On April 8, 1973 “The Walt Disney Story” was dedicated in the Disneyland Opera House. In the photo below, Walt’s wife, Lillian Disney was on hand to celebrate the occasion, accompanied by Guest Relations Hostess Bonnie Drury.
Author: Dave Tavres
Happy Anniversary #5 Ward Kimball and Lilly Belle
On February 15, 2006 at 7:30am at Disneyland, the newest engine to the Disneyland Railroad was dedicated as #5 Ward Kimball. On the same day the Lilly Belle VIP parlor car was re-dedicated after being off the line for many years. In attendance was Betty Kimball, the wife of the new locomotive’s namesake, Ward Kimball….
30 magical years…
After 30 wonderful years working at Disneyland you’ll get this beautiful statuette of Jiminy Cricket. The plaque reads: “recognizing 30 magical years with The Walt Disney Company”
Walt Disney’s Kalamazoo hand car
Here’s the Kalamazoo handcar at Fullerton Railroad Days in 2012. Walt Disney on the Kalamazoo handcar in front of the #2 E. P. Ripley
Salvador and Walt
Although this isn’t even NEAR Walt’s apartment, Walt’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad may have been the start of Disneyland. Here we see Salvador Dali with Walt Disney admiring the #173 Lilly Belle miniature live-steam locomotive. It has been said that Walt’s love of trains, and people’s interest in coming to his Carolwood Drive home to see…
Disneyland opening day attractions…
This is the list of opening day attractions, according to “The Story of Disneyland” The Story of Disneyland 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit Autopia Canal Boats of the World (Storybook Land Canal Boats) Casey Jr. Circus Train Disneyland Street Railway Dumbo the Flying Elephant Explorer’s Boat Ride (Jungle Cruise) King Arthur Carrousel Mad Tea…
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979 and covers nearly 2.5 acres of Frontierland.
Today in Disneyland history: January 11, 1993 – The Motor Boat Cruise closed.
January 9, 1987 – Star Tours opened.
The original Star Tours opened on January 9, 1987, replacing “Adventure Thru Inner Space”. Here’s a great video of Darth Vader going to Disneyland waiting for the new version of Star Tours… http://vidtaggr.com/taggs.aspx?v=t4_dZPVg8KI