Disney at 100: Bringing the Story to Life

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Bob Adams

From blue sky ideation, to pencil on paper, to digital models, to plaster and paint, Imagineers build dreams. They never say “never,” and the sky is not the limit. That quest has created a new art form and a new kind of artist, one whose canvas is the world itself and whose tools are whatever it takes to turn that world into a fantastic, enveloping story.
Leslie Iwerks, “The Imagineering Story”

The books in my Disney library are a valuable resource for my ongoing quest in learning the story of Walt Disney and the “kingdoms” he created; kingdoms that continue to expand in the 57 years since his passing.

But even books have limitations…

You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world…but it requires people to make the dream a reality.
Walt Disney

Over the years I have been fortunate to make friends among Disney Cast Members, both current and past. A handful of those friends have been Imagineers, and as you may imagine, they are amazing storytellers, creative geniuses, and innovative to the core.

So…learning more about Imagineering? Sign me up – literally!

When the news that a new steaming service called Disney+ was coming in the fall of 2019, I was delighted – so much, that I signed up for a 3-year subscription as soon as they became available.

When the initial programming schedule was released, and included the 6-part series “The Imagineering Story,” I was ecstatic – it was among the first programs I watched on the new service.

When the book The Imagineering Story was announced, I was literally stopped what I was doing and pre-ordered the book.

There’s really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward – opening new doors and doing new things – because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We’re always exploring and experimenting…we call it Imagineering – the blending of creative imaginational and technical know-how.
Walt Disney

The Imagineering Story continues the behind-the-scenes journeys first revealed in the books Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real (1995) and its sequel Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making MORE Magic Real (2010).

The book goes deep into the personalities, stories, and adventures of the men and women who brought create magic around the world.

More than just the theme parks (though that would have been awesome enough), every resort hotel, shop and business setting, cruise ship, and entertainment setting exists largely through the men and women of Disney Imagineering.

The Imagineering Story greatly expands the award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks’ narrative of the fascinating history of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The entire legacy of Walt Disney Imagineering is covered from day one through future projects with never-before-seen access and insights from people both on the inside and on the outside. So many stories and details were left on the cutting room floor for the series – this book allows an expanded exploration of the magic of Imagineering.

Every one of the 731 pages was filled with stories that brought the Disney Experience alive.

The experience of Disney – primarily in the theme parks, but now expanded to other resorts, retail shops, and cruise ships – can be traced back to Walt Disney. His untimely death in 1966 could have left a void in the creativity of the Disney empire.

But I believe his greatest act of genius had its origins in 1952, as he began to pull together veterans of film and animation work for a special project that came to be known as Disneyland.

That group of versatile animators and art directors was the foundation of a group that came to be called the Imagineers.

Out of this group, Disney historian Tim Hauser reflects, “came the theories, aesthetics, design, and engineering of Disneyland; the advancement of three-dimensional storytelling; the development of robotic techniques in Audio-Animatronics; and the perpetuation of an ‘architecture of reassurance’ as inspired by Walt Disney’s personal sense of optimistic futurism.”

Today Walt Disney Imagineering remains the design, development, and master-planning branch of company, with over 140 disciplines working toward the common goal of great stories and creating great places.

Walt Disney wanted Disneyland to be essentially a movie that allows you to walk in and join in the fun. Imagineers – many whom had worked with Walt Disney since the 1930s – literally brought those movies to life with their multiple disciplines. He knew from his filmmaking experience that story was everything to the audience. Disney knew he must immerse the theme park guest in living storytelling scenarios.

Designing the Guest’s experience is what Walt Disney’s Imagineers came to call “the art of the show,” a term that applies to what the Imagineers did at every level, from the broadest conceptual outlines to the smallest details, encompassing visual storytelling, characters, and the use of color.

Walt Disney realized that a visit to an amusement park could be like a theatrical experience – in a word, a show. Walt saw that the Guests’ sense of progressing through a narrative, of living out a story told visually, could link together the great variety of attractions he envisioned for his new kind of park. While traveling through their stories, Guests would encounter, and even interact with, their favorite Disney characters, and who would be transformed, as if by magic, from their two-dimensional film existence into this special three-dimensional story world.

As designers, the Imagineers create spaces – guided experiences that take place in carefully structured environments, allowing the Guests to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste in new ways. In effect, Imagineers transform a space into a story place.

Ultimately, the Imagineers gave Guests a place to play, something Walt believed that adults needed as much as children. The design of the Imagineers gives power to the Guests’ imagination, to transcend their everyday routine. Walt Disney insisted that Guests should “feel better because of” their experiences in Disney theme parks, thus establishing the art of the show.

For the Imagineers, that meant considering everything within and relating to the parks as design elements. To build effective story environments and assure Guest comfort, the designers realize that they always had to assume the Guests’ position and point of view, and just as Walt did, to take the Guests’ interests to heart and defend them when others didn’t think it mattered.

It is up to the designers to provide Guests with the appropriate sensory information that makes each story environment convincing. This means that design considerations go beyond the attractions themselves to the service and operations staff, transportation, restaurants, shops, rest rooms – even the trash cans.

Everything Begins With a Story

Storytelling has played a vital role in our survival – allowing us to share information, knowledge, and values from generation to generation. Story is the medium through which we receive our early learning as to right and wrong, good versus evil, reward and punishment, social values, etc.

We respond to storytelling. It engages our attention; no matter how old we get, who doesn’t love a good story?

Understanding this, Walt Disney utilized a technique in the early days of his cartoon films that helped illustrate the flow and continuity of stories – the storyboard.

Storyboards are tools that allowed Walt and his artists to envision a film prior to production. It allowed his team to have a shared vision of the story they were telling and how it would unfold. As a bonus to driving the creative development, it also offered a cost-effective way to experiment with a film early on, so that when production began, costs could be minimized.

Decades later, the tradition of storyboards continues on, though it has long expanded past just films. At Walt Disney Imagineering, rides, shows, and films for Disney’s theme parks around the world are the objects of regular storyboarding.

For each ride, show, or attraction, a logical story sequence is created. Almost every aspect of a project is broken sown into progressive seen sketches, called storyboard panels, that reflect the beginning, middle, and end of a Guest’s park experience.

The boards are eventually covered with every written thought, idea, and rough sketch the Imagineers can come up with.

Starting with brainstorm sessions, the Imagineer’s first thoughts, ideas, images, and feelings about the story they are creating are captured on note cards and quick sketches. For example, here’s an early sketch of Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life:

The beauty of the Tree is matched by its engineering marvels as well. It is a massive structure, towering 145 feet into the air with a full canopy of natural-looking leaves, enclosing a 420-seat theater and meeting all building codes, including withstanding 145 mph winds. The engineering feats accomplished, it was time for the Imagineering team of sculptors to create the magnificent bark of the tree – which is actually representations of animals. That process alone took almost a full year.

One of the most amazing pieces of art ever created by Disney’s Imagineers, it is beautiful and meaningful, and captures the essence of Animal Kingdom at a glance. It’s a poetic statement of the majesty of nature, the stunning diversity of animals, and our respect for our place in the world. As you approach the tree and the animal forms begin to reveal themselves, it becomes clear that there is almost no tree at all. That tree is the animal kingdom.

The experience of viewing the Tree of Life is like looking for animals in the clouds. The longer you look, the more you see – maybe even all 325 of them! This effect is the result of very careful planning during the design phase with the use of storyboards.

The storyboards are worked, re-worked, rearranged, and edited until the story is strong and clear. Only then will production proceed – with stunning results:

At Walt Disney Imagineering, everything they do revolves around the story – and storyboards have remained an essential tool in helping them tell the story.

That is the power of story – it is an experience that enables us to escape to another world, to be captivated and be in the moment.

The secret to Disney magic that the Imagineers bring to life is in the story!

Recently celebrating their 70th anniversary, the Imagineers have delivered – time and time again. To date, the Imagineers have built twelve theme parks; dozens of resort hotels; 5 cruise ships with two more under construction; 2 water parks; and ongoing development in existing parks and Disney properties around the world.

The Imagineers bring the Disney magic alive.

The Imagineering Story brings the Imagineers to life.

I have a hard time ranking the books in my Disney library – but The Imagineering Story is going to be in my all-time Top Ten from now on, and a highly-recommended book for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the creative genius (and occasionally weirdness) of that special and unique blend of artists and engineers who took the dreams of one man, Walt Disney, and brought them to life.

Walt was a storyteller above all. Walt didn’t write the stories but he envisioned them. He told stories better than anyone else around and he got the people around him to turn his stories into movies and theme park attractions.
Imagineer X. Atencio

References

Disney at 100: The Lifelong Partnership of Walt and Roy Disney

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Bob Adams

My brother Walt and I first went into business together almost a half-century ago. And he was really, in my opinion, truly a genius – creative, with great determination, singleness of purpose and drive; and through his entire life he was never pushed off his course or diverted to other things.
Roy Disney, at the Dedication of Walt Disney World, October, 1971

The year 2023 marks a momentous occasion for Disney enthusiasts and fans of the magical world of animation and entertainment. It’s the 100th anniversary of the Disney Company, a celebration that invites us to take a journey through time and rediscover the remarkable story of two brothers who forever changed the landscape of the entertainment industry: Walt Disney and Roy Disney.

As we explore the extraordinary partnership of Walt and Roy Disney, we’ll look at highlights of their shared vision, unwavering dedication, and the remarkable accomplishments that define their legacy.

From the earliest days of their lives in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, to the groundbreaking achievements that revolutionized animation and theme parks, the story of Walt and Roy Disney is a tale of creativity, innovation, and the power of collaboration. Together, they laid the foundation for a global entertainment empire that continues to enchant and inspire generations of dreamers and believers.

Join me on this journey as we unravel the tale of the Disney brothers whose partnership laid the foundation for a magical world where dreams come true. Through the highs and lows, triumphs and challenges, their story is a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and the belief that anything is possible when you have a dream and someone to share it with.

Childhood and Early Years

In the heart of the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, in the early years of the 20th century, two brothers were born who would go on to change the face of entertainment forever. Walter Elias Disney, known to the world as Walt, and his younger sibling Roy Oliver Disney, came into the world with an innate curiosity and a shared passion for art and animation.

Shared Upbringing

The Disney brothers grew up in a modest household, where their father, Elias Disney, worked as a carpenter, and their mother, Flora Disney, nurtured their creative spirits. It was within the confines of this supportive and nurturing family that the seeds of their future dreams were sown.

From an early age, it was clear that Walt and Roy possessed a unique bond. Being eight years older, he would often push the infant Walt in a carriage along the streets of their home. Even after a move from Chicago to a farm in Marceline, MO in 1906, the brothers remained close. Having three older brothers, Walt was mature for a seven-year old, and Roy treated him as an equal, rather than a pesky little brother.

When the two older brothers left the family farm to strike out on their own, and with their father Elias weakened by illness, the responsibility of keeping up the farm fell to Roy. It was too much for a boy who was also attending high school, so the Disney family sold the farm and moved into a small house in Marceline, primarily so the three children (Roy, Walt, and sister Ruth) could finish school.

In 1910, the family moved to Kansas City, with Elias becoming a newspaper distributor – and drafting his sons Roy and Walt to make deliveries in the early hours before school began and late afternoon, after school had been dismissed. These long hours of shared work were an foreshadowing of the partnership that continued throughout the remainder of their lives.

Separate Paths

After graduation from high school and working a few odd jobs, Roy settled into the world of banking as a teller. Walt’s love of drawing since boyhood deepened throughout his school years. Walt often came to see Roy because he wanted a quarter or half-dollar for paper to draw on. That pattern became the story of their lives: Roy providing the money for Walt’s artistic endeavors.

As the U.S. began its involvement in WWI, Roy enlisted in the Navy, serving for two years. Back in Kansas City, Elias Disney grew dissatisfied with the newspaper business, and moved his family back to Chicago. Walt finished high school in Kansas City, then moved to Chicago for a brief time, before convincing his reluctant parents to allow him to volunteer for the Red Cross and go the the battlegrounds of Europe.

When the war ended in 1919, Roy returned to Kansas City and his job as a bank teller. Walt, drawn innately by the bond he had with Roy, also settled in Kansas City. He announced he had decided to make a career out of his passion: he would become an artist.

The Birth of the Disney Brothers’ Animation Ventures

In the years that followed, the Walt began to experiment with animation techniques, driven by his insatiable curiosity and an eagerness to bring drawings to life. He embarked on a series of jobs that helped him hone his craft. After a few setbacks, he borrowed money from friends and family and launched “Laugh-O-Gram Films.” After some initial success, Walt had overextended Laugh-O-Gram, and it went bankrupt. Desperate, he reached out to his older brother for advice through a series of letters and telegrams.

Roy had not been well since his return from the Navy; he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and sent to a series of veterans’ hospitals in New Mexico and Arizona to recuperate. After some recovery, he moved to California and began a hunt for a job. After a few small jobs, he suffered a relapse from TB and entered the VA hospital in Los Angeles. Receiving disability payments, he would often reply to Walt’s letters with a $20 bill enclosed – because he knew Walt needed the money.

Upon the failure of Laugh-O-Gram, Walt received a letter from Roy encouraging Walt to leave Kansas City. The next day, Walt boarded a train to join his older brother Roy in California.

Founding of Disney Brothers Studio

In the early 1920s, as the world was on the brink of a new era, Walt and Roy Disney were about to embark on an adventure that would forever change the course of entertainment history. It was a time of boundless creativity and innovation, and the Disney brothers were poised to be at the forefront of it all.

From Humble Beginnings to Ambitious Dreams

The Disney brothers had come a long way from their modest upbringing in Chicago. In 1923, with a few sketches from the Kansas City days, an old camera, and an unyielding determination to succeed, they founded Disney Brothers Studio in Hollywood, California. Staring in their uncle’s garage, they soon moved to rented rooms behind an realtor.

The inception of Disney Brothers Studio marked the birth of what would eventually become The Walt Disney Company. At this early stage, the company was a small animation studio with big dreams. Walt Disney, the visionary and creative force behind the operation, had a clear vision for what he wanted to achieve: to create innovative and captivating animated content that would transport audiences to magical worlds.

The Complementary Roles of Walt and Roy

One of the hallmarks of the Disney brothers’ partnership was the way in which they complemented each other’s strengths. Walt was the dreamer, the artist, and the storyteller. He had a knack for creating beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and crafting unforgettable narratives. Meanwhile, Roy was the pragmatist, the financial wizard, and the one who kept the studio afloat during challenging times.

Roy’s role in the early days of Disney Brothers Studio cannot be overstated. While Walt poured his heart and soul into the creative process, Roy handled the business side of things. He secured contracts, managed budgets, and ensured that the studio had the financial stability to continue its groundbreaking work. Roy forsook banking work and a hospital bed, where he was recuperating from tuberculosis contracted during wartime, to start as the cameraman, bookkeeper, and even cel washer for a time at the little animation studio. Without Roy’s steady hand guiding the company, Walt’s creative visions might never have seen the light of day.

Alice Comedies

Walt’s experimentation of putting a live person into an animated cartoon was a success, and soon the brothers had a contract to move forward. Eventually, they produces a series of 56 Alice shorts over the next three and a half years, each one becoming more popular than the previous one. With the success of the Alice comedies, the brothers moved into an all new and larger studio in 1926.

Oswald

In 1927, the debut of Walt and Roy’s first true cartoon star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, furthered their creative accolades and reputation. Oswald appeared in a series of 26 silent cartoons, but the Disney Brothers Studio lost the rights to Oswald through a contract dispute with the distributor.

The Debut of Mickey Mouse and a Turning Point

In 1928, Disney Brothers Studio faced a critical turning point. The studio had experienced some success with its Oswald series, but in the same dispute in which they lost Oswald, they lost almost all their animators. Returning to California from New York City with the bitter news, Walt telegraphed Roy:

LEAVING TONIGHT STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE—WALT

Walt later told the story of coming up with the character of Mickey Mouse on that long and painful ride from NYC. It was the creation of Mickey Mouse in the groundbreaking short film Steamboat Willie that catapulted them to fame. There were actually two earlier Mickey Mouse cartoons – Plane Crazy and The Gallopin’ Gaucho – but Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon with sound. Mickey Mouse quickly became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of audiences around the world.

Steamboat Willie was not only the first synchronized sound cartoon but also the birth of a global icon. It showcased Walt’s innovative spirit and Roy’s ability to navigate the evolving landscape of the film industry. Together, they had struck gold.

A World of Imagination Unveiled

By the late 1920s into the 1930s, Disney Brothers Studio had firmly established itself as a leader in animation. With beloved characters like Mickey Mouse capturing the hearts of audiences, the studio was poised for growth. Walt Disney’s unceasing creativity gave birth to a world of imagination, as he introduced a cavalcade of new characters and storytelling techniques.

The Silly Symphonies series allowed for experimentation in animation, paving the way for innovations like the multiplane camera, which added depth and dimension to their films. Each new release was a testament to Walt’s artistic vision, while Roy, always the financial steward, ensured the studio’s continued financial success.

Snow White

Buoyed by the success of his animation projects, Walt brought to life a dream he had held onto since 1917 – a full-length animated feature film, Snow White. Taking three years to produce, requiring great financial sacrifice, and despite the derision of Hollywood, it opened to tremendous acclaim on December 21, 1937.

Because of the long development process, there was time to contract licensees during production (Roy’s idea) and Snow White marked the first time a complete licensed merchandise campaign was in place upon a film’s release. Additionally, a 3-record set of recordings from the film became the first feature-film soundtrack release – before the word “soundtrack” was used.

The success of Snow White provided resources for the construction of a new, state-of-the art studio in Burbank, and by October 1940 the Disneys’s new studio was ready to usher in a new generation of filmmaking advancements.

The Disney Magic Expands to Television

In 1950 the Disney brothers expanded their reach into television. While other Hollywood studios ignored the rise of television, Walt and Roy embraced it. They saw the medium as a new platform for storytelling – one which allowed him to communicate directly to audiences.

Over the years, shows like The Mickey Mouse Club and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color brought Disney’s magic into living rooms across America. Once again, Walt’s storytelling prowess and Roy’s financial management were the perfect recipe for success.

These television programs not only showcased beloved Disney characters but also provided a platform for Walt to share his insatiable curiosity and passion for education and innovation. This commitment to learning and growth would become a cornerstone of the Disney legacy.

In addition, it was the partnership with the fledgling ABC network that allowed the seed money and loan backing for a project that had been on Walt Disney’s heart since boyhood – an amusement park.

Challenges and the Birth of Disneyland

As the Disney brothers reached the 1950s, they faced a monumental challenge that would test their partnership like never before: the construction of Disneyland. The idea of a theme park where families could step into the enchanting world of Disney was a bold one, but it also came with enormous financial risk.

Walt’s boundless creativity and Roy’s financial acumen were never more critical. Roy’s relentless pursuit of funding secured the necessary resources for Disneyland to become a reality. On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates, and the world was forever changed. The Disney brothers had created a place where dreams came true, and it was an immediate success.

Walt Disney World

By the mid-1960s, with the critical and commercial success of Disneyland, and bolstered by Disney’s expanding innovation in attractions, Walt and Roy know that the Disney entertainment empire was ready to leave the comfort of sunny California and head east. Beginning with secret research and land acquisition, their eventual target was central Florida near Orlando, and the “Florida Project” was formally announced in 1965.

The Disney brothers’ decision to begin on an entertainment destination the likes of which the world had never seen would change the faces of themed entertainment and international tourism forever.

With a blank canvas of over 27,000 acres, by 1971 Walt Disney World had become the largest private construction project in U.S. history, with more than 8,000 workers onsite at the peak of activity.

But first it had to cross a tragic hurdle: the death of Walt Disney in December 1966. This would be the ultimate – and final – test of the siblings’ bond, and Rory charged on in deference to his late brother’s wishes. Adhering to Walt’s guiding principles, Roy postponed his own retirement and devoted all his energy to what he insisted should be call Walt Disney World.

The Lasting Legacy of Walt and Roy Disney

The story of Walt and Roy Disney is a tale of two brothers whose dreams transcended generations. As we venture into the final chapter of our exploration, we pay homage to their enduring legacy—a legacy that continues to enchant, inspire, and unite people from all corners of the globe.

The End of an Era and the Beginning of a New Chapter

The passing of Walt Disney in 1966 marked the end of an era. Walt’s creative genius had been the driving force behind Disney Brothers Studio, and his absence left a void that seemed impossible to fill. However, Roy Disney, ever the steadfast partner, stepped into the spotlight once more to ensure that Walt’s vision would live on.

Roy took on the role of CEO of The Walt Disney Company, guiding it through the completion of projects Walt had initiated, including the opening of Walt Disney World in Florida in October 1971. His dedication to his brother’s dreams never wavered, and his leadership was instrumental in preserving Walt’s legacy.

Roy’s Final Act

In December 1971, just months after Walt Disney World opened its gates in Florida, Roy Disney passed away. His departure marked the end of an era for Disney, but it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter. The magic that Walt and Roy had conjured together continued to shine brightly, enchanting visitors and fans alike.

Walt Disney World, with its vast array of attractions and immersive experiences, became a testament to the enduring spirit of the Disney brothers. It was a place where dreams could come true, where imagination had no limits, and where the legacy of Walt and Roy Disney thrived.

A World of Imagination Lives On

In the grand tapestry of entertainment history, the names Walt and Roy Disney occupy a place of honor and reverence. Their extraordinary partnership leaves a legacy that spans a century of creativity and innovation and has shaped the way we experience and imagine the world. As we conclude the journey through their remarkable story, we celebrate the enduring influence of the Disney brothers.

The Boundless Creativity of Walt Disney

Walt Disney, the visionary, was a relentless dreamer. His imagination knew no limits, and he had the remarkable ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. From the creation of Mickey Mouse to the development of groundbreaking animation techniques, Walt was a true pioneer.

His passion for storytelling, artistry, and innovation not only defined Disney’s early years but also set a standard that continues to drive the company’s creative endeavors. Walt’s words, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” still resonate as a call to dream big and never give up on the pursuit of one’s vision.

The Stewardship of Roy Disney

Roy Disney, the steady hand, was the unsung hero behind the scenes. His financial acumen and unwavering support allowed Walt’s dreams to become a reality. Time and again, Roy ensured that the company had the resources it needed to grow and flourish.

Roy’s commitment to preserving his brother’s vision, even after Walt’s passing, exemplifies the strength of their partnership. His leadership and dedication during challenging times underscore the importance of resilience and the power of believing in a shared dream.

A Century of Dreams Realized

In commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Disney Company, we pay tribute to the Disney brothers’ everlasting influence. Their legacy continues to inspire generations, ignite the flames of creativity, and remind us that, with courage and imagination, all our dreams can come true.

The Disney brothers’ story is a testament to the power of dreams, the magic of storytelling, and the enduring spirit of partnership. It is a legacy that will continue to enchant, inspire, and unite people around the world for generations to come.

From the early days of animation to the creation of theme parks and a global brand that bears their name, their story is a example of the enduring magic of imagination and the belief that, in the words of Walt Disney himself, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Walt used to say that Disneyland would never be finished, and it never will. I like to think, too, that Walt Disney’s influence will never be finished; that through his creations, future generations will continue to celebrate what he once described as “that precious, ageless something to every human being which makes us play with children’s toys and laugh at silly things and sing in the bathtub and dream.”
Roy Disney

I always go and check with my brother. Always. But I don’t always agree with him. Roy had faith in me. I think that Roy has done a lot of things against his better judgment because he felt that I wanted to do it. Most of our arguments and disagreements I think have been because Roy has felt that he had to protect me.
Walt Disney

References

Disney at 100: How Passion Launched a Dream

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Bob Adams

On October 16, 2023, the Walt Disney Company will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Today kicks off a series in recognition of this event – a series looking into the characteristics that have made the Walt Disney Company a beacon of innovation and imagination, enchanting audiences of all ages with its timeless stories, beloved characters, and groundbreaking achievements.

Some of the articles have existed before and been refreshed for this series; others are brand new. In either case, I hope you will enjoy reading about the dreamers, the believers, and the magic-makers who have brought us a century of enchantment.

To say that Walt Disney was merely a train enthusiast understates the extent to which his life was intertwined with railroading. In Walt’s case, his small-scale fascination led to a full-scale kingdom.
Michael Broggie, Walt Disney’s Railroad Story

With love of Disney history, I’m always grateful to visit Disney properties and immerse myself in the stories and culture of Walt Disney and the “kingdoms” he began. During one multi-day visit to California, I had the opportunity to visit Disneyland several days, experiencing both the familiar and new perspectives.

Take this image, for example:

In talking with current Cast Members, Tour Guides, and former Imagineers, various stories were given as to the origin of Disneyland:

It was Walt Disney’s fascination with trains, beginning as a boy, that led him to first create a scale model railroad in his backyard. Not satisfied, he begin to develop an ever-growing park that would include a railroad. When Disneyland opened in 1955, the first object you saw approaching the park was a train station, and a 5/8 scale railroad encircled the park.
Saturday’s were “Daddy’s Day,” and Walt often took his daughters to play in nearby parks. While sitting on a bench in Griffith Park, Walt imagined what a park would look like that would allow both parents and children to be immersed in a story-rich, safe, clean park.
Fascinated by miniatures, Walt began a hobby of crafting extremely detailed miniature items, building entire rooms filled with objects that were not only beautiful to look at, but fully functional. He envisioned a place to display these miniatures so that people from all over the country could enjoy them.
By the late 1940’s-early 1950’s, Walt had grown tired of making animated pictures, and even his recent venture into live-action motion pictures left him dissatisfied. He imagined a place were people could actually be a part of a story, immersed in all the rich details that a “theme park” could provide.

What is the true origin of Disneyland?

I believe that all of the above contributed to the creation of Disneyland. And the common denominator of all of them?

Passion.

I want it to look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train.
Walt Disney

The creation story of Disneyland, the first “theme” park in the world and the model for all Disney parks to follow, is somewhat clouded.

Depending on who is telling it, or even when it is told, the origins of Disneyland can start with a park bench, model making, boredom, or a boyhood fascination with trains.

There is a measure of truth to all of them. It is certain is that all of these influences in the life of Walt Disney contributed to the resulting creation.

Personally, I lean toward Walt’s love of trains as the primary inspiration for Disneyland.

As a bona fide Disney fan, focusing on the history of the man and the company that bears his name (especially from the late 1920s to the mid-1960s), I can trace “railroad” stories from Walt (and about Walt) that reinforce this.

Those railroad stories could (and do) fill several books – the best of which is Walt Disney’s Railroad Story, by Michael Broggie.

It’s a fascinating book, and when the author knew of Walt Disney as “Uncle Walt,” and had the enviable role as a teenager to assist Walt in the operation of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad (Disney’s personal, rideable miniature railroad in the backyard of his home), you know the stories are going to be memorable, filled with detail, and a fascinating read.

You see, Michael Broggie’s father Roger E. Broggie was a precision machinist who joined the Disney Studios in 1939. Broggie’s accomplishments at the studio were wide-ranging, but in the early 1950s he was promoted to the head of the Disney Studios’ Machine Shop, where he became a transportation specialist.

And where did he fine-tune the skills needed to create all the unique transportation vehicles found at Disneyland and later at Walt Disney World?

In building Walt Disney’s backyard railroad…

On the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.

The Carolwood Pacific Railroad (CPRR) was a 7 1/4-inch gauge ridable miniature railroad run by Walt Disney in the backyard of his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

It featured the Lilly Belle, a 1:8-scale live steam locomotive named after Disney’s wife, Lillian Disney, and built by the Walt Disney Studios’ machine shop. The locomotive made its first test run on December 24, 1949. It pulled a set of freight cars, as well as a caboose that was almost entirely built by Disney himself.

It was Disney’s lifelong fascination with trains, as well as his interest in miniature models, that led to the creation of the CPRR. The railroad, which became operational in 1950, was a half-mile long and encircled his house. The backyard railroad attracted visitors to Disney’s home; he invited them to ride and occasionally drive his miniature train.

With the creation of a personal railroad, Disney’s next step could only be designing and building the real thing.

Research into the earliest development of Disney’s “park” reveals a constant: the presence of a railroad with a steam engine pulling cars that people could ride in.

So, any visit to a Disney theme park for me must include a ride on the Disney Railroad.

Unfortunately, on my last visit to Walt Disney World on the occasion of its 50th anniversary on October 1, 2021, the railroad had been out of commission since 2018 for the pandemic-delayed construction of the TRON Lightcycle Run, a new attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom. The train tracks have been rerouted through the Lightcycle attraction inside a tunnel as shown in this concept art.

I knew any surprise announcement that the train would be running on October 1 was unlikely, but it wasn’t until I rode the People Mover early that morning and saw the view of the dismantled train tracks, plainly visible where they would run through the future Lightcycle Run attraction, that the disappointment set in.

In the meantime, the train was available as the perfect backdrop for a memorable photo at different places in the park. Just before Christmas 2022, it began to run again.

For me, “the perfect backdrop” of a static display is a far cry from the swaying motion of the train as it leaves the station and begins to circle the park…

..the way Walt Disney dreamed about it from the time he was a young boy…

…until he made it happen.

It all begins with dreams.
Walt Disney

References

How Environmental Immersion Leads to Creative Inspiration

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Bob Adams

One can be inspired by research as well as immersed in it for inspiration. Rhonda Counts, Show Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering Florida

How you do research is dependent upon where you are in the process. Disney’s Imagineers value the story’s intent and the importance of being surrounded with or immersed in the story’s environment.

Here’s an example of creative immersion from one of my past projects:

As you can see, there was a definite pirate’s theme going on in part of my office. It’s both from previous work and new work in process at the time. I’ve used the theme of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” storyline – both the attraction and the movies – to develop training resources and presentations in the area of Guest Experiences.

Specifically, I created a tool – the Guest Experience Compass. And how better to demonstrate it, than using Jack Sparrow’s compass? I also created the Guest Experience Code – and based it on the storyline of the Pirates Code. Of course, both of these tools had to be introduced and used by a pirate – the Navigator – in a fully immersive learning environment. The result?

As a result of my pirate “adventure,” I created a series of Guest Experience learning activities lasting from a half day to two days.

And it doesn’t stop with pirates.

There’s the fact that my office is, in fact, a Disney museum (a title given by my granddaughter).

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It’s continually changing as I acquire new books and other “resources” that help my inspiration.

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It’s no secret that I am a Disney fanatic of the first degree! I had an early start in the 60s, both from watching “The Wonderful World of Disney” and benefiting from my father, who as a Gulf gasoline dealer received many promotional tie-ins from Disney movies.

My first actual in-person experience took place as a rising senior in high school during the summer of 1975, when my high school band was privileged to march in America on Parade, one of Disney’s salutes to America’s Bicentennial. I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back with minors in history at both the undergraduate and graduate level, that was an important event.

You must also add to that mix over 100 days of staying in Disney properties (both land and sea) in the last 12 years. Friends know that I can’t go long in almost any conversation without weaving in a personal Disney experience to illustrate a point.

Finally, it’s anchored by the Disney library of over 450 books (and growing!) noted above: I am literally immersed in all things Disney. As I research and work on various projects – especially Hospitality – I find great inspiration through the many resources at hand. My immersion is not limited to the visual and tactile – at any given time, the soundtrack of a Disney movie, or the background music from one of Disney’s theme parks is playing in the background.

Here’s how Disney Imagineers recommend immersion into an environment:

Select a project that you want to immerse yourself in. Make a list of all the elements of the project and find samples (the larger the better) that represent these elements. Find a place in your surroundings to display the samples so you can immerse yourself in them.

For example, if you wanted to fix up a vintage car, surround yourself with large detailed pictures of its original interior and exterior, very large color samples for its seat cushions, dashboard, etc., and exterior paint job, pictures of various locations you would drive to, and of course, spray the space with new car scent.

Research leads to inspiration.

And now, to visually introduce (and tease a new project in the works):

CreativeHospitalityWorkshop

More to come!

part of a series of ideas to help shape and tone your creative muscles

Inspired and adapted from The Imagineering Workout

written by The Disney Imagineers

Delivering Disney Magic: Dick Nunis, Walt’s Apprentice

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Bob Adams

If you read about the origins and development of Disneyland in the early 1950s leading up to its opening in July 1955, the well-known names start with Walt and Roy Disney, followed by a small-but-influential group of Disney studio team members who used their imaginative talents to transfer ideas from the screen to reality.

Of course, that is an important part of the history of Disney – we wouldn’t have the parks without their creative brilliance.

But it’s one thing to create a place like Disneyland, and a whole other thing to run a place like Disneyland.

During the final, frenzied weeks of construction leading to opening day on July 17, 1955, the name Dick Nunis appears in the history of Disneyland – a new college graduate, hired to be a “gofer” for Van Arsdale France, who created the first orientation and training program for employees.

Nunis had met Walt Disney several years before (Walt’s daughter Diane was a classmate of Nunis, and was dating her husband-to-be Ron Miller, a teammate of Nunis’ at USC). That memorable first encounter included a ride on “The Carolwood Pacific Railroad” – a miniature train with over 1/2 mile of track circling Walt Disney’s home (one of the four foundational origin stories of Disneyland, but that’s for another day).

That train ride with Walt Disney foreshadowed the future of Dick Nunis, as he progressed from a gofer to chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, a forty-four year career at Disney on the operations side of the parks.

Walt’s Apprentice: Keeping the Disney Dream Alive is the memoir of Disney Legend Dick Nunis. It is a warm personal reminiscence of learning directly from Walt Disney for 12 years, followed by more than 30 years devoted to championing his vision and standards as the Disney empire grew.

The story covers Disney’s highlights, including the 1960 Winter Olympics, 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, and the development and opening of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

Unlike other Disney books, this story is told from the perspective of operations rather than Imagineering. It touches on decisions that defined the guest experience and Disney’s reputation for quality in areas ranging from capacity and people-moving, training, delivering a consistent “good show,” food service, and more.

This first-person narrative is presented as a series of wide-ranging vignettes. Some vignettes focus on personal, character-shaping events, such as the injury that ended his collegiate football career. Other stories touch on national events, such as Nikita Khrushchev’s derailed visit to Disneyland, the decision to close the park following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan’s assistance in expediting the visa process for cast members staffing the Epcot World Showcase. Few people have enjoyed a life so immersed in Disney magic.

These stories share that magic through the memories of one of the original doers and dreamers.

In my personal research and study of the history of the Disney company, I had long noticed the name of Dick Nunis and the many contributions he made at each stage of his Disney career.

When I learned that the long-rumored book from Nunis was being published, it went to the top of my list.

It did not disappoint!

As one of a very few individuals still alive who worked closely with Walt Disney, Walt’s Apprentice chronicles how Nunis learned directly from Walt Disney for a dozen years, then spent the next thirty years devoted to championing Walt’s vision and standards as Disney grow into a worldwide enterprise, “creating happiness” for young and old alike.

If you want to read a first-person narrative on Disney with a focus on the operational side, Walt’s Apprentice is a must.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader

During my elementary school years one of the things I looked forward to the most was the delivery of “My Weekly Reader,” a weekly educational magazine designed for children and containing news-based, current events.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

Immerse Yourself in the Creativity of the Disney Imagineers

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Bob Adams

My admiration for the creative brilliance of Walt Disney and the amazing group of geniuses he gathered around him runs deep and long.

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As a boy growing up in the 60s, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color television show was something I looked forward to every week. My father, an owner-operator of a Gulf gasoline station, was the recipient of various advertising tie-ins involving such Disney classics as 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, and the amazing nature films. I was fortunate to be part of a high school band marching in Disney on Parade in 1975, just a few years after Walt Disney World opened.

Then marriage and four children came, just in time for the rejuvenation of Disney animation of the late 80s-early 90s. That meant endless viewings of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and the rest of the Disney library.

By the time the 2000s had rolled around, I was beginning to accumulate different types of books on the Disney organization – biographies, behind-the-scene details, first-person accounts, and various types of business-related books. I was beginning to use them in leadership and teaching positions I held.

In 2011, the fortunate circumstances of my daughter graduating from college in three years before beginning her master’s degree and her request for a much-talked-about-but-never-fulfilled Disney trip led to a week-long adventure in Walt Disney World with a 23-year old graduate student and her two early 50’s parents.

Before that, I knew about Disney. That week, I experienced Disney.

That may seem like a small thing, but in reality it is a HUGE difference.

In the last five years, I have been to Walt Disney World at least several days each year, with the last year being the highlight: by the time this fall rolls around, I will have been on Disney property 19 days.

But I believe his greatest act of genius had its origins in 1952, as he began to pull together veterans of film and animation work for a special project that came to be known as Disneyland.

That group of versatile animators and art directors was the foundation of a group that came to be called the Imagineers.

Walt Disney wanted Disneyland to be essentially a movie that allows you to walk in and join in the fun. Imagineers – many whom had worked with Walt Disney since the 1930s – literally brought those movies to life with their multiple disciplines. He knew from his filmmaking experience that story was everything to the audience. Disney knew he must immerse the theme park guest in living storytelling scenarios.

And for over 60 years, the Imagineers have delivered – time and time again. To date, the Imagineers have built eleven theme parks (with Shanghai Disney opening in just a few weeks); dozens of resort hotels; 4 cruise ships with two more under construction; 2 water parks; and ongoing development in existing parks.

The Imagineers deliver the experience of Disney.

Now I want to bring you full circle by highlighting the recent work of author Louis Prosperi in The Imagineering Pyramid.

Using existing material published by Disney plus conversations with Imagineers, Prosperi weaves together an interesting thought captured in the book’s subtitle: Using Disney Theme Park Principles to Develop and Promote Your Creative Ideas.

It’s a very compelling challenge: look at the existing body of work done by the Imagineers for Disney’s theme parks and translate those principles into a “pyramid” of 15 principles grouped into 5 tiers.

Here’s an outline for an appetizer:

Tier 1: Foundations of Imagineering

It All Begins with a Story – Using your subject matter to inform decisions about your project.
Creative Intent – Staying focused on your objective.
Attention to Detail – Paying attention to every detail.
Theming – Using appropriate details to strengthen your story and support your creative intent.
Long, Medium, and Close Shots – Organizing your message to lead your audience from the general to the specific.

Tier 2: Wayfinding

Wienies – Attracting your audience’s attention and capturing their interest.
Transitions – Making changes as smooth and seamless as possible.
Storyboards – Focusing on the big picture.
Pre-Shows and Post-Shows – Introducing and reinforcing you r story to help your audience get and stay engaged.

Tier 3: Visual Communication

Forced Perspective – Using the illusion of size to help communicate your message.
“Read”-ability – Simplifying complex subjects.
Kinetics – Keeping the experience dynamic and active.

Tier 4: Making It Memorable

The “it’s a small world” Effect – Using repetition and reinforcement to make your audience’s experience and your message memorable.
Hidden Mickey’s – Involving and engaging your audience.

Tier 5: Walt’s Cardinal Rule

Plussing – Consistently asking, “How do I make this better?”

But instead of building an object like an attraction, Prosperi challenges the reader to do something with the principles that may be even more daunting: be creative.

Even though I was familiar with most of the principles and their origins, I enjoyed reading how Prosperi linked the ideas together into a unified whole. Especially helpful were the questions at the end of each chapter, with a general focus as well as specialized applications for game design, instructional design, and management and leadership. The questions will help anyone have a better grasp of the concept and how to apply it an almost any field.

The Imagineering Pyramid was especially beneficial to me on a recently completed 3-day “field trip” to all four theme parks at Walt Disney World. As I walked through each park, the genius of the Imagineers inspired me to fill several pages of my Disney journal with new ideas for development as well as take over 1,000 photographs of design details – exactly what I believe Louis Prosperi had in mind when writing the book.

Leaders in any capacity will benefit from The Imagineering Pyramid as a helpful tool, providing a creative framework for solving problems.

energized by the steady, deliberate journey in generational learning

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