One of the things Disneyland fans know the least about, in my opinion, is how Disneyland operates (in its entirety) and how the organization is structured. Van France's
Window on Main Street circles around this, but his experience was atypical, mostly focused on training and communication. I therefore relish any organizational information I can find, such as how the functions of operating the theme park are and have been divided, and who occupied what roles through the years. While such information isn't readily available, I know that it's out there--and I plan to gather quite a bit of it.
The following organizational chart, of the Foods Division from Summer-Fall 1972, is one small piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, a few corners are missing. I assume the crossed out faces are people who left the division, Park, or company by some point. I haven't a clue about the pink marker; perhaps these were extraordinary Cast Members? Or ones to watch out for? Or they were found scheming to take over the division? Give me your best guess in the comments! And can you spot the Disney Legend?
10 comments:
It's very weird to see Bob Gault as the Hills Bros supervisor. He looks so young.
that's awesome...I too am interested in the operations of Disneyland.
Great Scott! It is amazing to see so many of my former supervisors on this organizational chart. John Cora, Bob Gault, Joe Pittaluga, Mike Marx, Gil Scarnecchia, Rory O’Leary, Joe Lazzari, & Craig Smith. The Disneyland Management Training Program in the 1980’s seemed start so many folks in Foods and looking at this list I can see why. I guess it was a right of passage. I could hear John Cora probably saying, “If you can survive foods then you can survive anything.”
You already know that Matterhorn 1959 (Stuff from the Park) has some of the best resources for park operations. I don’t know what years you were working for the resort but I would be more than happy to fill you in on how things were run from 1986 – 1993. I spent time in Theme Park Operations, Cast Development (Training for TPO) and the Disney University. Just e-mail me at matt@cworks.org if you’ve got a question.
Thank you for sharing that picture. I am Rory O'Leary's youngest daughter and I have never seen that picture of Dad before. Dad recently passed away and we miss him more than words. Disney was always in Dad's heart and will always be a special part of our family.
To Rory's daughter: Thanks for your comment. I have seen his name in quite a few Disneyland Lines and it was obvious from his length of service how much Disneyland meant to him. If you send me an e-mail, I can pass along a higher resolution copy of this photo and a couple of others I have.
I am sooo sorry to hear about Rory! I worked in the same offices as him, when he was in charge of New Orleans Sq/Critter Country. I was a Sup in Adv/Front Foods (84-92)
He was a great man and a charismatic leader. He hosted a party at a his house once for us Sups!
Just last Sept, I had reconnected with him via Facebook, just to say hi. :-(
RIP Rory.
Jon Woods
I remember Rory as a disney supervisor then he went on to work for LAX after his 'retirement' from disney. Then the shady stuff that went around him at LAX helped him to take the big flight last year.
He was a better guy at disney and I'll remember him for his disney years.
spent my younger days @ Coke Terrace 1971 - 1975 .. working with John Catapano was a great time. Gil, Rory, Mike were hard workers & great fun as well. Those are wonderful memories & I learned alot from that time....
Chris
Those were the people in Tomorrowland that remained with Cora after the massacure of 1974
I know am a little late to the comment thread here obviously. But regarding Rory O'Leary, I worked for Rory as his controller at CA One LAX in 2001. Rory was one the nicest guys and the greatest boss I ever had. I really felt bad about leaving the job because I knew he would be disappointed in me. But even then, he simply said "I am sorry to hear that you are leaving, but what a great thing for you, I am happy for you." He then shook my hand and we worked the next three weeks together like nothing was ever going to change. On my last day he made sure there was cake and going away gathering of the terminal and outlet managers to see me off. As we walked out to my car together that night he said he thought it was important to operate in that way, and not wait until someone leaves to say something nice to them or about them. He was a real class act. We had many very young and not very well developed people working for us there. Many just out of high school, but not quite together enough to go to college or something more. I could always tell that Rory had to struggle to hold back on trying to be "parent" figure to these associates. He knew it wasn't his place, but he hated to see people make big mistakes. Plus he had four of his own kids to worry about. Over the next couple of years we spoke on the phone a few times. I did come back to visit him once and tell him that my wife was pregnant. He could tell I was nervous, "don't worry" he told me, "you'll do fine, every man feels like they invented fatherhood once they are a father, and so will you." How did he know? He just had connection with people and their humanity. It's hard not to smile when I think about him. RIP Rory.
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