BusinessFeaturedNewsParks

TRUE DISNEY FANS Can Now Have THIS Experience (But It’ll Cost Them $10 Million+)

True Disney fans will appreciate this bit of info, and they might even love this experience–should they decide to fork over more than $10 million for the opportunity to have it.

Diehard fans of the legendary genius Walt Disney, his influence, his parks, and his empire are always looking for the next souvenir, the next tidbit of information they never knew about the creator from Marceline, Missouri, and the next experience available to them that will continue to cultivate their love and knowledge of the greatest creative and visionary mind of the 20th century.

walt disney
The creative visionary genius, Walter Elias Disney/Credit: Disney Archives

RELATED: Walt Disney’s Untimely Death Sparked a Massive Company-Wide Cover-Up, Led to New Restrictions on Disney Films

While many of those experiences can be found within Disney’s theme park resorts–Disneyland California, Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort–diehard fans who’ve enjoyed many of their “bucket list” parks experiences are often interested in other experiences outside the parks.

In recent months, there have been many such opportunities as The Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary with experiences, events, and exhibits that have thrilled fans who love to look back at Disney’s roots. One such experience happened earlier this summer when fans enjoyed an event unlike any other in Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri–a Disney 100 party of sorts. And only days ago, news was shared about one of Walt Disney’s former homes being available to rent–for a phenomenal per-night fee, of course.

Marceline, Missouri, is the site of Disney's 'lost' park | CNN
Walt Disney and Roy Disney on Main Street in Marceline, Missouri/Credit: Disney Archives

RELATED: Step Inside Walt Disney’s 1932 Storybook Mansion

Now, a new “opportunity” has presented itself–one that could allow the most diehard Disney fans to actually live in the same place where one of the Disney Company’s most talented, most creative, and most famous Imagineers once lived. Perhaps some of his creative and imaginative ideas and dreams still linger in the spaces of the home.

The former home of Disney Imagineer Marty Sklar has been listed. Located in Laguna Beach, California, the beautiful home of the former principal creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering looks out over the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. And fans who want the identical same view can purchase the home for $10.75 million.

home for sale
Credit: Coldwell Banker Homes

According to The Orange County Register, Sklar purchased the beachfront property at 1377 Gaviota Drive in Laguna Beach in early 1990 for $1.125 million. The home, which is situated atop a coastal bluff, is currently owned by his family, who have made the choice to sell the property. The home, which was built in 1969, spans almost 2,100 square feet and features an all-white contemporary-style interior, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an elevator, and an open-concept floor plan.

home for sale
Credit: Coldwell Banker Homes

In the kitchen, diehard Disney fans and potential buyers will find high-end appliances, and the living and dining areas of the house converge, creating a great room that features a built-in entertainment center.

home for sale
Credit: Coldwell Banker Homes

The second level of the home features a private balcony just off the spacious master suite that faces the ocean. The master suite features a glass-enclosed shower, a separate tub, and a large walk-in closet. On the lower level of the home, large windows adorn the home and allow picturesque vistas of the ocean. The property opens out onto one of two flagstone patios that features a built-in barbecue kitchen and dining area.

home for sale
Credit: Coldwell Banker Homes

A staircase from the initial patio leads to another landing that features a built-in fire pit and sitting area. A separate staircase leads to the shore only steps away.

beachfront homes with staircases leading to the shore
Credit: Coldwell Banker Homes

Marty Sklar is one of the most well-known of Disney’s Imagineers and creative forces. He loved Walt Disney’s work and was inspired by the visionary genius.

“Working with Walt Disney was the greatest ‘training by fire’ anyone could ever experience,” Sklar once said. “Our training was by Walt, who was always there pitching in with new ideas and improving everyone else’s input. The fire was that we were constantly breaking new ground to create deadline projects never attempted before in this business. That, I’m proud to say, has never stopped in my years at Disney.”

In July 1955, Sklar began work for The Disneyland News, an 1890s-themed tabloid newspaper, which sold on Main Street inside Disneyland Park during its inaugural year in Anaheim, After completing his college education, Sklar went to work in Disneyland’s publicity and marketing department, establishing Vacationland magazine.

Marty Sklar
Imagineer and Disney Legend Marty Sklar/Credit: D23

Per D23:

Sklar joined WDI in 1961 as part of a team assigned by Walt to develop industry-sponsored shows and pavilions for General Electric, Ford, Pepsi-Cola and UNICEF, and the State of Illinois at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Ever since, Marty served as a key representative working with American industry in developing and sponsoring attractions for Disney Parks and resorts around the globe.

During his early years at Disney, Marty not only learned Walt’s philosophy firsthand but metabolized and translated it into materials he wrote for the master showman, which were used in publications, television appearances, and special films. Among them was a 20-minute movie devoted to communicating Walt’s vision of EPCOT, his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, originally intended to help resolve the urban challenges found in American cities.

Marty Sklar - Museum of Science and Industry
Credit: Disney

Marty first became an Imagineering officer in 1974 when appointed vice president of concepts and planning, a role in which he guided the creative development of EPCOT Center at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. In 1979, he was named vice president of creative development, followed by executive vice president in 1982. He served as president and vice chairman from 1987 to 1996.

RELATED: The ‘Attraction Before the Attraction’ Was One of the Most Popular Guest Experiences Ever Created by Disney–But It’s Not the One You’re Thinking

Marty Sklar - IMDb
Marty Sklar with Walt Disney/Credit: Disney

As vice chairman, Marty provided leadership for the Imagineering creative staff, delivering breakthrough entertainment concepts for Disney parks and resorts, including Disneyland Paris, the Tokyo Disney Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland. Imagineering is also responsible for all Disney resort hotels and the Disney Cruise Line ships and has created concepts for restaurants, children’s museums and hospitals, traveling shows, and exhibitions.

In 2001, the Company honored Marty with a special award for 45 years of service and leadership. After the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in 2005, he transitioned into a new role as Imagineering’s international ambassador. He is the only person to have attended the grand openings of all Disney Parks.

RELATED: Disney Parks Aren’t All Owned By Disney

Marty Sklar, then principal creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, at Disneyland Resort in 2005.
Marty Sklar stands in front of a mosaic mural of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney at Disneyland/Credit: The Associated Press

Sklar retired from The Walt Disney Company in 2009 on the 54th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland. He passed away in July 2017 at the age of 83, but his influence and investment can be seen and felt in Disney’s Parks and Resorts around the globe.

Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!

Related Articles

Back to top button