Sam Gennawey's Blog, page 13

MAIN STREET FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

Looking through my files the other day, I came across an early 1970s Cast Member training manual for Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. In this case, Main Street was describe as the area that included the parking lot, the Main Gate Ticket Sellers, the Ticket Takers, Guest Relations, Main Street vehicles, the shops, and other related activities. Since most of these Cast Members would be the source of “initial” contact with the guests, making a good first impression is their primary responsibility.
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That Is Where It Came From

On August 19, 1966, the Park received an interesting glimpse into its own history when the First American Title Insurance & Trust Company gave the Park the Chain of Title tracing Disneyland's Main Street from the original land grant to the present. Disneyland was located on parcels of land in the Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana, which had been under the jurisdiction of the King of Spain in 1769. After becoming part of Mexico, the area was given to Juan Pacifico Ontiveras in 1837. He later sold 1,165 acres at two dollars per acre to the founders of Anaheim. Many years later, Walt would pay almost $1,000,000 for approximately 244-acres to create Disneyland. 

Come Aboard!

A photo from the grand opening of the lower decks of the Columbia at Disneyland.

Another Glass of Wine Please

There really is something special about eating at Club 33. Service and food are great. But there is something else. Maybe it is just the wicked notion of a glass of wine in Disneyland or a display of desserts that makes you want to bring along a zip lock bag. I thank those who have been kind enough to invite me along.

Some Days Are Like This

SAM EXAMINES THE MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

As the battles between Disney and the other theme park operators is notched up another level with the introduction of the My Disney Experience program (MyMagic+), it is instructive to see how two of the biggest players are going in opposite directions. While Universal is trying to replicate the way Walt’s generation of Imagineers thought by focusing on building ride capacity, immersive theming, combined with novel merchandise, the Walt Disney Company’s new approach seems to be about rationing experiences using cutting edge software and technology.To understand Disney’s new program a bit better, I decided to read through the Terms and Conditions. I figure Disney spends a lot of money on lawyers and there might be something to be learned.READ MORE AT MICECHAT

Careful, Geysers Ahead

What a lovely shot of the Mine Train coming around the bend. If the wind was blowing just right you would get a sample of magical Disney water splashed all over you.

A Proper Tomorrowland

Oh how I miss A World on the Move. This is what the future should look like. With mid-century modern architecture coming back in vogue, this would rather hip.

The Thankless Job

Because of the special skills necessary to manage the mule trains, only professional animal handlers were allowed to be trail bosses. Dominguez said, “You had to know your horses to do that. Some of the handlers were ex-jockeys and really knew how to handle the horses and mules. They were exclusive to this ride and not interchangeable.” Disney archivist David Smith said, “Of course, mules were notoriously cranky…they’d bite a guest or something. There were obviously problems all along, but Walt fought as long as he could to keep those attractions there because they just added so much to the atmosphere of the Park.”

A Long Time Ago on a Hill in the Valley