Originally Posted By dagobert I have never heard of that project, but it sounds interesting. I wonder if these offices will be built for WDI, which also resides in Glendale. <a href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2013/06/disney-glendale-grand-central-air.html" target="_blank">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....air.html</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Very interesting. I've never heard of it either, but it looks like it will be a mostly-private office building (they'll probably have a reception or two for employee's friends and families early on, only to keep it closed the rest of the time). It seems like an odd project, because there doesn't appear to be a ton of office space for the amount of work that will be required to restore it. Still, I guess it's nice to keep a historic building in good condition
Originally Posted By LP Watcher As the property belongs to Disney, part of their Grand Central Campus, any use of the facility will be for Disney business units (as indicated in the article). As the building will be required to be accessible to the public, this may be an opportunity for DIsney to create a small on-site historical museum of sorts, including the early airport aspects as well as more recent Imagineering elements.
Originally Posted By dagobert I'm sorry for bringing this topic back, but I came across the following map and was wondering if the restoration of the Grand Centrail Air Terminal is already finished. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Grand_Central_Creative_Campus_map.png">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi..._map.png</a> I didn't know that TWDC owned so many buildings in Glendale. The Glendale Creative Campus seems to be huge and DreamWorks is right in between.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I didn't know that TWDC owned so many buildings in Glendale. >> It is cheap property sandwiched between the freeway and the train tracks. Sure Disney have had property there for decades but they have gradually been buying up lots as an alternative to the more expensive Burbank studio lot. The studio lot has no room for expansion so it was a natural decision to shift to Glendale. We used to have a lot of space in the Burbank Tower but that has gradually been reduced over the years.
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks for the info. Do you onow if the old terminal building has already been renovated? For what is Disney using it now?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I Googled the name and looked for recent news and photos and came up empty. There are images of work being done on the building from last year, but nothing from this year that I could find.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I didn't know that TWDC owned so many buildings in Glendale. >> I didn't look at the link before - I didn't realise there were TWDC properties west of Sonora. I think there are a couple of vacant lots on the west side of Flower. I'll have to go take a look at some point. It looks recent as it shows the new-ish courtyard at 1401F. There are a lot of buildings on Paula that are in use so I'm surprised they aren't highlighted on the map. DWA's building was purpose-built for them. It is a beautiful structure considering the size of the plot. They have recently conducted a sale and leaseback transaction to raise funds. The site isn't as occupied as it used to be. Katz purposely chose that location to be near to the rest of the animation industry so he could pick off talent as and when necessary. It is always a bit strange to see ex-CMs wandering over to the DCP structure to meet with friends in Starbucks!
Originally Posted By dagobert Recently DreamWorks had many problems, but I didn't know that they sold the campus and are going to lease it back. I will be in California next year, is it worth to drive by WDI in Glendale. Is there something to see? I guess the Mickeys of Glendale shop is only open for CMs.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt You can actually see much more of the Studios (and the hospital where Walt died across the street) on a drive by than you can of WDI.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>It is always a bit strange to see ex-CMs wandering over to the DCP structure to meet with friends in Starbucks!<< Yah, that seems kind of awkward. While there's something to be said for proximity of job poaching, they might be a little more successful if it were a mile away. That way they could still be close to all the action, but without the awkward encounters when going about your business at your new job. I would personally be les likely to jump ship if I still had to see everybody all the time >>I will be in California next year, is it worth to drive by WDI in Glendale. Is there something to see?<< If you're driving through the Glendale area anyway (to/from San Francisco, or if your trip coincides with one of the days Walt's Barn is open in Griffith Park) it might be worth driving past, but I wouldn't go all the way up there from Anaheim, since you'd probably just see the outside of some buildings
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>If you're driving through the Glendale area anyway (to/from San Francisco, or if your trip coincides with one of the days Walt's Barn is open in Griffith Park) it might be worth driving past, but I wouldn't go all the way up there from Anaheim, since you'd probably just see the outside of some buildings<<< >>>You can actually see much more of the Studios (and the hospital where Walt died across the street) on a drive by than you can of WDI.<<< Our trip will start in Las Vegas and from there we will drive to Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and back to Las Vegas. Currently it doesn't look like we will be driving through Glendale, because we want to take the Pacific route. But we will go to Burbank, since we want to see the WB Studios Tour. Is there a shop or something at the Disney lot to visit?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Currently it doesn't look like we will be driving through Glendale, because we want to take the Pacific route. But we will go to Burbank, since we want to see the WB Studios Tour. Is there a shop or something at the Disney lot to visit?>> Avoid Glendale - there is nothing to see. The Glendale Galleria and Americana at Brand is probably the best sight in the city. Burbank lot is closed to visitors so you won't see much unless you can get a CM to sign you in. There is a Studio Store with some unique merch but over the years it has become more and more like a Disney Store.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>There is a Studio Store with some unique merch but over the years it has become more and more like a Disney Store.<<< Is the store open to the public? Since we will be in Burbank, we might stop at the Disney Studios just for some pictures.
Originally Posted By JeffG >> "I'm sorry for bringing this topic back, but I came across the following map and was wondering if the restoration of the Grand Centrail Air Terminal is already finished." << I work fairly near there and drive past the area regularly. The Air Terminal restoration is still going on and the entire area around the building is a big construction site currently. Last I saw, the building was largely gutted down to the exterior frame and I think they are currently working pretty heavily on the internal reconstruction.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I work fairly near there and drive past the area regularly. The Air Terminal restoration is still going on and the entire area around the building is a big construction site currently. Last I saw, the building was largely gutted down to the exterior frame and I think they are currently working pretty heavily on the internal reconstruction.<<< Thanks a lot for answering my question!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Is the store open to the public? Since we will be in Burbank, we might stop at the Disney Studios just for some pictures.>> The lot is closed to visitors - the store is on the lot. You can't get particularly close to Team Disney or the Roy Disney buildings I'm afraid. You can see the water tower clearly and the ABC and Animation buildings are easier to see from public areas.
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks leemac! It's still great to see the studio lot from the outside.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA If you're taking time to do a drive by of The Walt Disney Studios -- add 20 more minutes and drive by the WDI complex of buildings - Flower Street.
Originally Posted By dagobert The French Disney Gazette has posted somce construction pictures. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/disneycentralplaza/posts/10155874052275615">http://www.facebook.com/disney...52275615</a>
