Walt's Formal Office - D23 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives at the Ronald Reagan Library

After Walt Disney passed away in December 1966, his office was left untouched with exception of his secretaries and housekeeping. When Dave Smith was initially hired by the company as a consultant, there was not much work to do. The archives had not been officially created yet and many in the company were not aware that anyone was keeping track of such things.

Recently, I had the chance to speak to Dave about the process of archiving the offices. One of the first assignments Dave took on occurred in 1970, was to catalog and store everything in both Walt's formal and working offices.  He painstaking made detailed notes, took exact measurements and catalogs each item including furniture, books and trinkets through the rooms. The items were boxed up and put into storage.  Dave said that he felt perhaps one day, someone would want to recreate the office, much like is done with the oval office at Presidential libraries.

The office space was later used by Ron Miller and then Michael Eisner.  Currently, it is occupied by Shaun Cassidy for his production company.

It wasn't long before these items came out of storage and were put into Disneyland when The Walt Disney Story opened in the Main Street Opera House in April 1973.  Walt's working office was packed up and shipped to Walt Disney World in 2002 as part of the "One Man's Dream" exhibit and remains on loan there from the archives to this day.  The formal office was packed up at Disneyland in 2009 when The Walt Disney Story featuring Great Moments with Abraham Lincoln was again reworked and reopened.

Current Display at the Reagan Library

 Right now, the formal office is once again on display.  It now features the exact dimensions and exact placement of all items as they were originally when Walt Disney used the office.  

 

You can see this display at the D23 Treasures of the Archives exhibit opening July 6, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.

The Rebirth of Disney California Adventure Park

June 15, 2012, Disney California Adventure reopens and is rededicated as a Disney park.  The newly added  Buena Vista Street feels just like being back in a glamorous version of 20s Hollywood.  The new Red Car Trolley will pick you up at the main gate and take your through Buena Vista Street, into Hollywood Land and drop you off at the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

The biggest part of the all new California Adventure Park is Cars Land.  You will really feel like you are actually in Radiator Springs.  There are new shops, eateries and three new attractions.

Radiator Springs Racers

Luigi's Flying Tires

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

We will provide details of each attraction in upcoming posts.  Line up begins at 11 PM tonight, June 14th for those who want to be among the first inside the park on opening day.  See you there!

Monday Quote from Walt Disney

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."  -Walt Disney

D23 Expo is here!

c Disney

In just a few hours, hundreds of Disney fans from all over the world will converge on the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo - The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans.  Daytrippingmom Media will be there to cover all things big and small, especially the models and information on the additions to California Adventure.

We were able to attend in 2009 and had a fantastic time and are looking forward to all the surprises that this weekend holds.  The Expo is kid friendly and there is even a Baby Care Center, similar to those found in the parks, available.  Tickets are available at the door.  You DO NOT have to be a D23 member to come to the Expo (but why aren't you?).

We'll see you there!

Magic Monday