Window on Main Street: 35 Years of Creating Happiness at Disneyland Park (Paperback)

by Van Arsdale France (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A fascinating look at the beginnings of Disneyland as the author was brought in at the concept of Disneyland to train the employees which would set a new criteria for hospitality. Van Arsdale France tells the story of how Walt Disney's dream became a reality with a great many tales of the early stuggles, some of the decisions that were made and why, and how he helped to "create 35 years of happiness at Disneyland Park." Contains many rare photographs and behind the scenes look.

About the Author
Van Arsdale France would eventually receive a rare dedication, a sign in one of the windows on Main Street. "Founder and Professor Emeritus, Disney Universities". One of the major participants in the early days of Disneyland, it was he who created the training guides for the employees.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Stabur (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941613178
• ISBN-13: 978-0941613170
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,411,905 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impress your friends by re-telling these stories..., March 23, 1999

By A Customer

Van France has done a remarkable job in this book of recounting his experiences with Disneyland. What I found most interesting were his tales of the early years...when I worked at The Park I would occasionally recount one of his stories to a fellow Cast Member or interested Guest...they are wonderful to share with everyone! Do yourself a favor...find a copy of this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Van France sprinkles pixie dust on the world..., June 17, 2000

By	Victor Castro (Southern California, I can see Disneyland from my office building!) - See all my reviews

Van France sprinkles pixie dust on the world with his candid, written experiences of working for the "work horse", Walt Disney and subsequent management after his death at the Happiest place on Earth (TM). Mike Fiott, an avid Disneyana collector and late publisher of the Art of Laughter Magazine, gave me this book to relish and absorb. I met Van in 1996, and at that time,the late publisher stopped printing the book. Van stated he was tired of signing them!(Yeah, sure!) Van loved the attention of his admiring fans who enjoyed listening to anecdotes of his day-to-day living and working the "Disney" way. If you can find this book, acquire it and enjoy the interesting insight that only Van could share.It really comes to my surprise that Van passed away last October(10/99). He will be missed.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VAN FRANCE, DISNEYLAND'S NUMBER ONE AMBASSADOR, January 2, 2000

By	JACK DANIEL (KELSEYVILLE, CA.) - See all my reviews

MET VAN IN 1982 AND ENDED UP WORKING WITH HIM ON ASSORTED PROJECTS IN HIS OLD BEAT UP TRAILER ON THE BACK LOT BY THE CLYDESDALES, FOR 4 YEARS. HERE IT IS, JAN 1, 00 AND FOUND VAN HAS LEFT US ON THE 13TH OF OCT, 99. HIS LOVE FOR DISNEYLAND WAS BOUNDLESS. THOSE THAT KNEW HIM, WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. I RECALL THE DAY HE CALLED AND TOLD ME HE HAD RECEIVED HIS "WINDOW ON MAIN STREET", WALT'S HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME. BEFORE HE COULD CONTINUE, I TOLD HIM I ALREADY KNEW WHERE THEY HAD PLACED HIS MONIKER, ABOVE THE OLD TOBACCO SHOP. ASKED ME HOW I KNEW. TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO PLACE ELSE TO PUT HIM, SINCE HE SMOKED LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK. VAN DID MANY THINGS FOR DISNEYLAND IN CAL, FL., AND JAPAN THAT HE NEVER PUBLICIZED. HE DIDN'T WANT FAME OR MONEY, HE LIVED WITH THE SATISFACTION OF A JOB WELL DONE AND MAKING THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND HIM BETTER. BUY IT AND ENJOY A TRUE INSIDERS LOVE OF DISNEYLAND. HE WILL BE MISSED.