1961-1962 A Special Place

I found a film in the storage vault title "A Special Place" and almost did not take it to have converted to DVD. It was made for convention marketing at the Disneyland Hotel and was filmed from 1961-1962. This footage was shot in beautiful living color with a soundtrack and features some incredible footage.

Tomorrow, in Part 2 of this film footage, I will post some more wonderful shots from this footage.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1977 South Tower Groundbreaking

I received the following photograph from Liz Bret whose husband Frank Bret (in the picture above) was with the Wrather Corporation from 1960 until the mid 80's rising as far as President of the Disneyland Hotel. Mr. Bret is now in his mid 90's and in fine health.

This looks like an outtake from the same picture shoot. I have more to post of this event shortly.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

Disneyland Hotel The Early Years 1954-1988

My first book, pictured below has been granted a reprint. Books are now available on my website http://www.magicalhotel.com/

We should be shipping by end of April.

We also have an e-version of this book available and if you are interested, please write for details.

1957 First Anniversary Photos & Information

From August, 1957, the Disneyland Hotel's 1st anniversary. Sometimes, when you get a stash of photos, it's a fun project to try and identify people in the pictures. When I first got this group of pictures, I was only able to identify the Wrather family. In the course of time and some extra digging, I am now able to identify all the people in these shots. A couple of them have some extra significance.

This next photo is especially interesting. When I first saw it, I had no idea who was in the photograph with the Wrathers. I knew they looked familiar but still I had no idea. Some time later, I was rummaging through some magazines and it hit me......

The people in the photo above were the very first regsitered guests, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Arnone. Below is the magazine page where it hit me on who they were.

Here is a close-up of the picture of Mr. & Mrs. Arnone.

And the text mentioning them by name:

They are wearing the same clothes so I assume the photo on the cart was from the same photo shoot.

Another page from this article has a picture from this first anniversary photo shoot:

And here it is.....

Here is the cover from the Hotel magazine which was a great inspiration to me to document and record Disneyland Hotel history.

And here are some more from the 1st Anniversary photo shoot!

And here is my favorite shot from the bunch. Everybody who was lucky enough to be around the pool received a piece of cake!

1956 Disneyland Hotel Grand Opening

Walt Disney Family Museum

My son and I were very fortunate to meet Diane Disney-Miller and her husband Ron Miller this past weekend at the Walt Disney Family Museum. They were wonderful, gracious people and it was a real treat to meet them. We shared our pictures and film footage of her father with them.

Merry Christmas To All

Grand Opening in the Newspaper

Here is how the newspapers covered the grand opening of the Disneyland Hotel. These were taken from Bonita Granville's very own scrapbook.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

How many of you readers would be interested in the following? I am trying to put something together so please let me know. If interest is high for this, I could possibly swing it. I would also shoot for most if not all events to be free of charge. Please drop me a line or respond to this thread.


Disneyland Hotel History Week

This weeklong event would feature:

1.Historical tours (like very popular Walking in Walt’s footsteps tour)

2.Video presentations (have some great footage)

3.Ephemera displays (amazing collection)

4.Trivia contests with prizes which I will supply

5.Panel discussions cast members

6.Panel discussions guests

7.Talks about future Disney & Resort plans

8.VIP/E-Ticket special showings

9.Special guests from Hotel’s past

10.Book signings

11.Guest greeting, lobby presentations

12.Daily historical newsletter

http://www.magicalhotel.com/

1955 First Brochure

This is probably the rarest and hardest to find of the Disneyland Hotel brochures. It lists only 104 rooms and was put out even before the restaurants were opened. They were using a converted ranch house as the Little Gourmet Restaurant. I would love to find a photograph of the interior of the Little Gourmet or even a close-up exterior of this facility. It was only open for about five months until they opened the regular Gourmet Restaurant in February of 1956.

http://www.magicalhotel.com/