As we approach the 70th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort, we want to honor our original dreamer who started it all, Walt Disney. His vision, imagination, and unmatched sense of wonder gave life to The Happiest Place on Earth. Join us as we journey through the resort to explore the places connected to Walt Disney and the legacy he has left for generations to come.
Walt Disney’s Early Years in Marceline, Missouri
Our journey begins on Main Street, U.S.A., which was partially inspired by Walt Disney’s memories of his boyhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri. While Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1901, it would be his years in Marceline that shaped his imagination and had a defining impact on Walt. When you step onto Main Street, U.S.A., you feel as though you stepped into another era in a small town.
Walt’s family moved to Marceline in 1906, and he would later write that, “To tell the truth, more things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened since—or are likely to in the future.”
Did you know?
- You can spot at least two nods to Marceline on Main Street, U.S.A. The first is at the entrance to the Main Street Cinema. Look for the ticket seller named Tilly and you’ll see her nametag says she is from Marceline, Missouri. Additionally, near the lockers by the Market House a sign reads “Hotel Marceline” in tribute to Walt’s boyhood hometown.
Another iconic location you can explore on Main Street, U.S.A., to help transport you to Walt Disney’s youth is the Disneyland Railroad. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad ran right through the heart of Marceline and is where Walt developed his passion for trains and is one of the inspirations behind the Disneyland Railroad. At the age of 15, Walt got a job as a news butcher for the Van Noyes Interstate News Company selling newspapers and food on the railroad.
The attraction was originally known as the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad from 1955–1974 and changed to the current name, Disneyland Railroad, on October 1, 1974.
While Walt recalled his time in the Midwest fondly, it was the promise of a bright future that called Walt to the west coast. Walt Disney would travel by train from Missouri to California to follow his dreams.
Walt Disney Arrives in California
In July 1923, Walt Disney stepped off the train in California with just a suitcase and a dream. Today we can step into Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure park and feel the sense of hope and the bright future that awaited him as he joined his brother Roy O. Disney, in California.
At Disney California Adventure park, the Storytellers statue, dedicated in 2012, reflects the beginning of a great partnership between Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, a time of great hope and boundless optimism in the life of the fledgling filmmaker and his most famous creation. The statue honors a young Walt, fresh from Kansas City, Missouri, along with his animated pal, who stands on top of Walt’s trunk.
Just steps from the Storytellers statue, also on Buena Vista Street, you can see Carthay Circle Restaurant & Lounge, inspired by the historic Hollywood icon, the Carthay Circle Theatre. This theater was the location for the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s first animated feature film, on December 21, 1937. The film would win Walt Disney a special Academy Award,® in 1939 presented by Shirley Temple, consisting of one full-size Oscar® and seven smaller Oscars to represent the dwarfs.
You can see a photo of this award presentation inside the restaurant along with a set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Courvoisier cels. The main dining room features four panels on the vaulted ceiling that represent background paintings from two different scenes in the animated feature.
California would continue to be home for Walt as he developed his talents from full-length animated to live-action films. Even though Walt had many successful adventures in the film industry, there was a new dream on the horizon for him. A place where his stories could come to life and the young and young at heart could have fun together.
Walt Disney and Disneyland
Just as Walt had dreamed on a park bench at Griffith Park, Disneyland park would become a place that adults and children could enjoy a day together. Before the world could step into the magic, Walt took some time for a special celebration.
On July 13, 1955, just days before the opening of Disneyland park, Walt and Lillian Disney gathered their closest friends and families for an unforgettable 30th wedding anniversary celebration noted as Lilly and Walt Disney’s “Tempus Fugit Celebration,” on the event invitation.
Event guests joined Walt and Lillian for the Mark Twain Riverboat’s maiden voyage around the Rivers of America followed by a dinner in The Golden Horseshoe. During the celebration, guests enjoyed the talents of future Disney Legend Wally Boag, Donald Novis, and the original Slue Foot Sue, Judy Marsh.
Strolling along the Rivers of America, you might have noticed a large piece of petrified tree. This is no random park decoration. According to Disney family legend, Walt and Lillian were driving through the mountains of Colorado Springs in 1956 and stopped at Pike’s Petrified Forest, two days before their 31st anniversary. While Lillian waited in the car, Walt took a tour and eventually purchased a five-ton stump he joked was an anniversary gift for Lillian. Today you can visit the petrified tree in Frontierland and see the plaque that ends with the inscription, “PRESENTED TO DISNEYLAND BY MRS. WALT DISNEY – SEPTEMBER 1957.”
Returning to where we started on Main Street, U.S.A., in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, you can snap a photo with the Partners statue. This statue was originally unveiled on November 18, 1993, to commemorate the 65th birthday of Mickey Mouse. Imagineer and Disney Legend Blaine Gibson came out of retirement specifically to create this sculpture. If you look closely on Walt’s tie, you’ll see a unique “STR” symbol. The symbol stands for Smoke Tree Ranch, a development in Palm Springs where Walt had a vacation home and regularly spent time.
Near the Main Street Cinema, you can find a window dedicated to cast members with a nod to Walt Disney. The window states, “Open Since ’55 – Disneyland Casting Agency – ‘It takes People to Make the Dream a Reality’ – Walter Elias Disney, Founder & Director Emeritus.” The window not only celebrates the many thousands of cast members who have and still work for the Disneyland Resort, but it also honors Walt Disney as the resort’s founder.
Arguably one of the most iconic locations in Disneyland park is Walt’s apartment just above the Fire Station, on Main Street, U.S.A. Next time you are in Town Square, look to the second floor of the Fire Station and you’ll notice that a light remains on in the window, in honor of Walt.
On July 17, 1955, the opening day of Disneyland park, Walt said “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Today, the Disneyland Resort continues to evolve and grow just as Walt dreamed, and we continue to honor his imagination that sparked the creation of our happy place and remember his legacy as we explore the Disneyland Resort.
