After some incredible experiences the day before, we were both very excited to see what the new day would bring. We knew where we would be going but if the previous day had taught us anything at all, it was to expect surprises. I will say now, that if we thought the previous day was ‘full on’, today was going to be gargantuan – I have a LOT to tell you about! (I really couldn’t think of a better word for it).
Today would take us off at an early hour for breakfast at the Walt Disney Studios. Thankfully we were still waking up plenty early enough so meeting for the coach was most definitely not a problem. I think the ridiculous amount of excitement I was feeling certainly helped and meant that the journey over to Burbank was both very pleasant and very quick.
Upon arrival, we were all given our special passes that granted us access onto the property and then we made our way over to the commissary for breakfast. This in itself was very cool. We were to be having breakfast in the very place that countless legendary artists, writers and cast members would have eaten almost every day and still do! I kept lunch quite simple this morning, given that I don’t usually eat breakfast very often anyways.
Since we had a little bit of time before we officially got going we made our way over to the Studio Store. Yep, the studios have their own store! There is the Disney Store which sells much of the merchandise you can see in your local Disney Store but then there is also a section which sells things which are more exclusive to cast members. All in all, I managed to pick up a few pins, a new ID holder, a couple of nice notebooks and a tie. A question on notebooks, do you find that you ever buy some nicer notebooks and then find yourself loathed to use them for ‘day to day’ stuff… I’m asking for a friend…
Upon arrival, we were all given our special passes that granted us access onto the property and then we made our way over to the commissary for breakfast. This in itself was very cool. We were to be having breakfast in the very place that countless legendary artists, writers and cast members would have eaten almost every day and still do! I kept lunch quite simple this morning, given that I don’t usually eat breakfast very often anyways.
Since we had a little bit of time before we officially got going we made our way over to the Studio Store. Yep, the studios have their own store! There is the Disney Store which sells much of the merchandise you can see in your local Disney Store but then there is also a section which sells things which are more exclusive to cast members. All in all, I managed to pick up a few pins, a new ID holder, a couple of nice notebooks and a tie. A question on notebooks, do you find that you ever buy some nicer notebooks and then find yourself loathed to use them for ‘day to day’ stuff… I’m asking for a friend…
With everyone having now hit the shops it was time to get this movie rolling, making our way along the street to what is probably one of the more famous locations from the Disney lot. It has appeared in countless photos and even movies. Along the way I was photographing absolutely anything that looked even remotely interesting. It isn’t every day you get to walk around where the magic is made!
This lot seemed liked the Jim Henson ‘Lot’ in that it was friendly, very well kept and had a sense of family but it also had the grand buildings and vast soundstages like the Warner Bros. Studios. One thing I felt here that I hadn’t felt at the other lots was a distinct sense of heritage. That is not to say that the other two studios we had visited did not have that heritage behind them but I imagine that I was far more perceptive to it here due to my love and knowledge of the company.
Our first stop was at a particularly well-known sign post. The famous signpost for Dopey Drive and Mickey Avenue is found at what is labelled on the curb as Pluto Corner. Strictly speaking, some of the additional directions for certain areas of the business are not accurate directions. There are no other direction and road signs like this throughout the property and according to the archives, it was installed as a prop for the studio tour segment in the Disney feature ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ and was then left in place.
Also at Pluto corner, is a cheeky bit of humour. You see, as well as the sign post, there is a fire hydrant on the corner and if you look closer you can spot three paw prints in the concrete road. It was clear that Pluto had been but it was as if he was only standing on three legs... I’ll let your imagination do the rest of the work. It was a fun little bit of humour that you wouldn’t normally get anywhere else.
We were then guided along up towards the Main Theatre, the largest of several screening spaces on the lot and directly opposite that, was the animation building.
The walls along the corridor in here are adorned with countless pieces of animation art and sketches, representing the numerous characters that have been created by the animators over the years. My favourite element in here was the ‘Steamboat Willie’ Mickey Mouse flooring which, so I have read, cast members do not walk across, only around.
We then took a utility tunnel which took us under the road and into the Ink and Paint building. This tunnel was put in so that the original animation drawings and painted cels could be moved back and forth without being exposed to the outside elements and weather. Back in the studios’ height, the Ink and Paint building was home to over 100 ‘ink and paint girls’. As we walked between the buildings we could actually see inside the rooms and all the countless jars of coloured ink. Each and every one of them numbered and named for association with specific characters. For instance, there are a whole range of greens used solely for Ariel’s (The Little Mermaid) tail.
I find it quite difficult to pinpoint and explain how it felt walking around these buildings. The best term could be that I was in awe. To many, they are just a bunch of buildings but that is not what I was seeing. I was seeing the very buildings that played a part in my childhood. Within these walls, stories, movies and characters were created that filled my childhood with memories of adventures, laughter, sadness and joy. Many of these memories are what fuel my obsession with Disney and my desire to learn everything I can about the company. In some ways, being at this site and walking through these buildings put me back in touch with what really started my love for The Walt Disney Company and what makes me so passionate about it.
The feeling of being in awe was just about to get a further boost as we rounded the corner to the front of the Frank G Wells building. It was opened in 1998 and dedicated to the former president of the Walt Disney Company (1984-1994) by the then CEO, Michael Eisner and Well’s widow, Luanne. It was originally designed very specifically for Walt Disney Television Animation. Nowadays it is home to the Studios Mail Centre, the Disney Music Group and the Walt Disney Archives. Our next stop!
The feeling of being in awe was just about to get a further boost as we rounded the corner to the front of the Frank G Wells building. It was opened in 1998 and dedicated to the former president of the Walt Disney Company (1984-1994) by the then CEO, Michael Eisner and Well’s widow, Luanne. It was originally designed very specifically for Walt Disney Television Animation. Nowadays it is home to the Studios Mail Centre, the Disney Music Group and the Walt Disney Archives. Our next stop!
We were all led into the building and I had to chuckle that they even have their very own Starbucks on site! We were asked to wait just outside the archive rooms whilst Michael went off to make sure they were ready for us. In the meantime, I was drawn towards an artefact that again, would leave me in awe. There in the lobby was a huge multiplane camera. I can’t remember if I read it or if Summer-Rose told us, but this was one of only three extant multiplane cameras used by Walt Disney Animation. This was a piece of technology that was developed by Disney and was used to great effect in Disney movies. Essentially it allowed the camera to pan through layers of foreground, such as a forest of trees to give the shot more depth. The last film to use the technique in this fashion was The Little Mermaid before being made obsolete by the implementation of a digital multiplane camera. I was stood alongside something that shaped movies like Pinocchio and the Jungle Book. This camera was an absolute game changer for animation.
Thankfully, before I could gush over the camera for too long, we were directed into the Walt Disney Archives. As we entered there was a real animators’ desk set up how it would have been in its heyday.
Thankfully, before I could gush over the camera for too long, we were directed into the Walt Disney Archives. As we entered there was a real animators’ desk set up how it would have been in its heyday.
There was an impressive array of artwork on the walls, one of my favourite pieces was of Mickey Mouse on a ‘set’ in front of a representation of what is now known as Disney’s Epcot park. I say that it is a representation because I suspect that the painting may have been done ahead of its opening? I am not entirely sure when the painting dates from but I have been trying to research it. If you do know any more about it, please let me know in the comments below.
Also impressive was a sealed copy of the Sentinel Star newspaper from Orlando, Florida dated October 3rd, 1978. It’s headline announcing the launch of the project to create the Epcot park.
All along one wall there was a bookcase of Disney publications. By all accounts, this was just a small representation of the archives’ collection of books. Just that small collection makes my home collection look insignificant by comparison.
All along one wall there was a bookcase of Disney publications. By all accounts, this was just a small representation of the archives’ collection of books. Just that small collection makes my home collection look insignificant by comparison.
There were a couple of large cabinets with memorabilia and pieces from the various attractions from the different parks. The section that really caught my eye was the shelf dedicated to Figment. To me, Figment is like a mascot for the Epcot centre. The Journey into Imagination attraction that is his home has had changes over the years and many deride the current attraction but I will always have a soft spot for the squeaky voice dragon who sings about sparks of imagination. I have read a few rumours since our trip that suggest the attraction is set to close. I just pray they keep hold of Figment and give him a new place in the park if the rumours are true.
Over in the middle of the room they had laid out some photo albums, absolutely full of images from various points in the Walt Disney Company history. We were asked not to photograph the albums so I cannot share any images, but I will say that you could easily lose a couple of hours just looking through the photos, let alone reading the books and examining the other artefacts.
Finishing up in the archives, we had the opportunity to have a picture with a real Oscar Statuette. I was quite surprised by the weight of it if I’m honest but I also felt quite honoured to be able to hold one, especially one that had been awarded to Disney.
Over in the middle of the room they had laid out some photo albums, absolutely full of images from various points in the Walt Disney Company history. We were asked not to photograph the albums so I cannot share any images, but I will say that you could easily lose a couple of hours just looking through the photos, let alone reading the books and examining the other artefacts.
Finishing up in the archives, we had the opportunity to have a picture with a real Oscar Statuette. I was quite surprised by the weight of it if I’m honest but I also felt quite honoured to be able to hold one, especially one that had been awarded to Disney.
Our next stop was Disney Legends Plaza which is situated in front of the Michael D. Eisner building, previously known as Team Disney and home to the senior management of Disney, the boardroom for the board of directors and of course, the office of current President and CEO, Bob Iger.
The plaza itself pays homage to all of the recipients of the Disney Legends award. Along with the famous ‘Partners’ statue created by Imagineer Blaine Gibson, there is large statue of the award at the opposite end of the plaza. The award was originally created by Andrea Favilli which is handcrafted from bronze and is made up of three distinct elements which characterize the contributions to the company made by the recipients. The Spiral represents imagination and the power of an idea. The hand holds the gifts of skill, discipline and craftsmanship. Finally, the Wand and Star represent the magic and the spark that is ignited when imagination and skill combine to create a new dream.
The awards themselves have been given out every year since 1987 (before the plaza was created in 1998). Each of the recipients is honoured with a bronze commemorative plaque that is displayed in the plaza. The names on display have shaped, or continue to shape the company into what it is today. I could have spent a lot more time taking pictures of every single plaque. There was actually a few I am a bit gutted that I missed. It was a little overwhelming being in this place that my mind wasn’t necessarily on having pictures taken with the plaques, especially in the limited time we had. If I was ever to return I would hopefully suppress the excitement a little more to get more pictures of the plaques for people who are personal heroes and inspirations.
As we headed off, we made our way back past the other side of the Animation Building, with our guides pointing out precisely where Walt Disney’s office was. I know that they have recently restored the office back to how it looked when Walt was there (having had several other uses over the years) but alas we were not allowed to go up there. The guides also pointed out that the office overlooked what was the original entrance to the studios, meaning that Walt could observe all of his team coming and going. His office also had a vantage line of sight down to his brother Roy’s office. It was just along from here that they filmed exterior shots for the movie ‘Saving Mr Banks’.
The awards themselves have been given out every year since 1987 (before the plaza was created in 1998). Each of the recipients is honoured with a bronze commemorative plaque that is displayed in the plaza. The names on display have shaped, or continue to shape the company into what it is today. I could have spent a lot more time taking pictures of every single plaque. There was actually a few I am a bit gutted that I missed. It was a little overwhelming being in this place that my mind wasn’t necessarily on having pictures taken with the plaques, especially in the limited time we had. If I was ever to return I would hopefully suppress the excitement a little more to get more pictures of the plaques for people who are personal heroes and inspirations.
As we headed off, we made our way back past the other side of the Animation Building, with our guides pointing out precisely where Walt Disney’s office was. I know that they have recently restored the office back to how it looked when Walt was there (having had several other uses over the years) but alas we were not allowed to go up there. The guides also pointed out that the office overlooked what was the original entrance to the studios, meaning that Walt could observe all of his team coming and going. His office also had a vantage line of sight down to his brother Roy’s office. It was just along from here that they filmed exterior shots for the movie ‘Saving Mr Banks’.
We continued along this road to get a great view of the famous Water Tower at the studios. Many Hollywood studios had water towers for the emergency supply of water in case of fire. Naturally, the Disney one had to be a little different in that it has six legs instead of the usual four. This tower was also replicated for what was formally Disney’s MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) but then removed in 2016 and also in the Walt Disney Studios park at the Disneyland Resort in Paris.
Our final short stop was at Stage 2 which is one of the largest sound stages in Los Angeles. It is even more special because it is named the Julie Andrews Stage and was where they filmed Mary Poppins. To know that we were just on the other side of a wall to the same studio where they filmed one of the most beloved Disney movies ever was just very cool and humbling. Add to that, that they also used the soundstage to build attractions for Disneyland and for filming for the attractions at the parks, this was a very special building which has been a huge part of the Disney history!
Back on the coach, we were off to our next stop, the Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale where we would be having lunch. On paper, it seemed a little odd that we were heading to an old airport terminal that was built in the 1920s, however it soon became clear that it makes up part of Disney’s Grand Central Creative Campus.
The building itself ceased to operate as an airport in 1959 to make way for the Grand Central Business Park. In 1961 WED Enterprises, now known as Disney Imagineering, opened a creative workshop on the same business park. It is also worth noting that since our trip I also discovered that it was to this business park that Walt Disney Feature Animation was moved in 1985, away from the Burbank Studios. (Animation returned back to Burbank in 1995 in a new building now called the Roy E. Disney Animation Building).
It was in 1997 that Disney took over ownership of the old Air Terminal building and in 2015 it received a restoration. The restoration of the building was very impressive and it was a little bizarre being in such a relatively small building and thinking that it was once an airport and also a key element in the development of the United States aviation industry.
It was not long before we were being introduced to Dave who would be taking us around another of the buildings on the Campus. For me at least, this was the big one, in an almost spiritual fashion. I cannot possibly understate just how big a deal this was for me, as it is the home to my absolute dream job. We were heading to Imagineering!
For those who are not in the know, Walt Disney Imagineering was formed in 1952 as a separate company from the studios called Walt Disney Inc before becoming WED Enterprises in 1953. Walt set up this company tasked with creating Disneyland and has been responsible for the design, creation and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide. Imagineering is very much a form of storytelling in a physical setting. Whether it is a Disney Park, the Disney Cruise line or even a Disney Store. They are designed to tell a story.
By its very nature, Walt Disney Imagineering is very secretive and very careful about the information it releases. Whether it is their future developments or the secrets behind the illusions used in the attractions, they keep things close to their chest until they are ready for the information to be made public. For starters, we were told beforehand that there was to be absolutely no photography of any kind throughout the tour.
It was not long before we were being introduced to Dave who would be taking us around another of the buildings on the Campus. For me at least, this was the big one, in an almost spiritual fashion. I cannot possibly understate just how big a deal this was for me, as it is the home to my absolute dream job. We were heading to Imagineering!
For those who are not in the know, Walt Disney Imagineering was formed in 1952 as a separate company from the studios called Walt Disney Inc before becoming WED Enterprises in 1953. Walt set up this company tasked with creating Disneyland and has been responsible for the design, creation and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide. Imagineering is very much a form of storytelling in a physical setting. Whether it is a Disney Park, the Disney Cruise line or even a Disney Store. They are designed to tell a story.
By its very nature, Walt Disney Imagineering is very secretive and very careful about the information it releases. Whether it is their future developments or the secrets behind the illusions used in the attractions, they keep things close to their chest until they are ready for the information to be made public. For starters, we were told beforehand that there was to be absolutely no photography of any kind throughout the tour.
Of course, as a wannabe imagineer I respect that secrecy so I will not reveal any of the specifics of what we saw. What I can say in summary, is that our time at Imagineering was absolutely everything I could have hoped and more.
We saw how the Imagineers really do design and create everything, from a guest’s perspective, in a very literal sense.
We were able to see how Imagineering ensure that the story is king. The technology is then developed to facilitate that story and not the other way around. To me this is a very important point because I think this is often where other theme park companies get it wrong. Others will have a technology or ride type that they want to show off and will shoe horn or fit the story around it. This then creates an attraction which is not necessarily cohesive.
We were brought within a literal touching distance of specific moments from the history of Disney Resorts which quite frankly, rocked me to my core (and yes, I did shed a tear, what of it?!). It was in that moment; the legacy and history of the Disney Parks became tangible. I cannot quite explain just how much this meant to me (and the others in the group) but the history of the parks that I have been learning about for several years was made real in the most incredible way.
I feel both privileged and honoured that I was able to have that experience and walk in the footsteps of my heroes and idols. The same people that have shaped what I and many others, claim as their happy place. Our time at Imagineering was one of the most inspiring experiences that will live on, each and every time I think about or visit the parks.
At this point it was time to get back on the coach for the drive down to Anaheim. This was not a particularly long distance but the famous traffic on the I-5 had its impact.
We saw how the Imagineers really do design and create everything, from a guest’s perspective, in a very literal sense.
We were able to see how Imagineering ensure that the story is king. The technology is then developed to facilitate that story and not the other way around. To me this is a very important point because I think this is often where other theme park companies get it wrong. Others will have a technology or ride type that they want to show off and will shoe horn or fit the story around it. This then creates an attraction which is not necessarily cohesive.
We were brought within a literal touching distance of specific moments from the history of Disney Resorts which quite frankly, rocked me to my core (and yes, I did shed a tear, what of it?!). It was in that moment; the legacy and history of the Disney Parks became tangible. I cannot quite explain just how much this meant to me (and the others in the group) but the history of the parks that I have been learning about for several years was made real in the most incredible way.
I feel both privileged and honoured that I was able to have that experience and walk in the footsteps of my heroes and idols. The same people that have shaped what I and many others, claim as their happy place. Our time at Imagineering was one of the most inspiring experiences that will live on, each and every time I think about or visit the parks.
At this point it was time to get back on the coach for the drive down to Anaheim. This was not a particularly long distance but the famous traffic on the I-5 had its impact.
Our hotel for the next leg of our trip was The Disneyland Hotel, in the Adventure Tower. Once we had had a wander around, browsed the shops and got our bearings together we were able to head back to our room and get changed as the luggage had been delivered. We were also going to be having dinner at the hotel over in the Fantasy Tower, specifically the Blue Sky Suite which can be found on the top floor. It was previously called the Wrather Suite after the family that built and operated the hotel for many years.
The suite was very interesting, with concept artwork of the parks on the walls and an unusual futuristic 50’s retro feel to the design. The dinner was a buffet style selection of the most popular foods from within the parks. No sooner had we finished dinner, we were being whisked off into Disneyland itself for some evening entertainment.
The suite was very interesting, with concept artwork of the parks on the walls and an unusual futuristic 50’s retro feel to the design. The dinner was a buffet style selection of the most popular foods from within the parks. No sooner had we finished dinner, we were being whisked off into Disneyland itself for some evening entertainment.
We were to have reserved viewing space for both the Main Street Electrical Parade and the Fireworks. In all honesty, I have seen the Electrical Parade many times over the years so I am not all that impressed with it. It is a lovely parade but the theme music actually irritates me in a way that not even ‘It’s A Small World’ does. The Parade originally began operating in 1972 and it is a fan favourite amongst Disneyland aficionados. It was briefly replaced by a new, modern version in 2015 for the parks 60th anniversary called ‘Paint the Night’ which I really wanted to see, having not seen it in person. The parade itself was fine and we had a fantastic view, despite the fact that the music irritates. It was pleasant enough, I have just seen it so many times!
What I was really excited about, was finally seeing the ‘Remember… Dreams Come True’ fireworks finale. A bit of back story here, was that during our 2008 visit, each time we attempted to view the fireworks they were cancelled at the very last-minute due to high winds. To not see fireworks at a Disney Park at the end of the day is almost sacrilegious!
With that in mind, you can imagine how anxious I started feeling when at 8.55, with only 5 minutes to go, came the announcement over the speakers that the fireworks may be cancelled due to high winds. This provided a moment of humour for the rest of the group who were adamant that it was actually our fault that they might get cancelled! Thankfully they were not cancelled at all, and were actually brilliant. They are a wonderful celebration of the history and story of the park, narrated by Julie Andrews.
After the fireworks many of the group went on to squeeze in a few rides, but after the day we had, I just wanted to relax so we made our way out of the park and over to Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Bar for cocktails with Pete and Josh.
What I was really excited about, was finally seeing the ‘Remember… Dreams Come True’ fireworks finale. A bit of back story here, was that during our 2008 visit, each time we attempted to view the fireworks they were cancelled at the very last-minute due to high winds. To not see fireworks at a Disney Park at the end of the day is almost sacrilegious!
With that in mind, you can imagine how anxious I started feeling when at 8.55, with only 5 minutes to go, came the announcement over the speakers that the fireworks may be cancelled due to high winds. This provided a moment of humour for the rest of the group who were adamant that it was actually our fault that they might get cancelled! Thankfully they were not cancelled at all, and were actually brilliant. They are a wonderful celebration of the history and story of the park, narrated by Julie Andrews.
After the fireworks many of the group went on to squeeze in a few rides, but after the day we had, I just wanted to relax so we made our way out of the park and over to Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Bar for cocktails with Pete and Josh.
Once back in our room we decided to try a lovely feature of the Disneyland Hotel. Our very own personal kiss goodnight! - Behave you lot!!! It is nothing like that. A good example of a Disney kiss goodnight is the fireworks at the end of the day. It is Disney's way of leaving you with a lasting final memory. In our room, there was a huge wooden display above the headboard. When you switched it on, the fireworks lit up and it played 'A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes'
It was the perfect end to a massive day!
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