Jeff Heimbuch - Main Street Windows: A Complete Guide to Disneys Whimsical Tributes

by Rolly Crump

I have always described Disneyland as one big salad: so many great ingredients coming together for a special experience. The Windows are a big part of that salad. Not only are the Windows indicative of Main Street, U.S.A., but, for employees of the Disney Parks, they are the Tony, the Emmy, and the Academy Award, all wrapped up in one. Each Window on Main Street is specially designed to recognize the individual and their unique contributions. They are prominent symbols recognizing people for the work they have done.

One of my earliest memories while working as Art Director of Disneyland was seeing the names on the Windows and thinking How special is that? My very next thought was Only the old guys get Windows. Of course, I never dreamed I would become one of those old guys, let alone have a window with my name on it.

I have had two honors bestowed upon me as an old guy, and I couldn't be more proud. Receiving the Disney Legend award was very special, needless to say. But receiving a Window on Main Street was the real honor. I became one of many recognized for their part in developing the Parks into what they are today.

Having the presentation ceremony right there on Main Street was the icing on the cake. As our tour guide drove us through the Park, she casually mentioned she would take care of my Window and get it to us before we left for the day. I had no idea she meant that I would be given an exact duplicate of my Window to take home. It still hangs proudly in my living room.

Documenting the history and stories of the Windows is important, and long overdue. I can't thank Jeff enough for bringing us the stories behind the Windows: the dressing on the salad.

by William Sully Sullivan

O ne day, while strolling through the Magic Kingdom, I was surprised to see a Window with my name on it. The Window, for Windermere Fraternal Hall, also included the names of some of my colleagues. It was such a special feeling to see my name up there.

I was surprised again, upon my retirement after 40 years, when they gave me my own personal Window: Sullys Safaris & Guide Service. How honored I felt to be included with some of the greats of The Walt Disney Company.

It all started as one of Walts many great ideas: to have something fun and interesting on the Windows on Main Street to recognize and thank the sponsors and lessees. From there, it grew into the much-loved tradition of honoring the Companys own Cast Members for their contributions to the Parks. I always thought that it was a neat way to recognize people for their hard work.

Id like to thank Jeff for putting together such a great guide to the Windows; not just for the stateside Parks, but for the international ones as well. Its a unique idea which no one has done as thoroughly as this before. I know that everyone with their own Window would be as proud as I am. Thank you, Jeff, for all of your hard work on recognizing this part of Disney history.

I t is often said that Walt Disney wanted Main Street, U.S.A. to act as the opening reel for Disneyland. As you step underneath the Railroad station, the curtain is pulled back, revealing the feature presentation, allowing you to get lost in a world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.

As you walk down Main Street, U.S.A., heading toward whatever adventure lies before you, youll find names painted on many of the Windows. Much like in a movie, the men and women whose names adorn the Windows act as the opening credits.

Nowadays, getting a Window on Main Street is a high honor. But it wasnt always that way.

The tradition dates back to before Disneylands opening day. Many of the shops along Main Street were lessees: merchants who were renting out store space in order to sell their wares. While all of Main Streets shops are run by Disney today, back then almost everyone was an outside vendor. Renting the space from Disney allowed merchants to get prime real estate and plenty of foot traffic through their stores. On top of that, the money they paid to Disney helped to fund last-minute projects at the Park in the days leading up to the opening.

Some of the shops were not going to be ready for opening day, which led to interesting facades but empty shops. So, while the interiors were being constructed, Imagineers put a sign in the window advertising the fictitious businesses that would supposedly occupy the space. Many of these signs included the Imagineers names as a tongue-in-cheek way to get credit for their work. Of course, since this was Disney, the signs were painted with flourish, adding to the illusion that Main Street, U.S.A. was a functional and thriving place in the heart of America.

Marty Sklar said The tradition [of the Main Street Windows] was established by Walt Disney for Disneyland Park. He personally selected the names that would be revealed on the Main Street Windows on opening day, July 17, 1955.

As mentioned earlier, these Windows, that were apparently hand-picked by Walt, served roughly the same purpose as a screen credit on a film. They were acknowledgments given to employees for their work on the Park. Hardcore Disney fans will notice that I didnt use the term Cast Members. Thats because not every single one of these original Windows referenced people who worked for The Walt Disney Company at the time. While many did, some were contractors, hired to help get the Park ready. Some of these people only spent a handful of months working on Disneyland. However, each person who contributed to the Park in a significant way was honored by having their name prominently displayed for all to see.

To fit in with the motif of a small town at the turn of the century, the names couldnt just be painted on the window. Instead, everyone was given a whimsical, fictional business that, in many cases, related to their contribution to the Park or a hobby they enjoyed. If they were a photographer, chances are they worked for a photography company on Main Street. If they enjoyed fly fishing, then an outdoors company would be their trade. Each Window became more imaginative than the last, allowing Walt to pay tribute to those that helped him, and to breathe life into this fictional setting.