Our Walt Disney Family Museum just celebrated the 55th Anniversary of the opening of Disneyland, from way back in July 1955. To mark the occasion they held a three-day star-studded extravaganza up in the Presidio.
Yes, the Disney Family Museum is in the northern part of San Francisco. Check it: FaceBook / YouTube / Twitter / WDFM Blog
Anyway, the place was awash with rabid Disney fans, with some of them talking about their memories of Opening Day despite the fact that they didn’t look older than 55.
So, just what you’d expect, an extensive recap from a fan, here it is at Jim Hill Media.
And here’s a list of the speakers:
Diane Disney Miller - daughter of Walt Disney
Tony Baxter – current SR VP of Creative Development for Disneyland
Jack Lindquist – former President of Disneyland
Dick Nunis – Disney Legend and former Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions
Matt Ouimet – former President of Disneyland Resort
Buzz Price – Economist who helped Walt Disney find original site of Disneyland
Craig Russell- Current Chief Design and Project Delivery Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
Marty Sklar- Disney Legend and former Vice Chair of Imagineering
Bruce Vaughn- Current Chief Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
This was the first day, down in the multi-hued movie theatre that you can rent out parties, I think. This was the Founding Members Only discussion with Walt’s daughter Diane Disney Miller, Disney Legend Buzz Price, and Disney historians and authors Katherine and Richard Greene as they discuss Walt’s idea, concept, and how Disneyland became a reality:
Photography by Joseph Driste, Courtesy The Walt Disney Family Museum
Former Disneyland executives Jack Lindquist and Matt Ouimet were joined by Senior Vice-President of Creative Development for Disneyland Tony Baxter as they discussed the development of Disneyland, its impact on America, and Walt’s legacy with former Vice Chair of Imagineering Marty Sklar:
Left to Right – Tony Baxter, Jack Lindquist, Matt Ouimet and moderator Marty Sklar. Photography by Joseph Driste, Courtesy The Walt Disney Family Museum
Disney Legends Dick Nunis and Marty Sklar, along with Craig Russell and Bruce Vaughn , currently executives with Walt Disney Imagineering, explored how Walt Disney’s new concept in family entertainment was a catalyst for parks around the world:
Photography by Joseph Driste, Courtesy The Walt Disney Family Museum
How will they top this in 2015 during the Diamond Jubilee of Disneyland?
Bon Courage, WDFM!
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