On Thursday August 22, 2019, I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Walt Disney's apartment located above the Firehouse in Disneyland. This had been on my wishlist for a long time and I was extremely grateful to have the chance to finally get a tour. Many of the photos below are not my own but I have used them to capture my personal memories.
The Guest Relations Tour Guide met us outside the Firehouse and took us backstage and up the stairs to the apartment.
You enter into a small corridor before seeing the main living space.
The apartment is very small but incredibly elegant. The decoration is the same as it was when Walt and Lilly used it. The sofa's situated to the left and right of the room were used as beds.
An image of Walt, Lilly and their grandchildren enjoying the room.
Turning around and facing the exit, you see a small kitchenette.
The tour guide opened the cupboards to show us the original glasses, plates, pans etc all in place. There was a toaster and grilled cheese maker as well.
Cups and a jar bearing the name, 'Tom and Jerry' which was the name of a drink Walt enjoyed.
Towards the back of the apartment, past a victorian music player, is a small vanity room and bathroom.
I didn't get to see this in person, but just opposite the door to the bathroom is a small balcony.
This famous lamp sits next to the window for Cast Members and Guests to see on Main Street. Since Walt Disney passed away, this lamp has always remained lit.
I will always remember this amazing experience.
It was an incredible feeling to be in this personal space of Walt and Lillian Disney.
I found this layout of the apartment online. I great way to remember how the apartment is set up.
On Saturday July 13th 2019, the Carolwood Foundation and the crew of Walt Disney's Barn welcomed both the public and special guests to a special event to celebrate Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn's 20th Anniversary. I was in attendance, continuing my volunteering support.
Prior to the event starting, I helped with the setup. One job involved climbing into the barn's attic. Climbing into a dark, dusty roof might not be everyones idea of fun but as I was organizing boxes, I felt a moment of disbelief. I was in the exact same space that Walt Disney himself used on a regular basis. I was doing something that very few people will ever get to do and I felt incredibly lucky to share this special moment with Walt!
The doors opened at 5pm and guests began to mingle around Walt's Barn. After dinner, which was delicious barbecue food, presentations started. Hosted by the voices of Disneyland, Bill Rogers and Camille Dixon, every story shared was very special.
In 1998, Walt and Lillian's house in Holby Hills was purchased and the new owners planned to rebuild on the land. Walt's Daughter, Diane Disney Miller, called Michael Broggie (son of Roger Broggie, the first Imagineer), and said, "We need to save Dad's barn!"
Bill Abel, Michael Broggie and Miguel Fernandez joined the stage and shared how they lovingly dismantled, resurrected and preserved Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn. Once it was finished, Diane proclaimed the venture as one of "heart and heritage."
At this 20th anniversary event, Heart and Heritage Awards were presented to four Imagineers who have all had a profound impact on what Walt Disney started. The inaugural honorees were Bob Gurr, Tony Baxter, Ray Spencer and Kim Irvine. Each one shared stories on stage, relating their career path to trains and how they delivered so many amazing projects.
At the entrance sat a well maintained Rolls Royce. A trip to Hollywood in this classic car was auctioned off later in the evening, (including a tour of the El Capitan.)
Tables sat to the left of the barn.
And tables sat to the right of the barn.
The barn doors were open for guests to stop in at any time.
A special stage was set infant of the barn and large screens showed images throughout the presentations.
The original combine from Disneyland in 1955 sat under a special 20th banner. A new exhibit was also previewed behind the combine.
Two Disneyland Cast Members with Joanna Miller, Walt's granddaughter. Can you spy me in the background?
Bill Abel, Michael Broggie and Miguel Fernandez standing by a sign that was unveiled on the evening. It will point to all of the Disney parks situated around the world, all in existence due to Walt's imagination and his time spent in the barn.
I have had the honor to meet Joanna Miller, Walt's granddaughter, many times now. She is a lovely lady and I am honored she had a photo with me.
Bob Gurr gave a short speech and thanked Walt for everything. He reminded us how special the barn is and what it means....so many ideas were born here.
Above image by Stephen Russo: Tony Baxter presenting. He spoke about Thunder Mountain, Disneyland Paris (and how he influenced the seats on the trains to be in separate compartments) and Indiana Jones. Tony made his own personal Lilly Belle replica which sits in his home on display.
Tony spoke to the opening of Finding Nemo's Submarine Voyage and how Bob Gurrr's monorail was decorated as part of a marketing stunt. I never knew that!
Ray Spencer shared many stories and was clearly extremely honored to receive a Heart and Heritage Award. Ray worked on the development of Buena Vista Street, the Cathy Circle, the Red Trolly Cars, A Bugs Life Land, Mount Everest Trains and so much more. He explained how everything that Disney does is credible which is why so many people engage with the stories and space. For example, the wires above the Red Trolley cars aren't required, but the budget was spent on them to make the story real!
Kim Irvine spoke in detail about the Disney Dream Suite and the inspiration behind the theming.
All four Imagineers with their Carolwood awards.
To end the night, the Barn Crew revealed the first restored carriage from the classic attraction, Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland. Tony Baxter stands in the background discussing the project with Bill Barbe.
The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland that ran in Disneyland between 1956 and 1977.
Volunteers were able to take the table center pieces home. Very pretty!
I first learned of Dave Smith through my friend, Luis Gonzalez when I worked in the UK Disney office. In 2008, Luis was tasked to relaunch the Disney store Trivia program and I supported him with the show’s story, theming and media content. Luis had previously worked for the Disney stores in North America and was aware that Dave played an important role in supporting the program. Dave would verify the questions and answers, and he would attend the Trivia Finals to celebrate with the champions at Disneyland.
For Europe's Disney store Trivia program relaunch, Luis reached out to Dave at The Walt Disney Archives and asked him to record a short video message congratulating the winner. With this footage, I edited a finale video that had Dave speaking to his excitement of seeing the winner in California. Since that relaunch, Dave met with the Trivia champions from Europe and also North America every year until his passing. The time he spent with each Cast Member meant so much and I know he made lasting impressions and memories with them that will last a lifetime.
During my first trip to Los Angeles in 2009 (which was also my first work trip to the state), I was fortunate to meet Dave in his Walt Disney Archives office on the Studio Lot. Although I don’t recall the details of the conversation Jonathan and I had, I do remember that he fondly spoke about Disney stores and how he has added many store items, especially name tags, to the archives. We took a photo together in front of a painting that hung on his office wall, I presume it was the original. Titled, ‘Read,’ the painting was created in 1978 by the American Library Association to encourage children to read.
The photo I took that day proudly hangs on my wall with Dave’s autograph and a set of Walt Disney Archives pins. My parents kindly framed it for me as a Christmas present.
When I transferred to the states for work, I met Dave several more times at the Trivia Finals which were masterfully organized by Garrett Hicks. I also bumped into him at the 2013 D23 Expo. I recall he was simply walking around, taking in the sites of the exhibition. Every time I got to meet Dave he was kind, softly spoken and of course, very knowledgeable.
Dave was born and raised in Pasadena, the same city Sofia and I have lived in during our first years living in America. I feel very fortunate to have met Dave Smith, a true Disney Legend.
About Dave Smith, 1940 - 2019:
Founder of The Walt Disney Archives
Dave was hired in 1970 by Roy O. Disney and his first responsibility was to catalogue every item inside Walt Disney’s office suite, which had been left untouched after Walt’s passing four years prior.
Dave dedicated his four-decade career at The Walt Disney Company to preserve Disney’s precious treasures from film, television, theme parks, and beyond. Named a Disney Legend in 2007, Dave was beloved by fans around the world for his wide knowledge of the Company’s rich history, which he shared in books and through his popular magazine column, “Ask Dave.”
When Sofia and I first moved to LA, we went to a D23 event at the Griffith Park Carrousel for a dedication that was taking place for Diane Disney Miller. She passed away on November 19, 2013 and new benches were being placed at the carrousel in her memory. Many of Walt’s grandchildren were there, in addition to Ron Miller who made a heartwarming speech. The entire event was full of emotion.
It was an honor to see former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Ron Miller, present live and speak so graciously about his wife, and Walt Disney’s daughter. After the short presentations and dedication, I had a brief conversation with Ron’s daughter in law whilst my friend, Jonathan, met Ron and had a photo taken with him. I know that is a photo he will always cherish.
After Ron’s passing, I spoke with Disney Legend, Floyd Norman, at Walt’s Barn on Sunday 17th 2019. Floyd described how funny it was to know Ron as ‘the boss,’ but later know him as a friend where they would enjoy dinner together at the family wine yard. He shared how Ron felt the weight and pressure of running the company after Walt and Roy passed away, but as Floyd said, “who wouldn’t?”
It is known that there was a divide within the Disney family after Ron left the company as CEO. It isn’t surprising that it was a difficult time because there were no clear plans set for the company after Walt and Roy O. Disney died. Walt never had a plan because he was always dreaming for the future and never considered that he would dissapear without warning. In Diane Disney Miller’s documentary about Walt, ‘The Man Behind the Myth,’ Ron is interviewed and describes how Walt shared a private moment with him on a family vacation. Walt knew he needed a good 10 years to get EPCOT completed as he envisioned. One of my biggest disappointments is that Walt didn’t get to see his vision come to life. I truly believe the world we live in today would be very different, and much better, if Walt had achieved his final dream.
Through conversations I have had with people that know the Disney family, I am pleased to hear that before Roy E. Disney passed away, he and Diane made a mends and parted on good terms.
After his time as CEO, Ron and his family went on to develop the renowned Silverado Vineyards Winery in Napa Valley. As a kind thank you from the Walt Disney Family Foundation for volunteering at Walt Disney’s Barn, I have received wine from the winery. It is an incredible treat to enjoy a bottle of wine personally donated to us by the Disney/Miller family.
More information can be found about Silverado Vineyards here:
The Walt Disney Family Museum and Walt Disney’s Barn are both run by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, now headed up by Walt’s Grandchildren. The wonderful legacy will continue but there will certainly be a void without Ron’s presence.
