There are times that you look at your surroundings, take a breath and say to yourself ‘I can’t believe I’m here’. Last Friday was definitely one of those times.
If you’re not a Disney fan you won’t understand the joy that resonates through your body when you step foot in the park. The creativity, the engineering, the fascination and dedication that goes into everything that you see is uncanny. Although this was Walt Disney’s initial vision, the men and woman that have helped carry out that vision are known to us as Imagineers (a term popularized by the Disney company to meld Imagination and Engineering) . At the age of 17, Tony Baxter was hired as an ice cream scooper on Main Street at Disneyland, this would become a career that includes over 43 years with Disney Imagineering. Earlier this year at the D23 Expo, Tony Baxter was given the Disney company’s highest honor, Disney Legend. I was in the audience for the ‘Disneyland Rediscovered’ presentation at the D23 Expo when Tom Staggs (Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts) made the announcement that Tony would be getting a window on what is arguably the most famous Main Street in the world.
I arrived early on Friday morning and waited for Disney security to allow us entry into the park. As I stared into the gates at the giant Mickey Mouse head made of flowers I had butterflies in my stomach knowing something amazing was about to happen. Former and future Disney Legends lined up and made their way into the park toward the seats made available for the ceremony and as a total bonus for me, I (finally) got a chance to meet Jeff Baham, one of the hosts of my favorite Disney related-podcast Mousetalgia and founder of DoomBuggies.com. Jeff is a really great guy! I had a lot of fun chatting with him and hunting for photo ops during the ceremony. 🙂
Michael Colglazier (President of the Disneyland Resort) started off the ceremony by thanking everyone and recognizing former recipients of Main Street windows. The names of Bob Gurr, Marty Sklar, Kathryn Beaumont, Tony Anselmo, Jack Lindquist, Richard Sherman and Dave Smith were recited. Chills. Tom Staggs was then invited to the podium to continue the dedication and talked a little about what it means to get a window on Main Street. Soon after, Bruce Vaughn stepped up to speak a little about Tony and his contributions prior to Mickey Mouse appearing and inviting Tony Baxter to stand. As the voice of Walt Disney echoed through Main Street and as the curtain came down to reveal the latest addition to the permanent decor, a surreal feeling took over me as I realized that I was now a (very very) small part of Disneyland history. The window reads:
Main Street Marvels
Tony Baxter Inventor
Imagination is at the heart of our Creation.
Tony Baxter then stood at the podium and talked a little about his time at Imagineering and thanked everyone.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, I hung out a bit to capture a few more photographs prior to heading out to work. It was definitely an amazing morning that I’m not soon to forget. Below the photo of me and Tony Baxter are more photos from the ceremony:
Me and Tony Baxter with a replica of his new window.
