Originally Posted By traintracks For my print class, I am planning on making a short booklet on the secrets of disneyland accompanied by photos. I know the basic secrets, club 33, walts apartment, etc. but if anyone had any info, such as where is the time castle and does it really have walts plan of a state sized disneyland park? I also know that this thread has been written MANY times, so sorry to bother...any info would be awesome.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Actually, there is a Time Castle, and it's buried in the Castle forecourt. The actual castle used in the ceremony isn't buried with it but the items are there nonetheless. A few of the items are listed here: A "40 Years of Adventures" cast member nametag, with the name "Mickey" Early photos of Disneyland An aerial photo of the Disneyland resort Various Disney logo merchandise from 1995 Photos and documentation of the just completed Disneyland attraction, Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye A 1995 Disney press kit, and a copy of "Disney Magazine" A scroll of thoughts and quotes from Michael Eisner, Roy Disney, Marty Sklar, and others. A picture of the 1995 Ambassador Team There were 62 items buried in all. Hope this info helps some!!
Originally Posted By DlandDug I watched them lower the Time Castle into the ground, and it looked like the castle to me... What "time capsule" are you talking about, traintracks? Sounds like an urban legend to me... But a good Disneyland secret? Hmmmm... The decorated panels in Jewel d'Orleans are custom created reverse painted mirrors. One of the two womwn who painted them was named Glendra von Kessel. (Her signature is an the panels she created.) According to studio scuttlebutt, Marc Davis partially based the character of the flambuoyant Cruella deVille on Glendra.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig Just inside the rear archway of the castle is a brass button imbedded in the ground. It is plain to see if you look for it. This is the geographical center of Disneyland. It is used as a surveying benchmark from which all other measurements are taken. Not sure if this is true or not, but it is said that the overall shape of Big Thunder Mountain was inspired in part by the shape of the petrified tree stump that is in Frontierland, out in front of the Golden Horseshoe. One of the windows on Main Street is dedicated to Elias Disney, who was Walt Disney's father. Among other jobs, Elias was a contractor, which is the job title that is painted on the window. There is a light in the window that never goes out at night. Even when all the rest of the lights were turned off on Main Street for the Electrical Parade, that light in the window stayed on.
Originally Posted By Roger55 ^^The brass spike you are taking about has been explained to me as the forme center of the park. It also has been explained to me as not being the center at all. Never heard the BTMRR story before. Maybe others here can confirm or refute it. Are you not mixing the two stories re:Elias Disney's window and the light in the window of Walt's apartment over the firehouse? Is there a SECOND light in Elias's window?
Originally Posted By Rivkah86 <^^The brass spike you are taking about has been explained to me as the forme center of the park. It also has been explained to me as not being the center at all.> I've heard it was the center before toontown was added, and I have also heard that it was simply used as a surveying marker. <Are you not mixing the two stories re:Elias Disney's window and the light in the window of Walt's apartment over the firehouse? Is there a SECOND light in Elias's window?> THe light in Walt Disney's apt. window is above the fire station, and it is kept on at all times because he always had it lit whenever he was in the park, thereby letting people know he was there (guests and cm's alike). It is ALWAYS kept on as a sign/ symbol that he is ALWAYS present in Disneyland, even now. Another cool secret is the basketball half-court in the Mattahorn.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I watched them lower the Time Castle in as well, and up until yesterday I thought it remained in the ground! I found this link online and that's where I got the info I posted. I am going on the assumption that it's true, although I am the first to admit that it might not be. Being there when the Castle was lowered was really fun, but I didn't stay after my shift that night to watch if it was removed and replaced. That was such a great day!!! Here's the link... <a href="http://www.oitc.com/Disney/Disneyland/Secrets/Fantasy/Castle.html" target="_blank">http://www.oitc.com/Disney/Dis neyland/Secrets/Fantasy/Castle.html</a> (I hope the link works!) Here's the relevant text from the site. "There is a second "Time Capsule" at Disneyland other than the official "Time Castle" buried in the Sleeping Beauty Castle Courtyard for the 40th anniversary. During the first renovation of the Emporium a few years back, a newspaper from 1955 was found inside one of the walls in the stock room for the Emporium. The way it was carefully folded made everyone certain that it was intended to be found years later. When the new Emporium was almost ready to open a ceremony was held to bury a new time capsule in the office areas backstage in the Emporium. It was reported in the "Disneyland Line" a few years ago, I have the issue and will research the date and more details for you later. Also, as to the "Time Castle" in the forecourt of the castle, the park announced that a "replica" of the time castle would be on display in the Opera House along with copies of the contents buried on July 17, 1995. Well, in fact, the "Time Castle" on display was the actual one used for the ceremony. The container that was actually buried with the contents was a special generic plastic container used to bury hazardous waste material. Let's hope that the Cast Members of the future aren't to scared to open it 40 years from now!" Here is a more complete list of the contents of the Time Castle... REPORTED: Jim O'Connor 02 JUL 96 CONFIRMED: LESLIE LAWLOR 13 JAN 97 "40 Years of Adventures" Disneyland Cast Member Name Tag, with the name "Mickey" Photo of the Disneyland Ambassador Team "Inside Disneyland Today" Brochure for July 17, 1995 40th Anniversary Commemorative Passport Indiana Jones Adventure Opening Day Memorabilia -- Commemorative Passport Decoder Card VIP Guest Amenities Press Kit Press Credential Photos of Opening Day Ceremony Fedora Whip Attraction Lithograph Set of 40th Anniversary Cloisonné Pins Current pay stub: Mickey Mouse Disneyland Marathon Memorabilia -- Medal Race Booklet Registration Brochure Race Results Booklet "Disneyland Line" Newsletter for week of July 17, 1995 Aerial Photo of Disneyland Resort & Surrounding Area Ticket Media Package - One of Each Type of Passport dated July 17, 1995 Set of 40th Anniversary Trading Cards #1995 Picture of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Taking Last Ride on Skyway Set of Press Releases From 1995 Set of Parking Decals 1995 Disney Dollars Cast Photo and Cast Signature Book Photos of Costume Documentation 40th Anniversary Latex or Mylar Balloon Grooming Guidelines Gold Spirit Pin Silver Spirit Pin Silver Spirit Pin with Sapphire DREAM Pin from Disneyland Hotel Calendar of 1995 Events 1995 Financial Statement Operations Sheet for July 17, 1995 Video Recap (Laser Disc) of 1995 events -- Indiana Jones Adventure Opening Disneyland Marathon Great American Workout Enviromentality Day UCLA Bruins Parade L.A. Fiesta Broadway "Magic Kingdom Kabaret" Show Indiana Jones Adventure Mall Tour Parade of Jones Trading Cards Main Street Electrical Parade FANTASMIC! "The Spirit of Pocahontas" Live Stage Show "The Lion King Celebration" Signature Scroll - Thought on the Past, Present and Future of Disneyland, with signatures -- Michael D. Eisner, Roy E. Disney, Judson C. Green, Marty Sklar, John Hench, Richard Nunis, Paul Pressler, Ray Van De Warker, Bob Penfield Ring, made by Leonard Russo, Disneyland Decorating Arts Group, with 40th Anniversary Logo, including 8 diamonds representing the 80th anniversary, when the time castle is opened in 2035 40th Anniversary Street Banner From Harbor Boulevard Walt Disney Company Telephone Director, 6/95 "Mickey" Scarf, Designed by John Hench "Lion King Celebration" Costume Rendering Grad Nite '95 Memorabilia Grad Nite Mickey Plush Grad Nite '95 Button Grad Nite Ticket Grad Nite Poster Grad Nite Gold Coins Disneyland and Disneyland Hotel Restaurant Menus Catalogue From Disneyana Convention Sampling of "40 Years of Adventures" Merchandise 40th Anniversary Tee-Shirt 40th Anniversary Sweat Shirt 40th Anniversary Cup 40th Anniversary Sticker 40th Anniversary Leather Watch 40th Anniversary Hat Current Walt Disney Company Annual Report VoluntEar Pins "The Spirit of Pocahontas" Stage Show Rendering An Original Disneyland Cast Member Name Tag (1955) "Golden Ears" Name Tag "Golden Ears" Pin 40th Anniversary Stationery Birthday Hat Cast Button for July 17, 1995 Laser Disc Player List of Cast Members Who Submitted Ideas for the "Time Castle" The Disney Magazine "Los Angeles Times," 7/17/95 and 7/18/95 "Orange County Register," 7/16/95, 7/17/95 and 7/18/95 Disneyland Hotel Convention Sales Brochure 1995 Disneyland Media Fact Book Radio from Disneyland Security 40th Anniversary Gold Watch 40th Anniversary Gold Coin 40th Anniversary Silver Coin 1995 Disneyland Park Map 40th Anniversary Crystal Plate "Walt's Magic Kingdom" Commemorative Disney Animation Artwork "Behind-the-Scenes" Disneyland Passport
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Oops, I posted the names of the people who confirmed the Time Castle story before the list of contents. Sorry.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Interesting information about the Time Castle. The brass spike in the rear arch of Sleeping Beauty Castle has never been the center of Disneyland. It is a survey spike that marks a center line that divides the Park from east to west. Specifically, it marks the northern end of the center line of Main Street. The exact center of Disneyland on opening day was intended to be the center of the hub (where the Partners statue stands today). Because the west side was slightly larger, the center was actually a bit closer to the Frontierland side. As various additions have been made over the years (most notably Bear/Critter Country and Toon Town, the center has migrated. It is now approximately in the Castle moat, on the opposite side from Snow White's Wishing Well.
Originally Posted By teddibubbles Here is a picture of it traintracks <a href="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/teddibubbles/9ba4f756.jpg" target="_blank">http://i23.photobucket.com/alb ums/b363/teddibubbles/9ba4f756.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By ArchtMig Yes, I was incomplete in my description of the survey mark. The actual centroid changes as the park gets modified, but this mark is the arbitrary "established" center of the park. It's in a convenient location, and it's close enough to the ever changing real center that it was chosen as the recognized "center" spot from which all other measurements are established.
Originally Posted By Roger55 WIthout absolute knowledge, I was a little hessitant to speak so confidently about the spike and the light in the window. Thanks to those who confirmed what I was saying. I like it when we can share real information here and not perpetuate or substatiate a lot of the rumors that exist.
Originally Posted By smd4 A simple study of an aerial photo of the park in the early days, along with a ruler, will show you CONCLUSIVELY that the center of the park was the hub (or, as DlandDoug points out, very, very nearly so). The spike never has been, nor ever will be, considered the "geographic center" of Disneyland. Disuputing this fact vehemently will never make it truth.
Originally Posted By bboisvert <<For my print class, I am planning on making a short booklet on the secrets of disneyland accompanied by photos. I know the basic secrets, club 33, walts apartment, etc.>> Are you going to include the back story about the feral cats?
Originally Posted By lesmisfan there is one neat tid bit about the mark twain. when you go up to the captains quarters, you have to go up a ladder, but right next to the letter is a bad, the captain told me, that walt disney layed and rest in there sometimes. So it was kind of cool.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I think lesmisfan means a BED where Walt used to lie down next to the LADDER where Guests and CM's enter the Wheelhouse of the Mark Twain. I have climbed that ladder many times and have seen the little authentically sized bed. Who knows if Walt actually ever took a rest there, but it would be neat if he did!!
Originally Posted By DismayingObservation I'd read that the brass marker at the north end of the castle marked the 1955 geographic center, but it looks for all the world like a survey marker. But...surveying what? Even taking the original Fantasyland layout into consideration, you're still left with two really large ride buildings on either side. So, about oall one could point at would be the northern border of Fantasyland about where Dumbo is now. Interesting.
