Guest shots that include Walt are highly coveted (at least by me and a whole passel of other slide/photo geeks!). The series that started yesterday actually includes a shot of Walt’s back/side standing in front of City Hall in Town Square. The Square really resembles a true Main Street meeting place, with a ton-o-guests watching the ceremonies to welcome the State Legislators. I wonder if this would draw a crowd at Disneyland today? Probably not so much as Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers, but maybe a guest or two would stop and watch. Note the souvenir hats at the bottom of the detail shot as well, and the leis around the necks of the gentlemen on the stand with Walt. Must have had a Hawaiian theme going.
See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my website.
Now the question is--why was Disneyland welcoming state legislators? :) I'll see if I have anything.
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a good eye, I would have never spotted Walt (I thought he was taller)!
ReplyDeleteThis took place July 13, 1957. An account of the event from the following day's Los Angeles Times:
ReplyDelete"Walt Disney welcomed members of the California Legislature and their families to Disneyland yesterday, first day's program in a four-day excursion of the lawmakers to Orange County.
"Disney stood on the steps of the old-fashioned City Hall as the legislative party marched into the town square behind the Disneyland band. He was presented with a framed joint resolution of both houses of the Legislature in appreciation for his creation of the recreation park at Anaheim.
"Sen. John McCarthy of San Rafael, representing the Legislature, made the presentation to Disney.
"Orange County's three legislators, Sen. John Murdy and Assemblyman Bruce Sumner and Richard Hanna, served as hosts for the 150-member delegation.
"The legislative schedule also includes a trip to the Kaiser steel mill at Fontana today, joint Water Committee hearings in Newport Beach and agriculture sessiosn at State Polytechnic College tomorrow, a Santa Ana River watershed tour followed by a dinner in Fullerton tomorrow night at a Mexican national citrus workers' camp and deep-sea fishing."
Right now would not be a good time to welcome the current CA legislature. And try and imagine the current legislature dinning at a Mexican national citrus workers' camp...
ReplyDeleteAs it was, these folks are just wondering if this is the line for the Jungle Cruise. Except the lady and her nephew, who are headed for the Upjohn Pharmacy.
Jason - Thanks for the fantastic details about this photo. Much appreciated!
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