Disneyland's Pre-Opening Memo: Construction, Challenges, and Early Plans

Pre-Opening Disneyland Memo

• 📝 A memo from C.V. Wood to Walt Disney, dated June 2nd, 1955, six and a half weeks before Disneyland's opening, details the estimated status of park sections.
• 🚧 Main Street's police station and lost children's playground were projected to be complete, with landscaping for the Plaza and Hub expected to be green.
• 💡 A critical decision was needed for a moving sidewalk into Tomorrowland, highlighting the tight timeline for design and construction.
• ⚠️ Fountains in Tomorrowland faced delays due to an impending plumbers' strike, forcing a choice between working toilets and decorative fountains.

Construction Challenges and Delays

• 💧 Adventureland's waterways faced a significant setback when they failed to hold water due to the land being a former orange orchard, requiring clay lining and causing a three-week delay and a million-dollar cost overrun.
• 🚀 The 'Rocket to the Moon' attraction (later Flight to the Moon) had its exterior complete, with interior work progressing, but operational perfection required additional time, delaying its opening.
• 🏗️ Tom Sawyer Island's construction involved draining the Rivers of America in the fall of 1972 to pour footers and build structures like Harper's Mill and Fort Langhorn, with workers using rafts to transport materials.

Operational and Staffing Details

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The memo indicated that 100 employees were hired, with an expectation of approximately 550 by opening, and that onsite medical examinations were part of the hiring process.
• 🎢 The lack of shows, parades, and meet-and-greets significantly impacts wait times, with shows alone entertaining 15-16% of a park's capacity at times.
• 🤝 Disney Cruise Line extended its closure through December 6th, impacting Christmas cruises, and the 'Wish' ship's delivery is delayed due to supply chain issues.

Proposed and Unbuilt Concepts

• 🚢 The 1970s 'world cruise' on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake featured sidewheel steamboats and discussed proposed projects like a nightly luau and an international shopping mall between the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom.
• 🛍️ The international shopping mall concept was planned to be built on property behind the Magic Kingdom's ticket and transportation center, accessible by monorail or walking from the Contemporary Resort.
• 🎭 Discussions are ongoing between Disneyland and the state of California regarding reopening, with Governor Newsom prioritizing caution due to potential COVID-19 flare-ups.

Technology and Future Ideas

• 👁️ A patent application for 'gaze-based rendering for audience engagement' suggests technology that tracks eye movement on a screen to interact with viewers, potentially revolutionizing character interactions.
• 💡 This technology could offer a pandemic-friendly solution for character greetings, allowing for individual or small group interactions remotely.
• 🗺️ Disneyland's future plans included concepts like the Thai hotel and Venetian resort, though construction challenges, particularly with foundations near water, led to reevaluation of development sites.