Disneyland opened 70 years ago last month and the man behind it – Walt Disney – was the fellow who probably had more influence on Orange County than any other person. The […]
Happy days at Disneyland
Benefits of House of Mouse
When I am out of town (i.e., out of the Golden State) people will ask me, “So, where are you from?” I start with, “Garden Grove.” Blank look. “Orange County.” Puzzled look, […]
What might (or not) have been
Disneyland in Burbank? The Angels in Long Beach? Oil derricks in Garden Grove? What sort of “Twilight Zone” world is that? Well, those things do seem sort of off, but they are […]
Walter was first, Walt was second
By Jim Tortolano When you think of the pioneers of the theme park business, the first names that come to mind are Disneyland and Walt Disney. But to be technically accurate, you […]
Ladies and gents, your Long Beach Angels!
By Jim Tortolano The slower pace of summer often gives way to reflection. One of my favorite mental pastimes is the premise of “What If?” In the context of this website, some […]
The day Tinker Bell almost crashed
By Jim Tortolano/OC Tribune editor Few events in Orange County history have had as big an impact as the opening of Disneyland. But fewer events had as unpromising a start as the […]
