I’ve got something old and something new for you today. First up, a piece of Disneyland’s earliest history has been unlocked. Then, we’ll take a look at security changes at the Disneyland Resort. And finally, a welcome holiday surprise for Disneyland cast members.

Disneyland History Revealed

Imagine you could step back in time to explore Disneyland months before it opened to the public. It’s the spring of 1955 and you’re welcomed onto the Disneyland construction site by the construction supervisor’s assistant, whose job it is to show around special visitors, like representatives from the Studio or potential investors. He directs you to jump into Walt’s Jeep; he grabs the keys and off you go.

You have free rein to travel wherever on property you want. He rolls up Main Street, though “Street” remains a future concept for this still-dirt pathway. Most of the buildings along the way—the Emporium, the Cinema, the Candy Palace—have their “faces” on, but very little inside. Fortunately, your guide has a camera and is snapping photos the whole way.

Further down the Street, closer to the mud patch that will eventually be transformed into The Plaza, many of the structures are surrounded by scaffolding, allowing workers to add paint and other finishing touches.

You turn left into what will become Adventureland, and veer past a wooden shell that creates the outline of a tropical bazaar. You look left, then right. No one’s watching, so you decide to drive down into a tree-lined ditch that will later be filled with water and Jungle Boats. You motor along the riverbed, passing a nearly-built Cambodian temple, vacant grottoes, rock outcroppings, and a not-yet-operational waterfall. There’s a fair amount of greenery, though it’s young and spread out, closer to a nature trail than a jungle. What’s also missing is any sign of mechanical wildlife.

After you circle the river, you jump out of the ditch and continue on to the other areas. In Frontierland, workmen from Anderson Plumbing are installing pipe in the Mark Twain, as the mighty paddlewheeler nears completion in dry dock. Over to Fantasyland, all wood is in place for Sleeping Beauty Castle and the railings alongside the drawbridge. The only concrete so far in place is being used to shape the castle turrets. Tomorrowland, however, less resembles today’s attraction-filled playground than the orange groves that came before it.

But this trip doesn’t have to be imagined. On Sunday February 10, 2019, the construction supervisor’s helper, who after the park opened became Disneyland’s first tour guide, will share great stories and the full-color construction photos he took from trips exactly like those described above.

Bob D’Arcy will be the guest presenter at MiceChat’s anniversary breakfast that morning, and will be signing copies of his new book, A Walk in the Park: Reflections from Disneyland’s First Host. His tales run the gamut from the fascinating (how his father set up Disneyland’s first restaurants) to the wild (an after-hours rager in the Walt’s apartment over the Fire Station) to the sweet (Bob’s wonderful romance with Judy Marsh, the original Slue-Foot Sue at the Golden Horseshoe Revue).

Bob is traveling from Denver specially for this appearance, so this may be your only opportunity to meet Disneyland’s first tour guide. I’ll also be on hand, moderating Bob’s presentation, and we expect to have a surprise guest or two for you as well.

More information and sign up at THIS link

Security Under New Contract

In other Disneyland news, this month a new contract went into effect covering the park’s 1,800-person security force. Benefiting most are the newer officers (those with current pay under $15 an hour). Those already over that mark received a 3 percent bump in pay, regardless of years of service.

As well, part-time “Security II” officers will now be merged with the full-time “Security I” officers under the same rules.

There are some seemingly subtle changes that other divisions may soon be seeing. One of the biggest concerns is vacation accrual. Depending on the officer’s years of service, they previously could accrue up to 10 days vacation for one to four years of service, 15 days for five to 14 years of service, 20 days for 15 to 19 years, and 25 days for 20+ years of service. The amount was capped at twice their annual vacation hours, so—depending on years of service—officers could hold up to 20, 30, 40, or 50 days of vacation. Unused hours can carry over the next year.

With the new contract, the cast member can only hold their year’s vacation allotment plus five days (40 hours).

The new contract also spells out in print (reportedly for the first time in a Security contract) that the company can revoke any employee perks (including Main Gate passes, employee discounts, and complimentary tickets) for any reason at any time. One relatively recent privilege rumored to be disappearing next year is the option of allowing cast members to sign in guests while in costume. With a large number of cast members traveling to and from the park in costume, revoking this perk could substantially reduce the number of guests signed in each day.

Since other departments under the Master Services agreement (Attractions, Foods and Custodial) go by Security’s old vacation accrual policies, many expect the company to try to institute these new policies when negotiating future contracts with other divisions.

Holiday Cheer

On a happy note, cast members arriving to work on Christmas Eve were greeted with a pleasant surprise: Managers from each department were handing out Christmas cloisonné pins. They featured glitter, “Happy Holidays,” and an image of Santa Mickey. It’s been years since Disneyland gifted employees with Christmas pins.

The pin was attached to a card reading:

Happy Holidays!

The holidays are one of the most special times of the year at the Disneyland Resort. Whether you work onstage or backstage, daytime or night… Thank you for bringing the magic to life!

Thank you! Josh D’ Amaro, President, Disneyland Resort

MiceChat Anniversary Events Feb 8-10, 2019

OK, now, let’s take a look at all those fantastic events coming up for the MiceChat Anniversary February 8th, 9th, and 10th.  I hope to see you there!

The Buzz Way
Cocktail Reception

Feb 8th, 7:30 – 9:30 PM – Wyndham Garden Hotel 

A panel discussion and cocktail reception celebrating the great Buzz Price, the Disney super-legend who helped create the business model for Disneyland (and Walt Disney World) and discovered the land that the Happiest Place on Earth was built on. Joining us will be David Price, Buzz Price’s son and a themed entertainment star in his own right.

David will have copies of his new book about his dad, which contains chapters written by theme park industry luminaries who worked with and were inspired by Buzz Price. The event will feature never-before-seen videos of Buzz and his thoughts on theme parks which will leave you wishing there were more men like him around today.  We will also have a unique opportunity to pick up a copy of the book Buzz himself wrote which is now long out of print! Plus, Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin Jackson will be joining us!

UPDATED: We are thrilled to announce that this panel will be moderated by themed entertainment powerhouse Kathleen Cohen, whose portfolio of work includes Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Dreamworks, IBM and countless featured engagements.

The Hotel Indigo (the sister hotel to the Wyndham and immediately next door) is offering a special rate of $109 per night (for the nights of the 8th and 9th) with complimentary WiFi, Parking, and amenity gift. Contact [email protected] and request the MiceChat Anniversary rate.  

Gumball Rally

February 9th – 7am until 8pmThe world-famous Gumball Rally is rolling your way on Saturday, February 9th. Do you have what it takes to ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day?

Gather together a team of 2, 3, or 4 friends or family members and enjoy the most fun you’ve ever had at the Happiest Place on Earth.

This year’s Rally is inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion.

ACT FAST – PRICES GO UP AS THE EVENT GETS CLOSER (due to increased costs in adding seats and materials last minute).

Gumball Rally Event information and rules HERE

The First Tour Guide
Breakfast

Feb 10th, 8:30 AM – The Anaheim Hotel

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