DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Henry Ford in Dearborn,
Michigan, will research and develop a traveling exhibit celebrating the 50th
anniversary of Disneyland. The exhibit will be created by The Henry Ford in
association with Walt Disney Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company.
In an unprecedented agreement, Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative
design organization behind Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, will loan The Henry
Ford up to 500 pieces of original artwork, models, construction drawings, ride
vehicles and media materials relating to the architecture and design of
Disneyland.
"During the celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary, this exhibit
will offer a unique way to pay tribute to Walt's original park, a concept so
popular, that it launched an entirely different genre of family entertainment
that now spans the globe," said Marty Sklar, Vice-Chairman and Principal
Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering.
The exhibition will open in Henry Ford Museum, part of The Henry Ford, in
September 2005 and will feature rarely seen original artwork, early footage,
blueprints and photographs revealing one man's vision of a family-friendly and
fantasy-filled entertainment complex known today as Disneyland(R). Visitors
will also view original character sculpture, scenic elements of the park from
the 1950s and sit in original ride cars such as those used for Dumbo the
Flying Elephant(R) and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride(R).
After its debut at Henry Ford Museum, the exhibit will tour nationally
beginning in early 2006.
The rarest opportunity in this exhibit will be the chance to view up-close
the original Abraham Lincoln figure from the 1964 World's Fair in New York.
This figure is the first original Audio-Animatronics(R) "human" to appear in a
Walt Disney show. It debuted in the Illinois pavilion of the World's Fair and
has not been shown since.
"The fact that we have been granted access to this amazing collection is
incredible," said Scott Mallwitz, Experience Design Director for The Henry
Ford. "The show that will result from this access will celebrate Disneyland
as an American innovation -- historically, an entertainment media that has had
profound and enduring influence."
The historical connection between Disneyland and The Henry Ford can be
traced back to Walt Disney himself and his first visit to Greenfield Village,
part of The Henry Ford, in 1940. He was so taken with Henry Ford's vision of
an idealized American village, he returned eight years later. These trips and
visits to other destinations and fairs, across the country helped Walt frame
the concept of a "Family Park" that would become Disneyland.
Disney parks and resorts are among the most popular attractions anywhere
on earth, representing a timeless tradition that millions of families continue
to pass from one generation to another. For the first time, all 10 Disney
theme parks around the world will join together for The Happiest Celebration
on Earth to mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Southern California.
The impact of Disneyland on family entertainment is significant, and the park
Walt Disney created 50 years ago became the foundation for the modern theme
park industry.
The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan was founded in 1929 by
automotive pioneer Henry Ford. This history destination includes Henry Ford
Museum, Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre, The Benson Ford
Research Center and The Ford Rouge Factory Tour. The Henry Ford, America's
Greatest History Attraction, is the history destination that brings the
American Experience to life. For more information please visit our website
http://www.thehenryford.org .
Walt Disney Imagineering is the unique, creative force behind Walt Disney
Parks and Resorts that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks,
resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments, and regional
entertainment venues worldwide. Imagineering's unique strength comes from the
dynamic global team of 1,400 creative and technical professionals building on
the Disney legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment
through technical innovation and creativity.
SOURCE The Henry Ford
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Related links:
http://www.thehenryford.org
CONTACT:
Wendy Metros of The Henry Ford,
+1-313-982-6125; or Marilyn Waters of Walt Disney Imagineering,
+1-818-544-2142
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