Our amazing model of Disneyland was built by Kerner Optical in San Rafael, California, a former division of George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic. It was completed and installed in Gallery 9 before the completion of the reading rail.
The original installation of the rail was very tricky and time-consuming; it was a striking thing, winding down the length of the ramp, bright peacock blue, and full of information. But when it reached the overlook site of the model, the rail blocked the view for anyone taller that 3' and shorter than 5'11".
I use the past tense here because last Monday, March 1st, the skilled carpenters, electricians, metal workers, and representatives from Plant Construction came in after the Museum closed and removed that portion of the rail and glass. Working most of that night and all day Tuesday, they installed new glass, with sound and video monitors positioned at strategic places. It looks beautiful, and now everyone can have an unobstructed view of the Disneyland model from anywhere on the ramp, where it is best viewed.
The whole project was redesigned by Ray Chung, of the Rockwell Group in New York, who had designed and engineered our ramp. It was carried out under the supervision of Cindy Magill, our project manager; Nancy Wolf, our Director of Facilities and Operations; John Stroh, the Museum’s talented Manager of AV; and Mitch Magoshi from Plant.
I think it was an incredible feat, and I salute all who were involved. The model deserves to be seen and enjoyed to the fullest.
Diane Disney Miller
Co-Founder, The Walt Disney Family Museum