I thought I had promised a write-up on the dedication ceremony for Bob Gurr's window on East Center Street, but apparently I had only mentioned my attendance back on March 23, 2008. Today is the third anniversary of that ceremony and I thought the time had finally come for me to give a brief rundown of the ceremony (with ample photographic illustrations).
The ceremony occurred during my "wilderness years" while I was still off at Maryland, but Bob let me know two months in advance that the ceremony would be taking place and I was able to arrange to be in town for it. They had us check in at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa before walking us to the main gates as a group. Once inside, the Bob Gurr-designed Main Street Vehicles were out to ferry us to East Center Street:
I was happy to jump in the Fire Engine because it had been Bob's idea to add to the Park (see story at the previous link). It having been nearly five years since I was a Cast Member, I delighted in seeing Town Square before the Park opened--on what was really a gorgeous spring day.
My family was among the first group in and we were thus able to secure front row seats to the ceremony. The window (the first to also feature a three-dimensional prop) was nicely covered before the presentation:
The Dapper Dans started things off:
Disneyland Vice President Michael O'Grattan:
Bob emerged from Backstage riding aboard one of the VIP touring cars he designed:
Marty Sklar talked about his long-time colleague at Imagineering:
Mickey and Minnie unveiled the window...:
...to Bob's great joy:
Bob was touched by the honor:
Bob and Minnie:
The Dapper Dans then unveiled Bob's take-home copy of the window (designed by Warren Wilson):
The Fab Five (Goofy is in the back with a Mark VII Autopia car):
Like all Disney productions, confetti was involved:
A final shot of Bob and his window:
The ceremony was followed by a breakfast reception in the Opera House for the invited guests, where I met for the first time (among others) Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily. I was delighted to be present for recognition of Bob's tremendous contributions to Disneyland!
What a coincidence! Jody and I were just about to go out for a fancy dinner to celebrate the third anniversary of the day we met YOU, Jason.
ReplyDeleteThree years ago?? Holy Cow!
I think Bob was getting just a little too fresh with Minnie! I can't quite see the sign so well, but there's probably plenty of shots on the interwebs (or maybe even on your blog).
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Mr. Gurr, who I've had the pleasure to meet three or four times - how did it take Disney so long to acknowledge him?