'The Making of the Magic Kingdom, Part 1: Disneyland' Webinar

Tickets: $18.88 - $34.70 (fees included) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979016230820

Before they became global vacation destinations, Disneyland and Disney World were ambitious dreams brought to life by vision, innovation, and a healthy dose of trial and error. But beyond the iconic rides and beloved characters lies a treasure trove of forgotten attractions, unusual design choices, and bizarre experiments — the kind that didn’t quite make it into the history books. It’s time to rediscover the magic behind the Magic Kingdoms, and see how Walt’s evolving vision built the foundation of the Disney empire we know today.

Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part series exploring the fascinating behind-the-scenes history of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. In Part One: Disneyland, we'll explore the park’s formative first decade and how Walt Disney transformed rural Anaheim, California into a real-world fantasyland filled with stagecoaches, moon rockets, and mermaids — all while constantly reshaping the park to keep pace with his boundless imagination.

Led by Disney historian and former Disney employee Bill Cotter — who worked at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney studio in Burbank, and Disney Imagineering — our unique experience will include:

• A look at Disneyland’s earliest days, from its opening in 1955 to initial years of rapid transformation
• Rare home movies and photos capturing short-lived attractions like the Phantom Boats, Flying Saucers, and the monkey aboard the Columbia
• A glimpse into defunct rides and shops, including the TWA Moonliner, Monsanto’s House of the Future, and Nature’s Wonderland
• Unusual entertainment and park oddities, from Wild West shootouts to swimming mermaids
• The continual reinvention of Disneyland, and how Imagineers responded to creative challenges and changing guest expectations
• A showcase of never-before-seen images and footage from Bill’s extensive personal collection

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Bill — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

The Making of the Magic Kingdom Series
Part 1: Disneyland (Thursday, January 15 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 2: Walt Disney World (Thursday, January 22 @ 8:00pm ET)

About Bill
Bill Cotter was inspired by the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair to pursue a career in technology, becoming a submarine designer out of college for the US Navy, working on the Polaris-Poseidon-Trident guidance and launch systems. Cotter was then hired by The Walt Disney Company to set up the company's initial computer security. He also contributed to the designs for several major computer-controlled attractions. More recently, Bill retired as a Senior Vice President of Information Systems for Bank of America and is now an active volunteer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Bill has written 13 volumes about the history of world’s fairs. He has contributed to dozens of books and documentaries and served as a consultant on several movies, including Iron Man 2 (2010) and Tomorrowland (2015). Bill spoke at the 50th anniversary of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair and Disney’s D23 celebration of the Fair held at Walt Disney World Resort. Bill is also the author of a comprehensive history of Disney television and other entertainment projects, and operates three websites devoted to the study of world’s fairs.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
This event is a Disney-themed educational webinar organized by New York Adventure Club. It is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or any related entities. Our event is a fan-inspired experience, celebrating Disney's cultural legacy. Any references to Disney are purely for entertainment purposes, and no official endorsement or sponsorship is implied. Disney and related trademarks are registered properties of The Walt Disney Company, and this event is an independent initiative by New York Adventure Club.
Categories: Virtual, Landmarks