“The 30th Year of the happiest place in Earth… And The Best Has Just Begun!”

Disneyland’s 30th Year was a special chapter in Disneyland history - “a 365-day celebration”! Themed celebrations were held on various weekends throughout the year to celebrate “30 Years of Magic”, and it all began with a rededication hosted by Disneyland Ambassador Melissa Tyler! A 24-hour celebration began at 12:01 for guests who purchased “Party Night” Tickets. Tinker Bell (Gina DeMarco) illuminated 30 candles over Main Street and 30,000 balloons were released into the night air, as colorful search lights illuminated a rainbow over Disneyland. After the rope drop, festivities included the premier of the colorful and musical “30 Years of Magic Parade”! Local radio station KRLA and Television stations and crews (including the British “Today Show”) were on hand to share the magic!

“Special Party Premiums” included a free gift - Disneyland 30th Birthday Poster (a limited edition 5,000 lithographic print) signed by artist Charles Boyer - at the Gift Redemption Center near the Mr. Lincoln attraction or at the Gibson Greeting Card Shop on Main Street U.S.A. In addition, guests were invited to enjoy a Birthday Brunch between the hours of 12:01 and 8:00 a.m. through many Disneyland restaurants - the Plaza Pavilion, Plaza Inn, Carnation Main Street, Blue Bayou Restaurant, French Market, River Belle Terrace, Tomorrowland Terrace, Stage Door Cafe, Carnation Gardens, Hungry Bear Restaurant, Cafe Orleans, Village Haus, and Casa Mexicana.

“The Most Magical Party Celebration Ever Telecast”

During August of 1985, “Disneyland’s 30th Anniversary Celebration,” a two-hour special aired (Monday, February 18th, at 8p.m.) on NBC-TV Network (advertised on the cover of Walt Disney Productions Quarterly Report for three months ended December 31, 1984)! The star-studded two-hour celebration was co-hosted by John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore! David Hasselhoff (of television’s Knight Rider) joined Julie Andrews, Donna Summer, Julian Lennon, Alabama, the Pointer Sisters (performing the “Neutron Dance” alongside program characters from the world of TRON, and Electrical Parade Floats), Debbie Allen, Roy Clark, Marie Osmond, Peter Allen, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse to observe Disneyland’s 30th anniversary festivities.

The Official 30th Year Birthday Party Opening Ceremony was held in Town Square, Main Street U.S.A., on July 17th, 1985, at 12:01 a.m.! The Mayor of Anaheim, Tokyo Disneyland Cast Members, and Dick Nunez addressed the crowds before a large release of colorful balloons, confetti, and “HAPPY 30th DISNEYLAND” skywriting filled the sky south of Disneyland!

At Disneyland, signs were themed to support the stories with respectful graphics, colors, fonts, terminology, the overall design of sign, materials (wood, metal, banners, etc.), and verbiage used on the signage.

Without a doubt, Disneyland’s “hottest summer ever” would be remembered for the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade, the debut of Videopolis, and assuredly Disneyland’s 30th Birthday Celebration! From January 1, 1985 to 1986, the Gift Giver Extraordinaire Machine assured that every Disneyland guest became a winner! The Gift Giver Extraordinaire (a computerized machine developed by Scientific Systems at Imagineering) was originally programmed to award prizes to every 30th guest, while keeping track of the date, the time of day, and the number of guests to enter the Park during the celebration!

The Gift Giver Extraordinaire Machine (also known as the “Incredible Countdown Clock”) was situated in the middle of Disneyland Plaza, awarding prizes to every 30th guest (ages 3 and up) all year long, and according to Disneyland Line will “add up to a winner every minute”. The $12 million worth of prizes, included 400 new General Motors Cars. According to the same publication, “3,000 gifts - including two cars” had been given away by only three days into 1985.

Many smaller prizes included drinks at the Orange Juice Bar, Disneyland popcorn, and Disneyland Souvenir pins (featuring Disneyland’s different lands)! How were the winners decided? The publication continues : “The incredible Gift Giver Extraordinaire Machine [was]…a sophisticated computer monitoring system which counts eligible [paid admission] guests and automatically awards prizes. The computer system dispenses a Contest Entry Card to each eligible guest who passes through a turnstile, and the numbers printed on the card by the computer determine if the guest has won, and what the prize category will be. If there is a computer breakdown, the scratch-off cards will be distributed to eligible guests as the guests pass through the turnstile[s]. The contest odds will remain the same for the scratch-off cards.” According Cast Member Information Cards (published for 1985), the approximate odds of winning prizes were as follows :

•Disneyland “Unlimited Use” Passport (1 in 30)

•Mickey/Minnie 20” Plush Toy Collection (1 in 300)

•Disneyland 30th Anniversary Commemorative Wristwatch (1 in 3000)

•1985 Chevrolet Cavalier CS 4-DR Sedan (1 in 30,000)

•1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera LS Sedan (1 in 300,000)

•Buick Century Custom Sedan (1 in 300,000)

•1985 Pontiac Sunbird LE (1 in 30,000)

•1985 Cadillac Sedan De Ville (1 in 3,000,000) - the grand prize valued at $25,000!

Some Gift-Giver Extraordinaire tickets had the chronological number of the Disneyland guest printed on the front, while others did not.

These tickets are stamped with a “30” indicating that the holder has won a Disneyland Unlimited Use Passport.

According to Dave Smith (previous Chief Archivist Emeritus of Walt Disney Archives), “photos are not usually available of individual Disneyland contest winners.” [Disney Facts Revealed by Dave Smith, 2016] For the first few decades of operation, this certainly proved to have been the case. Pictured above, another guest (of Disneyland’s 30th year) displays her winning ticket and a giant key used to redeem her prize! Numerous other guests won the Grand Prize. Some of these winners were featured in publication, while a master list of winners could be acquired within a few weeks of the contest’s end.

Other winners included Michael Stone and Donna Boronda. Tamia Richardson from Edington, Alberta, Canada returned won free passes and returned 30 years later (in 2019) to bring her family to Disneyland.

“It Looks Like We Started Something”

The Gift Giver Extraordinaire - “the greatest gift giveaway ever” - was so popular that it returned for a second year - 1986! According to Bob McTyre, this year’s marketing strategy is “for long-term events, ones that will allow time for interest to build and spread, thus attracting more guests during traditionally slow periods”. Now, the theme of the Gift Giver Extraordinaire contest is : “Everyone Wins Every Day”, with prizes ranging from “free popcorn and juice bars to RCA 25” TVs and Pontiac Firebirds”, according to Disney Newsreel (published February 21, 1986).

•1986 Pontiac Sunbird LE (1 in 30,000) - Through the Main Entrance, the Pontiac Firebird Showcase featured the brand new Pontiac Firebird - “the official car of Disneyland ‘86”!

•1 PSA Round Trip Airline Ticket

•1 Disney Home Video Cassette (from available stock)

•1 RCA Color TV

•1 Kodak Camera

•1 Lorus Mickey Mouse Watch

•Unlimited Use Passports

•Disneyland Collectable Pins

•Popcorn

•Super Juice Bars

Prizes were redeemable from the Prize Redemption Center near the exit of the “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” attraction or the participating food locations!

Winners were only responsible for paying any federal, state, or local taxes that would apply. Guests visited Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and before exiting, validated winning tickets at the Prize Redemption Center! Sadly, no burros were ever actually awarded among the more-than 400,000 prizes given away.

“Looks Like We Started Something”

The prize giveaway concept was so popular that it continued the following year.

“Thirty Years of Magic and we’ve only just begun!” Ribbon dancers make their way down the parade route, heralding the beginning of the parade, and the approach of the Opening Float! Yes, “Thirty Years of Magic and the best is yet to come!”

“Thank you, Mickey! Thank you, Donald!” Thank you, Minnie too! “Let’s all give a cheer! The whole world wants to thank you for 30 happy years!”

Many Disneyland Parades had a balloon float which released numerous colorful balloons into the air! Rather than just one big balloon release, these floats were designed to release the colorful balloons periodically as the unit progressed down the parade route.

Mouseketeer Days at Disneyland was a month-long event also referred to as Mickey Mouse Club Month! Souvenir buttons featuring Bobby Burgess and Sherry (and the slogan “Disneyland ‘86, On Tour” were given to guests of Mouseketeer Days, at Disneyland!

The shields were made by staff shops - the department and group of departments that specialized in the fabrication of ornamental decoration (fiberglass, wood, plaster, metal).

In addition to pins, there was plenty of 30th anniversary merchandise for collectors of Disneyana. Pride Lines Ltd. had already manufactured a mechanical coin bank and many electric railway streetcars featuring Disney characters (powered either by an AC/DC wide tinplate style motor or a magnet motor and worn gear drive). Now, Pride Lines Ltd. released the motorized and metallic Disneyland 30th Year Streetcar, a limited edition “Our 30th Year” Mickey Mouse figure, and an illuminated street lamp, each compatible with “O” gauge.

A special 30th Anniversary name tag was worn by Cast Members all year long!

These commemorative coins were attached to the cards that were sent to Cast Members, inviting them to “Join Us For A Family Celebration”…and the “Disneyland 30th Anniversary Open House”. This event was a backstage look behind-the-scenes at our Disneyland Show May 6, 7, 8, and 9. A complimentary dinner was served. Cast Members needed to indicate the preferred date that they would like to attend using the enclosed Reservation Card.

According to “Walt” (published by Walt Disney Productions, 1975), Walt Disney once said, “The important thing is the family. If you can keep the family together - and that’s the backbone of our whole business, catering to families - that’s what we hope to do.” These ethics were constantly seen at work especially during the periods of anniversary celebrations. More than 18,000 Disneyland Cast Members and their family members were invited to the 30th Anniversary Family Open House and a Complimentary Dinner (by R.S.V.P.) on Tuesday, May 6th & 7th, 1985, at 7:45p.m.! Highlights included a behind-the-scenes tour of the illusions of the Haunted Mansion, Club 33, the control room for all the Park’s Audio Animatronic figures, and the offices of Walt Disney Inc. (at the time, housed in the apartment meant for Walt Disney, located above Pirates of the Carribean).

Two months later the 30th Anniversary Family Reunion Picnic was held at Heritage Park, on Sunday, July 28, 1985. The ticketed event included a barbecue chicken or tri-tip steak lunch with all the “fixins”, and light snacks (like chili dogs, lemonade, ice cream sundaes, and beer) available all day long. Entertainment for the day included an executive softball game, BINGO competitions, and character appearances for kids of all ages. Lastly, the Grand Prize of a Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center trip for two was raffled off and awarded to one lucky Cast Member.

Disneyland Cast Member Giveaway in Honor of Disneyland’s 30th Year - By the publishing of Disneyland LINE magazine (June 27, 1985), Disneyland was projecting and expecting its 250 millionth guest. In conjunction with sponsor Coca-Cola, a contest was held to guess the exact time that lucky guest would walk through the turnstiles. The contest was open to all Disneyland employees, who could visit the Center at Disneyland between July 1st and July 17th and fill out a form with spaces for the month, date, hour, minute, and second (including a.m. or p.m.). After completing the form, it was “time-punched” and submitted. A total of 30 prizes were given away in honor of Disneyland’s 30th year of operation. The Grand Prize was a vacation for two to Mexico aboard Holland American Lines, while secondary prizes included a trip to Walt Disney World, roundtrip airfare to Hawaii, roundtrip airfare on Continental Airlines to anywhere in the domestic U.S. or Mexico, and much more. Just a few of the lucky Guess Winners included Lucy Moerer, Bob Hayes, Joan day, Michael Dunlap, Michael Vogel, Janet Maher, Judy Nuzum, Linda Sullivan, Sue Freleaux, Kent Warren, Ken Klunke, Leslie White, Kathy Rogers, Janet K. Howard, Ed Clary, Claude Christopher, Carol Whitaker, Tim East, and Marian Guiver.

Finally, on December 5, 1985, “Skyfest - A Million Balloon Salute” (a record-shattering balloon release of more than one million balloons) would occur over Katella Avenue (from Harbor Boulevard to West Street), in order to commemorate what would have been Walt Disney’s 84th birthday! Much preparation went into arranging this “million balloon salute to Walt Disney and Disneyland’s 30th birthday” - alerting local law enforcement agencies, and notifying the federal Aviation Agency. Volunteers (made up of more than 800 Cast Members, their family members, and their friends) assembled in “Camp Skyfest” - a tent in the southwest corner of Disneyland’s Parking Lot. Balloons were filled with 7,500 pounds of helium (enough to carry 190 people) and then loaded into balloon tubes (each carrying about 1,000 balloons) which were arched over Main Street until the climax of the big ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by Anaheim Mayor Don Roth, who released the first balloon at precisely 2pm, as a signal to release 1,121,448 other helium balloons. This release set a Guiness World Record, beating the previous record of 300,400 balloons. Anaheim Mayor Don Roth was led by Disneyland’s Cast of characters, as well as the Disneyland Band, and joined by the business community and local area residents of Anaheim who were invited to visit the Park (through a special “buy one Passport, Get one free” offer). T-shirts and buttons helped commemorate the momentous event. In addition, Disneyland’s resident artist - Charles Boyer - commemorated the occasion with one of his signature works of art, which was released as a limited edition lithograph to Disneyland employees through the Center.

Walt once spoke of the community known as the Disneyland family: “Togetherness, for me, means teamwork. In my business, many minds and skillful hands must collaborate. The more diversified our labors and interest have become in the modern world, the more surely we need to integrate our efforts to justify our individual selves and our civilization.” [“The Spirit of Disneyland”] A big part of the success of the 30 year anniversary celebration lay in the teamwork which contributed to the overall efficient and effective showmanship of the Disneyland Entertainment Department and Disneyland show. After the festivities were through, the Disneyland Entertainment Department Cast Members could look back on the fulfillment of their individual roles and responsibilities which contributed to the overall environment consistent with defined Disney behaviors. These Cast Members posed for a final photograph commemorating their contributions toward the overall success and “Performance Excellence” of both Disneyland 30 Years and the Disneyland show!

July 17, 1990 marked 35 Years of Magic (1955 - 1990) for “the happiest place on earth”!

Disneyland had much to celebrate. Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, with 18 major attractions and now there were 60 attractions in the Park. By 1990, Disneyland staff numbered more than 9,000 men and women, with Winter period employees totaling 6,000.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were joined by Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, Ronald Reagan, Art Linkletter and Bob Cummings for a rededication ceremony. Disneyland’s first two guests also returned for the celebration! President Ronald Reagan would briefly speak at the rededication of Disneyland, calling it “a national treasure.” You may recollect that Ronald Reagan hosted the televised dedication of Disneyland in 1955 alongside Bob Cummings and Art Linkletter.

In taking to the stage below the Main Street Station in Town Square, President Ronald Reagan confessed : “Its an honor and a privilege to join with you as we rededicate one of America’s treasures - a place that has captured the imagination and earned the affection of four generations of Americans, and a place that has served as host and “Goodwill Ambassador” to millions of visitors from abroad. Disneyland exemplifies the essence of the American spirit and continues to show us the way to follow our dreams - however big or small!”

During the 35th anniversary, the Plaza Inn porches (south and north) were used as interview areas for the event. The Interview Center was located in the South Solarium in the Media Center at the Plaza Inn.

The proposed Walt Disney stamp was reviewed by the U.S. Postal Service. The plan was to have a "First Day of Issue" ceremony at Disneyland on July 17th.

Even before the Main Entrance, the milestone event was celebrated. An enormous (12'x 15’) assemblage of 35 years of Disneyland memorabilia (by Ridlon) was on display in the Main Entrance Mall throughout 1990. During October of 1990, a promotion of the General Motors 1991 car line was displayed in the Main Entrance Mall. This served as an exclusive introduction of the new product line.

From September 20-23, 1990, a UNICEF Charity Auction tie-in event between Disneyland and with the UNICEF International Children's Conference hosted 40 top world leaders at the United Nations. Both Gorbachev and Bush were present at Disneyland to acknowledge children around the world in a major press event generating worldwide publicity.

During November of 1990, an exclusive Charity Auction offered 35 years of collectible Disneyland memorabilia. Sotheby's assisted in planning and executing the auction. All monies raised were donated to charity. Some of the approximately 100 items auctioned included an original, hand-painted Carrousel horse; the "D" from the Disneyland marquee; an Autopia car, etc. By including well-known celebrities and items with an international theme, such as Small World dolls, worldwide press coverage resulted.

The Great American Race was themed to the 35th Anniversary.

Escorts wore a white 35th Anniversary logo sweatshirts accompanied by Disneyland name tags and their Press I.D.s.

The itinerary included the Opening Day Rededication Ceremony at the Main Street Train Station, Party Gras Parade, and a News Conference at the Videopolis Stage. Dinner in New Orleans Square included entertainment performances by the Four Tops on the River Stage at 8:30pm.

There was a Splash Mountain Backdoor event scheduled for the media. The Plaza Inn porches (south and north) were used as interview areas for the event. The Interview Center was located in the South Solarium in the Media Center at the Plaza Inn.

There was even an Embarkation Ceremony on the Queen Mary Ship’s Bow where the media attended a special Ship Christening Ceremony.

A special partial performance of the Party Gras Parade was pre-staged for the media. It was not a normal performance of the parade. The parade would step off at Small World and hold at Matterhorn Way until celebrities were in place on the floats.

Current Disneyland Cast Members got into the spirit of “Disneyland - 35 Years of Magic” with commemorative name tags bearing the anniversary’s logo!

At Disneyland, signs were themed to support the stories with respectful graphics, colors, fonts, terminology, the overall design of sign, materials (wood, metal, banners, etc.), and verbiage used on the signage. Two giant Thirty Five Years of Magic signs hung over the Disneyland Tunnels leading to Main Street U.S.A.

Colorful and festive bunting (as well as reflective decor), were created for the lampposts that lined Main Street U.S.A.!

The Central Plaza hosted a character meet and greet area near a backdrop of the Park’s 35th anniversary logo! Here, Disneyland guests could meet special guests, like the Gummi Bears (the current stars of Disney Television Animation) when they weren’t appearing on the Disney Afternoon Cavalcade parade.

Before the Partners Statue sat in the Central Plaza, the area was often used for photographic backdrops and promotional displays. Though it was impossible to miss the Dream Machine, Disneyland maps detailed its location (in the center of the Plaza) for guests!

In Disneyland Plaza, the dazzling “Dream Machine” was dedicated before giving away millions of dollars in prizes! The giveaway offered one lucky lever-pulling Guest the chance to win a brand new 1990 General Motors Geo or 1986 Pontiac Firebird every day. Millions of dollars worth of giveaways were awarded to guests throughout 1990, including Delta Arlines tickets, one million dollars in U.S. Savings bonds, and 400,000 other fabulous prizes (like Mickey Mouse watches and Disney Home Videos on VHS)! All of this was in celebration of the biggest party in Disneyland’s 35-year history! Hometown publicity stories were planned around guest experiences at the birthday machine, located at the Hub.

Among the winners of a car were Anna Hernandez

The majority of Disneyland 35th Anniversary Dream Machine Tickets featured a number of colorful Disneyland characters, so whether you were a winner (or not) the tickets became popular collectables among guests!

One particular rare style of Disneyland 35th Anniversary Dream Machine Ticket featured the event’s logo!

This award was given to Jack Lindquist (“a dreamer, a guru”), and an honored member of the team that dreamt up the “Dream Machine” for Disneyland’s 35th! The trophy given him features the actual “Dream Machine” handle, which was triggered by 72,822 Disneyland guests during “the 35th Anniversary Year 1990”. But, just who was Jack Lindquist?

Like Walt, Jack too was born in Chicago, but on March 15th, 1927. As a boy, he became a child actor with a filmography including Hal Roach’s “Our Gang” series, and the Lucille Ball film “Best Foot Forward”. After graduating Hollywood High School, he spent two years in the United States Air Force, and attended the University of Southern California. These were all fine accomplishments, but things would really change for Jack Lindquist that would make him a household name among later Disney historians.

In 1955, Jack Lindquist was personally hired by Walt Disney to work in the Disneyland Marketing Department. Marketing was a division that Jack continued to be affiliated with for most of his career. In 1972, he was appointed Vice President of Marketing for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Later (in 1982), he became Executive Vice President of Marketing for Walt Disney Attractions for Walt Disney World (including Independence Lake and EPCOT Center), Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. He soon established the separate Marketing Division for Walt Disney World in Tokyo. In 1987, he was named President of Disneyland. This was a big deal. According to Jack: “At an awards banquet in 1989 it was announced that effective tonight, Jack Lindquist is the president of Disneyland. It was a complete surprise to me because we never had a president at Disneyland. I thought it was the best job in the world and there's just no better job.”

There were many interactive units of Party Gras! which invited guests to join the party, and perhaps the most memorable was the Extremely Secret Royal Eternal Fraternal Order of Armadillos.

During “35 Years of Magic,” Atmosphere Entertainment complimenting the theme of areas was staged to entertain Guests on an immediate and personal level. Perhaps you recollect receiving colorful commemorative 35 Years of Magic coins from the Armadillos - members of the Extremely Secret Royal Eternal Fraternal Order!

The Armadillos extended membership to some of the Party Gras guests, administering these cards to members added to the Order!

“Welcome to the celebration! Its a jubilation! It’s a Party Gras!” Party Gras - a brand new parade with a Caribbean-Calypso feel, directed by Disneyland Entertainment Senior Show Director Michael Maines (which ran from January 10 - November 18, 1990). The parade was inspired by a trip to New Orleans, by Michael Maines, Mike Davis (Disneyland Entertainment Director), and Bob McTyre (Vice President of Marketing and Entertainment). At two special selected points along the route (near Matterhorn Mountain, and on Main Street), the parade would stop to perform a street show and guests would be invited to do join the party and do the conga.

More than 100 street performers and six enormous incarnations of Disney characters bring the “hot, hot, hot” 35th anniversary parade to life! Party Gras would feature six balloons of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Roger Rabbit, which towered more than forty feet in the air. The Genie balloon stood 33-feet-tall in addition to his float. These were all designed and modeled by the Disneyland Entertainment Art Department, and manufactured by Aerostar (of South Dakota). In addition, there were more than 168 street performers (Characters, puppeteers and stilt walkers) draped in Mardi Gras elements. Costumes were designed by the legendary Jack Muhs, with new characters by Alyja Paskevicious Kalinich. These were choreographed by John Addis. Music would be produced by Bruce Healey.

The 35th Anniversary parade featured five giant (45-foot) inflatable character balloons and a Calypso/Latin American theme. Two “cold-air blowers” kept the towering Party Gras! balloon floats continuously inflated.

Colorful confetti and necklaces would fill the street as the parade units advanced to the beat.

Two Souvenir Guide covers immortalized different parade units.

Mickey and friends (in special overdressing) hosted a live stage show on the Plaza Gardens stage, in honor of 35 Years of Magic! The 35 Years of Magic event also featured two live stage shows. On the Videopolis Stage audiences enjoyed the daily “One Man’s Dream Stage Show,” from December 16, 1989-August 17, 1990. This show which premiered at Tokyo Disneyland is based upon Walt Disnev's dreams and his creations from Mickey Mouse to movies to Disneyland, etc.

There was another show on the Carnation Gardens Stage.

A special float was added (this year only), to the Main Street Electrical Parade. Cast Members enjoyed a special evening event entitled “The Spirit of Disneyland” - an hour of nostalgia, reminiscence, and a look at Disneyland’s future, hosted by Jack Wagner (“the voice of Disneyland”), Dick Nunis (President of Disneyland and Walt Disney World), and Ron Dominguez (Vice President, Disneyland Operations)! The parade even featured the Mouse-O-Rail - a retired Monorail.

Occasionally unique Units and floats would be included within the Main Street Electrical Parade reflecting and current celebration and keeping the parade fresh! The Main Street Electrical Parade of Disneyland’s 35th anniversary year featured this special tribute float to Disneyland - 35 Years of Magic!

“Souvenir Merchandise, Promotional Gifts, and Prizes”

There were many ways to commemorate Disneyland’s landmark anniversary! On Main Street U.S.A., the Disneyland - 35 Years of Magic logo created a backdrop where guests could have their photos taken. The logo was licensed for sweaters, “fanny packs”, keychains, and commemorative coins.

A set of commemorative pins were released, featuring Disney, Amblin Entertainment, and Lucasfilm characters highlighting some of Disneyland’s most popular attractions. Of note were pins featuring Hooter (in promotion of Captain EO), Roger Rabbit (in promotion of the Haunted Mansion), and C-3PO (in promotion of Star Tours). Another popular souvenir was the Commemorative pop-up Disneyland map that was released.

If customers bought Kodak film during 1990, they could get a “free watch”! Yes, Disneyland sponsor Kodak ran a “Magic Colors” promotional tie-in contest, where (in addition to) 5 Trips to Disneyland and 100 Kodak Explorer Cameras, 1000 Lorus watches bearing the “Disneyland 35 Years” logo were awarded as prizes! A celebrity charity auction took place in which one capital “D” from the old Disneyland marquee was awarded to a lucky bidder!

*Some sources state August, 1957.

Back in 1951, Walt Disney and Art Linkletter visited the famous entertainment complex Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. He was researching and talking notes to build a family entertainment center and Tivoli was much like what he envisioned. It was clean, directed to the entire family, fun, entertaining and educational. Walt noted how important it was to have a lot of places for guests to sit down and a wide variety of eating spots that served excellent meals.

Let’s explore the one-time cafeteria with the New Orleans motif; home of the best barbecued sandwiches, ribs and chicken ever served at Disneyland - Don Defore's Silver Banjo!

“The Recipe for Success”

Don DeFore had a distinguished film career! Don appeared in feature films A Guy Named Joe, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, and It Happened On 5th Avenue. But perhaps his most notable roles were on television series Ozzie and Harriet, and Hazel. Don eventually had the good pleasure of serving as the President of Academy of Television Arts and Sciences from 1954 to 1955. Owing to this 2 terms as president (and success of being the first president to at sell the National Broadcast of the Emmy Awards to NBC), Don would win an Emmy Award. Incidentally this attention would establish a historic meeting with someone we are well acquainted with - Walt Disney! It just so happens that Walt served on the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Board of Directors. Upon receiving his Academy Award, Don received a special phone call, over which Walt invited him for a personal tour of Walt Disney Studios (and its heavily guarded sound stages full of models and conceptual artwork of Disneyland).

Soon, Don and his family were invited to participate in the opening of Disneyland, riding in Autopia cars down Main Street USA!

“Let’s Dine at Disneyland”

Disneyland Participant Corporate Sponsors were carefully selected. High quality, long term corporate sponsors would provide incremental income that enabled Disneyland to enhance its show and attractions, offset some operating expenses, and capitalize on marketing opportunities.

The friendship started, and Don opened Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue, a table service restaurant operated in the old Casa de Fritos location. The restaurant location was an efficient maximum utilization of space, opening next to Aunt Jemima Pancake House in Frontierland (near the Rivers of America) for five years! The business partnership between Disneyland, Inc. and the Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue was synergistic, both partners creating happiness and acquiring profit. By September of 1958, Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue was contributing a routine portion of accounts receivable to Disneyland, Inc. For example, in 1958, Bank of America appraisers figured of the total income received from leases, 16.02% was derived from the selling of advertising rights and 40.12% from the leasing of space to concerns whose main reason for occupancy is for advertising purposes. The remaining 43.86% of the lease income was derived from stores that sell various products and food.

By October of 1959, the company was (1) of over sixty-eight other firms playing a vital part in the team effort to bring happiness to Disneyland’s Guests. Some were small, specialized individual operators; some were huge companies such as Swift & Co. - the Bank of America - United Paramount Theaters (which you hear as UPT) - Carnation - Richfield - General Dynamics - Crane - and many others. These companies used the park to publicize their wares, leased space in the Park to sell their wares, and Disneyland collected advertising fees from them.

“Because of the trees, there just wasn’t a way to get a good shot of Silver Banjo. We wound up sharing photos with Dave Smith and Becky Kline because there aren’t many photos of the restaurant in existence.” Below you will be able to view a few of these (courtesy of Ron DeFore).

“This is a great shot of my dad [on the right] …probably the best shot of the restaurant because you can see the name in the background. He [Dave Smith] said, ‘Your dad must have been really close to Walt to allow your dad to have his name on the restaurant.’”

“This [the gentleman on the left] is a guy I’ve loved all my life - Uncle Vern, who managed the Silver Banjo. It was Bud Coulson who called by dad about a year after we were all in that parade. He said, By the way, you need to know that Walt hired me [to handle all the lessees in the park]. They had Carnation, Kodak, and all these companies…on five-year leases.

Frito Lay was in this spot, and they felt it wasn’t big enough. The owner [of Frito Lay] wanted to move closer to the entrance [of Frontierland]. So, Bud called and said, ‘We got some space. How would you like to open up a barbecue restaurant?’ The one condition was that Uncle Vern take a Business Management class, which he did at UCLA!”

He was so good at what he did, that he would go on to manage other establishments inside Disneyland after their five-year lease was finished.

Don De Fore’s Silver Banjo Barbeque provided “Complete Family Dinners” and “Child’s Plates” to Western Square Dance Association Members belonging to a variety of 49 clubs, as well as their family members during the “Fifth Annual California Square Dance Convention” hosted by Disneyland (on April 11, 12, 13, 1958). Meal options included Ribs, Pork, Beef, Ham, or Chicken, as well as Sandwiches, French Fries, Baked Beans, and Fish N’ Chips.

In 1958, Don De Fore’s Silver Banjo Barbeque also hosted the 23rd Annual PCAM Convention delegates in Frontierland at Disneyland. Menus heralded the Complete Family Dinner, Child’s Plate (of ribs, beef, pork, ham, or chicken), sandwiches, French fries, baked beans, fish n’ chips with the following message: “Featuring our famous wizard of the kitchen waving his magic ladle… you will see cutting barbecue ribs in half, pulling chickens from a glass rack, a ham that will not perform, beef that will not moo, pork that will not squeal (divulging our mystic powers), all presented for your enjoyment with a final flourish of entrancing barbecue sauce. You will enjoy this show of culinary magic to the end as the curtain comes down with a roll.”

The synergistic relationship between the commercial lessee and Disneyland, Inc. was good. Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue yielded some revenue for Disneyland Inc. - $5,871 (of a total $211,550 income from Frontierland) for the fiscal year ending September 29, 1957 and $12,201 (of a total $229,026 income from Frontierland) for the fiscal year ending September 28, 1958.

As a sidelight, by October 1959, Jim Baker (of Merchandising) was overseeing the Disneyland Food Administration and Souvenir Sales.The “Disneyland Dictionary” (published October 1958) describes Don Defore's Silver Banjo operated by Don and Verne Defore as a cafeteria with a scope of sales including “barbecued sandwiches, ribs and chicken.”

At Disneyland, signs were themed to support the stories with respectful graphics, colors, fonts, terminology, the overall design of sign, materials (wood, metal, banners, etc.), and verbiage used on the signage.

All fixtures were placed in their correct motif and many light fixtures of Disneyland were authentic antiques. The restaurant had two separate types of lighting: Character lighting, and Functional Lighting. Character lighting such as a chandelier, kerosene lamp, or banjo, was themed to enhance the overall appearance and complement the interior. These added to the show, but didn’t necessarily create enough illumination for operation. Functional lighting on the other hand, offered substantial light without being obvious, or distracting from the show. The image above gives us an idea of the size of the illuminated sign, which was the size of a true-life banjo!

“Fortunately I have been able to preserve a few of the signs that once hung in Silver Banjo. My father renovated that [sign that hung above the restaurant], and then I inherited that.”

-Ron DeFore

“Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” - “55er” Homer Holland fondly recalled “Don Defore's SILVER BANJO. wonderful for barbecued sandwiches.” This menu sign gives us an idea of some of the menu choices available at Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue - sandwiches, chicken, ribs, and sides! Not mentioned - the Fish and Chips. Check out these prices - a chicken dinner for $1.75…coffee for ten cents. Carnation Farms would also serve this and 14 other wholesale customers who operated restaurants and snack bars in Disneyland.

(Photo : Don’s son Ron points out a preserved Love’s Wood Pit Barbecue neon sign at Valley Relics Museum, before sharing the secret behind his dad’s amazing barbecue sauce.)

The secret in the success of Don DeFore’s barbecue was in the sauce! Since 1948, the family had their heart set on one recipe - the secret recipe of Love’s Wood Pit Barbecue in Encino, California! Don’s brother Verne DeFore (who managed Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue) would make regular 2-way, near-50-mile drives from Love’s to Disneyland. This was a lengthy drive during the 1950s and 1960s, as roads and highways were so different than what they look like today. But, it was worth it to deliver the five gallon bottles of sauce to the Silver Banjo Barbecue!

Don DeFore attempted to cut a deal with Love’s Wood Pit Barbecue to acquire the secret of their sauce, but this was not possible. Don’s brother Verne had previously taken night business classes at UCLA, and had the idea to take a sample to the college campus and have it examined. This endeavor was fruitless because there were so many components that went into the sauce.

Don’s son Ron recollects the flavor of Silver Banjo Barbecue :

“I have been trying to recreate [two outstanding menu items] for years. One - the Combination Barbecue Sandwich. One day, my brother (who worked in the Barbecue Kitchen) put up a sign (jokingly), and Uncle Vern got mad and made him take it down. It said : ‘When in doubt, put it in the combination.’

I know it wasn’t true, but it was some of the left over meat off of the ribs (a sort of combination of pork and beef). The thing that I loved about all the sandwiches served there was the great sauce that my mom came up with. It was mixed in with the meat, and it was almost like a ‘Sloppy Joe’. To this day I’ll try ordering a pulled pork, and if it comes dry, that’s not ‘my type’ of ‘pulled pork’ sandwich.

During a [previous] … Disneyana event, they had the hotel chefs recreate the entire Silver Banjo Menu. It was not only for presentation, but we all got to eat the buffet, and it was pretty dang close to the original ribs and barbecue sandwiches.

I never got tired of the Silver Banjo food.”

“Don DeFore - Sixth Annual Holiday Festival, Frontierland Celebrity Master of Ceremonies”

“In those days, a celebrity would be a Master of Ceremonies, and my dad was at the top of the Golden Horseshoe, emceeing and announcing the floats that came by.

One year, my dad was up on top of the Golden Horseshoe, and someone told him, ‘Walt’s on the phone for you. Don, did you bring your kids? You have to send them down to the front gate because my grand children haven’t shown up and I can’t ride in this parade in the horseless carriage without kids.”

Don (and son Ron) rode in a few holiday parades aboard a surrey, with Walt Disney himself! This wasn’t the first time the DeFores were involved in Disneyland parades. Don DeFore and his family first rode an Autopia Mark I down Main Street on July 17th, 1955!

“Gee, Do We Have To Go To Disneyland Again?”

“We were down there almost every weekend. Dad eventually bought a second place house down in Anaheim so we would have a place to stay, and have storage for the restaurant. Vern (who lived in Van Nuys), bought a house down there too.

In the summer, we would be down there weeks at a time. I know its hard to imagine, but me (and my brother and sisters) got completely bored to death with the attractions, after we’d been on them a zillion times.

I will tell you a fun thing was bringing a friend because then I could show off. We would take my dad’s pass (for example) and most of the ride operators knew who the DeFore kids were. We would take his pass and we would get in front of the line and ride the rides as many times as we wanted. We didn’t even need to get off [at times].”

Eventually (in 1962), Disneyland Participant Affairs and Disneyland Lessee Don DeFore could not negotiate a new cooperative agreement to maintain their ongoing relationship, so Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue would close its doors. But that wasn’t the end of the story, as Don’s son Ron recorded much in his book.

Ok, so “Growing Up In Disneyland” is mostly a metaphor for Ron DeFore’s life, but at least 3 of 48 chapters discuss the business relationship of his father (actor Don DeFore) and Walt Disney - from their meeting, to the establishment of “Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue” in Frontierland, and the DeFore’s involvement in numerous Disneyland Holiday parades! Oh, and Ron discusses his childhood antics in “the happiest place on Earth,” as he spent more time in Disneyland than most young children ever did! Those three chapters alone are worth the economical “price tag of admission.” You’ll want to add a copy of Ron’s book to your Disney-related library section today!

Just visit Ron’s official page through the following link - HERE!

If you would like to read even more about Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue, it’s my pleasure to recommend adding Marcy Smothers’ “Eat Like Walt - The Wonderful World of Disney Food” to your personal Disney Home Library! Therein, Marcy has extensively researched and finely crafted a small section of a chapter dedicated to “Walt Disney’s Disneyland - Frontierland.” If you would like to bring the magic of Disneyland restaurants and concessions to your dining room table, “please step this way” toward www.eatlikewalt.com where Marcy has shared a few recipes for memorable Disneyland menu options, so you too can “Eat Like Walt.”

*Some sources (as “Disneyland Admission Media Rides and Attractions Report, published 1971), also state August 25, 1955 as the soft opening date. Another publication states August 27, 1955.

“Your Role in the Disneyland Show” has been referred to Disneyland as “a gigantic outdoor ‘show’” where “any area open to our guests is considered part of our ‘set’ and ‘on stage’.” This would include any and all Stages set within that Stage.

“Setting the Stage”

Disneyland was a miracle of showmanship in many ways! The presentation of the Mickey Mouse Club Theater show on the vast DISNEYLAND “stage” was to be a distinct part of the Disneyland theater concept. Some of Marvin Davis’ earliest c.1953 drawings of “Mickey Mouse Mark” (to be constructed on some 50-acre plot), featured a “Theater Group” attraction building. According to the 1953 Disneyland Prospectus, page 5, “Mickey Mouse, the best known personality in the world has his Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters in Disneyland.” Though the Mickey Mouse Club Theater ended up situated in Fantasyland for most of its duration, that was not the original plan for its location. The same Prospectus continues, “Located on Treasure Island, in the middle of the river, a fantastic hollow tree and treehouse serves as the Club meeting place. The hollow tree is several stories high, with interesting rooms , and lookout spots for club members. There is a Pirate Cove with buried treasure on the Island. . .and direct from this location the Club presents the Mickey Mouse Club Television Show.” So, according to the original plans, the Mickey Mouse Club Theater would have been based on what came to be known as Tom Sawyer Island (in the middle of Frontierland’s Rivers of America)! Can you just imagine taking a raft to get to the theater?

Amidst his loose line work, Walt Disney Studio artist Bruce Bushman (who was also affiliated with Bradley & Kaye) suggested a Stromboli Puppet theater in an area inspired by Pinocchio’s village, a gravity-flow canal ride featuring Monstro the Whale, a circus midway-themed dining area entered through a towering clown arch, a sailboat in a lagoon, and remembering that “it was all started by a mouse,” his detailed designs also included a “Birth of a Mouse” show. [The Disneyland News, Vol.1, No.9 published for March 10, 1956.]

By July 1, 1954, George Whitney of Disneyland, Inc. directed Amusements, with Ron Miller overseeing analysis, philosophy, capacities, planning, operator training, and amusement procurement. Knowing Walt’s audience, Bruce Bushman (who served as Art Director, for the Mickey Mouse Club television series) created a number of concepts for Disneyland during 1954. Early thumbnail sketches and other concept artwork seemed to be unencumbered by restrictions of budget, schedule or the laws of nature and physics. Though guided by Walt, his artists appeared to engage in “free-thinking,” as if implementing the modern “Blue Sky” Imagineering process. One of Herb’s projects was the design of a Mickey Mouse Club Theater with much added pomp and grandeur, while reflecting the feel and theme of the television variety show. Like some advanced “High Concept,” final designs were quickly generated and approved. Though the final product of the interior would look very different from this drawing, this particular dream would become a reality in 1955!

Next, architectural drawings helped define all designs, production and construction strategies, costs, schedule, and resource requirements. Models explored the various dimensional relationships, site-lines, flow patterns, ergonomics, and visual appeal to convey the desired creative intent.

Air-conditioning controlled dust, and a practical mechanical application of the technology was essential in the attraction where projection equipment and film was used.

Soon, one authorized “Disneyland Information & Nomenclature List” (prepared by Bill Cottrell of Disneyland Inc., May 25, 1955) announced the working title as the “Mickey Mouse Theater,” with no further description or notations made about the attraction. This theater (where movies and stage acts would be shown) would come to be owned by Walt Disney Productions and be one of few attractions owned by another Disney organization and operated by Disneyland, Inc. for a 5% management fee.

As of June 2, 1955, C.V. Wood Jr. sent an Inter-Office Memorandum to Walt Disney regarding the best estimates that could be obtained at the time regarding the completion status of individual sections of the Park and Opening Day. C.V. wrote: “Mickey Mouse Theater: It appears very doubtful that it can be completed by our opening.”

”Mousekartoon Time”

Despite Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse introducing the theater on the live telecast, July 17th, 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club Theater did not open its doors to Audiences until sometime thereafter. The Mickey Mouse Club Theater (variously referred to as “Mickey Mouse Club Cartoon Theater” and “Mickey Mouse Theater”), opened its doors (as 1 of 22 initial major attractions at Disneyland), during August of 1955. “The Story of Disneyland” (published 1955, by Disneyland Inc.) described the Mickey Mouse Theater as an attraction “where films for children will be shown.” Continuous 30-minute shows were one “B” Coupon, (or, 15¢ for children and 25¢ for adults).

To elaborate on this description of this unique theater, the 400-seat Mickey Mouse Club Theater was perhaps the very first theater to exclusively show cartoons (and “Mousekartoons” at that) in the all of the United States. The theater’s primary entertainment - “Mousekartoons” - was clearly indicted by the crest over the entrance. Like other Fantasyland attractions the signage of the Mickey Mouse Theater also featured a medieval-style Escutcheon, containing a Coat of Arms with Mickey Mouse Club logo, a projector, and a strip of film!

The initial 30-minute program included short films Lambert the Sheepish Lion, Out of Scale, The Big Wash and Squatter's Rights. Its main (and first) live attraction was the cast of the Mickey Mouse Club, who performed on the stage during that very first summer. All “Honorary Mouseketeers” were invited to the show - the Mouseketeers and Jimmy Dodd starring in cinematic productions like the 12-minute 3-D Jamboree. For those across the United States that only owned a black and white television, this was a rare opportunity to see your favorite Mouseketeers in glorious eye-popping Technicolor! During the first winter holiday season of 1955, a special “Holiday Show” was advertised in The Disneyland News (Vol.1 -No.6 ; published December 10, 1955).

This artifact (of the former Richard Kraft Collection) gives us an idea what the posters for “The Mouseketeers 3-D Jamboree” looked like, as they hung outside the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. The Mouseketeer graphic (featuring the heads of both a male and female Mouseketeer) was similar to the one used on television! Not advertised on this poster for the special Technicolor 3D film (containing footage of the Mouseketeers) was the Donald Duck cartoon “Working For Peanuts” and “Adventures in Music: Melody.” The innovative films included live action and animation and featured Chip and Dale, Donald Duck, and the Mouseketeers. In this way and others, the Mickey Mouse Club Theater of Disneyland would begin to synergistically work with Walt Disney Studios and keep the Disney characters before the public.

In 1956, George Mills Jr. was in a movie at the Mickey Mouse theatre showing the growth and development of Disneyland.

Products occasionally referred to the Fantasyland attraction. For instance, Jiminy Cricket (portrayed by Cliff Edward) made reference to “Mickey Mouse’s own theater” in the High-Fidelity recording of “A Day at Disneyland” with Walt Disney and Jiminy Cricket (published 1957).

The admission price soon saw a 5¢ raise. This new “B” Coupon (then 25¢ Adult Admission and 15¢ Child Admission) price of the show stayed consistent throughout 1956 and 1957. This was not extraordinary, as it was an admission price similar to that of another contemporary show (Keller’s Jungle Killers). The Mickey Mouse Club Theater was especially well worth the price on hot summer days, as the attraction was one of three air conditioned attractions in the Park (including TWA Rocket to the Moon and Slue Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe).

“Mousekartoons & Special Engagements”
The Mickey Mouse Club Theater more commonly, routinely presented 30 fun-filled minutes of Walt Disney’s Technicolor cartoon movies per showing. However, for the first Christmas Festival in 1955, a special seasonal holiday show was prepared. According to The Disneyland News (December 10, 1955): “‘The Night Before Christmas,’ starring Santa Claus himself, headlines the bill of four Walt Disney Productions cartoons. Costarred with Santa is Mickey Mouse in ‘Mickey's Circus’; Donald Duck with Chip'n'Dale in ‘Toy Tinkers and Goofy’ and Donald, who meets penguins and a walrus in ‘Polar Trappers.’ The Fantasyland Theater's Christmas season show follows the holiday atmosphere set by the park's Yuletime decorations. Admission to the full half-hour show is 25 cents or by use of one of the tickets in the ticket book. The theater is open from 11:30a.m. to 7:30 p.m. six days a week.”

Some of the cartoons screened were “3-dimensional color movies,” according to Vacationland (Summer, 1957). Double features of Walt Disney Productions’ other color short films often showed, like “Pecos Bill” and “Gaucho Goofy” (c. 1958).

The Mickey Mouse Club Theater was also utilized for the occasional photo shoots, special showings and events. During Disneyland’s second year of operation (in June of 1956), “foremost vaudeville and nightclub stars” briefly appeared in two-a-day vaudeville shows presented by the American Guild of Variety Artists (during their Ninth Annual Convention, held at the Disneyland Hotel). The Mickey Mouse Club Theater also briefly entertained the members of the “National Associating of Amusement Parks, Pools, and Beaches”, which Disneyland hosted from September 18-20 (Tuesday through Thursday), of 1956. As a “sidelight” one of the foremost members in attendance was the organization’s President, George F. Schott, who once served as advisor of Disneyland planning, construction, and operation. After two full days of exploring Walt’s innovative expansive theming, and original rides (like the Mine Train & AstroJets), “Thursday’s program included another look at Disneyland, a special showing at the Mickey Mouse Club Theater in Fantasyland of a film on the construction and story of Disneyland”.
Also in 1956, actress Spring Byington (of “December Bride) and child actor Bobby Diamond (of “Fury”) were photographed outside the theater (after watching some Walt Disney cartoons) for their 1956 “TV Radio Mirror” photoshoot at Disneyland!

By 1959, Joe Fowler was Vice President of Disneyland Operations Committee and Doc Lemmon of Disneyland Operations was overseeing Operators of Rides & Amusements (like the Mickey Mouse Club Theater), Livestock, Parking Lot, and Ticket Sellers.

In 1962, the Fall Orientation Film Series presented by the University of Disneyland was held at the Mickey Mouse Theater (on most Wednesdays thru Saturdays, from October 10th thru December 8th). These were special feature film presentations (with short films attached), for “all Disneyland, W.E.D. and Lessee Personnel, plus their families”(including those of the Disneyland Hotel, Gourmet and Hotel Shops), beginning at 7:30p.m. and ran until 9:15p.m. during those dates. Tickets were available at the Operations Office, Hotel Monorail, and Maintenance Office. Films screened included Walt Disney’s Pinocchio (October 10-12), Third Man on the Mountain (October 17-19), Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (October 24-26), Nature’s Half Acre (October 31-November 3), Moon Pilot (November 7-10), African Lion (November 14-17), Walt Disney’s Bambi (November 21-24), Babes in Toyland (November 28-December 1), and Cinderella (December 5-8).

A year before the theater was renamed, the Mickey Mouse Club Theater was also the location of exciting “live” recording of The Famous Ward Gospel Singer’s record album and concert, on April 18th, 1963. The concert (under the Direction of Gertrude Ward) contained a selection of 12 songs (including “Down By The Riverside”, “Something’s Got Ahold of Me”, “Never Grow Old”, “Dry Bones”, “I’m Getting Nearer”, “Shadrack”, “Deep Down In My Heart”, “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”, “Keep Your Hand On The Plow”, “Daniel Saw The Stone”, “We’re Marchin’ To Zion”, and “Come On In This House”). The record album was produced by Camarata, and distributed for home-listening through Buena Vista Records. Just before the curtains closed on the Mickey Mouse Club Theater stage for the final time, a print of Walt Disney’s Dumbo would be shown, during 1964. This was part of the University of Disneyland’s Disney Film Orientation Program, that made younger employees knowledgeable about Walt Disney’s classic stars that they may not be familiar with. Remember, this was long before the advent of widely distributed home-viewing formats (like the video tape) streaming services, or the internet, so average folks had no access to home copies of classic Walt Disney Productions short films or feature length films.

Though printed and distributed during the Summer of 1960, this Disneyland “B” Coupon still bears the original admission price of 20¢. Adult Guests would exchange these to view 30-minute cartoons, which ran from 11 a.m. to closing!

The Mickey Mouse Club Theater was situated on the west side of Sleeping Beauty Castle, between Snow White’s Adventures and the Welch Grape Juice concession.

The Mickey Mouse Club Theater offered a change of pace from the Mad Tea Party and Fantasyland’s other “moving” adventures. The air conditioned theater was especially inviting on a warm summer days.

The Mickey Mouse Club Theater would briefly cease operation during the winter season of 1962.

The Mickey Mouse Club Theater marquee advertises “Walt Disney’s Cartoon Carnival” in this Vintage View. When the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters was temporarily set up in the Main Street Opera House, the venue would gain a slightly new look and a new name.

“Mous-Ka Puppets”

Puppeteers and their animated friends were a common sight in Disneyland during Walt’s era. Some participated in parades (like puppeteer Jack Shafton in Fantasy on Parade). There were others, like French puppeteer André Tahon, who performed six of his unique “E” Ticket musical fantasy Shows (with pre-recorded music) daily, April 6th through September 8th of 1963. John Zweers, Bob Mills, and Bob Baker were just a few more master puppeteers and performance artists to bring their shows to Walt Disney’s grand show - Disneyland! Before January of 1964, they would perform from the Fantasyland Theater Stage and another smaller stage which was located in Tinkerbell’s Toy Shoppe. Tickets for the former were available at the Fantasyland Theater Box Office and the Fantasyland Central Ticket Booth.

The original Mickey Mouse Club ended its televised run during the 1960s. It was then (in 1964), that Mickey Mouse Club Theater was renamed Fantasyland Theater. The old 400-seat “Mickey Mouse Club Theater” was now rehabilitated with 450 seats (to increase guest capacity). During operational hours, Disneyland guests still enjoyed Walt Disney shorts in the air-conditioned auditorium. Long before DVDs, and streaming services, the Fantasyland Theater offered a rare opportunity to watch Walt Disney Studios’ animated classic characters on a big screen (the way that Walt intended). Walt Disney Productions’ short films were shown here, as well as pieces starring the Mouseketeers of the Mickey Mouse Club.

One of the first films shown (in the summer of ‘64) was “Mickey and the Beanstalk” (billed as “Walt Disney’s Jack and the Beanstalk” on posters).

In late 1965 thru 1966, “Pecos Bill” returned for a double feature with “Rugged Bear” starring Donald Duck.

“Mickey Mouse presents ‘The Wonderful World of Wizardry’” at the Fantasyland Theater, for seven performances daily (from 12:00N-7:30pm), from December 26th, 1967 thru January 1st, 1968. “The majic show” featured “the wizardry of Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy and Alice in Wonderland performing several famous illusions live on stage.” During this same winter period, both the White Rabbit and Mad Hatter made regular appearances at the Forecourt Fantasyland Theater, greeting guests as part of the Character Program, “throughout the Christmas Holidays” (daily between parades, from 9:00am to 11:45am). [“Disneyland Holiday Talent Master Schedule,” prepared for the period of December 16, 1967 through January 1, 1968]

Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree also ran during 1968. By that year the seating capacity has been expanded to a maximum of 452 guests (with a theoretical hourly capacity of 904). The following year (c. 1969), the Academy Award winning Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day came to Fantasyland Theater, accompanied by a stage show featuring the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood. One Disneyland Admission Media Rides and Attractions Report [prepared in April 1971, by Disneyland Research Department] divulged that 4,964,907 guests had visited the Fantasyland Theater during its hours of operation. During the early 1970s, a Cartoon Festival starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse introduced younger generations to the comedy duo, on the big screen - the way that Walt Disney intended them to be viewed. This Cartoon Festival continued throughout the decade, with other shows like the Disneyland Music Education Program’s “Fun With Music” (a c. 1976 live educational music-oriented show which taught children about “the most creative means of expressing our feelings thoughts, moods, and emotions” - music) appearing intermittently.

The Fantasyland Theater was also utilized for a variety of special events. Occasionally (during summers of the 1960s), the theater was used for staging the live bands of Grad Nite Humdinger shows. In 1966, the Employee Opinion Poll (conducted by Cal-Tech) was held at the Fantasyland Theatre. During the Winter-Spring (of 1966-1967), Cal-Tech conducted the Employee Opinion Poll from the Fantasyland Theater, the poll given to every person who worked for the Park at the time. During 1967, Card Walker orchestrated a special presentation from the Fantasyland Theater stage, for top theater chain owners across the country. Family Film Festivals soon included screenings of live action Walt Disney Productions like Return from Witch Mountain, Candleshoe, The Apple Dumpling Gang, and The Strongest Man in the World. On October 14 & 15 (Saturday and Sunday), 1978, a special two-day limited engagement showing of ‘The Three Caballeros’, “Walt Disney’s popular salute to South America” was featured at the Fantasyland Theater. One of the last screenings was a special early Disneyland Cast-only screening of the 25th Anniversary Birthday Commercial (for all who were involved - both in front fo the camera and behind-the-scenes) debuted Saturday, December 9th, 1980, 9:30a.m., in the Fantasyland Theater. Then, the Fantasyland Theater closed on December 20, 1981.

A special Mickey Mouse Club show (advertised on posters rather than the theater marquee) received top billing during 1964.

During early days of the all-new Fantasyland Theater, the admission price of the preceding Mickey Mouse Club Theater was retained - 25¢!

Short films Pecos Bill and Rugged Bear now showing at the Fantasyland Theater as a double feature!

In 1965, the University of Disneyland presented the Fall Film Festival at the Fantasyland Theater. Shows included the son of flubber, Bambi, kidnapped, the living desert, babes in toyland, and Savage Sam.

More than a decade after they were released, the Melody Time (1948) short Pecos Bill, and the Donald Duck and Humphrey Bear short Rugged Bear (1953) would play in a double-feature at Fantasyland Theatre!

We can vaguely see the marquee, which advertises a Winnie the Pooh feature.

The 18-minute film, A Visit to Walt Disney World was shown at the Fantasyland Theatre immediately preceding the festival attraction, Bambi on Friday, May 2, 1969 at 7:30 p.m.

Winnie the Pooh and his “Hundred Acre” neighbors and members of the Pearly Band (like clarinetist Jack Martin) perform for the audience at the Fantasyland Theater.

During January 8 to 21, 1973 the Fantasyland Theater was closed for a 2-week rehabilitation.

The “Sound Films” which played in the Fantasyland Theatre during this Cartoon Festival introduced Mickey Mouse to a younger generation who may have only known him from the New Mickey Mouse Club and his appearances in the Disney Parks. These limited time screenings included such timeless classics as “The Band Concert” (1935), “Through The Mirror” (1936), and “Mickey’s Trailer” (1938).

A Cartoon Festival starring Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse is held at the Fantasyland Theater.

Several 1930s Mickey Mouse short films would reintroduce Mickey and Minnie Mouse to an entire new generation that may have never seen a “classic mickey Mouse” cartoon on the big screen! This Cartoon Festival would continue into 1975 - during the American Bicentennial celebration held at Disneyland.

“Maintenance of Magic”

During each day, Disneyland Park Operations M-42 Machinists would, at least once, check all attractions in Fantasyland and discuss with each Attraction Lead and problems, defects, or any other feedback regarding the department. M-42 Machinists would also respond to all downs and delayed openings in the Fantasyland area whether or not it was mechanical. Upon arriving at an attraction, they would determine whether what the failure was. M-42 would determine which crafts were needed, determine an estimated time of repair, notify M-1 and assist with crafts when necessary.

Ultimately, the Fantasyland Theater’s curtains fell, and its closed its doors for the final time. During 1981, construction would begin on a new adventure contained in Sleeping Beauty Castle complex’s East side, as part of New Fantasyland! We invite you to “please, step this way” , as we take one last look back at a very unique aspect of the Fantasyland Theater - the Disneyland Drama Club productions!

During the 1960s, hard working Disneyland employees were rewarded periodically with scheduled luncheons, family picnics, film festival screenings featuring popular Walt Disney Studios films, and field trips to fun and exotic locations. Industrial Basketball games, Volleyball tournaments, and softball leagues allowed for exercise and introduced a spirit of healthy competition and challenge. In addition, various clubs (focused on skiing, the arts, Christian fellowship, square dancing, to name a few) helped Disneyland’s employees bond and befriend each other. These opportunities to enjoy a little recreation with like-minded Disneyland Cast Members were all owing to one organization called the Disneyland Recreation Club (we’ll hear more about their origin below)!

But, did you know, that Disneylanders were seasonally treated to limited stage productions of plays presented from the Fantasyland Theater Stage, by the Disneyland Drama Workshop? It is very appropriate that we take a rather extended interlude to introduce our next Fantasyland Theatre- related subject, as it was most enjoyed among Disneylanders during the 1960s and the 1970s.

Some of the earliest evidence of staff-produced play productions on Disneyland property date back to the 1960s. Spring Tonics 1960 (a series of Disneylander-produced skits) was held on May 25th, 26th, and 27th in the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. About this time period, at least one other play production was performed. The granddaughter of a former Main Street Concessions Manager [a certain C. S.] recently shared her remembrance of this show in Disneyland : “Grandma performed in this theater. Grandma would sing and dance. She had a smile that just melted your heart. I can remember her reading her lines for the play she would be in, in the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. Grandma was in the play Arsenic and Old Lace.”

By 1962, the Disneyland Recreational Club supported a “little theater group” known as the Disneyland Players.
According to Tom Pletts (a latter member of the Disneyland Drama Club), “[The] Disneyland Drama Club…existed [a few years later] in 1966, very briefly. It was begun by executive Bill Carden, but ended after only one bill of one -acts at the Hotel.” This production featured several acts - ‘The Case of the Crushed Petunias’, ‘If Men Played Cards as Women Do’, ‘Escurial’, and ‘Separate Tables’ were each directed by a different Disneylander and starred a small, unique cast. Tom continues, “Bill had been transferred to another part of the company, I think, and he was the sole instigator. Fun while it lasted, though.”

Fast forward about five years, to 1971 - the heyday of the Disneyland Drama Workshop (or, Disneyland Theatrical Production Club). If you were lucky enough to have a family member who worked for Disneyland, you may have had the opportunity to visit Fantasyland Theater after hours for at least 1 of 16 total productions :

•The American Dame (1970)

•Greensleeves’ Magic (February 22-25, 1971) - the second Drama Workshop Production

•Chicken Ranching for Fun and Profit (May 24-26, 1971)

•Spring Tonics (1971) - a skit performed for the park’s summer banquet

•Bye Bye Birdie (November 1-4, 1971)

•Story Theater (January 8-11, 1972) including Henny Penny, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Robber Bridegroom, The Fisherman and His Wife, and The Lion-Hearted Kitten

•Jane Eyre (scheduled for February of 1972, but unproduced)

•Rumplestiltskin (February 28, 29 ; March 1, 2, 1972)

•You Can’t Take It With You (May, 1972)

•Lil’ Abner (October 1972)

•Wait Until Dark (March 12-15, 1973)

•Story Theater (1973) - a collection of one acts

•How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (October 15, 16, 17, 18, 1973)

•Little Mary Sunshine (1974)

•And Then There Were None (1974)

•The Goodtime Dance Company (September, 1975)

•The Sound of Music (February 5, 7, 10-13, 1975)

•The Fantastics (1975)

•Tail of the West (February 3-5 ; 10-12, 1976)

•Come Blow Your Horn (c. 1976)

•The Boyfriend (1978)

•Damn Yankees (date unknown)

•Come Blow Your Horn (1987)

At times a production was scheduled, announced in LINE Magazine, but never produced. One such example was a production of Jane Eyre (which was considered during early 1972), but did not garner enough interest. A few of these were directed and written by Wally Boag, and each one starred a talented cast of Disneyland employees. Disneylander Earl Archer was a charter member of the Disneyland Drama Workshop and had been involved in every production since its establishment until (at least) 1974. If you worked at the Park during this era, I am sure you will see some faces that you recognize in the following sections!

The very first Disneyland Drama Club Workshop production was ‘The American Dame’, presented (appropriately) in the 400-seat, air-conditioned, Fantasyland Theatre! Alex Goldstab (a Disneyland Entertainment Manager), produced it just before relocating to support the newly established Character Department of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Alex Goldstab (Entertainment Division ; The American Dame Producer) sets the lights for the show. Tom Pletts recollects, “Having professional staff help us with our shows was a tremendous boost!” After the production was over, Alex Goldstab (Entertainment Division ; The American Dame Producer) left for Walt Disney World in Florida. He was missed by all who worked with him!

Kathy Bell (who isn’t listed among the program’s credits for The American Dame), was influential in this production.

Connie Lane (former Disneyland Ambassador of 1966, and Disneyland Drama Club member) recollects the production : “It was effervescent! We were doing a great show, in the Fantasyland Theatre and doing something that hadn’t been done before at Disneyland. The show was meant to be a study of American Womanhood. We all had several roles.”

“In the show, I did two or three sketches. In one, I was a pioneer moving west with my spouse. In another, I was making excuses for just being a passenger while my wife drove our car. Pleasant, fun stuff.”

-Tom Pletts

The American Dame cast member Tom Pletts has a conversation with cast member Pat Keener at the backstage makeup mirror.

The American Dame Cast Members Sharon Wimmer and Ann Cottrell in makeup.

The American Dame actor Bob Sendzik gets assistance with his makeup while backstage.

The Disneyland Drama Club production of The American Dame starred many familiar faces from around the Park. Here, Connie Lane (Disneyland Ambassador of 1966 ; Disneyland V.I.P. Hostess) readies for her part.

Connie Lane remembers : “I was able to wear one of Betty Taylor’s dresses for the show, [and] I was in heaven. [It was] off white ‘silk-looking’, lots of heavy beading, HEAVY! It took two dressers to help me fit it and secure the zipper…I was under strict orders not to get the hem dirty.”

Inside The American Dame program, an accompanying formal letter from Jim Heiss invites fellow Disneyland Cast Members to join the Disneyland Drama Club of the University of Disneyland. The letter concludes with a special pre-show thanks to all Disneyland Cast Members of the D.R.C. (Disneyland Recreational Department) and the Disneyland Costume Department for their support of this production.

Sherry Nelson was scheduled to perform, but incurred some sort of illness or injury that prevented her from being involved. Before the opening performance, Sherry sent her well-wishes to the cast and crew of the Disneyland Drama Club’s production of The American Dame.

The American Dame also starred Disneyland Drama Club President Jim Heiss (background) and Jim Adams (foreground), both in supporting roles.

A pioneer and his wife moving West with his spouse, portrayed by Pat Keener (left) and Tom Pletts (right).

The Pioneer’s Wife (portrayed by Pat Keener), holds the reins on the schooner as the couple heads West!

Pat Keener making sure everyone’s awake.

Suezanne Fisher

Johnny Buckner

The Preacher Scene including (left to right) : Greg Silva, Jim Adams, Suezanne Fisher, Sherry Nelson, and Gloria Clark (bottom right).

Sharon Wimmer and Sandie Schumacher

Gloria Clark in The American Dame.

By 1971, John Buckner had replaced Jim Heiss as the Disneyland Drama Workshop President. Now that the Disneyland Drama Club’s production of The American Dame had been produced as a smashing success (owing to its Disneyland cast Members), work began on casting two major plays to be produced during the following year. Word of this was heralded throughout the lands, courtesy of the Disneyland Recreation Club. In addition to these productions, the troupe also performed for Cast Members at the “Summer ‘71 Kick-Off Dinner.”

Many of the stars of the previous production (The American Dame) returned to support this second Disneyland Drama Club production of “Greensleeves’ Magic”.

The previous Disneyland Drama Club production borrowed many costumes from the Entertainment Costume Department. Now, many costumes were made special for Disneyland Drama Club’s 2nd production - “Greensleeves’ Magic”! Here, Jim Adams receives a costume measurement and alteration.

Connie Lane as The Queen and Jim Adams (foreground)

This artwork has been attributed to renowned Disneyland portrait artist Chuck Boyer. If you’re not familiar with the name Charles Boyer, its likely that you’ve seen his work hanging around Disneyland. Charles Boyer would go on to produce many visual tributes to parades and performers of Disneyland - from the Disneyland Band to the Royal Street Bachelors. During the 1980s, Charles produced many pieces to advertise seasons of Circus Fantasy and Fantasy On Parade. For now, Charles Boyer would support the Disneyland Drama Club with artwork utilized for their programs and posters.

“It’s hard to imagine Bonnie as a villain ever. I just don’t remember the plot well enough to visualize her in that role. But there I am in the picture with her(in the striped shirt, as the bashful sailor). Disneyland Ambassador Carol DeKeyser is the laughing one on the left. Ambassador Connie Swanson is the blonde in gold satin, upper middle, character Jim Adams is just below her (in character). On the far right, the redhead in a red vest is the founder Jim Heiss. Next to him is the wonderful Pat Keener…Oh, the guy above Jim : Bob Beardsley, who played Greensleeves!”

-Tom Pletts

(1) ?, (2) Carol DeKeyser Masters, (3) Craig Carmen, (4) Betty Bell, (5) ?, (6) Tom Pletts, (7) ?, (8) Suezanne Fisher (the Hills Bros. employee who directed this production), (9) Connie Swanson Lane, (10) Bonnie Barrilleaux (a “Golden Horseshoe hoofer”), (11) Jim Adams, (12) ?, (13) Patricia Keener Chandler, (14) Alan Oldham, (15) Chuck Robertson, (16) Jim Heiss, (17) Phil Chilcote, (18) Bob Beardsley, (19) ?

With this production, it became a tradition to meet the audience (and autograph their playbills) after each show. Straight thru the crowd, Suezanne Fischer greets guests between the Fantasyland Theatre and Mad Tea Party Cups.

The “not-so-evil” Bonnie Barrilleaux (as The Evil Duchess of Greensleeves’ Magic) strikes an “Evil Pose” for a guest’s camera.

Bonnie Barrilleaux (as The Evil Duchess in Greensleeves’ Magic), greets guests in a not-so-evil manner.

Pat Keener after the show.

Pat Keener (who played Miranda) and Connie Lane (who played The Queen) pose for a photograph near the Fantasyland Theatre entrance after the show.

Suezanne Fischer (who played the role of Matilda) takes some time to autograph a program for one of her fans.

It became a tradition to autograph Playbills of younger guests after productions.

“Greensleeves’ Magic was nearly taken out of the Park to entertain more kids, but wasn’t Disney’s material.”

-Tom Pletts

The Fantasyland Theater house was packed, but did not exceed the occupancy limit.

Accolades from the writing department of Disneyland’s own in-house periodical publication for employees.

Again, Disneyland’s own portrait artist Chuck Boyer would provide artwork for another program cover. Disneyland Drama Club Alumn Tom Pletts remembered, "He was very kind to our little drama group.”

But what was this third Disneyland Drama Club production about? Cast Member Tom Pletts (who portrayed “Grasper Quick”) recalled the Plot this way : “The villain Grasper Quick was going to foreclose on Widow Blues’ chicken ranch unless her daughter, Sugar Blues, married him. Sugar’s boyfriend and hero, Victor Virtue, and his friend, cheerleader Frank Funster vainly try to help. Sugar attempts to bribe Grasper by sending him all the eggs ; but, since he’s been secretly feeding her chickens gunpowder (don’t ask), they blow up his mansion (off stage, of course). It’s all sprinkled with running gags and a catchy tune or to. Fun stuff.”

Cast member Tom Pletts continues : “It’s kind of a ‘Vaudevillain’ comic melodrama, and is only 30 minutes long (for audience turnover). Its title is ‘Chicken Ranching for Fun and Profit’…or, ‘Many A Man Has Gone to the Dogs Chasing a Chick’. Authorship is credited to Wally Boag, Fulton Burley, and Bert Henry. Jerry King, the regular [Golden] Horseshoe drummer provided the rim-shots for us ; Rod Miller, the Coke Corner pianist, played excellent ragtime to keep the mood. I still get pumped for a show start when I hear ‘Maple Leaf Rag’!”

Ben Sherman and Bonnie (Sugar) get some direction while sitting in the dining area of the Golden Horseshoe Theater.

Pat (Widow Blues) and Bonnie at rehearsals.

Johnny Buckner (Victor Virtue) and an unidentified book worm look over their scripts.

The following photos were taken at one of the “Chicken Ranching” performances held inside the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. The show also ran in the Fantasyland Theatre, but we don’t have any current “Vintage Views” available.

Tom Pletts remembers, “In the foreground, you’ll notice Pat Keener, the Widow Blues, reading a ‘mort-gage’ (as Wally preferred).”

Tom Pletts recalls, “I’m hiding behind a ‘bush’…”

Tom Pletts continues, “…and in the midst of a chase scene, Funster makes us play a game. Too much fun.”

(From Left To Right) : Bonnie as Sugar Blues, Tom Pletts as Grasper Quick, Johnny Buckner as Victor Virtue, and Jim Adams as Frank Funster the “Yell Leader”.

We asked Tom Pletts about this funny looking prop to the stage left, and he excitedly exclaimed : “That’s a ‘Chicken Trophy’! I don’t remember if it was employed in the show other than as a prop. It just got called that because it looks like a gold-plated rubber chicken!”

[Photo: Courtesy of Tom Pletts]

Tom couldn’t help but share this related memory : “Here’s a Chicken Ranching For Fun And Profit mini-reunion during the gathering for Fulton Burley’s memorial at the studion. (From Left to Right) Grasper (Tom Pletts), Sugar (Bonnie), an aging Wally Boag (“The Great One”), Frank Funster (Jim), and our ragtime pianist (Rod Miller).”

“The Show Goes On”…

Where the two previous Disneyland Drama Club productions had a limited run during one week, “Chicken ranching For Fun & Profit” was perhaps the first production to be extended. Tom Pletts (who portrayed the character of “Grasper Quick”) recollects : “The company decided to present our show to the public one night a week through the summer, and then for Private Party nights in the fall. AGVA limited the number of performances unless we joined their union ; so the Park shut us down after 50+ shows.”

(Artwork by Tom Pletts)

The very first “Spring Tonics” appeared May of 1957! The show was described as “a combination pep rally and an annual review, their inspired madness provided a satiric reflection on the Disney Way,” according to an article published in Disneyland LINE (Vol 12, No. 29 ; July 17, 1980).

The 1958 Spring Tonics was known as the “Annual Brain Wash at the Mouse House” with special scripts written by Disneylanders. Van France coordinated the show, Bud Coulson was the MC, and Jack Sayers presented the “brainwash” portion of the show (with more than a few interruptions by Trinidad). Vesey Walker and the Disneyland Band, Wally Boag, Don Novis, Betty Taylor, the Golden Horseshoe Girls and orchestra were highlights of the program. Memorable acts included Frank Heidemann pickin’ oranges in ‘52.

In 1961, Disneyland employees attended the Annual “Spring Tonics” show in the Mickey Mouse Theater and heard a special talk given by Joe Fowler, Disney Vice-President, after the performances.

But according to Backstage magazine (published Summer, 1965), the tradition of “Springtonics” (a spoof of Disneyland operations, as presented by the management) had completely disappeared by the year 1965. Bob Penfield briefly mentions fondly remembering these very “Springtonics in the Mickey Mouse Theater - a skit that was a spoof of everything and it was put on by management,” to Disneyland LINE (Vol.25, No.28). Now (two decades later), it looks as if “Springtonics” had been revived. If you’re wondering what the “Spring Tonics ‘71” show was all about, Tom Pletts has your answer :

“Spring Tonics was a pre-summer kick starter for Disneyland employees in the early years. Wally headlined a cast that did cute sketches about Park Operations, and got everyone in the mood for the season. Our show merely revived it, with Wally’s help. It was performed on the Tomorrowland Terrace stage (I think) at the same time as our Golden Horseshoe melodrama, so I didn’t get to be in it or see it. But I drew the program for it…‘71 Spring Tonics revived an early Disneyland tradition. ‘72 we performed skits for the park’s summer banquets, for leads.”

Tickets for this employees-only production were sold through the Disneyland Recreation Club.

Jim Adams (with his head down) and Bonnie Barilleaux (on the right)

Left to Right : Unidentified, Lee Lomask (Stage Manager), Anita Trammell (as Ursula Merkle), hard-working Fantasyland Graveyard Working Leader Rhonda Treischel (as Rosie Alvarez), Bruce Langford (as Conrad Birdie).

Earl Archer (in plaid on the right).

This issue of Backstage Magazine featured other articles of contemporaneous events (Disneyland’s first Country Music Spectacular, Bear Country development and construction, and the opening of Walt Disney World) which helped understand the era that this production of Bye Bye Birdie was performed. These exciting updates gave us an inside sneak peek at what would surely be the Disneyland Drama Club’s most anticipated production to date!

Bob Jani (who much live Disneyland and Walt Disney World entertainment of the 1970s has been acredited) was invited to attend the Disneyland Drama Club production of Bye, Bye, Birdie. Due to conflicting scheduling arrangements, he could not make it, and sent this letter to Ted E. Buxton of Disneyland’s Publicity Department.

Jim Stewart (who played the part of Harvey) recalls being a part of this Disneyland Drama Club production :

“Man, this brings back memories.

I started at Disneyland at the end of summer 1971. I worked at Club 33 as miscellaneous kitchen help. I worked with the [Disneyland] Drama Club during my stint in the park. The play that I was involved with was ‘Bye, Bye Birdie’.  I still have my Bye Bye program, signed by many of the cast members. The director Greg Silva did an awesome job. Also, Van, the choreographer did a great job, and when I would get frustrated was so good at motivating me to do my best. I accomplished far beyond what I thought I could do. Many of the props and stage sets I was able to get from my Drama Teacher at Orange High School where we had performed the same play twice. I played several parts, as well as worked on the shows program.

I had a lot of fun with the part, even though I was told I was typecast. Was also on the television crew, and worked with publicity. The silk screen for the front cover as due to an error when I had the programs printed. Greg Dymkowski stepped up to bat and worked on this project for the silk screening. It was such a fun project and had a ball doing it.“

As you look over the pages of the program for the Disneyland Drama Club production of “Bye, Bye, Birdie”, note the sheer size of the cast and crew involved (especially in comparison with previous productions “The American Dame” and “Greensleeves’ Magic”).

Both “Jane Eyre” and “You Can’t Take It With You” were scheduled as Disneyland Drama Club “Coming Productions”, but only one of these will generate enough interest to become a reality. Still this future production was still moths away, and (though not advertised here) another exciting production - “Rumplestiltskin” - would come along first!

At least one guest wrote a letter of thanks to the Disneyland Drama Club, for their production of “Bye, Bye, Birdie”.

During the late 1960s and 1970s, the Disneyland Recreation Club was a supporter of many of Disneyland’s own “in-house” extracurricular employee organizations - softball leagues, chess clubs, christian clubs, and many more! The Disneyland Drama Club was appreciative of all the support that it’s members received from the Disneyland Recreation Club, that the President often expressed thanks by way of letters like this one.

If you ever had a role at Disneyland during the first 50 years (or so), then you likely were admonished at some time to “know your D.R.C. council.” With all this talk about the D.R.C., you may be wondering just what it stands for. If you were only a guest of Disneyland, then you may have never heard of the D.R.C., or Disneyland Recreation Club. The Disneyland Recreation Club was formed only a “few months after the drawbridge of Fantasyland Castle was lowered,” according to a column by Bob Penfield (published in Disneyland LINE, Summer of 1965).
The D.R.C. owes its existence to several individuals including Van Arsdale France (of the University of Disneyland), Jan Ayers (of Group Insurance), and others.

It was one of many clubs (or, organizations) comprised of Disneyland Cast Members at the Park and the Hotel (all persons became members of the DRC when they began their employment with Disneyland). Y’know, a wise Mouseketeer once sang, “A good clean sport, a good clean mind will do a lot for you!” Holding a high value to those ethics may be one reason why the company itself, would financially sponsor recreation and entertainment for its employees (or, DRC members).

1956: For instance, the First Annual “End of Summer” Dance in honor of part time employees (who “improved every phase of the Park’s operation”) was held September 7th, 1956 (and these “Via Con Dios Dances” became a tradition during the first decade). The Disneylander periodical (published by the Disneyland Recreation Club) preserves information on many of these events. The First Annual Disneyland Christmas Party was held on December 10, 1956. “The originator and arranger for basic detail was your Disneyland Recreation Club. The council Felt honored and privileged by the success of this party.”

1957: During May of 1957, Iris Schuller (of Latin Imports at the Disneyland Hotel), hosted a series of six self-improvement classes for women (e.g. Makeup and Hair Styling, Walking and Posture, Figure Control and Co-ordination, Personality and Charm, Voice and Diction, and Wardrobe and Color Co-ordination). By 1957, the DRC sponsored a Basketball Team, Bowling League, Softball Team (the first team in the Industrial “A” League of Anaheim to complete a season undefeated), and Toastmasters Club.

1958: Tournaments of the very first Disneyland Golf Club were organized. Futurama Bowl in nearby Garden Grove hosted bowling tournaments. The first meeting of the Gun Club was organized and held in January of 1958. The Garden Grove Women’s Club hosted the very first Sweetheart Dance on February 14th, when Disneylanders were encouraged to have a Date Night of their own.

1959: The following year (in the Winter of 1959), the D.R.C. sponsored the “Ben Hur” Theater Party - four busses carried 219 Disneylanders and their friends to a theatrical showing of the newly released Ben Hur. Many of such outings were subsequently scheduled.

1961: The D.R.C. Spring Frolics party awarded prizes like a color TV. The DRC 1960-61 Bowling League reached a grand climax at the Annual banquet held at the Garden Grove Elks Club. Trophies were presented to 29 individuals and the sponsors of the Silhouette team, the league champions. Hills Bros.' team finished in second place followed by Chef's Linen in third.

By the summer of 1965, the D.R.C. had supported a Disneyland Masonic Club, “the Gun Club, the Chess Club, Golf Club, Bowling, Softball, Basketball, the Square Dance Club, the Riding Club, and the Intra-Mural Slow Pitch Softball League, which was almost always dominated by supervisors,” according to Bob Penfield, in Disneyland LINE (of Summer, 1965).

A number Disneyland employees ran for DRC office, in order to be elected as the fortunate few who volunteer for the particular responsibility (and pleasure) of planning, organizing, and working recreational events that their fellow Disneyland Cast Members would enjoy! The DRC came to have a President (like Bob Phelps, c.1968), a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Chairperson, a Club Advisor, a Secretary, a Social Advisor, and a Sports Advisor. Weekly meetings of the D.R.C. council would be held at the University of Disneyland (usually, in the morning, weekly) and suggestions for new clubs would be passed before the D.R.C. Council. These were not managed by the DRC, but merely suggested for their approval and support. If you liked skiing, bowling, mountain climbing or golfing, there was a Cast Activity Club for you. Thanks to the D.R.C., Disneyland had a Basketball Club, a Bowling Club, Chess Club, a Golf Club, a Gun Club, a Intra-Mural Slow Pitch Softball League, a Riding Club, the Trap and Skeet Club, a Softball League , an American Sign Language Club, a Christian Fellowship Club, a Square Dance Club (called the “Disneyland Squares”), a Disneyland (ballroom) Dance Club, the Disney Animated Film Club, the Anglers Club, a Disneyland Chapter of the Weight Watchers Club, and many more recreational organizations to choose from. And, who could forget the annual Disneyland Canoe Races? Many (fellow cast) members of these clubs would shine bright with stellar talent that would have otherwise been unnoticed, if not for these clubs (who knew Vesey Walker or Ray Van De Walker liked to golf?). Again, these clubs would not have existed, if not for the approval and support of the DRC!

In turn, the various Disneyland Recreational Club occasionally supported and helped promote events for organizations held within the Park! For instance, in 1969, the Disneyland Hotel Embassy Room hosted the Disneyland Recreational Club Christmas Dance (featuring a buffet with prizes), on December 14, 1969, from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Then, there were those aforementioned “Disneyland Squares” (of over 150 members, including their club founder, resident barber, and “caller” Don Drew), who helped welcome near 12,000 guests to “Disneyland’s Country Music Spectacular” held October 16, 1971. Despite a little rain, the event was a big success, and paved the way for the “Country Music Night at Disneyland”. Though the Disneyland Squares membership would triple, allowing them to become self-supporting, and not relying on D.R.C. funds through the 1970s, one must recognize that this all started with the immense support of the Disneyland Recreation Club!

The DRC Federal Credit Union was established in 1968, originally housed in room 287, on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building (on the Harbor Boulevard side). Within just 3 short months, it had grown to more than 500 members, turning payroll deductions into loans for employee members.

The Disneyland Recreation Club also published the “Disneylander” for employees of Disneyland, Inc. This publication was followed by the quarterly Disneyland Backstage magazine, which was co- published by the D.R.C. and the University of Disneyland.

By November of 1972, The Center opened (with its Quiet Room, Credit Union, Group Insurance Offices, Career Planning and Placement, and other facilities). You may recollect enjoying a coffee of hot chocolate at The Center while enjoying a few moments of quiet or watching a few minutes of television while taking a break. The Disney University Manager’s Office was also located at The Center. But more importantly (and on track with our topic), The Center became the location where Disneyland Cast Members would sign up for Disneyland Recreation Club events.

The face of the Disneyland Recreation Club Council Board changed frequently, with new members joining the Disneyland family annually (and of these, DRC Chairperson Candidates appearing on the DRC Election Ballot, hoping to win a spot on the Council). These lucky individuals would continue to support the “new sign-ups”, hear and approve the new suggestions for clubs, or handle and track the discount tickets sold for concerts, games, and other D.R.C. sponsored events. Perhaps you recollect scanning the pages of “Disneyland LINE” magazine for the “DRC Calendar of Events”, or contacting the Center for more information. Without a doubt, the most memorable ticketed events (arranged through the DRC through the years) include the DRC Annual Family Picnics, the Annual Christmas Parties and Dances (like the one held in 1964 when Wayne Van De Walker attended with Diana Reed), the Annual Canoe Races, those DRC summer softball leagues (about 800 Disneylanders supported the men’s and women’s divisions during the summer of ‘77 alone) and annual outdoor feasts, the trips to Dodger Stadium or excursions to Hawaii, and that time tickets were made available to see Disneyland Alumni “Steve Martin In Concert” (during December of 1977)!

As we recall his words of wisdom (published in Wisdom magazine, December of 1959), we’re sure that Walt would have continued to approve of these activities (sponsored by the D.R.C.) which help Cast Members to “get away from the grind” : “I have had fun on the job. I have never have been able to confine that fun to office hours.”

Ultimately Cast Activities was formed to “organize all Resort-wide Cast events, activities and recognition programs including Sports Leagues, Spirit of Disneyland Resort, Service Awards, Little Monsters, Family Holiday Party, Cast Film Screening and Canoe Races.”

Barnett Ricci, the Park’s chief choreographer, directing movement

Barnett Ricci demonstrates movement.

Barnett Ricci (Disneyland Entertainment Show Choreographer) blocking the Feast Scene.

Barnett Ricci teaching Jim how to dance

Barnett Ricci sits with our conductor Phil Slep, and his ‘orchestra’

Bonnie and Jim rehearsing

You may have seen these flyers hanging around the D.R.C. during 1972.

Tom Pletts (in looking over this Disneyland LINE article) recalled : “Ben Sherman, by the way, also produced ‘Chicken Ranching [for Fun & Profit]’. His Park job was managing and producing Character events, parades, & such. Smart guy, and very nice. He’s become a writer.”

Jim Adams rehearsing his role of Rumplestiltskin.

Tom Pletts remembers : “That’s Earl Archer, wielding the ax. There was a Fantasyland break area behind the theater, which was used for make-up, costumes, relaxing, and fooling around.”

Here, a few miscellaneous cast members of Rumplestiltskin pose for a photograph while backstage.

Don Payne (who portrayed the Prime Minister) forgot all about a particular element of his costume until he saw this Vintage View : “The Prime Minister was dressed in a green, brocaded robe…I had completely forgotten that I wore a bald cap for that part! Threw me…until I saw the enlarged image.”

“The Sound Department was interesting as to who was responsible for what and when. They tried to explain it, and it all worked well ; but all I knew was that some were IATSE (the Studio Union) and some weren’t. Really good guys, though!

They were so generous with their time and expertise so we could have proper lighting. The Mill worker too, helping us build sets ; and the Wardrobe folks offering costume solutions. Of course, some of us worked with a number of them on various attractions and venues. They were all knowledgeable and to know. I don’t remember the name of the man in the horizontal stripes, but I was always confident things would go well when he was around.”

-Tom Pletts

Now, I would like to direct your attention to the diverse job descriptions of the Rumplestiltskin cast. Many of these Disneyland Cast Members did much more in their personal lives than work for Disneyland and appear in Disneyland Drama Club productions. For example Penny Peters (had four years of Food Service up to this time and) currently worked at the Plaza Inn and the Inn Between. Unbeknownst to most, these amazing Cast Members also have another life away from Disneyland, and for Penny Peters (a CalState Long Beach graduate with a BA in psychology), she is a teacher of the emotionally handicapped in Tustin.

Note the announcement of the next Disneyland drama Club production “You Can’t Take It With You” at the bottom of the page.

Connie Lane (then, V.I.P. Tour Guide and 2nd Disneyland Ambassador) portrays the “Special Guest Narrator” of the story.

Pictured here is Jim Adams (Character Dept.) as the lead character Rumplestiltskin. Don Payne recalls : “I built Rumplestiltskin’s beard…which Jim Adams wore for each performance. The beard was built with a liquid latex base and crepe hair. I had made the base very thick so the appliance would last for all the performances. That sucker was DURABLE!”

Don Payne shared these recollections of the background of Jim Adams (the Disneyland Character Dept. employee who portrayed Rumplestiltskin in the Disneyland Drama Club production) : “You’re looking at Jim Adams (Character Department) as Rumplestiltskin! According to a long-time friend, “Jim had been a gymnast in High School and could do amazing flips and moves.” He worked in the Character Department, and later at the Golden Horseshoe! With friend Don Payne, the duo wrote, produced, and directed the “Annual Main Street Easter Walking Race” which was used for years even after they both left Disneyland.”

Bonnie Barrileaux (a Slue Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe Revue Can-Can Dancer, an assistant, and Disneyland park choreographer) and Jim Cox.

Tom Pletts remembers : “There were several things that impressed me : Jim Adams’ exuberance and talent, which was infectious! Phil Slep’s musical direction, Barnet Ricci’s grace and patience with the choreography, Ben Sherman’s handling of the cast and crew and all the details, and my discovery that I’m a klutz at dancing.”

The official title of the Disneyland Drama Club’s next production was announced here, including its cast members, and showtimes.

The Disneyland Drama Club was so grateful for the support of the Disneyland Recreation Club, that they personally invited the current D.R.C. Council Members to the show. Pictured, is a copy of one such Admission Letter for “You Can't Take It With You”.

Present members of the Disneyland Recreational Club were invited to attend the Disneyland Drama Club’s production of “You Can’t Take It With You”.

Again, the production value and size of cast and crew increased (as compared to the previous Disneyland Drama Club production of Rumplestiltskin).

(Rows, Left to Right) :

Row 1 : Kim Rinabarger, Jim West, Anita Trammell, and Lee Lomask

Row 2 : Ken Neufeld, Bonnie B., and Tony Salvagio

Row 3 : Jim Adams and Connie Lane

Row 4 : Tom Pletts

Row 5 : Pete Parise and Pat Keener

Row 6 : Tom Sullivan, Jim Cox, and Kathy McGuire

Row 7 : Terry Verdicia, ?, Mike Lorenz, and Betty Stromquist

Jim Cox’s (in the makeup chair, backstage) receives some treatment to his hair for his portrayal of the character of Boris Kolenkhov.

Ken Neufeld “works his magic” on the floor, Jim Cox on top of him, Anita Trammell horrified, and me in the cardigan, making gestures.

Neufeld, Cox, Adams, Pletts, Lane, Kathy McGuire and Ted Buxton

Adams, Trammell, Neufeld, Lane, and Pletts

Bonnie B and Tony Salvagio (standing in the back) ; (Seated Left to Right) Jim Adams, Connie Lane, Anita Trammmell, Ken Neufeld, and Tom Pletts

Left to Right : Rhonda Treischel (whose brother Kevin Treischel also played a minor role as one of the “Cronies”) and Randy Pangborn (as Daisy Mae and Li’l Abner), and Richelle Bowe (a “Dogpatch” Wife) rehearse.

Not pictured above, was Betty Bell (15-year employee of the Merchandising Division) who in her spare time constructed and decorated the sets for the Disneyland Drama Club productions, including Lil’ Abner. She also provided make-up for the casts (“for which she received the Drama Workshop’s ‘Stellar Award’”), according to Disneyland LINE (published Wednesday, November 8, 1972).

(1) Jim Heiss, Suezanne Fisher and her friend.

(2) Sheron Snyder and Johnny present a Stellar Award to Pat Keener for her performance of Essie

(3) Sheron Snyder presents Jim Cox with a Stellar Award for his performance of Boris Kolenkhov

(1) Ted Buxton and Ken

(2) Jim Adams cracking up Sheron, John, and everyone else.

(3) Kevin Treschel and sister Rhonda.

(1) Betty Bell receives her Stellar Award for her makeup work in “You Can’t Take It With You”, while Ken Neufeld and Pat look on.

(2) Sheron and Johnny present a Stellar Award to Connie Lane for her performance of Penny Sycamore in “You Can’t Take It With You”.

(3) Phil Slep receives a Stellar Award award for Musical Direction of “Bye Bye Birdie”, while Connie applauds.

(1) …”For the use of costumes in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ - Tom Jacobson!”

(2) “Peaches” Keener, Johnny B. and Ken N.

(3) Kathy McGuire and Rhonda

(1) Sheron

(2) Rosie Alvarez with Rhonda Treischel, while Rhonda receives her award for her performance in “Bye Bye Birdie”.

(3) Suezanne presents Ted Buxton with a special Stellar Award for Publicity and Programs.

Tom Pletts receives a Stellar Award for his performance of Martin Vanderhoff (Grandpa) in “You Can’t Take It With You”.

On December 13 and 14, 1972 the Drama Workshop began casting for ”Wait Until Dark.” Casting was performed in the Center, with production taking place in late February of 1973, and rehearsals beginning soon after.
Disneyland Drama Club production Cast Member Tom Pletts recollects the next Disneyland Drama Club production for its very different tone, which was produced (oddly enough) during the year of the “Walt Disney Productions - 50 Happy Years of Family Entertainment” celebration at Disneyland. Tom recalls :

“It was definitely a thriller. In fact Park management first vetoed our doing it, and only relented because it wouldn't be presented to the public. It had been a recent hit movie, based on the original play. Audrey Hepburn played the blind lady, and Alan Arkin was the villain in that film. I hadn't seen it though. The extreme tension is what prompted us to opt for screen credits in lieu of a curtain call at the play's end.

I can’t remember how often we signed [autographs] after shows, but we always met the audience after our shows. Except once. After “Wait Until Dark”, we hid in a break room. That play ended like a movie, with credits on a screen, and no curtain call. To do that, we established the screen with an opening prologue sequence. It was different.”

“Add Bonnie Barillieux to the cast list for Wait Until Dark. In the play, her character is just a corpse offstage, and is only referred to; but we used pictures of her in a prologue sequence, so we could establish at the beginning our use of the screen that would also display our closing credit photos. Clever? Bonnie was used to playing the heroine, but in this one she was stealing drugs from Jim Adams' character. (I avoided using the obvious play-on-words.) In the prologue, we showed her being chased through LAX, and handing the drug-filled doll to a perplexed Greg Dymkowski.”

According to Disneyland LINE (published Wednesday, March 28, 1973), “Other credits should go to Ben Cossart, Ted Buxton, Arlene Underwood, Bob Irvine, Gary Carlson, Phil Chilcote, Chuck Roberson, Jim Cox, Jane Cline, and Lee Lomask.”

Mike Lorenz and Chuck Hilburn as the two con men.

Mike Lorenz and Jim Adams (portraying the “Drug Dealer”) for the Disneyland Drama Club production of "Wait Until Dark".

Greg Dymkowski and the “blind” Pat Keener portraying “The Victims”. Tom Pletts recollected : “To do the role, Pat learned how the blind function, by attending a school for the blind.” Accoding to Disneyland LINE (published Wednesday, March 28, 1973), “The Braille Institute was the technical advisor.”

Chuck’s character conning Pat’s character in this scene.

“Wait Until Dark” Director Tom Pletts remembers : “From the few rehearsal schedules I've kept, and my recollections, each production took about a month or so to put together. Rehearsals were planned around the Park's hours, the availability of the stage, and the cast members' (literally) work schedules. We'd squeeze in an average of 15 rehearsals. Wait Until Dark had close to 30!”

Pat being conned by phone.

Jim’s character persuades the con men to do their job.

Jim Adams’ character enters ominously.

The “blind” Pat moves quickly down the stairs.

By the end of its run, the exciting and suspenseful “Wait Until Dark” saw an audience of more than 1,500 Disneyland Employees. Accoding to Disneyland LINE (published Wednesday, March 28, 1973), “Since this was the workshop’s first attempt at performing a heavy dramatic piece, all of the accolades they have received are even more meaningful.”

“A Rare ‘Vintage View’ of Little Mary Sunshine”

(Photo : Pat Keener and Tom Pletts)

Cast Member Tom Pletts remembers :  “Little Mary Sunshine…was the last show I had any involvement with, and [worked with] some new people I hadn’t worked with before. I just remember it was fun. I don’t remember much about the plot - It had a mountie, an Indian, a lecherous dignitary (me), and Pollyanna, and it seemed so farcical. I’d actually seen UC Irvine’s slick production of it earlier, as it was their first play.”

Stars included Janice Knowlton (Mother Superior). If you performed in this musical, we would love to hear your story.

Tom Pletts recalled this production : “‘Tail of the West’ is/was a vaudeville-styled melodrama, with a chorus and production numbers. The story: after the townsfolk extol the virtues of Homestead Heights, their new Marshall and his deputy find a name for their horse by doing a Lone Ranger sketch and dance (it's hard to explain). The heroine's grandfather loses the deed to his ranch (and the town's water rights) PLUS the hand of his granddaughter in a silly poker game with the villain (me). The deputy is talked into a shootout with Blackberry, but neither wins; so the heroine steals back the deed from the villain's pocket. After a strobe-light chase scent involving nearly everyone, she finally hides it! So he attempts to get it back by torturing her, poking swords through a trick box with her inside. The hero arrives in the nick of time, of course, and he engages the villain in a slow-motion sword fight (really). The town then rejoices, all of the romances are resolved and the audience applauds. This was performed in the Fantasyland Theatre to give us more room for the dance numbers. My assigned mate was the deplorable Sludge, which was played by the actually delightful Pat Keener.”

Earl Archer and others prepare for a table read.

Vocalist Rhonda Treischel (of Fantasyland Merch) is sitting second from the left.

*(“Disneyland Rides & Attractions and Attendance Report,” 1981)

One can easily slip into the jargon of “ride,” but at Disneyland there is a "story behind the story" of every attraction, every attraction is a living experience for the guest. Disneyland ride-through attractions or adventures have officially been defined as an “individual show, ride, or exhibit designed to produce an entertaining Guest experience. Disney attractions stir the imagination, enliven the senses, and provide the participants with positive, innovative entertainment, which is the essence of the DISNEYLAND Show.” It is important to review the story of the attraction, tell the story, explain it, and create interest. This is the story of Flying Saucers.

The presentation of the Flying Saucers show on the vast DISNEYLAND “stage” was to be a distinct part of the Disneyland theater concept. “Please step this way,” as we explore the story of how other-worldly Flying Saucers descended upon Tomorrowland for half-a-decade.

“Blue Sky for a Bumper Ride”

The idea of a “bumper ride” had been around since Disneyland’s design and development phase. Why, back in 1954, Bruce Bushman created concept art for “Duck Bumps”, a water-based Donald Duck-themed Fantasyland attraction (that would have possibly been situated somewhere near the “Pink Elephants” and the “Mad Tea Party” attractions). The vehicles would have been distinctly unlike most at Disneyland - individually-controlled by Guests. Soon, Popular Mechanics (December of 1954) even made mention of “Donald Duck boats” among the landmarks of the Disneyland project.

Meanwhile, Herb Ryman created the iconic “Aerial Over Disneyland” concept drawing! A contemporaneous document called “The Disneyland Story” was produced (on September 3, 1954), in order to tell the story of what guests would experience upon entering Disneyland and Tomorrowland. After a detailed 2-page description of the Rocket to the Moon attraction, the document plainly states : “We will have other outer space rides that we will develop as the Park progresses.” Further, Walt Disney himself, on the eve of Disneyland’s first day of operation, promised that “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow, to add new things, as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Disneyland opened, and though “Duck Bumps” never materialized, Tomorrowland debuted with one major space adventure - TWA’s Rocket to the Moon and its Rocket Pylon!

Tomorrowland soon came to house many other outer space-themed adventures - from the AstroJets to Space Station X-1 - and (as Walt promised) another truly “out of this world” adventure was to descend upon Disneyland!

Remember that Walt Disney had earlier said : “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow, always adding new things to provide its visitors with exceptional and entertaining attractions.” In Walt’s eyes, Disneyland was “like a piece of clay,” because if there was something he didn’t like, he wasn’t stuck with it. He could reshape and revamp it. After years of personally reshaping and revamping, Walt divulged: “I’m not the perfectionist anymore. It’s my staff - they’re the ones always insisting on doing something better and better.”

Nets overhead may have been intended to keep out any unwanted waterfowl.

Bob Gurr who (had a hand in the design of many Disneyland vehicles) came up with the “ornamental design” of the Flying Saucers (pictured in the patent figure facsimile above). He remembered : “In those days, everybody had a hovercraft project. It was a neat idea…a ‘big buzz’ at the time, and a lot of people were working on some form of hovercraft project simultaneously….Arrow’s concept of moving the motive force out of the vehicles to underneath the floor was a novel idea…I was now recognized by the United States government as a ‘Flying Saucer Inventor’, a title which placed me in good company with all the other flying saucer crack pots of the time.” Other artists like Wilson “Bill” Martin (who had left 20th Century Fox, to work on Walt Disney Productions’ Disneyland project in 1954) made contributions to the design of the project, Bill’s former talents as art director applied to the attraction.

“The Science of ‘Science Fiction’ - Engineering The Flying Saucer”

These four fleets (of 16) alien vehicles were not unidentified, but (in fact) on the “creative menu” and manufactured by a very terrestrial (earthly) company called Arrow Development (of Mountain View, California) and National Research Associates Inc. Utilizing Arrow for the project was practical, as Arrow Development had (from 1953 to 1955) both researched and developed many of the ride systems, tracks, and vehicles for many of Disneyland’s Opening Day attractions. This Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon (founders of Arrow Development) accomplished through their own streamlined engineering process. Utilizing Arrow Development was also convenient, as Walt Disney Productions had purchased 1/3 of Arrow Development in 1960. As for National Research Associates Inc., they had been in the business of developing air-cushion systems for the United States Army and the Marines. Now, technology that was good enough for military applications, would (by Ed and Karl) be applied to Walt’s next addition to his vision of Tomorrow!

Now, the saucers would not truly fly, but operated in an arena that was not too different from an air-hockey table. Disneyland Vice President Joseph W. Fowler revealed (in “Disneyland News”, Vol.1, No.1, 1961) that “‘Disneyland has been experimenting with the Flying Saucers in Northern California for some months. Because of the air-cushion principle involved, we have kept the tests completely under wraps. However at this time we can reveal that each saucer will be a self-contained unit in which one guest pilots his own ships in free flight.” According to Roger Broggie : “We had figured that we could move a two-thousand pound payload if we had an air jet below with valves that allow air to come up through holes in the floor.” The Flying Saucers were capable of “catching some air” - when the weight was perfectly centered, air beneath the saucers was capable of blowing the vehicles up to 8 inches off the ground! Otherwise, guests controlled the vehicle utilizing the round handles, and tilting their body in the direction they wanted to travel.

Notable scientist Willy Ley (who was once a technical consultant for Tomorrowland) once commented: “I consider it possible that we can get visitors from space, but I do not think flying saucers are it.” Despite Dr. Ley’s scorn of the though of flying saucers, some six years after Disneyland opened, official Press Releases heralded : “Flying Saucers are reported heading toward Disneyland. No figment of the imagination, flying saucers are destined for the Park, to become one of Walt Disney’s latest attractions for the 1961 season”, according to Vacationland (Summer, 1961). Those who would recollect seeing Bruce Bushman’s c. 1954 concept drawings of “Duck Bumps” (a Fantasyland attraction which never fully materialized), would realize that seven years had transpired since that original concept. It had now been both re-worked and re-themed, and a form of the original attraction idea was finally becaming a reality!

“First on Earth - Flying Saucers”

Joe Fowler (Disneyland Operations Committee) oversaw the Construction & Maintenance division including Engineering, New Construction, Maintenance, and Janitorial relating to the Flying Saucers. Soon a yellow and white construction barrier appeared with a sign depicting an "Astrogram" reporting “Flying Saucers… First on Earth.”

Like something out of War of the Worlds, flying saucers were making waves, over the radio when Chief Engineer John Wise gave a talk on local Radio KNX regarding the new Flying Saucer adventure. Promotional media also made mention of flying saucers at Disneyland. For instance, during 1961, “Anaheim... Future Unlimited” was published by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. Inside, the words of Marty Sklar (of WED Enterprises) referred to: “Tomorrowland, home of Flying Saucers, America's first monorail train, rocket ships and submarines.”

Yes, Walt Disney’s newest $400,000 attraction (of a $2.5 million expansion) allowed Guests to “fly” one of 64 air-cushioned Flying Saucers by themselves (or together with a friend), over 16,000 square-feet of Tomorrowland-scape! The Flying Saucers at the Disneyland Spaceport were located in a little nook of Tomorrowland (not far from other flight-based adventures)!

Unlike other individually-controlled attractions (like the Autopia vehicles or the Motorboats), the Flying Saucers were not tethered to a track or guide rail. Apparently one of the few things that could hinder their flight was water (see above).

A Flying Saucers attraction poster was designed by Rolland Fargo Crump, who is most famously known for his contributions toward several of Walt Disney Productions’ 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair exhibits and attractions (in addition to some pretty “far out” artwork).

High over Main Street, “Disneyland ‘61” Banners advertised Tomorrowland’s newest “extra-terrestrial” additions, including the Disneyland-ALWEG Monorail System and the Flying Saucers!

In August of 1962, Lloyd Richardson, Larry Clemmons, Joe Marquette, and Jack Leppert (of the Walt Disney Studio) filmed and shot scenery of the Flying Saucers for Studio Production #3185. “Balloons” and “beach balls filled with air” were requested. It was also requested that “all saucers…be in operation at the [sic] same time,” and for “ride operators who know how to fly saucers dressed as guests.”

On August 30, 1962, their account describes how they “arrived at the Flying Saucer ride in Tomorrowland and surveyed until 2:00. Half of the Flying Saucer ride was closed due to our production from 2:00 to 3:00 (1 hour). The laborer (Baker) delivered us 100 blown up balloons and 10 blown up beach balls. With the Saucers in the dock or loading position, we put all the Balloons and Beach Balls in with the guests. We then started the ride up. We immediately lost all of the Balloons. We were only able to capture limited footage of the balloons in with the ride. We were taking footage of the guests with the Beach Balls on the Flying Saucers. Crowd reaction shots of the gallery and one brief shot of the cameraman in the Flying Saucer.” You may have seen the final footage later on some Wonderful World of Color Episode.

In addition to press releases, some magazines (like Amusement Business) spotlighted Disneyland’s newest adventure in the columns of their periodicals.

In advance of the opening, The Disneylander contributor Joe Fowler commented: “A brand new 1961 attraction that will begin to operate soon is the Disneyland Flying Saucer adventure. Just what the impact of this ride will be on our guests imaginations is anyone's guess, and we'll have to wait a few more weeks to know the full story. We feel, however, that we may have another Matterhorn Bobsled on our hands when it comes to queue lines.”

For immediate press release, the preceding image of Space Girl gaining a little altitude, accompanied the following caption in numerous news journals :

“‘Space Girl’ Donna Fox (left foreground) takes to the air in Disneyland’s newest - Flying Saucers. The single passenger ride is motivated by air blasts coming from the many circles on the floor. Passengers weight directs craft in the direction of lean combined with control handles which cause spin. The Disneyland Space Station had its opening 8/14.” It was not unusual to see the Disneyland Cast of Characters riding aboard Flying Saucers. Do you remember seeing Vesey Walker directing from the Disneyland Spaceport, while the Disneyland Marching Band performed sets while riding aboard Flying Saucers?

Many notable Disneylanders supported the Flying Saucers stage at the Disneyland Show, including “55er” Homer Holland and Ron Hemminger (c.1966).

By the October of 1962, the Flying Saucers was operating with all 64 Flying Saucers, exclusively during weekends. This was common during winter operating schedules.

Similar in style to the “Walt Disney’s Autopia Car Exhibit” Free Exhibit, one of the Flying Saucer vehicles was put on display for guests’ viewing pleasure, or a “Fun Foto” opportunity!

During an era when the Douglas Moonliner I would begin to tower over the Tomorrowland Skyline, the Flying Saucers would dominate the terrestrial area of Tomorrowland!

Ride along with family.

While listed in the Coupon Book as a “E,” the Flying Saucers was closed weekdays during the winter season of 1962-1963, operating only on weekends.

In 1965, the cost of admission for piloting your very own Flying Saucer to thrills and fun was exactly one “D” coupon, or 60¢ - the same fare required to charter a bobsled down the icy slopes of the Matterhorn, or to board a Mine Train for an excursion through the magnificent Rainbow Caverns!

Ride along with a friend!

Hover over Tomorrowland-scape on your own!

Apparently, the Flying Saucers were fun for kids of all ages! (Fun Fact - According to Disneyland Holiday magazine, Winter 1957 - 1958 : “among visitors to Disneyland adults outnumber children 3 1/2 to 1.”) This accounts for all the adult Flying Saucer pilots pictured!

Notice the loading area in the background of the previous photos. Guests never need set a foot onto the blue textured area. When the ride time transpired, a mechanical “boom” would sweep across the field. This would corral the fourteen Flying Saucers into the Loading Area, while releasing another set of fourteen Flying Saucers for a few minutes of fun!

Though enjoyable, the Flying Saucers required a great deal of maintenance, especially on hot days. But for a moment, let’s take another look at these most memorable (and positively “identifiable”) “flying” objects, during a time when Flying Saucer sightings were a daily occurrence in Tomorrowland!

Guests chose "flight patterns" by shifting their weight.

…and that’s something to cheer for!

Media (above) depicted the Flying Saucers while another page teased: “Walt Disney and his ‘imagineers’ at WED Enterprises - the team that created Disneyland and four major shows at the New York World's Fair--are now at work on the boldest, most ambitious of future developments: design of a New Tomorrowland. To research ideas for this exciting project (scheduled to open in Summer, 1967) Walt and his creative staff visited Houston, Huntsville and Cape Kennedy, discussing the latest Space Age wonders with America's astronauts and scientists -including Dr. Werner Von Braun. In New Tomorrowland, guests will experience the sensation of racing through distant space. A towering structure will serve as spaceport and theme center. And a unique new ‘People Mover,’ the WEDway, will carry guests on a scenic tour - even weaving in and out of new exhibits by some of the foremost companies in American industry.”

A contemporaneous mural depicts Goofy (in a spacesuit), near the site of the “Rocket Flight Attraction” building (also referred to as “Space Voyage” in early documentation). Goofy appears to be puzzled by the presence of an unidentified flying object before him.

“THE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING ROCKET ATTRACTION”

Internal materials printed in 1966 revealed that “Immediately following Labor Day this year, the Flying Saucers will be taken out and then relocated later under the new space attraction… Space Ride - A new thrill adventure similar in principle to our Matterhorn Bobsleds, where guests will soar through space and around and through a mountain some 200 feet in height.”

Though a “Rocket Flight Attraction” was planned to open during the early 1960s, the Flying Saucers were still detailed on souvenir maps (See Map Excerpt, Late 1960s). Disneyland Plot Plans produced during this era depicted the path of a future Wedway through the area of the Flying Saucers’ Loading Zone, indicating a potential future for the attraction.

“CLOSURE”

Walt once divulged, “When we consider a new project, we really study it. And when we go into that new project, we believe in it all the way.” [“Walt Disney Productions Annual Report to Shareholders and Employees Fiscal Year Ended October 2, 1965”]

All together, the interactive Flying Saucers operated a good half-decade - from 1961 to 1966. According to the Walt Disney Archives, “more than 5 million guests took flight in Disneyland’s Flying Saucers - that’s almost 1 million guests per year.” In fact, the exact total of guests aboard the Flying Saucers was 5,313,882 (according to a study taken in 1971).

Years later, a “Rocket Flight Attraction” (which would allow guests to soar in a different type of vehicle), and a new entertainment venue called the Tomorrowland Stage (adjacent to the soon-to-be Space Mountain Amphitheater) opened in its place. That particular “Rocket Flight Attraction” would “land” inside Space Mountain on May 27, 1977. By this time, the Flying Saucers had long since vanished (on September 5th, 1966) in favor of the upcoming “New Tomorrowland” project!

The Flying Saucers was once considered a “future project” for Tomorrowland at The Magic Kingdom. The Flying Saucers did have a legacy (of sorts), as their aesthetically appealing design would even go on to influence the shape of the enormous structure that housed Space Mountain!

Flying Saucers and alien encounters nearly had a legacy in tableaux envisioned by Marc Davis, for the Disneyland Railroad and in an original experience planned for the Tomorrowland PeopleMover.

The Flying Saucers lived on through occasional exhibit displays (like the Walt Disney Family Museum; pictured above) and exclusive & limited-edition merchandise (pictured below).

Far in the future (by 2008), the name would live on with a shop known to Disneyland Cast Members and Guests as “Flying Saucers Hats”.

Tomorrowland Flyin-Saucers were available in red, blue, yellow, and orange, retailing at .59¢ each. The toy was “engineered and made of unbreakable plastic” to fly “straight, curves, circles, skips.”

This model was once offered exclusively through the Disneyana Shop in honor of New Tomorrowland expansion of 1998.