The Disneyland Fire Department is located in Town Square, Main Street U.S.A. adjacent to City Hall. The Chemical Wagon (pictured above) was in service on opening day, with horses pulling guests up and down Main Street. Today, it sits inside the Fire Department for guests to view. Disneyland still has a fire engine that cruises up and down Main Street, U.S.A. giving guests rides between Town Square & Central Plaza. It is modeled after fire engines actually used in the early 1900’s. Above the Fire Department is Walt’s Apartment. Walt lived in Holmby Hills, which was a bit of a drive to Anaheim, so while Disneyland was being constructed, he needed a place to stay so that he could easily see how the construction was going. The tiny apartment includes a small bathroom/shower and kitchen. The original decorator of the apartment was Emil Kuri, a Disney set designer (“20K Leagues Under The Sea”), who chose the same Victorian look that can be seen on the Lilly Belle today. The apartment also has a private outdoor patio, where Lillian & Walt entertained guests. The patio was also decorated accordingly. When Walt was at the apartment, he would often work at a desk near the window facing Town Square. Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, has said that she remembers hearing the loud engines of the Jungle Cruise boats, as the attraction was located directly behind City Hall.
The day Disneyland opened, Walt watched from his apartments window how the crowds poured through the gates. Mousketeer Sharon Baird remembers:
“On the opening day of Disneyland, we (Mouseketeers) were in Walt Disney’s private apartment above the Main Street Fire Station when the gates of the park opened for the first time. I was standing next to him at the window, watching the guests come pouring through the gates. When I looked up at him, he had his hands behind his back, a grin from ear to ear, I could see a lump in his throat and a tear streaming down his cheek. He had realized his dream. I was only twelve years old at the time, so it didn't mean as much to me then. But as the years go by, that image of him becomes more and more endearing.”
Lillian removed most of the original furniture, however, park designers have tried to remain faithful to its original styling. To this day, a lamp stays lit in the window above the Fire Department in honor of Walt.
For Central Plaza photos, click here • For Town Square photos, click here
Most photos available for purchase as enlargements. Email your request. To view photos allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below. |
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June 26, 1966)
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