There have been lots of “Disney Dads,” and as Father’s Day approaches, I chose to feature the one I would call the original, Elias Disney, father of Walt and Roy Disney. Elias was a strict disciplinarian, yet very devoted to his wife and children. Despite his stern demeanor, the Disney brothers had great respect and affection for their father, and as a result, Walt honored Elias with a window on Main Street, U.S.A., on July 17, 1955, the opening day of Disneyland park.

Elias, the son of Irish immigrants, was born in Canada on February 6, 1859. While still in his teens, he moved with his family to the United States and settled in Ellis, Kan. Several years later, tired of the brutal winter weather, Elias and his father, Kepple, travelled to Florida to look at land with neighbors Charles and Henrietta Call.

On January 1, 1888, Elias married Charles and Henrietta’s daughter, Flora Call, in Kismet, Fla., just 50 miles north of the land on which Walt Disney World Resort would eventually be built. Elias tried his luck growing oranges and delivering mail in Florida, and when that didn’t work out, the couple moved to Chicago. There, Elias started a contracting business where he built houses which Flora helped design.

In Chicago, Elias met and befriended Walter Parr, a minister at St. Paul Congregational Church. In 1901, when both Flora and Walter Parr’s wife were pregnant, Elias made a proposal to Parr that if he had a baby boy, he would name him Walter and if Parr had a boy, he would be named Elias. On December 5, Elias and Flora had their fourth son and Elias kept his bargain with Parr by naming him Walter Elias Disney. The Parr baby was also a boy and he was named Elias.

In 1906, Elias was worried about the rising crime in Chicago, so he moved the family to a farm in Marceline, Mo. It was here that the young Walt grew up and developed his love for animals and the rural life that would be so evident in his films. The Disney family remained in Marceline for four years, before moving to Kansas City in 1910.

In Kansas City, Elias bought a newspaper delivery route. Walt delivered newspapers for his father while attending Benton School. In 1912, Elias acquired shares in the O-Zell jelly and fruit juice company of Chicago and five years later moved his family back to the city, where Walt began his freshman year at McKinley High School and took night courses at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts.

Elias and Flora had five children; Herbert Arthur Disney (Dec. 8, 1888 – Jan. 29, 1961), Raymond Arnold Disney (Dec. 30, 1890 – May 24, 1989), Roy Oliver Disney (June 24, 1893 – Dec. 20, 1971), Walter “Walt” Elias Disney, (Dec. 5, 1901 – Dec. 15, 1966), and Ruth Flora Disney (Dec. 6, 1903 – April 7, 1995).

In the late 1930’s, Elias and Flora moved to North Hollywood to be near Walt and Roy. Elias died on September 13, 1941. His window on Main Street is located above the Emporium and has the brief inscription: Elias Disney, Contractor, Est. 1895. It is believed that 1895 represents the year Elias began working as a contractor.

Happy Father’s Day.

Check out more posts about the windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park:

• Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Mary Anne Mang
• Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Van France
• Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Jim Cora

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Tomorrow, June 14, marks 55 years since the Sailing Ship Columbia first began sailing the Rivers of America at Disneyland park. The ship is an exact replica of the 18th century merchant vessel, Columbia Rediviva, the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe, and the namesake of Oregon’s Columbia River.

One of the earliest photos of the Columbia we have on file was taken in May 1958, alongside the Mark Twain Riverboat. If the Columbia appears to be incomplete in this photo, it is likely because portions of the 110-foot ship were pre-built in San Pedro, Calif., and then delivered to the dry dock harbor on the Rivers of America for assembly.

These rare color images show the Columbia during some of its earliest Disneyland sailings.

Disneyland park guests don’t sail around the globe aboard the Columbia, but the 12-minute journey along the Rivers of America remains as beautiful and tranquil as it has been for 55 years.

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Top Stories

It’s National Adopt-A-Cat Month, and I’ve found the perfect trio you’ll want to welcome into your home. Sure, they might make a racket, and you’d need to go back in time to adopt them, but other than that, they’d be a great addition. Here’s a look at Scat Cat’s jazz band from “The Aristocats” performing at the Plaza Pavilion at Magic Kingdom Park in the 1970s.

Sporting colors that represent a “far-out” moment from the film, Scat Cat (left) along with English Cat (on the drums) and the Italian Cat (right), performed for guests showcasing why “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat.”

See the posts below for more vintage stories from around Disney Parks:

• Vintage Walt Disney World: America Goes on Parade
• Vintage Walt Disney World: Muppet*Vision 3D Rolls Out the Green Carpet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Vintage Walt Disney World: Inside the Backlot Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Disney History, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Today, back in 1975, America on Parade took to the streets of Magic Kingdom Park, saluting the bicentennial of the United States of America.

Larger-than-life, doll-like characters measuring nearly eight feet in height, called “People of America,” were developed specifically for the parade. Floats throughout America on Parade represented historical, cultural and scientific achievements throughout the first 200 years of our nation.

Viewed by an estimated 25 million guests on both coasts, this parade was performed 668 times at Magic Kingdom Park and 678 at Disneyland park and marked the first time the two parks worked jointly on a production that would appear simultaneously in both parks.

I think the above sandwich is most likely a salute to the American appetite. Gigantic!


Check out more “Vintage Walt Disney World” in these posts:

• Vintage Walt Disney World: Muppet*Vision 3D Rolls Out the Green Carpet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Vintage Walt Disney World: Inside the Backlot Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Vintage Walt Disney World: A Look Inside the Walt Disney World Resort Tree Farm

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Disney History, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Today, in 1991 the green carpet was rolled out at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the official opening of Muppet*Vision 3D.

Created jointly with Jim Henson Productions, Muppet*Vision 3D used the most advanced 3D animation and techniques for its time while showcasing Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and friends. Coming up with every imaginable 3D gimmick, this over-the-top film brought the Muppets to star in their very own attraction at Disney Parks. Below, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy prepare to launch fireworks to celebrate the opening of the attraction.

Home to one of the funniest pre-shows at Walt Disney World Resort, numerous Muppets make appearances throughout including Rizzo dressed up as a one very famous Mouse and Sam Eagle telling us to “please move as far to the end of the row as possible. Stopping in the middle is distinctly unpatriotic.”

Tagged: DHS, WDW

Filed: Disney History, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

Throughout his career, Walt Disney received many letters from people asking for a job. But in 1960, he received one such letter that caught his eye. This one was somehow different; it had something unique and special about it. The letter was from Mary Anne Mang, and Walt Disney offered her a job.

Mary Anne began her long and distinguished career in the sales promotion department at the Disneyland Hotel. A year later she moved to Disneyland park and worked in the Convention & Tour Sales department. In 1972, Mary Anne became the first woman to be promoted to the position of manager at Disneyland.

For eight years, Mary Anne served as Public Relations manager, hosting royalty, celebrities and other special guests when they visited the original Magic Kingdom. She also became a strong advocate for Disneyland as a community supporter. “Walt Disney was clear in his wishes that his park and its cast members should always strive to give something back to the surrounding community,” she recalled. This made community relations an integral part of her role in Public Relations.

One of her notable and personally fulfilling accomplishments was the Disneyland Creativity Challenge Program, which she helped found. This program recognized junior and senior high school students who had interest in the creative and fine arts disciplines.

Mary Anne went on to play an important role in the consolidation of all of the employee community outreach efforts into the company-wide Disney VoluntEARS program. The VoluntEARS program, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, creates opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time, expertise and effort to make a positive impact on the community, while furthering the traditions and ideals of The Walt Disney Company.

In addition to her responsibilities at Disneyland, Mary Anne was dedicated to serving her community in other capacities. She served on the board of directors of several Orange County, Calif., civic organizations, including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim, and the Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County. She has also been a member of a number of local councils and committees, including the Anaheim Arts Council, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division, Anaheim Memorial Hospital Medical Center Governing Board, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Mary Anne was always a role model for her co-workers and consistently exhibited leadership and polished professionalism in her service to others. She retired from the company in 1994. That same year, she was honored with a window on Main Street, U.S.A., above New Century Jewelry. The window script highlights her dedication to helping others: “Good Neighbor Foundation, ‘Caring and Giving Come from the Heart,’ Mrs. M.A. Mang, Director.” Mary Anne was named a Disney Legend in 2005. In her acceptance speech she said, “You know, I really lived my dreams.” Mary Anne shared her special thanks for Walt Disney, saying that if he were alive today, she would thank him for all the years of memories, stating, “It was an E-Ticket ride all the way.”


Check out more posts about the windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park:

• Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Van France
• Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Jim Cora
• Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Buzz Price Window Dedicated Today

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

“Here is the world of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic, and make-believe are reborn – and fairy tales come true.” – Walt Disney

Fantasyland has always been the crown jewel here at Disneyland park. Not only was it Walt Disney’s favorite land, but it is the place where characters from beloved Disney stories come to life, inviting us to become part of their adventures. During the initial design of Fantasyland, Walt envisioned a fairy tale village beyond the walls of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Unfortunately, as completion of Disneyland neared, it became necessary to scale back on the design of Fantasyland due to unforeseen budget overages – in fact, Walt’s budget for Disneyland had nearly tripled. So the design of Fantasyland developed into a medieval fair, with banners and flags decorating the entrances to opening-day attractions such as Snow White’s Adventures, Peter Pan’s Flight and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Then, thirty years ago today, “The New Fantasyland” opened at Disneyland on May 25, 1983. This expansion brought Walt’s original dream to life – the fairy tale village that was originally intended for opening day in 1955. The architecture and facade of each attraction became an extension of the stories that lie within.

On the east side of King Arthur Carrousel, the area reflects a look you may find in England, as you enter Peter Pan’s Flight through a medieval English clock tower or visit a country manor called Toad Hall, home to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Further down the path, you arrive at The Mad Hatter, a charming English country cottage. The area then transitions to giant, brightly colored leaves, the castle of the Queen of Hearts (in which the Alice in Wonderland attraction lies), and of course, the spinning teacups of the Mad Tea Party – creating the feel of the whimsy and wonder of the “Alice in Wonderland” story.

On the west side of Fantasyland, you have the feeling of being immersed in a Bavarian or Alpine village, bringing you into the worlds of Snow White and Pinocchio. The castle of the Evil Queen looms ominously as you enter Snow White’s Scary Adventures. Have no fear, though, because a cheerier atmosphere is right next door at Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. The attraction’s facade features half-timbered architecture and carved wood balconies, resembling the house in which Pinocchio, the wooden puppet made of pine, became a real boy.

“The New Fantasyland” elevated the storytelling at each attraction and in the entire area, from the architecture to the horticulture, and other details that combine to create an immersive, fairy tale environment. Which of these stories is your favorite to step into?

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disney History, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort