Interesting thing about the Walt Disney Company. The Mouse is perfectly willing to tell you when Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration is officially going to get underway (May 5, 2005). But if you were to ask the powers-that-be at Disney about how much it cost to create King Arthur’s Carousel … Well, that’s classified information.
Or — at least — it USED to be.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I guess I should let you folks know that I’m currently working on an unauthorized history of the Disneyland Resort. And — in the process of researching this book — I recently came across a pile of really-for-real construction invoices for “the Happiest Place on Earth.” And what makes this material even more intriguing is that it appears to have come straight from C.V. Wood’s old office at Disneyland!
Anyway … What’s truly cool about burrowing through this material (Other than — of course — it gives you this real-time snapshot of all the hard work that went into making Walt’s dream a reality) is that — for the first time ever — here is some truly specific information about what it actually cost to construct Disneyland back in 1954 – 1955.
Look — rather than continue to yammer here — why don’t I just let you folks see for yourselves how much money it took to turn a dusty orange grove into “The Happiest Place on Earth” by recreating some of Disneyland’s original construction invoices?
Here you go:
Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: TOMORROW LAND – Autopia Date: Mar. 22, 1955
Account No. 3604-059 E.A. No. 186
Budgeted Amt. $90,000. This Expenditure $25,678.00 Balance $30,000.00
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
Estimated balance to complete 40 Freeway Cars to be delivered to Disneyland.
Price to include Sales Tax, Freight, etc.
Balance will cover miscellaneous purchased parts, engines, steering wheels, bumpers, licenses, rubber moldings, paint and painting assembly.
Work to be accomplished by various contractors and assemblers.
This expenditure is based on an estimated cost of $1500.00 per car, less amounts covered by previous E.A/s #38, #54, #98, #155, and #157, and $164.
Requested by George Whitney
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: Casey Jr. Train Date: April 4, 1955
Account No. 3605-608 E.A. No. 193
Budgeted Amt. $50,000. This Expenditure $15,965.00 Balance $5,706.00
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To cover the manufacture of cars for the Casey Jr. Train.
Includes two (2) cabooses, four (4) animal cage cars, and four (4) chariots.
Work to be in accordance with plans and specifications and as directed.
Complete, including painting. $15,500.00
Tax $ 465.00
$15.965.00
Requested by Richard Irvine
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: CARROUSEL – Organ Date: April 4, 1955
Account No. 3605-815 E.A. No. 194
Budgeted Amt. $55,000. This Expenditure $1011.00 Balance (1,661.00)
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To cover the cost of reconditioning the Wurlitzer Band Organ for the Carrousel as per attached letter from Ross R. Davis.
$1011.00
Sales Tax and Delivery extra.
Requested by George Whitney
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: FRONTIER LAND – River Boat Date: April 6, 1955
Account No. 3606-261 E.A. No. 202
Budgeted Amt. $125,000. This Expenditure $9,000.00 Balance $24,870.00
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To cover estimated balance to complete steam engines for the Frontier River Boat as of this date per Roger Broggie.
Total Estimated Cost $18,000.00
Amt. Covered in Previous E.A. $9,000.00
Balance covered by this E.A. $9,000.00
No Sales Tax.
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: FANTASY LAND – Mad Tea Party & Dumbo Date: April 8, 1955
Account No. 3605-420 Mad Tea Party E.A. No. 204
3605-720 Dumbo
Budgeted Amt. M.T.P. $60,000. M.T.P. This Expenditure $718.00
Budgeted Amt. Dumbo $37,000 This Expenditure $981.00
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To cover the additional amount of $717.69 to cover authorization in the total amount of $1,117.69 for patent search and analysis as conducted by Charles S. Evans on work being done by Arrow Development on the Mad Tea Party and Dumbo Ride. This work was previously authorized in E.A. #161 in the amount of $1,000.00, divided $500.00 for Dumbo and $500.00 for Mad Tea Party.
The amount of this E.A. is $717.69, divided one half for Dumbo and one half for Mad Tea Party.
Requested by George Whitney
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: FANTASY LAND – Peter Pan Fly-Thru Date: Apr. 15, 1955
Account No. 3605-565 E.A. No. 209
Budgeted Amt. $80,000. This Expenditure $8,498.00 Balance $9,097.00
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To authorize the reproduction of outdoor mural for the Peter Pan Ride painted in oil on cloth backing and installed on the base of the building with two end sections built out in relief.
Work to be accomplished by R.L. Grosch and Sons.
$8,250.00
$248.00 Tax
$8,498.00 Total
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: FANTASY LAND – Snow White Ride Thru Date: April 15, 1955
Account No. 3605-308 E.A. No. 211
Budgeted Amt. $53,000. This Expenditure $6,695.00 Balance ($11,380.00)
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To cover the additional amount of $6,500 to cover authorization in the total amount of $36,500.00 for Snow White Ride Thru Settings. This work was previously authorized in E.A. #47 in the amount of $30,000.
Amount of this E.A. $6,500.00
Tax $195.00
Total $6,695.00
Requested by George Whitney
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Expenditure Authorization
Location of Project: FANTASY LAND – Mr. Toad Date: April 15, 1955
Account No. 3605-456 E.A. No. 212
Budgeted Amt. $40,000. This Expenditure $30,900.00 Balance ($3,101.00)
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (INCLUDE COST ESTIMATE)
To authorize the construction and painting execution of various scenes. Also the props and animated figures as out lined in submitted drawings as per letter dated April 13 of R.L. Grosch and Sons.
Amount of this E.A. $30,000.00
Sales Tax $900.00
Total $30,900.00
Requested by George Whitney
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Pretty cool look at Disneyland’s past, don’t you think?
Your thoughts?