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Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt's Dream Spotless (Unabridged) by Lynn Barron & Ken Pellman on iTunes
In this episode we are going to take a virtual tour of Disneyland as if it was the year 1997. That year had some memorable moments, and times for both of us. Get ready as we discuss some of the attractions that weren't there yet, and some that are gone, plus all the other events that took place at Disneyland in 1997.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Marty Sklar, longtime head of Walt Disney Imagineering, dies at 83
"Born February 6, 1934, in New Brunswick, N.J., Sklar got his start with Disney while attending UCLA, where he was a writer and editor for the Daily Bruin. A month before Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, Disney hired the 21-year old to create The Disneyland News, a tabloid sold on Main Street, U.S.A.
Sklar started writing scripts, marketing materials and speeches for Walt Disney. He climbed the ladder of the design and engineering division responsible for creating attractions for Disney’s theme parks.
Sklar oversaw the design and construction of many of Disney’s theme parks. He is believed to have been the only person to attend the opening of every Disney theme park, including last year’s at Shanghai Disneyland."
Orange County Register
Fans, former colleagues mourn Disney legend Marty Sklar who died at age 83
Orange County Register
In Memoriam: Marty Sklar
By Shelly Valladolid
"In 1961, he moved over to WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering, working on the huge projects Disney had planned for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. He also wrote many of Walt’s professional communications. After Walt’s death, he created much of the material promoting Walt Disney World, and by the time EPCOT Center went from city to him pushing two models together to reality, he was Vice-President of Creative Development of WED. Under the Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering, he rose to President of Imagineering, where he stayed until his 'retirement' in 2009, when he became 'International Ambassador of Imagineering'. On July 17, 2009, he got his window on Main Street, U.S.A."
MiceChat
Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar dead at age 83
"Sklar was a big shaper of the Disney theme park image. He was a lead writer for Walt Disney’s vision for Walt Disney World, including the script for the 20-minute film that documented the original idea for EPCOT. In 2001 Sklar was inducted as a Disney Legend."
The Disney Blog
‘Star Wars’ Virtual Reality experience coming to Downtown Disney
"Lucasfilm’s immersive entertainment arm ILMxLAB, along with a partnership with virtual reality creators, The Void, announced Thursday, Aug. 3, the creation of a new hyper-reality experience called Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire. The attraction will open this holiday season to Downtown Disney in Anaheim and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World."
Orange County Register
3 popular shops closing in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort
"Build-A-Bear Workshop, Chapel Hats and Ridemakerz will soon close in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort.
The three neighboring shops are closing to make room for more dining facilities in the area, according to a Disneyland Resort spokesperson.
The shops are popular, and not being closed due to poor performance issues, officials said."
Orange County Register
Disneyland’s river rides and railroad open to the public with new route
"As part of the media preview festivities on Friday [July 28], John Lasseter brought his steam locomotive, the Marie E, onto the tracks for a trip around the new rail route. The Marie E was once owned by Ollie Johnston, a Disney Legend and one of Walt Disney’s Nine-Old-Men of animation.
Coupled to the Marie E was the Chloe, a steam engine formerly owned by Ward Kimball, another Disney legend, and also one of the Nine-Old-Men. The Chloe now belongs to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, where a project is underway to restore it to running condition."
Orange County Register
2 special train engines create historic moment for the Disneyland Railroad
Orange County Register
Disneyland Railroad steams back into action featuring new route
"The new route takes riders across a long, classic wood trestle and past five waterfalls. There are several scenes of animals, such as with deer and moose, and one of a beaver gnawing on the wood at the base of the trestle.
The Native American camp and the Shaman telling his tales of how flutes were made moved, and is easily visible from the train."
Orange County Register
Disneyland Railroad engineers ‘ecstatic’ about new route as classic ride readies to reopen
Orange County Register
VIDEO: Celebrating the Return of the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America at Disneyland Park
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland News & Photo Update – Taking it to the MaxPass
Also: Fantasmic! 2.0
"The Smoking Lamp Is Out
Disneyland has extinguished the Rivers of America smoking section near the Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. The nearest smoking section is on Big Thunder Trail. How do you feel about this change? Please comment below or in our forums."
MiceChat
DCA Photo Update – Farewell to Bugs
Also: Mickey and Friends Parking Structure Maintenance, Downtown Disney Construction, Star Wars Land Construction
MiceChat
Disneyland Special Update – Disneyland Classic River and Railroad Return
"Though the River attractions were announced to open on Saturday July 29th, They actually soft opened a day early for media previews, private events and eventually to the public as well on Friday. As a result, guests lucky enough to be in the parks this past Friday the 28th were able to ride the canoes, the river boats, and the railroad. Tom Sawyer island opened to guests earlier in the month. Disneyland’s epic river project is now mostly complete."
MiceChat
Disneyland Classics – The Circle of the Past to the Future
MiceChat
DCA Update – Shaved Ice, Hopeless Heroes and New Animation
You can listen to show 215 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.
Show Notes for Episode 215
Disneyland 1997
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