How Disneyland Found Its Footing: The Growing Pains of 1955-1959 (Ep. 73)
How Disneyland Found Its Footing: The Growing Pains of 1955-1959 (Ep. 73)  
Podcast: The Disney Dish with Jim Hill
Published On: Sun Feb 15 2015
Description: Opening Disneyland was only the beginning of Walt Disney's problems. Len Testa and Jim Hill continue their Disneyland history series with the park's first growing pains, from its frantic 1955 debut through the ambitious expansion of 1959. Along the way, they explore the television deals, unlikely sponsors, operational improvisations, and rival parks that helped turn Walt's experiment into a lasting success. Original Air Date: February 15, 2015 Original Title: The History of Disneyland from 1955 to 1959 HIGHLIGHTS How ABC's investment and television agreement helped finance Disneyland while giving the network a substantial stake in the park. Why C. V. Wood recruited everyone from railroad operators to lingerie manufacturers to help fund Walt's increasingly expensive project. How the Davy Crockett phenomenon brought in badly needed revenue as Disneyland raced toward opening day. The opening-week shortcuts, early ticket books, and improvised queues that reveal how Disney learned to operate a theme park. How television props became the Mike Fink Keel Boats, and why Walt kept adding capacity and new experiences. The unbuilt International Street and Liberty Street concepts, plus the unusual vision behind Tomorrowland's domestic exhibits. How C. V. Wood's competing parks and Pacific Ocean Park helped spur Disneyland's push toward the Matterhorn, Monorail, and Submarine Voyage. Why Walt's growing frustration with ABC and outside concession operators set up his next battle for control of Disneyland. HOSTS Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | TouringPlans.com Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia | JimHillMedia.com FOLLOW Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices