posted Sept 2021
Chapter 36 - Magic Kingdom - Windows on Main St. U.S.A. - Town Square & Southeast Main St. - Part 1
Walt Disney
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Roy Disney
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In earlier Chapters we toured Town Square and Main St U.S.A., (Magic Kingdom Chapters 4, 5, 6, & 7). But in these Chapters we basically looked at the Shops, Attractions, discussed their backstories and what they had to offer the guests.
While traveling through this area most guests miss or hardly take notice of what is on the upper floor windows of the shops lining both sides of the street. There are names stenciled on many of these upper windows of the shops that line Main Street and every name has a story and reason for being there.
These windows pay tribute to individuals who were instrumental in the development of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World. What makes each window unique is that it pays a subtle deference to each individual by incorporating an aspect of their personality and they’re roles.
We would be remiss if we did not include Chapters that showed and provide details of these important connections.
While traveling through this area most guests miss or hardly take notice of what is on the upper floor windows of the shops lining both sides of the street. There are names stenciled on many of these upper windows of the shops that line Main Street and every name has a story and reason for being there.
These windows pay tribute to individuals who were instrumental in the development of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World. What makes each window unique is that it pays a subtle deference to each individual by incorporating an aspect of their personality and they’re roles.
We would be remiss if we did not include Chapters that showed and provide details of these important connections.
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We’ll begin our window watching tour at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Then we’ll pace our way around Town Square, then finally venture up Main St. U.S.A.
It’s without a doubt that each window has a story to tell. These are the people who put their heart and soul into make the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World the “Happiest Place on Earth”. But as traveling through this area of the Magic Kingdom don’t just look at the Window, though this is what these Chapters are about, but also look around and check out the details of the store fronts and interiors. Don’t assume they’re just shops, but are also attractions in themselves. (See Magic Kingdom Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7) Town Square and Main St. U.S.A. is Walt Disney. This area defines his history, who he was and what he intended his parks to be, a reflection of American Life, as he envisioned it. So take the time and enjoy Walt’s Dream in this magical land. Now let’s head in and our first stop is…………. 
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Entrance and Train Station
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As guests enter the Magic Kingdom, everyone looks up to see the Railroad Station. But look carefully at the second floor window, you’ll notice a name that made this all possible, Walter E. Disney.
Walt Disney World
Railroad Office
Keeping Dreams on Track
Walter E.Disney
Chief Engineer
Railroad Office
Keeping Dreams on Track
Walter E.Disney
Chief Engineer
The Magic Kingdom was Walt's vision from beginning to end, and he was truly tasked with 'keeping the dreams on track'. Walt was known for his love of railroads in general and guests can definitely see that in the Magic Kingdom. Walt even had a working model steam engine railroad in his backyard in California.
So having his window the first one guests can see and on the train station is more than fitting.
So having his window the first one guests can see and on the train station is more than fitting.
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Town Square
As we enter the Magic Kingdom, let's take a look at the Windows that face Town Square.
Town Square - East
First we'll start with the Windows on East side of Town Square.
Over the Chapeau Hat Shoppe
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It appears that over the Chapeau Shop that are currently no Windows with dedications.
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However, next door, which is part of the Chapeau Shop, the second floor windows do have inscriptions.
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Town Square Tailors Tailors to the Presidents Bob Phelps - Prop. Above the Chapeau Hat Shoppe on the left side is a window for Bob Phelps it states “Town Square Tailors - Tailors to the Presidents - Bob Phelps, Prop”. Phelps designed the costumes for the Hall of Presidents, among other attractions. Bob’s team was also responsible for designing the costumes for Euro Disney. Bob Phelps has been named vice president-costuming for Walt Disney Attractions. He previously was director of costuming. |
Hall of Presidents
The window on the right is dedicated to:
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Fashions by John
Dressmaking Hemstitching & Picoting Tom Peirce Alyja Paskevicius Orpha Harryman John Keehne Ken Creekmore 
Original Disney Costume Department
This window honors the original costume department leaders at Walt Disney World: Tom Peirce, Orpha Harryman, Ken Creekmore, Alyja Paskevicius, and John Keehne.
Note: This window is also notable for one other reason: it used to include a sixth name!
A few years ago this window on Town Square over the Chapeau Hat Shoppe had six names. Nothing was found in researching the sixth name on the window. Corporate personnel archives found he had worked for Disney - but only for about four months! The mystery became a bit clearer when it was discovered that 'Name #6' had spent those few months working in the sign shop and his job had included painting and touching up the windows on Main Street! Apparently, the painter thought that five names didn't balance well when they were split three and two, so he inserted his own name to make the pair of windows come out even. The name stayed on the window for close to ten years before it was discovered. Got to love the ingenuity. |
Research:
- https://www.dix-project.net/item/3395/disney-news-disney-magazine-issue-27-1-getting-dressed-for-success
- http://disneydispatch.com/content/columns/the-626/2011/03-the-windows-of-main-street-usa/
- https://www.mouseplanet.com/7096/Windows_on_Main_Street_Part_2
- https://www.icollector.com/Fantasyland-Cast-Member-Wardrobe-Design_i27325968
- https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=5026204&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjU0MjU2NDAxLCJpYXQiOjE2MTgwOTA5NzQsImV4cCI6MTYxODE3NzM3NH0.1J0nM5uqkDdUlUscYrkdUodKOK0ZNSK7xzl5CyJtVZE
- http://www.mainstgazette.com/2012/05/hemstitching-and-picoting.html
- http://mouseclubhouse.com/interview-alyja-kalinich-costume-designer-for-disney-parks/
Above the Confectionery Shop on the Town Square side
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The three windows on the right side are dedication to:
The second window states:
Buena Vista Construction Company
General Contractor Pete Markham Engineer
Schedules Changed While-You-Wait Francis Stanek Prognostications Dan Dingman Reckoning
Reference:
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The Buena Vista Construction Company was formed to serve as the General Contractor for the construction of Walt Disney World. These men were all executives of BVCC.
The first window is inscribed: State Bonded Licensed Bill Irwin Field Calculations Larry Reiser Synchronizer
The third window says:
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To the far left of this group is a window dedicated to:
Joe was personally hired by Walt Disney to direct the construction of infrastructure for Walt Disney World. General 'Joe' Potter was the first official Disney employee in Florida. Before Disney, he worked in the Army Corps of Engineers. Under his watchful eye, construction workers transformed 300 acres of Florida orange groves into the Magic Kingdom. He was the park's Senior Vice President after it opened. Dick Nunis, former Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, once said that "...without Joe Potter there would be no Walt Disney World today".
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General Joe's
Building Permits Licensed in Florida General Joe’s Raconteur
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Up on the third floor, there are a trio of windows, but none of these have any inscriptions. (maybe someday)
Above the Corner Front Entrance of the Confectionery Shop
Moving to the corner of the Confectionary shop on the second floor above there the entrance there are three windows:
Left window says:
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Doug Cayne Delineator Our Motto “A Straight Line is the First Rule” Associates Joe Kramer George Windrum
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- George Windrum - George Windrum, an Imagineer who did "show set design" for the If You Had Wings attraction at WDW. According to George’s daughter Gayle, "He ran the Show Set Design department at W.E.D. (former name of WDI)--creating working drawings for the interiors of many rides including the Haunted Mansion."
(See Chapter 17 - Magic Kingdom - Haunted Mansion Queue).
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Middle window states:
Draughting Corporation Which provided Design drafting and graphic design services to the construction of Walt Disney World.
Associates Ron Bowman Glenn Durflinger Don Holmquist George Nelson
Click to enlarge
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The Right window:
Glenn Durflinger contributed to the design of
Disneyland’s New Orleans Square and redesigns of Tomorrowland, Cinderella’s Castle and Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on both coasts. He also served as the Director of Architecture for EPCOT Center and Project Designer for Disney/MGM Studios. In 2006 he received the National Fantasy Fan Club’s Disney Legend award in honor of his storied career.
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Reference: |
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Third Floor Confectionery Shop on the Corner above Front Entrance
There are three windows that are dedicated to Roy O. Disney
- Roy O. Disney was co-founder of The Walt Disney Company. He was the older brother of Walt Disney. While Walt led the creative side, Roy guided the business side and finances.
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“If We can Dream it We can Do it!” 
Dreamers & Doers Development Co. |
Roy O. Disney Chairman 
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Source:
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Town Square – West Side
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As we head over to the West Side of Town Square, let’s take a quick stop between the Firehouse and Horse Barn.
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On the southern wall of the Horse Barn, facing the Firehouse, are two window:
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The window on the left advertises:
Broggies Buggies “Hand Made” Wagons Surreys Roger Broggie Sleighs Wheelwright 
Roger Broggie started at Disney as a precision machinist involved in installing the multi-plane camera. He then worked with Ub Iwerks on developing rear-screen special effects, camera cranes and high-speed optical printers.
He also helped Walt build his scale train in his Holmby Hills home backyard railroad. Roger was instrumental in conceptualizing and creating the now popular Circle-Vision 360. One of Roger’s most significant was the birth of “Project Little Man.” He with Wathel Rogers, constructed a nine-inch-tall figure of a moving, talking man, which became the prototype of Audio-Animatronics technology and evolved into Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, the first Audio-Animatronics, life-sized human figure, that premiered at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Walt Disney World Railroad Steam Engine #3, the Roger E. Broggie was re-dedicated in his honor. |
The window on the right is promoting:
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Owen
Pope Harness Maker Feed & Grain Supplies Leather Goods “Saddles A Specialty.” Owen and his wife were the animal caretakers at Disneyland. When Walt Disney World was being constructed, Owen and his wife moved to Florida to help open the Magic Kingdom. They created the Tri Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness.
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Pope was a horseman; he bought all the horses for Disney, he trained them, built their saddles, he even built the wagons and coaches used in Frontierland. Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Tri-Circle-D Ranch is home to all the Magic Kingdom horses!
Resource:
- How Disney's Iconic Multiplane Camera Changed Animation (nofilmschool.com)
- https://thedisneyblog.com/2014/09/04/disneys-tri-circle-d-ranch-at-fort-wilderness-is-an-overlooked-gem/
- https://wdwnt.com/2020/06/photos-video-first-look-inside-new-tri-circle-d-ranch-at-disneys-fort-wilderness-resort-baby-foal-named-violet-born/
- https://www.mouseplanet.com/7095/Windows_on_Main_Street_Part_1
Now we’ll move over to the Emporium side facing the Town Square.
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At Corner windows over the Emporium near the Barber Shop
Are three windows with tribute to the:
Are three windows with tribute to the:
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Plaza School of Music
The windows on the corner are dedicated to the three of men known for creating some of the most memorable tunes for Disney's theme parks.
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Sheet Music B.Baker
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Band Uniforms B. Jackman
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Music Rolls G. Bruns
Extra Reading:
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Located above the Emporium’s Books, Records, Toys Sign on Town Square West
Heading east of the music trio’s windows are three separate windows:
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The first window is for:
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Main Street Music Co. Ron Logan Conductor “Leading the Band into a New Century”
1987, Ron served as vice president of Creative Show Development for all of Walt Disney Attractions. As executive vice president of Walt Disney Entertainment and executive producer for Walt Disney Entertainment (now Walt Disney Creative Entertainment), Ron was responsible for creating, casting, and producing all live entertainment for The Walt Disney Company including the Grand Opening Ceremonies for Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom). He was also responsible for numerous other park shows including: SpectroMagic, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage!, Fantasmic!, Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, Tapestry of Nations (Epcot & the Super Bowl XXXIV Halftime Show), and others. Ron was also executive vice president of the Walt Disney Special Events Group, executive vice president of Disney Special Programs, as well as the founder and first president of Disney Theatrical Productions, which produced Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and later, around the world. |
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Then next window has Rainbow painted through it.
Rainbow Paint Co. Polychromatists Lonnie R. Lindley World’s Largest Collection of COLOR SAMPLE
material end of the business and for all paint work on the construction of the Magic Kingdom. Lonnie worked with the Buena Vista Construction paint team and helped coordinate all the colors and prep materials. John Hench was Lonnie’s primary source for the exterior color palette. With 1980 closing in, Lonnie was running all of the paint operations on property. In 1981 he was Superintendent for both the Paint and Sign Shops at the Central Shops. In 1998, Lonnie moved over to the Ride and Show Engineering group and eventually became part of the Architecture and Facilities Engineering as resident coatings specialist. |
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The last window depicts a two sided (Sherlock Holmes looking hat)
Project Detective Agency Private Investigations We Never Sleep Ed Bullard Investigator 
Background:
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Above the Emporium on the Town Square side
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The next two windows are for Charles Corson and Robert Jani who worked in the casting department for the Walt Disney Studios.
The dedication on the left window is
New Era Band & Choir Studio Instructions Robert Jani Bandmaster 
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1967, he became the director of entertainment and eventually named VP of entertainment for both Disneyland & Walt Disney World. Bob oversaw the events for WDW’s grand opening, one of which was the Electric Water Pageant. Both on his own and with Walt, Bob created most of the live entertainment at both parks. He was also the master plan consultant for Disneyland Paris and Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. 
helped cast the Mickey Mouse Club show and helped with the first firework shows at Disneyland. His background in production and first love of live entertainment led him to Disneyland where he served the creative genius of his mentor, Walt Disney, and rose to become Director of Entertainment for the world's two largest theme parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Instrumental in the opening of Walt Disney World, many of his creative contributions are still in place today and he is honored with a window bearing his name on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. 
The Osmond Family at Magic Kingdom
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More Reading:
- http://disneylegends.blogspot.com/2018/03/chrlaes-corson-my-187th-pick-to-be.html
- http://www.disneybabiesblog.com/2014/03/windows-of-main-street.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jani
- https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/robert-jani/
- https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Robert_Jani
- http://mouseclubhouse.com/interview-chuck-corson-dapper-dans-the-osmonds-walt-disney-world-entertainment/
As we proceed to corner of Town Square and Main St., we note that none of the Upper Windows of the Emporium have any Legends Tributes or Dedications.
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Nor are there any above the Emporium Entrance.
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Up the East Side of Main St U.S.A.
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From Town Square we’ll start heading up the East Side of Main St. U.S.A.
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Above the Confectionery Shop on East Side of Main St. U.S.A.
On the second floor above the Confectionary Shop are a set of windows.
First window on the right in this set is for:
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Hollywood Publishing Co. Manuscripts and Melodramas F. X. Atencio Al Bertino Marty Sklar These men are some of the greatest show writers and designers in WED/WDI history.
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Dead Men Tell No Tales
Big Al
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- Marty Sklar started out selling the Disneyland News shortly after that park opened in 1955. He wrote personal material for Walt Disney for movies, TV, and official company communications, including the famed “EPCOT film.” He created dialogue for many Disney attractions, and was named Vice President of Concepts and planning at WDI in 1974. He was Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, and was named a Disney Legend in 2001.
Research
The middle window is a tribute to:
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Safe & Sound
Amplification Co. Gordon Williams Ed Chisholm
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- Ed Chisholm was a manufacturing mechanical engineer for WDI.
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The last window on the left is dedicated to:
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Graphics Complete
Catalogue of Brochures Every Document C. Robert Moore Norm Noceti Layouts on Requests 
ubiquitous “happy face” symbol, was created by artists Disney Legend Bob Moore and Norm Noceti. |
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“Sam”, the Olympic Eagle was created for the Los Angeles Summer Games. The eagle was chosen because it was a symbol of the U.S., but the designers felt he had to appeal to children, so the eagle’s stern visage was transformed into a cuddly, patriotic eagle. |
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Reference:
- https://www.haunteddimensions.raykeim.com/index104.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xavier_Atencio
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/remembering-x-atencio-and-the-weird-career-path-that_b_59b75346e4b08f6632c076ad
- https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Al_Bertino
- https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/legendary-disney-imagineer-marty-sklar-dies-at-83/
- https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Marty_Sklar
- http://www.disneybabiesblog.com/2014/01/tiggerific-tuesday-trivia_13.html
There are three windows on the third floor of above the Confectionery facing Main St, but no tributes.
Second Main St Façade of the Confectionery Store
2005
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2017
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Over time, most of the facade's repainted.
It appears that only the right window has an inscription, which seems to be blocked by a tree.
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But at the correct angle guests can see the dedication.
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Hyperion Film & Camera Exchange
World's Largest Film Library
Screenings Daily at 4 p.m.
Dick Pfahler
Bob Gibeaut
Bill Bosche
Jack Boyd
McLaren Stewart
World's Largest Film Library
Screenings Daily at 4 p.m.
Dick Pfahler
Bob Gibeaut
Bill Bosche
Jack Boyd
McLaren Stewart
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Disney’s first studio was on Hyperion Avenue. Every film element of attractions at Walt Disney World was created by this group.
Dick Pfahler was head of Studio Operations. In 1964, Walt purchased the Gulfstream 1, this airplane was used to fly Walt on secret scouting missions over Central Florida when he was looking for the perfect spot to build a second theme park. Dick Pfahler was responsible for directing service maintenance of the Disney airline at the Lockheed Air Terminal's Pacific Airmotive Corporation facility |
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Bob Gibeaut was the head of the Studio Editorial Department and later Vice President at Walt Disney Productions, in charge of Studio Operations.
Bill Bosche In 1953, Bill started as an assistant in layout on Lady and the Tramp. Bill then transferred to the Story Department and co-wrote the acclaimed Man In Space series with Ward Kimball. Next he was involved in films and special projects for the Studio, which including work for Disneyland, WED, the New York World's Fair and even designing the dancing trees for Babes In Toyland.
Bill wrote and designed the Moon Ride, Flight to Mars and the Hall of Presidents. When Walt initiated his grandest project, EPCOT, Bill was with him for the groundbreaking and continued to participate in many of the numerous Florida projects.
Bill was a writer and show designer for many theatrical and entertainment attractions in Disney's TV and educational division “motivational” films such as Steel and America, The Restless Sea, Freeway Phobia, Donald's Fire Survival Plan, Project Florida, The Magic of Walt Disney World, Family Planning, and VD Attack Plan. These projects gave him the opportunity to educate as well as entertain audiences.
Bill’s final assignment for Disney was as writer, director and producer of the original Oh, Canada Circlevision project for the Canadian Pavilion at EPCOT.
Bill’s name appears on a storefront window on Main Street at WDW, as part of the honored group of contributors to the development of the Disney theme parks.
Bill wrote and designed the Moon Ride, Flight to Mars and the Hall of Presidents. When Walt initiated his grandest project, EPCOT, Bill was with him for the groundbreaking and continued to participate in many of the numerous Florida projects.
Bill was a writer and show designer for many theatrical and entertainment attractions in Disney's TV and educational division “motivational” films such as Steel and America, The Restless Sea, Freeway Phobia, Donald's Fire Survival Plan, Project Florida, The Magic of Walt Disney World, Family Planning, and VD Attack Plan. These projects gave him the opportunity to educate as well as entertain audiences.
Bill’s final assignment for Disney was as writer, director and producer of the original Oh, Canada Circlevision project for the Canadian Pavilion at EPCOT.
Bill’s name appears on a storefront window on Main Street at WDW, as part of the honored group of contributors to the development of the Disney theme parks.
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Jack Boyd was Effects animator at the Disney Studio. He drew the Uncle Remus Sunday newspaper comic, and, as one of his projects, helped compile the Walt Disney Story film for the parks. As a Disney animator Jack was known for his work on Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians.
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McLaren Stewart Duncan McLaren Stewart joined Disney in 1934 as a story sketch man. He worked in the animation department for many years, was a layout artist, and worked on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, including art styling on Disneyland After Dark. McLaren Stewart was one of the story developer and researchers of the Fantasia segment The Rite of Spring.
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Sources:
- https://www.mouseplanet.com/8199/Up_Up_and_Away_with_Walt_Disney
- https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/walt-disney-classified-the-aeronca-project-prod-2660/
- http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/wisdom-of-bob-gibeaut.html
- https://www.mouseplanet.com/7145/My_Family_Disney_Dynasty_Part_1
- https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Jack_Boyd
- https://www.themoviedb.org/person/148253-jack-boyd
- https://www.intanibase.com/iad_artists/artist.aspx?artistID=336
- http://1937fan.blogspot.com/2012/04/mclaren-stewart.html
- https://disneyfantasia.fandom.com/wiki/McLaren_Stewart
Above the Main Street Third Confectionery Façade
2005
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2017
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As guests may have noticed changes to the store front over the years. Of the five windows only one has an inscription.
This window honors the special effects group at WDI.
Buena Vista Magic Lantern Slides Treat Your Friends To Our Special Tricks Yale Gracey Bud Martin Ken O'Brien Wathel Rogers 
Yale Gracey - was a Disney Imagineer, writer, and layout artist for many Disney animated shorts, including classics such as The Three Caballeros and Fantasia. Gracey joined the company in 1939 as a layout artist for Pinocchio. He designed many of the special effects for the Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland. The Haunted Mansion character Master Gracey was named in homage to him. (See Magic Kingdom Chapter 17 – Haunted Mansion) Gracey, a WDI special effects pioneer, did the effects for the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. He is honored with a tombstone (“Master Gracey”) at the Haunted Mansion, and that character is actually used as a central theme of the attraction (and soon the movie based on the attraction).
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Bud Martin, also honored with a tombstone (“a man named Martin”) at the Haunted Mansion, is a former head of the WDI special effects department. Martin's specialty was lighting and lighting design, especially in the service of special effects. Bud was VP of design at WED.
Ken O'Brien, a former animator, specialized in facial and mouth action on Audio-Animatronics. His credits include the Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, and Pirates of the Caribbean.His work for Disney included character animation on Pinocchio, Bambi, Make Mine Music, Song of the South, the Bongo segment of Fun and Fancy Free, the Pecos Bill segment of Melody Time, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Donald's Diary, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, the ABC Afterschool Specials episode "The Last of the Curlews", Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore, and the ABC Weekend Specials episodes
Wathel Rogers, another WDI special effects pioneer, is considered the “grandfather of Audio-Animatronics,” and worked on “Project Little Man,” which produced the Dancing Man (WDI's first mechanical character) based on studies of a dance routine by Buddy Ebsen. (The Dancing Man can currently be seen in the first room of the Walt Disney: One Man's Dream exhibit at the Disney-MGM Studios.) He was also honored with a tombstone (“Wathel R. Bender”) at the Haunted Mansion.Rogers was a Disney Imagineer whose projects included “The Enchanted Tiki Room,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Jungle Cruise” at Disney parks and whose other credits as an animator include “Bambi,” “Sleeping Beauty” and many of the “Donald Duck” shorts. He also served as art director for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom after its opening.
Ken O'Brien, a former animator, specialized in facial and mouth action on Audio-Animatronics. His credits include the Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, and Pirates of the Caribbean.His work for Disney included character animation on Pinocchio, Bambi, Make Mine Music, Song of the South, the Bongo segment of Fun and Fancy Free, the Pecos Bill segment of Melody Time, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Donald's Diary, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, the ABC Afterschool Specials episode "The Last of the Curlews", Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore, and the ABC Weekend Specials episodes
Wathel Rogers, another WDI special effects pioneer, is considered the “grandfather of Audio-Animatronics,” and worked on “Project Little Man,” which produced the Dancing Man (WDI's first mechanical character) based on studies of a dance routine by Buddy Ebsen. (The Dancing Man can currently be seen in the first room of the Walt Disney: One Man's Dream exhibit at the Disney-MGM Studios.) He was also honored with a tombstone (“Wathel R. Bender”) at the Haunted Mansion.Rogers was a Disney Imagineer whose projects included “The Enchanted Tiki Room,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Jungle Cruise” at Disney parks and whose other credits as an animator include “Bambi,” “Sleeping Beauty” and many of the “Donald Duck” shorts. He also served as art director for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom after its opening.
Research:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_Gracey
- https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Yale_Gracey
- https://longforgottenhauntedmansion.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-man-named-martin.html
- https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Ken_O%27Brien
- https://d23.com/a-to-z/obrien-ken/
- https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/wathel-rogers/
- https://variety.com/2000/scene/people-news/wathel-rogers-1117796507/
Over the Main St Cinema
Over the Main St Cinema in Magic Kingdom there are only two windows with dedications:
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The right window was inscribed and dedicated to:
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Sawyer Fence Painting Tom Nabbe Proprietor Anaheim, California Buena Vista, Florida 
Tom Nabbe On his first visit to Disneyland Walt saw Tom and made him a Newsie. He didn’t push papers for long until Walt decided that he looked like Tom Sawyer and hired him to play Tom Sawyer on the island bearing the name. In 1971, he transferred to Disney World to manage the monorail. Nabbe helped to open Disneyland Paris and after 48 years became the Manager of Distribution Services at Disney World.He was the last working member of Club 55, and the chief membership requirement is a paycheck from Walt dated “1955”.
Nabbe was just a young boy when he started working for Walt Disney as a performer. His window, fittingly, is above Main Street Cinema. Source:
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The left window is:
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Central Casting James Passilla Director Tom Eastman Pat Vaughn “No Shoes Too Large To Fill” 
James Passilla Director - was the head of casting, senior vice president of human resources
Tom Eastman - was the head of WDW's branch of the Disney University Pat Vaughn - was the head of Employee Relations Passilla, Eastman, and Vaughn, ran the original casting and training process for Walt Disney World. |
Above Watches Store Main St. U.S.A.
Over Watches Sign are a 3 pairs of windows. Of which the middle pair are the only ones with inscriptions.
2004
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2017
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The right window is dedicated to
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Partners in Planning B. Laval & Associates "What We Build Together Can Last Forever" 
Bruce Laval, an industrial engineer served as Executive Vice President of Operations Planning and Development for Walt Disney Attractions, invented “guestology” to improve guest experience using analytic techniques. By introducing computer simulation to Walt Disney World, he proved that reducing the number of monorails on the track could actually decrease wait times.
In the fall of 1998, Mr. Laval began to experiment with sophisticated mathematical models to predict by computer how the individual decisions of thousands of vacationers could be harmonized. Based on Mr. Laval's experiments, Disney introduced the Fastpass in June 2000. |
The second window was inscribed with, but it wasn't until 2006 that the inscription was added:
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The Main Street Diary “True Tales of Inspiration” LEE A. COCKERELL Editor in Chief 
Lee Cockerell was the Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort. As the Senior Operating Executive, Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping & entertainment village and the ESPN sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations. One of Lee’s major and lasting legacies was the creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies which was used to train and develop the 7000 leaders at Walt Disney World. |
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Resource:
Above Uptown Jewelers Main St U.S.A.
The second floor of the middle Jewelers façade has two tribute windows:
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The right window is dedicated to:
Daughterland Modeling Agency What Every Young Girl Should Know! Instruction in the Arts & Crafts There are two side panels to this window, each of which has dedications
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Left Panel of Daughterland Window:
Bob Sewell,
Counselor Malcolm Cobb 
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Right Panel of Daughterland Window:
Jack Fergus
Fred Joerger Mitz Natsume 
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All of these men worked in the model shop for Disney’s Imagineering.
Note: The Museum of the Weird was an unbuilt walkthrough attraction chiefly designed by Imagineer Rolly Crump for Disneyland's New Orleans Square as a companion piece to the Haunted Mansion.
- Bob Sewell was head of the Model Shop at WED. Bob got not one, but two tribute tombstones in the Haunted Mansion. (see Chapter 17 - Magic Kingdom - Haunted Mansion Queue)
- Malcolm Cobb was his assistant. Malcolm is also responsible for finding the plane used in the Casablanca scene of the Great Movie Ride. (See Hollywood Studios Chapter 6 Great Movie Ride)
- Jack Fergus was an assistant animator, he became known for his sculpting and model-making abilities. Rolly Crump called him "the best model builder in the (WED) model shop". He helped to build Rolly's famous mockups for "The Museum of the Weird"
Note: The Museum of the Weird was an unbuilt walkthrough attraction chiefly designed by Imagineer Rolly Crump for Disneyland's New Orleans Square as a companion piece to the Haunted Mansion.
- Fred Joerger was the Art Director and specialized in finishes especially in rock work, and distressed timbers. He designed the waterfall that was in the atrium of Disney’s Polynesian Resort before it was remodeled. In fact, he designed all the rock work at Walt Disney World. He also worked on the miniature models before construction.
- Mitz Natsume worked on the early models of the Ford Pavilion for the NY World's Fair. A concept model of the exterior of Space Mountain was constructed in the WED Model Shop by Mitsu.
Reference:
The second Window over the Jewelers Shop on Main St U.S.A. is dedication to:
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William and Sharon Lund Gallery Exhibiting Only Authentic Works of Art Genuine Antiques Selected by Victoria, Bradford & Michelle The late Sharon Disney Lund was Walt's younger daughter. She married William Lund after her first husband, Bob Brown, passed away, just a year after Walt's death.
Their three children are also honored.  |
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Window above the Uptown Jewelers Shop at the end of the southeast center of Main St. U.S.A.
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This window is rather unique in that it isn’t dedicated to any Imagineer or person, but to an electro-mechanical man, that never was at Disney World nor Disneyland.
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Snap On Electric Co.
1% Inspiration
99% Perspiration
Wilbur K. Watt
President
1% Inspiration
99% Perspiration
Wilbur K. Watt
President
The window is actually a tribute to Walt’s original concept for the Carousel of Progress. (See Magic Kingdom Chapter 27 – Tomorrowland – Part 3)
Walt Disney was a great admirer of Thomas Edison, the phrases on the window come from:
History and Backstory
The window has an unusual history. Its backstory lie in some of Walt’s original plans for expanding Disneyland, and with the concept for the Carousel of Progress which Walt worked on in the late 1950s.
At the time, Walt Disney was planning on expanding Main Street USA in Disneyland, with one of the expansions proposed being known as Edison Square. The main attraction of this new area was going to be a show hosted by an "electro-magnetic man", named Wilbur K. Watt, who would have chronicled the evolution of electricity in the home, from the late 19th century and beyond, like the Carousel of Progress, and take place in four acts. The difference in this pre-Carousel concept was that instead of taking place in a carousel theater, guests would get up and move to a new auditorium and set for each new scene. The show scenes themselves, hosted by ‘electro-mechanical’ performer Wilbur K. Watt, followed a similar chronological and thematic progress to the later Carousel show. With a post-show consisting of a product showroom, the attraction appealed to potential sponsor General Electric, but at the time – the mid to late 1950s – animatronic technology had not progressed to the point that Walt felt comfortable using it on such a scale.
The Edison Square concept never saw the dawn of day, as Walt’s began work on the 1964/65 NY World’s Fair and Disney World in Florida.
Walt Disney was a great admirer of Thomas Edison, the phrases on the window come from:
- In the first act of the Carousel of Progress, Sarah and John the new lighting technology of the turn of the century where John says, “Thomas Edison is working on an idea for "Snap-on electric lights".
- One of Thomas Edison’s famous sayings was, “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” stresses that innovation involves more than just great ideas. From his own experience systematic hard work of trial-and-error experimentation pays off.
History and Backstory
The window has an unusual history. Its backstory lie in some of Walt’s original plans for expanding Disneyland, and with the concept for the Carousel of Progress which Walt worked on in the late 1950s.
At the time, Walt Disney was planning on expanding Main Street USA in Disneyland, with one of the expansions proposed being known as Edison Square. The main attraction of this new area was going to be a show hosted by an "electro-magnetic man", named Wilbur K. Watt, who would have chronicled the evolution of electricity in the home, from the late 19th century and beyond, like the Carousel of Progress, and take place in four acts. The difference in this pre-Carousel concept was that instead of taking place in a carousel theater, guests would get up and move to a new auditorium and set for each new scene. The show scenes themselves, hosted by ‘electro-mechanical’ performer Wilbur K. Watt, followed a similar chronological and thematic progress to the later Carousel show. With a post-show consisting of a product showroom, the attraction appealed to potential sponsor General Electric, but at the time – the mid to late 1950s – animatronic technology had not progressed to the point that Walt felt comfortable using it on such a scale.
The Edison Square concept never saw the dawn of day, as Walt’s began work on the 1964/65 NY World’s Fair and Disney World in Florida.
Resource:
- https://www.mouseplanet.com/12048/Disneyland_1958__Part_Two
- https://www.mouseplanet.com/9833/A_Visit_to_Edison_Square_1959
- http://progresscityusa.com/2008/02/10/on-a-carousel/
- https://disneyparks.fandom.com/wiki/Carousel_of_Progress
- http://themickeywiki.com/index.php?title=Walt_Disney%27s_Carousel_of_Progress
This is the end of the first Part of the Windows on Main St. U.S.A. These Windows are a tribute to the Imagineers and Disney Legends who helped to make Disneyland and Walt Disney World what it is now. But we're not finished there are many more Windows that we still have to visit.
Because there are so many Windows on Main St with dedications, we have had to separate it into third Parts or Chapters. So the next Chapter will be Part 2 and continue where Part 1 had left off. So see you then.
Because there are so many Windows on Main St with dedications, we have had to separate it into third Parts or Chapters. So the next Chapter will be Part 2 and continue where Part 1 had left off. So see you then.
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Afterword:
WDWMousing.com is designed to be a tour of Walt Disney World through photos. We have been to Walt Disney World countless times over the past 25 years and accumulated a magnitude of photos in that time. This website is an intention to combine two of our favorite pastimes, Walt Disney World and photography, and provide an insightful pictorial tour. While doing so, we've done an extensive research of the internet and literary sources for background information on each area and attraction. The information is available, but most bits and pieces are scattered all over. WDWMousing doesn't intend to rewrite the stories, legends or data, but to try and collect it into one location with reference and links to the original articles and authors. And giving rightful credit. We've stumbled through quite a bit of mis-information, most of which came to life by fans because the origins were lost, forgotten or no one seems to remember. Over the past 25 years we've also lost most of the great Imagineers that helped develop, design and build the original concepts of Walt Disney World. So we believe it's extremely important to make sure that their efforts, intentions, details and creativity in making this Happiest Place on Earth isn't lost. So we ask for feedback, insights, and suggestions. Thank you WDWMousing 
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