In 1955, there was only one female designer who walked the site each week with Walt while Disneyland was being built.  Her name, Ruth Shellhorn, a landscape architect who designed large sections of the park.  On this episode of the DHI Podcast, her story.

In 1959, Walt Disney made a handshake agreement to build a second Disneyland in Florida--not in Orlando but in Palm Beach Gardens, an hour north of Miami.

In 1959, Walt Disney made a handshake agreement to build a second Disneyland in Florida--not in Orlando but in Palm Beach Gardens, an hour north of Miami.

The Mystery of Bob Mattey's Missing Window

The story of Nat Winecoff's missing window.

DHI 019 - The Mysterious CV Wood and the Origins of Disneyland

The first chapter from THREE YEARS IN WONDERLAND that introduces the most mysterious man in the history of Disneyland.

In the 1980s, Disney designed a massive entertainment complex and studio tour for Burbank...but never built it. 

In the 1980s, Disney designed a massive entertainment complex and studio tour for Burbank...but never built it. 

The story of how Disneyland's first advertising manager transformed the amusements industry forever.

In the 1980s, Disney designed a massive entertainment complex and studio tour for Burbank...but never built it. 

The story of a massive entertainment complex that Disney designed for Burbank but never built.

1955 - To premiere his park, Walt Disney arranged for Disneyland’s grand opening to be broadcast on live TV—a show called “Dateline: Disneyland.” On the DHI Podcast, the never-before-told story of how this historic telecast nearly fell apart at the last minute.

Two stories from Frontierland: First, is the Golden Horseshoe Saloon a re-creation of the saloon in the western film Calamity Jane or a re-creation of the most famous burlesque girlie club in the world?  Then, the story of a boat that Walt originally wanted to build for his Disneyland river, a boat that never made it off the drawing board.

In this podcast three things: Star Wars Land, a section of Disneyland that Walt created but never built, and the Frontierland that never was.

The story of the first female Imagineer - with Bob Gurr, Rolly Crump and Blaine Gibson.

The story of Walt Disney's participation in the 1966 Rose Parade in Pasadena--the start of his final year.

The forthcoming American Experience on Walt Disney has many interviews with men and women who worked with Walt Disney.  But it also includes cultural critics whose commentary may not match a historical understanding of Walt.

So who was Pinto Colvig?  The voice of Goofy, the voice of multiple dwarfs in Snow White, the voice of practical pig, a sound effects man, and an animator.  One of my projects for this past year was to edit and introduce Pinto Colvig’s memoir (written in the 1940s) for publication.   This is the earliest known book-length memoir by a Disney artist.  The book is out.  And now here is the Pinto Colvig Story podcast. 

Earlier this month, Blaine Gibson, Disney animator and sculptor, passed away at the age of 97.   I was lucky enough to interview Blaine multiple times.   I’ve assembled this podcast as a tribute to him.   I’ve always felt that voice was a window into personality.   Here, Blaine narrates his own story at the Disney studio, giving special attention to his efforts on the iconic Partners statue that graces Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom in Florida, and the Disney Studio in Burbank.