Among the delights of experiencing Disneyland in the 1990s was the possibility of seeing, and even meeting, many of the people who had created the happiest place on earth. From time to time, artists who had worked with Walt Disney at the studio and in Imagineering would appear for special anniversaries and events.
On July 17, 1996, three of Walt’s creative collaborators made an appearance for an Art Classics presentation at the Opera House. The event itself, “Disneyland and Disney Art Classics Present Disney Through the Years… A Celebration of Animation Art,” was limited to guests with invitations or admission. Before the festivities began inside, however, there was a public ceremony out on Town Square.
In those pre-internet days, guests often found out about these events as they arrived at the park. This was true for me on July 17. The Opera House entrance was obscured by a decorated stage, and the large sign above had been replaced. The promotion, it promised, would run from July 17 to the end of the month.
Just before the ceremony began, a small cavalcade made its way through the park and into Town Square. Dancers and beloved Disney characters performed in the street as a small float bearing three seated individuals came into view.
Small placards attached to the float identified the three riders: Marc Davis, John Hench, and Ward Kimball. Riding with them were Snow White and Jimmy Cricket.
Once seated on the stage, the three were joined by Disneyland’s most famous residents, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Members of the Disneyland Band, along with the bandleader Art Dragon, provided live music.
Welcoming the honored guests, as well as the assembled crowd, was the President of Disneyland, Paul Pressler. He explained the reason they were there that day: to inaugurate a series of Art Classics prints, which had been personally signed by the artists who had created them. Pressler introduced each of the artists in turn.
The first to speak was Marc Davis. He observed that it had been a while since he had been to Disneyland, and that Walt would have been pleased to see how good it looked and how many visitors were there. He also spoke about the character depicted in his print, Tinker Bell, the mischievous sprite from Peter Pan.
Another mischievous sprite was on hand, as well: Ward Kimball. As he waved a white-glove-topped staff to the crowd, he ruefully asserted that it was about time for it to be retired. His character for the day was Jimmy Cricket, which he had animated for Walt Disney’s Pinocchio.
The final speaker was John Hench. Known better for his work as an Imagineer, Hench had begun his career in Disney feature animation. Knowledgeable fans knew that over the years he had created official portraits of Mickey Mouse for each of his major milestone birthdays.
To the surprise of the crowd, the back wall of the stage was transformed to reveal a set of three framed images, one each of the three characters discussed by the artists. With Mickey standing by, they examined their work.
And since it was a signing event, each artist was presented with a pen. With a flourish, they signed the portrait of their signature character: Marc Davis (Tinker Bell), John Hench (Mickey Mouse), and Ward Kimball (Jimmy Cricket). For good measure, they then each signed the other’s art, as well.
As they stepped back, the crowd was able to get a good look at the signed pieces.
One interesting fact that came out shortly after is that the ceremony that day was originally to have featured four artists. Marc Davis and Ward Kimball were to have been joined by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, all of whom had pre-signed certificates for that day’s kick-off event. John Hench graciously stepped in to replace his colleagues.
As the outdoor part of the event drew to a close, the group assembled for a posed photo. It was truly an exciting and memorable way to celebrate the birthday of Walt Disney’s magic kingdom, thirty years ago at Disneyland.
