Disney Legend #16: Richard Irvine

Richard Irvine came out to California as a child, his father choosing to move his family to Los Angeles from Utah so that he could open his own ophthalmic practice in Southern California. Richard, however, would not follow in his father's footsteps, choosing to enter the artistic field. Mr. Irvine used his keen eye for color and design at 20th Century Fox, becoming an art director and even earning an Academy Award nomination for his work on the United Artists film Sundown. 

In 1952, Walt Disney was planning out his greatest dream- DISNEYLAND- and quickly realized that he needed art directors to help him realize his dreams, since the architects he had consulted with were not up to the task of designing his Magic Kingdom. One of the first persons he lured to the project was Mr. Irvine, who quickly brought his eye for design to the project.

Mr. Irvine grew to love his job at DISNEYLAND, since Walt Disney gave his designers free reign to design and test just about anything that they could imagine. Richard Irvine worked on just about every major attraction at DISNEYLAND including it's a small world, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion and many more.

When Roy Disney canceled Walt Disney's EPCOT and shelved the original plans for the Florida project, he chose Richard Irvine to come up with a new master plan for a so-called "Vacation Kingdom", a plan that was mostly followed up until the mid 1980's. While Disney World has majorly deviated from the original plan as laid out by Mr. Irvine, it still honors him today; one of the boats that hauls guests from the parking lot to Florida's Magic Kingdom is named after him. Mr. Irvine would not live to see his master plan fully realized; he passed away in 1976. He not only left a marvelous legacy, but his daughter also became a renowned Disney Imagineer.

Disney Quote Weekends

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

-Walt Disney

Disney Quote Weekends

"Let's go fly a kite! Up to the highest height. Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring!"

-The Sherman Brothers

The Story of DISNEYLAND: Aunt Maggie and the Dreaming Tree

As a child, Walt Disney didn't find much encouragement for his artistic gifts at home. His father Elias was a practical man who didn't find much value in artistic endeavors. In fact, it was Walt's Aunt Maggie who provided the spark and supplies a young boy needed to explore his dreams. It was Aunt Maggie who provided the pencils, crayons and paper that Walt used to sketch the world around him; to put his dreams on paper.

When the young Mr. Disney snuck off to draw and dream, he often did it under his "dreaming tree", which was located on the family's Marceline, Missouri farm. It was under this tree that he examined the world around him, explored his imagination and dreamed his wildest dreams. Armed with Aunt Maggie's art supplies and encouragement, little Walter began his life's journey. It was here that he dreamed of a lucky rabbit, a lovable mouse, a cartoon princess and a Magic Kingdom.

Even years later Walt Disney would visit his dreaming tree, making sure to stop by every time he visited his hometown. Every time he visited, more of the dreams he dreamed under that tree had come true. As the years passed, the world had met Oswald, Mickey, Donald, Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs and visited Walt's Magic Kingdom- his greatest dream come true.

It's fairly certain that the world would have never known of Mickey or DISNEYLAND were it not for Mr. Disney's inspirational aunt. Aunt Maggie got to see the success of Mickey Mouse, but never lived to see the animated feature films or DISNEYLAND. But her spirit lives on in them nonetheless. Had she not taken it upon herself to encourage her nephew in his artistic pursuits, the world might have missed out on so many wonderful things and so many magical places.

Little Walt's Dreaming Tree remains standing in Marceline, Missouri and has been designated a historical tree by American Forests. The tree is on private property, but respectful visitors are permitted to visit the tree and take pictures. It's an amazing opportunity to visit a place that inspired a little boy to dream and become an amazing man who would build an amazing place- DISNEYLAND.   

Elias Disney at DISNEYLAND

Walt Disney's father Elias never lived to see the construction of DISNEYLAND. Despite his father's lack of encouragement, Walt Disney included a special tribute to his father at his Magic Kingdom- a window on Main Street that remains to this day.

Another tribute to Elias Disney was included in Disney California Adventure in the park's Buena Vista Street. The park's main gift shop is named after him.

Undistinguished Name, He Almost Had!

In George Lucas' first draft of Empire Strikes Back, the character who would become Yoda was given the name "Buffy".

Luckily, Mr. Lucas changed his mind.

Date Nite at DISNEYLAND

One of the first albums issued by DISNEYLAND Records was Date Nite at DISNEYLAND. Recorded live at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom during an actual Date Nite, the record features the Elliott Brothers Orchestra and the DISNEYLAND Date Niters. As the catchy song points out, this special event occurred Friday and Saturday nights during the summer, "under a million twinkling lights".

The album was re-issued on CD right before the 50th Anniversary at DISNEYLAND through one of the park's CD on demand kiosks. It is now offered through iTunes. While the recording was re-mastered, one quirk found on the original album was left on the CD for posterity. During the album's final track, a young couple can be heard arguing in the background. Since this was an artifact of a live recording it was left in the final product.

Donald's Debut

Donald Duck's first ever appearance was in the 1934 Silly Symphony short The Wise Little Hen. Donald Duck played a lazy suck who refused to assist the Wise Little Hen in the planting, harvesting or cooking of her corn. Despite all this, the Hen does allow Donald and his lazy friends to eat the food she prepares.

Disney Quote Weekends

"Hang onto them hats and glasses, cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!"

-Big a Thunder Mountain

Disney Quote Weekends

"Anything is possible at DISNEYLAND."

-Walt Disney