anaheim-bulletin 1955-07-15

Disney's Magic Kingdom Opens to Public Monday That magic kingdom of Disneyland—long a dream and now a reality—will open its gates to the public Monday. Probably never in history has any attraction, including World Fairs, ever received so much advance publicity as newspapers, radio and television have world-wide attention focused on the transformation of an Anaheim orange grove into man's greatest attempt to develop a land of make believe. And when the visitors from all over the nation stream into Disneyland they find that advance notices about the wonderland have far from told the full story. Disneyland brings to earth the dreams of childhood, the memories of long ago and then delves far into the future. What is the story behind Disneyland? This is the question most often asked. Paradoxically, it is the easiest and the hardest to answer. Easiest because part of the answer is that it was Walt Disney's dream of years which he brought into pulsing existence. Disneyland and its construction has captured the interest and imagination of people all over the world. The question is difficult because Disneyland is a dream, and who can say how a dream develops? PLANNED FOR YEARS Dealing with more tangible facts, sketches of Disneyland were recently found in the Burbank studio files dating as far back as 1932. At that time Walt Disney considered building a park to house his cartoon characters on the back of his Burbank Studio lot. However, as Walt's activities expanded, so did his dream, and it became apparent that a larger site was needed. When this entertainment genius felt he was ready to go ahead with his pet project, he called in Stanford Research Institute to make the necessary investigation of possible sites, attendance expectancy, cost, and numerous other questions. While Stanford Research Institute compiled this information, artists were busy on thousands of sketches, blueprints came pouring from architects' offices and construction men began to estimate the number of feet of lumber ceilings and the tons of steel be required for this fabulous expression of the essence. SITE SELECTED After about a year's visit to Stanford Research Institute recommended the Anaheim site. When the property was chased it was a flat 160 parcel of ground where than 12,000 orange trees were giant earth movers and dozers moved in, the trees moved out, and rivers, taints and lakes began to pear. The berm surround Disneyland began to rise—the skeletons of a meadow castle and an 1890 rail station soon faced each other. By now the impact Disneyland was being felt. ROUTES TO DISNEYLAND This map shows the various routes which may be used to reach Disneyland traffic from the south must turn left at Katella Ave., and use the south entr to the parking lot for lefthand turns will not be permitted off Harbor Blvd., the east side of the parking lot. Long Beach visitors may use East 7th St. or son St. to the best advantage. for Disneyland Edison SOUTHE kingdom Monday and now a reality—will open ing World Fairs, ever reand television have kept an Anaheim orange grove believe. into Disneyland they will from told the full story. the memories of long ago ment and the tons of steel to be required for this fabulous expression of the esthetic mind. SITE SELECTED After about a year's study, Stanford Research Institute recommended the Anaheim site. When the property was purchased it was a flat 160-acre parcel of ground where more than 12,000 orange trees grew. Giant earth movers and bulldozers moved in, the trees were moved out, and rivers, mountains and lakes began to appear. The berm surrounding Disneyland began to rise and the skeletons of a medieval castle and an 1890 railroad station soon faced each other. By now the impact of Disneyland was being felt WONDERLAND A REALITY Here's the Walt Disney public wonderland as shown from an aerial view as compiled by Blvd., at the right. In upper right may be seen the junction of Harbor Blvd. with visitors enter the park through tunnels under the railroad tracks which circle the grove a year ago. At the left may be seen the lake designed as a river on which pound where the wonders of the tropics will be found. Disneyland will be opened on the south side of the parking lot, looking due north. throughout a large area as merchants considered and prepared for the 5,000,000 tourists Disneyland is expected to draw annually, and as more and more Orange Countians found work at the magic kingdom. Anaheim and surrounding territory became world famous as press, radio and television reporters and photographers described Disneyland to sheet metal and ornamental iron shop. Roads began to appear and buildings started to take shape. In a few short months Mair Street's buildings were recognizable as individual units, rivers, moats and lakes were dredged and guide rails laid. Sleeping Beauty's castle be came recognizable as such and throughout a large area as merchants considered and prepared for the 5,000,000 tourists Disneyland is expected to draw annually, and as more and more Orange Countians found work at the magic kingdom. Anaheim and surrounding territory became world famous as press, radio and television reporters and photographers described Disneyland to people of all nations. FAST WORK Meanwhile, Disney research teams were scouting the continent for materials and equipment to accurately portray the areas represented, and work continued at a furious pace at the Burbank studio where the Disneyland office organization was set up temporarily. Each trip to the Anaheim "site" made mandatory a detailed progress report to eager Disneylanders at the studio. The construction department was following hard on the heels of planners, and about this time a friendly competition developed between the designers and construction men. Production jumped ahead as each worked feverishly to keep ahead of the other. On Dec. 18 an order came DISNEYLAND FACTS OPEN—Monday, July 18, to public. Press preview, July 17. HOURS—10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week in summer, closed Mondays in winter. ADMISSION—$1 for adult, 50 cents for children. Car parking, 25 cents. SIZE—60 acres inside park, 100 acres of parking. COST—Over $17 million. through to set up a lumber mill on the site. By January 3rd, about $50,000 worth of machinery had been installed, but power was not available until Jan. 17, and the mill went into production on that date. An ornamental plastering shop was set up a little later, and was followed with a paint shop and a completely equipped sheet metal and ornamental iron shop. Roads began to appear and buildings started to take shape. In a few short months Maitland Street's buildings were recognizable as individual units; rivers, moats and lakes were dredged and guide rails laid. Sleeping Beauty's castle be came recognizable as such and the various lands took on their identities. 2,500 EMPLOYES In May came word that the Disneyland personnel working at Burbank would be moved to the Disneyland site within the week. This meant that office workers for architectural and construction jobs would move out of the administration of fice, but there was no place to move. In true Disneyland tradition, construction meva taulted the problem like a high jumper at a track meet. They simply built a new house—320 feet of office space, completely equipped—moved in, and were working steadily when the "newcomers" arrived week later. As opening day neared and construction reached its peak, the number of employees at Disneyland reached 2500 an At last...the great day has arrived when Walt Disney has established his happy group of favorites in their fabulous new home near Anaheim. Every youngster from three to one hundred and three knows it. We have all been waiting for the first invitation to come visiting. Now that it is here, we are on our way—and pardon us if our eagerness is showing! With no desire to steal any of the limelight, we are glad that Reddy Kilowatt, the symbol of Edison service, is going to be among those present at Disneyland. You won't see him but he'll be there, representing something as well known as the sneyland! first invitation to come visiting. Now that it is here, we are on our way—and pardon us if our eagerness is showing! With no desire to steal any of the limelight, we are glad that Reddy Kilowatt, the symbol of Edison service, is going to be among those present at Disneyland. You won't see him but he'll be there, representing something as well known as the Disney people and almost as magic—electricity. OUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO an aerial view as completion was being rushed. Entrance to the park is off Harbor on of Harbor Blvd. with the Santa Ana Freeway. From the 100-acre parking lot tracks which circle the park. This entire area was flat farmland and an orange land as a river on which the steamer will make trips. Lower left is the jungle comneyland will be opened to the public at 10 a.m. Monday. This view is taken from metal and ornamental shop. oads began to appear and ings started to take shape. few short months Main et's buildings were recogole as individual units; s, moats and lakes were aged and guide rails laid; being Beauty's castle be recognizable as such and two shifts put in 17 working hours daily. Walt Disney could be seen on the site almost any time, directing, inquiring or suggesting—always examining this living dream to see that it corresponded with his original idea. Now, with the public opening only three days away, Dis Pigeons Ready for Their Role A mass rehearsal took place at Disneyland one recent Sunday when the birds were rehearsed for their part in the opening of Tomorrowland dur- at metal and ornamental shop. heads began to appear and ings started to take shape. In few short months Main et's buildings were recogable as individual units; mats, moats and lakes were aged and guide rails laid; being Beauty's castle bete recognizable as such and various lands took on their nities. EMPLOYES May came word that the Disneyland personnel working urbank would be moved to Disneyland site within the city. This meant that office ers for architectural and construction jobs would move of the administration offbut there was no place move. In true Disneyland tion, construction men met the problem like a high er at a track meet. They built a new house—3200 of office space, completeequipped—moved in, and working steadily when "newcomers" arrived a later. Opening day neared and construction reached its peak number of employees at Disneyland reached 2500 and two shifts put in 17 working hours daily. Walt Disney could be seen on the site almost any time, directing, inquiring or suggesting—always examining this living dream to see that it corresponded with his original idea. Now, with the public opening only three days away, Disneylanders are putting on their party clothes and getting ready for this once in a lifetime event when the gates to the fabulous magic kingdom swing open. Extra Copies Are Available You may send copies of this special Disneyland edition to friends and relatives by sending their names and addresses together with 25c for each copy desired to: Disneyland Premier Souvenir Edition, The Anaheim Bulletin, 232 S. Lemon, Anaheim. The 25c per copy (5 for $1.00) includes a colorful wrapper and mailed postage paid anywhere in the United States. Food Planning Food consumption at Disneyland, figured on an annual basis, was estimated at 2.7 million hamburger sales, requiring 440,000 pounds of hamburger meat; 900,000 hot dogs, requiring 77,000 pounds; miscellaneous meats such as steaks, prime ribs, etc., 170,000 pounds; chicken and turkey, 240,000 pounds. When you think of it, the fact that any time you flick a switch in a home, store, office or factory, or on a farm, electricity comes to serve you from a powerhouse in the mountains or at the seashore, seems like something which belongs in a land of fantasy. Except, of course, that electricity is a very real kind of magic. It will be a vital ingredient in the magic of Disneyland, as it is a vital part of your living, wherever you are. So...a salute from Reddy Kilowatt to Walt Disney and his associates upon the opening of Disneyland. As the latest and biggest step in his great record in the field of entertainment, it stands it is here, fantasy. Except, of course, that electricity is a very real kind of magic. It will be a vital ingredient in the magic of Disneyland, as it is a vital part of your living, wherever you are. So...a salute from Reddy Kilowatt to Walt Disney and his associates upon the opening of Disneyland. As the latest and biggest step in his great record in the field of entertainment, it stands as a monument to his creative ability.