The Wrather Story

Here is an interesting two-page article detailing the Wrather Story.

The interesting item here is a picture of J.D. Wrather senior, Jack's father as well as a photo of Jack Wrather with Walt Disney on the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel.

This brochure was published not long after Jack's passing when his son Christopher took over as President of Wrather Corp. I would date this brochure from 1985 or 1986.

Good Bye Waterfalls

The demolition of the Disneyland Hotel waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower (I refuse to call it by any other name) is taking place as I write this post. I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of the actual construction of the falls from the late 70's. What makes some of these photos even more special is the photographer- Bonita Granville-Wrather herself! Hope you enjoy these pictures as soon, they are all we will have left of the falls that lasted over thirty-years at the Disneyland Hotel.

The falls at the Disneyland Hotel were part of the new Water Wonderland at the Disneyland Hotel which opened in June of 1979.

Construction shot of the falls taken by BGW

More construction

The completed falls.

 It's very sad to see them go. In spite of petitions and campaigns to keep them, Disney decided their time had come. Next week, I will post some info on what is replacing this area at the Disneyland Hotel.

Bonus black and white shot.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/ is our website for the book on the history of the Disneyland Hotel. We are also doing a rewrite in addendum versions with much more text and tons more great pictures. Stay tuned.

1968 Disneyland Hotel Brochure

I would have to believe I have just about every paper item available from the Disneyland Hotel. Just about. This posting features a 1968 brochure which I do not have but was lucky enough to get nice, high resolution scans of. This came out just after Jack Wrather announced the huge expansion plans for the Disneyland Hotel in 1968.

Brochure cover

Some details of the expansion which would have 1,000 guest rooms in a brand-new tower buidling.

This is a wonderful overhead view which details the locations of the new facilties.

Back cover of this 1968 brochure.The new tower would actually (partially) open in December of 1969. This would lead to the relocation of the original registration lobby from West Street to Cerritos Street and give the Disneyland Hotel a new address.

Please check out our website http://www.magicalhotel.com/ and get your copy of the Disneyland Hotel book. There are less than 200 more copies available.

Jack Wrather & Molly O'Daniel Wrather

On July 31, 1941, Jack Wrather married Molly O'Daniel, the daughter of then Texas Governor Wilbert Lee (Pappy) O'Daniel. O’Daniel invited everyone in the state to come to the wedding at the Governor’s Mansion. A crowd estimated at 25,000 cheered as Molly and Jack took their vows. The brief marriage, produced two children, Jack D. III and Molly.

Today I am posting extremely rare pictures of Jack Wrather's first marriage ceremony. In fact, I would bet that these pictures have not been seen in almost 70 years! This post is for Molly Dolle the daughter of Jack and Mollie O'Daniel Wrather and I hope it brings a smile to her face.

Taking their vows

The Bride and Groom. What a beautiful couple!

   Cutting the cake.

With guests at the reception

Sharing the wedding cake

The Groomsmen....the only person I can identify is Jack's mother Mazie in the center of the photograph

First born child, Miss Molly Wrather with who I am guessing is Molly's mother

Hope you enjoyed these very rare photographs of the man who gave you the Disneyland Hotel.

A Thousand Thanks to Major Pepperidge

Tonight I would like to pay tribute to a fellow blogger David/Major Pepperidge from the wonderful blog site http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/

David single-handedly updated this blog to make it 1,000 times easier for readers to download the contents and look at the posts. He spent almost an entire weekend (probably even longer) working to correct the mistakes I had made in the creation of this blog. You should all notice how much easier it is to access the posts. I just cannot thank him enough for the wonderful work he did for me. It was a total unselfish thing to do and really show the kindness of the Disney bloggers. His blog is a must see and has some amazing pictures and information. I am just blown away at all he did for me.

Thank you David.

Jack Wrather & New Bride Bonita Granville Wrather

Here are some wonderful pictures from 1947 just after Jack Wrather married Bonita. The first one has Jack carrying Bonita over the threshold into their new home.

Next, we have the couple enjoying their morning breakfast.

Last picture shows the newlyweds enjoying a game of cards. Jack's first marriage lasted only a few years however his marriage to Bonita lasted the rest of his life. They were not the typical Hollywood couple and cherished their family life.

Bonita gave up her acting career to help her husband with his many business ventures. She did resume her career shortly in the 50's in acting, producung and directing roles. Bonita was instrumental in many design projects at the Disneyland Hotel. She helped run the company after Jack's passing in 1984 with her son Christopher.

Disneyland Gold Passes

The Disneyland Gold Pass was issued to a select few families, business associates, investors and friends of Walt and Roy Disney. Today, I have posted some unique items from my collection detailing the receipt and gratitude Jack Wrather and family had for these Gold Passes. The last one signed by Walt was the 1966 card and by Roy was the 1971 card. Walt did find time to let it be known he wanted the Wrather family to have a 1967 pass however he was unable to sign them. I believe the letter I have posted was written by Walt Disney's secretary and it did occur after Walt's passing. With all Walt had on his mind and being very sick, he still remembered his friend and business partner Jack Wrather. To me, that shows just how special the bond was between Walt and Jack.

Please also visit my website http://www.magicalhotel.com/. I would be more than happy to personally sign and personalize your copy. Purchasing the book helps us to be able to document more on the history of the Disneyland Hotel and make available even more news and information on the Hotel's rich history. Buy your copy today! There are limited copies left.

1958 Letter from Walt Disney - This 1958 letter announces the issuance of the Wrather families 1959 Gold Passes to Disneyland Park. Walt issued his first pass to the Wrather family in 1956 and they receive passes to this very day.

1959 Disneyland Gold Pass - signed by Walt Disney and issued to the Wrather family.

1966 Letter from Walt Disney's Office - I believe this letter is from Walt Disney's personal secretary letting Jack and family know that Walt wanted them to have their 1967 Gold Passes to Disneyland. This was determined just prior to Walt's passing prior to Walt entering the hospital for the last time.

Letter to Roy Disney 1969 - Jack would write to Roy Disney expressing thanks for the Gold Card to Disneyland. He would also state just how much his family enjoyed these gifts.

Disneyland Gold Cards

Walt Disney would personally deliver these Gold Cards to the Wrather family at the Disneyland Hotel and they were all personally signed by him. Chris Wrather told me an interesting story about his mother, Bonita Granville Wrather. When she was in final negotiations to sell the Hotel, she asked Mr. Eisner if the family could retain the rights to Gold Cards for life. Mr. Eisner happily agreed. The deal was then completed.

1956 Gold Card - Issued by Walt Disney to the Wrather family

1959 Gold Card

1960 Gold Card

1965 Gold Card - Just a year before Mr. Disney passed away.

1966 Gold Card - This would be the last that Walt Disney would sign for the Wrather family.

Disneyland Hotel Golf Course

Posted a couple of golf shots today. Will post some more shortly as well as details with facts and figures.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Overhead View - The golf course was adjacent to the first tower building and the original guest room structures.

The Disneyland Hotel golf course.

Dave Smith, Walt Disney Company Archivist to Retire

Dave Smith, Chief Archivist at the Walt Disney Company has announced his retirement after 40 years with the company. His retirement will coincide with his 70th birthday in October of this year. I personally want to wish Dave well in his retirement and also acknowledge the many times he has helped me out with research and clarification on Disneyland Hotel related questions. Dave has always responded to my enquiries which have greatly improved the content of this blog as well as the Disneyland Hotel book and addendums to the book. Dave built the Archives from scratch to what it is today. For those of us lucky enough to have visited the Archives, his work is evident in the structure and content of the materials located there. My visit there was most productive and Dave helped me immensely. We wish you the best of luck with sincere hopes for a wonderful retirement. You will be sorely missed and I am hoping you will still have a hand in the happenings at the Archives. I am sure the department will be left in good hands. Here is to a job well done Dave and God bless!

Dave at His Desk - From my visit to the Archives

Studio Archives - Here is a picture from my visit to the Disney Archives in Burbank, California. I am often told that I am the fourth handsomest in this picture.