Here are some more never-before-seen photos of Walt Disney World under construction. These were taken by Donald M. Gardner, who was the chief electrical engineer at MAPO, the manufacturing department at Walt Disney Imagineering. An electrical and mechanical engineer, Don worked not only on the opening of Walt Disney World, but also worked on Disneyland projects and attractions such as the Walt Disney World monorail. Enjoy!
How well do you know Walt Disney World? Take this fun quiz to find out!
It really saddens me to report that Marty Sklar has passed away. A true Disney Legend, Marty was originally hired to write for the Disneyland News souvenir newspaper, and soon became Walt’s top writer. He wrote many of Walt’s speeches and other company communications and ultimately became the head of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Recently, Marty and I had been in touch, as I was going to interview him. Several Disney Legends that I know how contacted Marty to encourage him to interview me, and I just love what he emailed me! “Gee Scott – How come you didn’t get Bob Iger to say I should talk to you? Looks like you have most of the Legends …”
In preparation for the interview, I’ve been reading Marty’s wonderful book, “Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms.” While I never got that interview, I’m grateful to have his stories.
Disneyland was dedicated on this day in 1955. A plaque with the words that Walt Disney spoke on that special occasion remains in Town Square today.
LISTEN to hear memories of people who were there on July 17, 1955.
Big thanks to the Disneyland Golden Ears group for having me back to do another presentation in one of my favorite places in the world, the Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland!
In this talk I was able to share stories that have been personally told to me by people who were greatly involved in the creation of Disneyland, and who worked closely with Walt Disney.
It gives me great pleasure to be able to share these stories that I’ve had the honor of recording over the years, and I’m very grateful to the warm reception I received from the Golden Ears!
For no real reason, I decided to take pictures of a bunch of the signs that appear in the queue for the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction in Disneyland, and arrange them into a collage.
This Disney character is Tony Solaroni, an Audio-Animatronics alien in Tokyo Disneyland at the Pan Galactic Pizza Port. Although he speaks Japanese, thanks to the clever subtitles above his head, I learned his unique alien-style pizza-making process including using the cheese-o-matic and the glib-globulator. (I love that he’s wearing a Disney nametag.) See ya soon, Tony!
I’m excited to share with you the first of a number of photos I will be posting of Walt Disney World under construction! These NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN photos are by Donald M. Gardner, who was the chief electrical engineer at MAPO, the manufacturing department at Walt Disney Imagineering. An electrical and mechanical engineer, Don worked not only on the opening of Walt Disney World, but also worked on Disneyland projects and attractions such as the Walt Disney World monorail.
Star Wars Days at LEGOLAND California (June 3 & June 4, 2017) includes new Star Wars LEGO displays, activities such as the LEGO Star Wars™ Family Build Challenge, LEGO Star Wars™ Miniland Scavenger Hunt, Jedi™ Trivia, costume contests more.
Special thanks to LEGOLAND California for inviting me to your annual Star Wars Days!
I just posted my interview with John “Doc” Anello, who started in 1975 as production manager for Disneyland, became the head of education for the entertainment department and in the 1990s and 200s led his own band in Disneyland, “Doc Anello and the Swing Machine.” CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos