Partners Statue

[ransom]

DW and I have been watching the "Disneyland: Secrets, Stories & Magic" DVD set, and we noticed something in the "People & Places: Disneyland" segment. It would appear that the Partners statue did not exist in Disneyland when that was filmed -- which was, IIRC, 1956.

So I did a web search to try to find out when the statue was installed, but couldn't find anything. I was surprised to find that the one at WDW was apparently installed as late as 1996!

Does anyone know when it was installed, or failing that, what's the oldest picture or souvenir that you have that shows it?

 

[DesertBell]

The Partners Statue was installed on November 18th, 1993.

From The Disneyland Encyclopedia:

"Disney Artist Blaine Gibson came out of retirement to sculpt the heralded Partners statue that now serves as the centerpiece of the Plaza Hub. The inspiring bronze statue was installed at Disneyland in a special ceremony overseen by Roy Disney and Jack Lindquist, both top Disney executives and future Disney legends. The date of the installation, November 18, 1993m wasn't chosen capriciously; exactly 65 years earlier, Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse's cartoon sensation, had debuted, making this the company's official birth date for their superstar.Eight years later, a rededication ceremony was held on December 5th, what would've been the 100th birthday of the company's founder."

And can I jsut say, the Disneyland Encyclopedia is one of my favorite books, ever?

It also says that in the statue, the initials STR are on Disney's tie, which are the initials of his Smoke Tree Ranch. He had sold it to help pay for building the park, and bought it back later. It also says that on the southern side of the pedestal is a plaque that says, "I think most of all what I want Disneyland to be is a happy place where parents and children can have fun together" followed by Walt Disney's signiture.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've also heard that the Partners Statue was a gift to Disneyland from Tokyo Disneyland.

 

[ransom]

Wow, neat! Thank you so much for the responses.

 

[jlmarr]

And the "Partners" statue was based on a 1980 painting by Disney artist Charles Boyer. More info here:

http://micechat.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2240745&postcount=11