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| BACKSTORY: These photos show some of the elements that went into building Disneyland, with some rare behind-the-scene glimpses of the unfinished park. At the bottom is a map of Disneyland on opening day. This map and a scale model are currently on display at the Main Street Opera House. If you look in the background of the Carrousel Horse Photos, you can see the cars from the Casey Junior ride, as well as some of the Main Street Vehicles. In addition, you will find other “current” behind-the-scenes photos. |
1950's—1960's |
THE ABC-TV DEAL |
) From the publicity blurb:HOLLYWOOD, 4/3/54…AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF STUDY AND EXPLORATION OF THE TELEVISION FIELD, WALT DISNEY TODAY SIGNED AN EXCLUSIVE LONG TERM AGREEMENT WITH THE AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY CALLING FOR THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TO ANNUALLY PRODUCE A MINIMUM OF 26 HOUR LONG TV PROGRAMS. This photo was used again later, with this new blurb: Walt Disney is surrounded by his famed cartoon characters which launched the Disneyland television series. Last year his maximum effort was the Davy Crokcett series; and this season he will explore Revolution War days. |
KEVIN KIDNEY CHIMES IN… |
| An interesting story about this painting. Of course it's considered a priceless treasure of Disney art and an integral piece of Disneyland history, but it was almost lost forever. Around 1983 or ’84, a couple of art directors I used to work with at Disneyland were setting up some kind of special event at the Disney Studio up in Burbank. While on lunch, they went off to explore the old backlot area which, at the time, still had all the familiar film and television set facades used for many decades. The old adobe-style structures for the “Zorro” TV series were still standing, and the guys went poking around inside one of them. There, leaning against a wall, on the dirt floor with a packing blanket half draped over it, was the Ellenshaw painting. Presumably because of its large size, it had been tucked back there with other clutter to get it of the way, and had been forgotten about for quite a long time.After telling some folks back at Disneyland about it, it was rescued and brought indoors. There was light water damage to a portion of the painted surface, which was later touched up for public display in the new Disney Gallery in the late 1980s. Thankfully it survived and today everyone recognizes it as the irreplaceable gem that it is. When I see pictures of the painting, I can't help but think of this story.
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THE DISNEYLANDER EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER, SEPTEMBER 1961 |
THE DISNEYLAND PROVING GROUND |
THE DISNEYLAND LINE, MAY 25, 1978 |
| Plumbing: A Many-Fauceted Department At first glance, Disneyland's Plumbing Department might appear to be just a normal plumbing shop, staffed by wrench-carrying workers who unclog blocked sewers and replace washers in leaky spigots. But, upon plunging beneath the surface, one finds a team of experienced craftsmen who must deal with a wide variety of responsibilities. Since Disneyland is sucn an involved operation, the plumbing demands of the Park area as diverse as those of a small city. Everything from drinking fountains to sewage ejectors is found in the Park. Along with the many miles of water and sewer lines, the long list of Plumbing Department duties includes servicing and maintaining all gas piping and outlets, storm drain routes, water purifying, softening, and heating plants, as well as the emergency sprinkler netoworks. The control devices for these systems require constant observation, and necessary adjustments are made as required. Our Disneyland Plumbers deal with show details as well as support services, for they must turn on all the waterfalls each day the Park is open. Of course all guest facilities must be in working order, so that no one is ever inconvenienced by an inoperative rest room or drinking fountain. The crew of 15 that comprises the Plumbing Department has its hands full in completing the normal routine that keeps the Park operating. Homer Taulbee, Superintendent for the Plumbing and Air Conditioning, explains that, "since the Plumbing Department's responisbilities are so wide-ranging, the Plumbers have to work closely with other services, including the Pump Shop, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning." Unique to the Park is an underground heating and cooling system. In the heating plants, water is first brought up to 350 degress; then it is channeled under 150 lbs. pressure through the intricate subterranean maze of piping to heat exchangers, where it is brought down to a usable temperature. Cold water is circulated in a similar network of piping. Preventive maintenance methods aid in reducing the occasions in which mechanical failures occur. The Plumbing Department practices these techniques as a part of its year-round rehab schedule. There are over 250 underground water valves that are closed and opened regularly so that the moving parts do not freeze in position. Also, filters and regulators are serviced and replaced before they can cause disorders. When the usual plumber's activities of drain unplugging and faucet fixing are added to all of these responsibilites, a very bsy daily schedule is described for the Disneyland Plumbing Department. This assortment of duties provides a fitting job for the Park's Plumbers, and they love it. As Working Leader Roy Hickman says, "There's enough variety that it's hard to get bored." And every pipe knows it's better to be threaded than bored. It Takes People MARIO DAMORE has clocked in at sunrise for the past 23 years. But these days he can be found sleepign in until 8:30, planning a trip around the country and reminiscing about his years at Disneyland as a Machinist Working Leader. Born in Medford, Massacusetts, Mario moved West and became an assistant engineer in the construction of Navy-Air Rescue Boats and PT Boats in San Pedro, California. After the war, he spent 14 years in boatyards of San Pedro, building and maintaining the engines of private yachts, fishing boats, tuna clippers and various other ships of the sea. Then one day, he got a call from theu nion about a job in a place called Disneyland. He took the job and started another career…Show Business! Today, we're deply involved in the Matterhorn. But back then, Mario was involved in the Submarine adventure as a scuba-diving machinist and in doing a great job maintaining the Skyway. From there he moved to Fantasyland and the show business of animation. Did he see Walt Disney often? "Many times. He'd always stop and ask how things were going. One day I was working on Storybookland Canal Boats and Walt came by. Immediately he noticed that the whale wasn't spouting and he asked us why it was off. I explained that we'd turned it off because the wind was blowing the water all over Casey Junior. His response was, "I spent a lot of money on that spouting whale, and I want it going." Included in Mario's career was a serious interest in car racing. In fact, he was one of Southern California's most outstanding race drivers…maintaining his own engine, of course! But for the moment, don't wake him before 8:30…one of the luxuries of life which retirement brings. |
THE DISNEYLAND LINE, AUGUST 3, 1978 |
| Maybe you've noticed her. She definitely has a different appearance than any of her co-workers. She's Kathy Baker, the newest human element addition to the Paint Shop a promising apprentice in the industrial painting trade and the only female member of the crew. "I knew that being a secretary wasn't for me," Kathy responded in answering why she chose to be a Painter. "I really wanted to learn a trade and Disneyland seemed like the perfect place to do it." Kathy knew the Park well enough to make that choice after almost two years as a Department clerk in such ofices as Main Files, Material Control and Maintenance Services. What kinds of jobs are usually on Kathy's schedule? "It could be anyting," she says. "I've sprayed the cobwebs in the Haunted Mansion, but my most exciting job so far has been helping to paint the roof of Space Mountain - that was an experience." Kathy emphasizes the support she is receiving from the people with whom she works: "They're all good guys and are very helpful to me." Besides her valuable on-the-job training, Kathy is enrolled in a construction painting course at Orange Coast College and artistically paints plaster statues in her free time. |
1980's (photos courtesy of Bill H.) |
) Construction, Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1980 |
) Feb. 1982 |
) Feb. 1982 |
) Feb. 1982 |
) Feb. 1982 |
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) Feb. 1982 |
SUMMER 1982 |
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2000—PRESENT |
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