#158 Walt Disney Disneyland

In the early 1950s, Walt Disney envisioned a theme park unlike any other—a clean, immersive experience for families, built with a watchmaker's precision and an artist's conviction. Despite skepticism from his brother Roy, bankers, and even his wife Lillian, Disney persevered, financing Disneyland against his life insurance and assembling a diverse team to bring his dream to reality. On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened to a disastrous first day, but the park soon became an entertainment history icon, reflecting Disney's relentless innovation and dedication. Richard Snow's book "Disney's Land" captures the full story of Disneyland's creation, embodying Disney's spirit as an entrepreneur who revolutionized the amusement park industry and left an indelible mark on American culture.

• Walt Disney envisioned a theme park where guests could immerse themselves in a world with Disney characters.
• Disney faced significant opposition from his brother Roy, his wife Lillian, and bankers.
• Despite resistance, Disney self-financed Disneyland using his life insurance policy.
• He hired a diverse team, including engineers and a retired admiral, to build Disneyland.
• Disneyland had to be completed in just over a year.

"One day in the early 1950s, Walt Disney stood looking out over 240 acres of farmland in Anaheim, California. And imagine building a park where people could live among Mickey Mouse and snow white in a world still powered by steam and fire for a day or a week, or, if the visitor is slightly mad, forever."

This quote sets the stage for Walt Disney's ambitious vision for Disneyland, highlighting his desire to create an immersive experience for visitors.

• Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, but the first day was fraught with issues.
• Disney was deeply affected by the initial failure of the park.
• Despite the rocky start, Disneyland became a success, attracting 800 million visitors to date.

"On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates, and the first day was a disaster. Disney was nearly suicidal with grief that he had failed on a grand scale."

This quote captures the emotional turmoil Disney experienced during the troubled launch of Disneyland, emphasizing the importance of the park to him.

• The speaker discovered Richard Snow's book "Disney's Land" by chance and found it compelling.
• Richard Snow previously wrote about Henry Ford in "I Invented the Modern Age."
• Snow's works provide insightful anecdotes and historical context for the subjects he covers.

"That was from the back cover of the book I'm going to talk to you about today, which is Disney's Land, Walt Disney, and the invention of the amusement park that changed the world."

This quote introduces the source material for the podcast episode, highlighting the book's focus on the impact of Disneyland.

• Disney's upbringing was marked by hard work and a lack of indulgence, instilled by his father, Elias Disney.
• Despite his father's stern approach, Disney developed a strong work ethic and a drive for independence.
• Disney's determination was evident from an early age, as he took on a paper route and sought creative outlets.

"At the age of nine, Walt was climbing out of bed every morning at 3:30 in the morning to go to work. He was delivering newspapers in the snow."

This quote illustrates Disney's early introduction to hard work and responsibility, which shaped his character.

• Disney constantly sought to improve his craft and embrace new technologies.
• He experienced several business failures before creating Mickey Mouse.
• Disney's innovations included the first sound cartoon and the introduction of color to his animations.

"Disney immediately sought more advanced technology, as he would for the rest of his career."

This quote emphasizes Disney's lifelong pursuit of technological advancement and his commitment to innovation in his work.

• Disney created Mickey Mouse during a train ride, originally naming the character Mortimer.
• His wife suggested the name Mickey, which stuck.
• Mickey Mouse's introduction marked the beginning of Disney's empire and was the first character to feature in a sound cartoon.

"Mickey Mouse was introduced to the world for his third Mickey short. Disney hired an orchestra and steamboat Willie was the first sound cartoon."

This quote marks the significant milestone of Mickey Mouse's debut in "Steamboat Willie," showcasing Disney's innovation with sound in animation.

• Mickey Mouse quickly gained popularity and became more famous than many Hollywood stars.
• Disney's cartoons won Academy Awards and set the standard for the animation industry.
• Mickey Mouse laid the foundation for Disney's future endeavors, including Disneyland.

"Mickey Mouse has a bigger following than nine tenths of the stars in Hollywood."

This quote highlights the immense popularity of Mickey Mouse and the character's significance in the entertainment industry.

• Disney declined to make a sequel to "Three Little Pigs" with the quote, "You can't top pigs with pigs."
• He grew tired of making short films and decided to create the first feature-length cartoon, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
• The initial budget for "Snow White" was $500,000, but it eventually consumed $1.5 million.
• Disney was known for his lack of financial prediction, often underestimating costs significantly.

"A fine showing. Business apathe. You can't top pigs with pigs."

This quote exemplifies Disney's belief in innovation and his reluctance to repeat past successes merely for profit, showcasing his forward-thinking and creative mindset.

• "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was initially doubted and nicknamed "Disney's Folly" but became a triumph and the most profitable sound film at the time.
• Disney's subsequent features struggled due to World War II impacting the European market.
• Financial difficulties forced Disney to take his company public, and salary cuts led to a studio strike, leaving Disney with a lifelong grievance.

"Snow White was a triumph. The biggest hit of 1938 and the most profitable sound film ever made."

This quote highlights the success of "Snow White" despite the initial skepticism, marking a significant milestone in Disney's career and the animation industry.

• Disney became less satisfied with his work and withdrew from the studio after World War II.
• He found pleasure in building a miniature railroad at his home, which was a departure from his animation work.
• Disney's daughter, Diane, noticed his lack of stimulation and dissatisfaction during this period.

"One small enterprise did please him, though, and it had little to do with the art that he had done so much to invent and of which he was the undisputed master."

This quote reflects Disney's shift in interest from animation to personal hobbies, indicating a period of reflection and search for new inspiration.

• Disney experienced a depression and a possible nervous breakdown in 1948, similar to one in 1931.
• He spent less time at the studio and focused on building a miniature railroad named "Lily Belle" after his wife.
• His masseuse, Hazel George, observed his depression and how it affected him both personally and professionally.

"I could tell he wasn't pleased with anything he was doing."

This quote from Disney's daughter captures his emotional state during this time, showing a personal struggle that affected his professional life.

• Disney was inspired by a railroad fair he visited, which featured thematic exhibitions that would later influence the design of Disneyland.
• He admired the coherent storytelling of America's growth through the exhibits, which was a precursor to the thematic approach of Disneyland.

"What impressed him most were the fair's ancillary exhibitions."

This quote indicates the influence of thematic presentations on Disney's vision for Disneyland, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive narrative experience.

• Disney and Henry Ford shared a nostalgic vision of the past, which was reflected in Ford's Greenfield Village and would later be seen in Disneyland.
• Ford collected historical buildings and artifacts to create a personal reflection of the past, which inspired Disney's own vision for his theme park.

"Fordstown was an entirely personal reflection of the man. So would Disney's be the roadmap of Walt Disney's life."

This quote draws a parallel between Ford's Greenfield Village and Disney's approach to Disneyland, showing how personal interests and nostalgia were integral to their creations.

• Disney saw the poor condition of contemporary amusement parks as an opportunity for improvement.
• He envisioned a clean, family-friendly park with thematic areas and attractions that would be hidden from the outside world.

"That's exactly the point. Mine isn't going to be that way."

This quote captures Disney's intent to revolutionize the amusement park industry by creating a park that differed significantly from the existing norms.

• Disney hired the Stanford Research Institute to find the best location for Disneyland and settled on Anaheim.
• The park's design was innovative, with a single entrance leading to a main street and radial thematic areas, without the typical thrill rides of other parks.

"Disney outlined a design concept of a single park entrance passing through a turn of the century main street, which would end in a circular plaza or town square."

This quote describes the unique layout of Disneyland, which was a departure from the design of traditional amusement parks and focused on storytelling and thematic immersion.

• Disney's friend expressed serious concerns about the plan for Disneyland, fearing it would be a huge mistake.
• The friend found it amusing that many people told Disney he was wrong.
• Disney's determination and persistence were highlighted as key personality traits.

"I hardly knew how to tell him for once that he was making what would probably be the biggest, most ruinous mistake of his life."

This quote reflects the friend's deep concern about Disney's ambitious plan for Disneyland and the potential financial risk involved.

• Roy Disney, Walt's brother, played a crucial role in the financial aspects of the Disney company.
• Roy's anecdotes illustrate the brothers' dynamic and Walt's persistent nature.
• Roy's perspective provides insight into Walt's character and the early challenges they faced.

"Roy just has a great way. He's telling the story about their relationship. He's Disney's older brother."

This quote introduces Roy as an important figure in Walt Disney's life, particularly in relation to their business relationship and personal anecdotes that shed light on their past.

• Walt Disney hired other animators and stopped drawing himself, expressing dissatisfaction with his own artistic work.
• Roy recognized that the company's success was not based on conventional business practices but on Walt's imaginative vision.

"I was never happy with anything I did as an artist."

This quote signifies Walt Disney's self-critique and his decision to focus on broader creative ventures rather than his own artistic skills.

• Disney sought a major sponsor to finance the construction of Disneyland.
• He leveraged the demand for a Disney TV show to secure funding for the park.
• ABC, then a minor network, agreed to finance Disneyland in exchange for a TV show.

"To get my tv show, you have to finance my park."

This quote encapsulates Disney's strategic approach to securing funding for Disneyland by tying it to a television deal.

• Disney contacted a former employee to create a rendering of Disneyland for network pitches.
• The employee and Disney worked tirelessly to complete the drawing, which closely resembled the final park.

"40 hours after Disney's phone call, Ryman set down his pencil."

This quote highlights the intense effort and collaboration that went into visualizing Disneyland for the first time.

• Disney embraced television as a new medium for storytelling, contrary to the industry's general skepticism.
• He predicted that television would benefit rather than harm the motion picture industry.

"By 1948, he was saying publicly that the newcomer would help rather than harm the motion picture industry."

This quote shows Disney's forward-thinking attitude towards television and his willingness to adopt new technologies.

• Amusement park owners unanimously doubted Disneyland's success, criticizing its lack of traditional attractions and emphasis on customer experience.
• Disney's focus was on creating an immersive and guest-friendly environment, contrasting with the industry's view.

"Disneyland would not work."

This quote reflects the negative reception and lack of faith in Disneyland's success from established amusement park owners.

• Disney envisioned Disneyland as a three-dimensional film, focusing on guest experience and storytelling.
• He transformed basic needs into attractions, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and maintenance.

"In designing Disneyland, we thought of the park as if it were a three-dimensional film."

This quote reveals Disney's conceptual approach to Disneyland, treating it like a cinematic experience rather than just an amusement park.

• Disney faced emotional and financial challenges during the construction of Disneyland.
• He remained committed to his vision despite the difficulties and the pressure to quit.

"I have half the money spent, he told Goff, and nothing to show for it."

This quote conveys the immense pressure and emotional toll on Disney as he struggled to bring his vision of Disneyland to fruition.

• Disney realized the importance of personally connecting with the audience to promote Disneyland.
• He decided to host the television show himself, believing that no one could represent Disneyland better.

"I'm myself, and that's good or bad, I'll still be myself."

This quote emphasizes Disney's personal investment in the project and his decision to be the public face of Disneyland, showcasing his authenticity and dedication.

• Walt Disney's approach to creating Disneyland was unconventional, with no formal processes in place initially.
• The team consisted of people who had never designed a theme park before.
• The concept of the park was seen as a 3D movie, with employees trained as actors playing roles, not just performing tasks.
• The focus was on creating an immersive experience for guests, who were considered an audience rather than customers.

"during the Walt period of designing Disneyland, we didn't have processes. We just did the work." "They're really actors, right? They're playing a role."

The quotes highlight the improvisational nature of Disneyland's creation and the emphasis on an immersive guest experience.

• Disney was committed to quality and attention to detail, even in aspects guests might not notice.
• The story of the stagecoaches exemplifies Disney's insistence on authenticity and quality.
• Disney's refusal to use plastic instead of wrought iron is an example of his unwillingness to compromise on standards.

"You're being a poor communicator. People are okay. Don't you ever forget that. They will respond to it, they will appreciate it." "I will know that we compromised our own high standards."

The quotes underscore Disney's belief in the value of craftsmanship and his commitment to high standards.

• Bob Gurr, a young designer without formal engineering qualifications, played a significant role in creating Autopia, one of Disneyland's most popular attractions.
• Gurr's story showcases the value of learning on the job and taking on challenges without fear.

"This is direct quote from Bob trained as a car stylish, I contributed to ventures worth over $175,000,000, all without ever obtaining an engineering degree."

The quote reflects the importance of practical experience and the willingness to learn and take risks in the process of innovation.

• Disney faced significant financial constraints during the development of Disneyland, including running out of money for a hotel.
• Despite numerous challenges on opening day, such as lack of resources and operational failures, the team viewed the park as a living entity that would continue to improve.

"Disneyland will never stop being improved. It's a product that will constantly move and change and outlive me."

This quote illustrates Disney's forward-thinking attitude and his vision for Disneyland as an ever-evolving project.

• Disney's dedication to his work was unwavering, even in the face of serious health issues.
• His concept of "plusing" reflects his commitment to continuous improvement.
• Disney's work ethic and vision ensured that Disneyland would grow and evolve beyond his lifetime.

"It's something we can keep developing. And adding to a motion picture is different."

The quote conveys Disney's unique perspective on Disneyland as a dynamic and living creation, not a static product.

• The author of the book about Walt Disney emphasizes the importance of supporting writers who invest significant effort into their work.
• The quote from George Orwell highlights the challenging nature of writing a book.
• The host encourages listeners to buy books to support authors and continue learning.

"writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness."

The quote from George Orwell, referenced by the author, captures the arduous process of writing and the importance of appreciating and supporting this effort.