There is something unforgettable about the friendships you make early in your Disney journey, when everything feels new and exciting. For Steven “Steve” Valkenburg and James “JP” Pryor, that feeling never faded. From their very first days working at Disneyland Resort nearly five decades ago, the two formed a bond that has only grown stronger with time and will endure long after their retirement on July 18.
To continue their tradition of celebrating resort milestones together, they agreed to remain through July 17 to mark the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort before turning in their aprons. For them, it’s more than a farewell. It’s a full circle moment, closing out their chapters at the place where their friendship all started.
Bonds Built from Mentorship
JP’s journey at Disneyland Resort began in 1977 at Plaza Inn in Disneyland park, with Steve joining a short time later in 1980 at French Market (now known as Tiana’s Palace) before moving to Plaza Inn in 1983. It wasn’t long before their friendship blossomed, united by their shared mission for creating happiness for guests of all ages.
“We just enjoyed working with each other, and we both share the same passion for why we work here,” JP recalled. That mutual purpose has driven them since the day they stepped through the restaurant doors.
Steve adds, “When I came to Plaza Inn, I was welcomed and felt like I belonged. JP trained me as a lead, and I received some of the best training [I’ve seen] anywhere.” JP spent six months mentoring Steve before he officially became a working lead at the restaurant, teaching him everything from practical skills to leadership. This mentorship laid the foundation for both Steve’s success and their long-lasting friendship.
JP also shares the depth of their bond and says, “I consider you more of a brother than my real brothers.” Their friendship has been a constant throughout their time at the resort, and it will continue even into retirement. “I know we’ll always be in each other’s lives,” JP smiled. “Maybe too much,” he added with a chuckle.
Pride in Walt’s Vision
Steve and JP take immense pride in honoring the memory and original vision of Walt Disney in everything they do, so much so that they are recognized by their fellow cast as the unofficial historians of Plaza Inn.
The restaurant holds a deep sense of history, which is something Steve and JP often reflect on while working. It first opened as the Red Wagon Inn on July 17, 1955 – the same day Disneyland welcomed its very first guests – before transitioning into the Plaza Inn in 1965 with a buffeteria-style service. The original concept, envisioned by Walt Disney, was to create a luxurious yet affordable dining experience for families.
Early in Steve’s time at the Plaza Inn, a routine task became one of his fondest memories – replacing refreshments in Walt Disney’s apartment above the fire station on Main Street, U.S.A.
“When I started, I used to go up to Walt’s apartment about once a month,” he said. Steve described the space as feeling like a hallowed museum, where the presence of Walt Disney and the legacy he built can be felt. “Working in the Plaza complex meant we had access to [Walt’s apartment], and that was really neat.”
Memories like this connect Steve and JP to the roots of the incredible history of Disneyland and to Walt Disney himself. They remind us that preserving heritage isn’t just about looking to the past, but about the care we bring to every detail, every day because Disneyland truly is a labor of love and a source of happiness for all.
A Legacy of Friendship
While they may not see each other at work every day anymore, Steve and JP both plan to stay in each other’s lives by continuing their annual road trips. They have shared countless unforgettable moments together! When asked about their favorite friendship memory, one thing comes to mind – their road trip in May 2024 to Marceline, Missouri., the childhood hometown of Walt Disney. Exploring Marceline, they walked the same streets that once inspired Walt himself. It was a trip that perfectly captured the spirit of their friendship, affirming their roles as historians in their own right.
JP and Steve “recreating” a sketch that Walt Disney once drew on a wall in Marceline, Mo., the town where he spent part of his childhood.
Front facade of the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Mo., from Steve and JP’s trip.
Friends and loved ones from across the resort — and even from Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris — gathered for a group photo with Steve and JP during their retirement celebration.
JP and Steve pose with their celebratory cakes and posters before handing out slices to their fellow cast members.
In the morning of their retirement on July 18, the Plaza Inn team and longtime friends of Steve and JP gathered in The Golden Horseshoe at Disneyland park to celebrate the completion of their Disney Cast Life journey. The cast members who were fortunate to meet or work alongside the pair showered them with appreciation and adoration.
As Disneyland Resort celebrates 70 years of creating happiness, stories like Steve and JP’s friendship remind us that magic isn’t just in the experiences – it’s in the people who create them with all of their heart. Their friendship, built on shared values and a love for making others smile, will live on through Plaza Inn and cast members across the resort for years to come
Congratulations on your retirement, Steve and JP! Thank you for BEING the magic.
