pleasure.
It’s delicious Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes
T
here’s also Downtown Disney, from the House of Blues, to Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, Catal Restaurantm, the Jazz Kitchen, and of course Paul
and Karen’s favorite - The Rainforest Cafe. No matter what you select, you must stop by the famous Haagen-Dazs and indulge in an irrestistible creation - try the Dazzler!
Call for a dining Reservation (714) 781-DINE (3463)
from Walt There’s no rush to grow up so...
W
hy do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children’s approach to life. They’re people who don’t give a hang
what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought - sometimes it isn’t much, either.
Come Walk with me
G
uess you all know this little fella here, it’s an old partnership. Mickey and I started out the first time many, many years ago; we’ve had a lot of our
dreams come true. Now we want to thank you for looking through this book, and invite you to share with us our greatest dream.
Call for a Guided Tour Reservation 714-781-TOUR (8687)
Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.