Quick: name the first famous dog to share an “owner†with the Disneyland Hotel. No, it’s not Pluto. And even if we could agree that Goofy’s a dog, it wouldn’t be him either. The answer is TV’s “Lassie.†You may find that surprising, as “Lassie†wasn’t created by Disney.
But neither was the Disneyland Hotel, which opened in 1955 under the ownership of Wrather-Alvarez Hotels, Inc., with “Wrather†being Texas oilman-turned-Hollywood producer Jack Wrather and “Alvarez†being Maria Helen Alvarez, the first female CEO in American television. Part of a small group of investors, the two joined forces to build the hotel at the request of a cash-strapped Walt Disney, who couldn’t convince his famous friends, including radio and TV host Art Linkletter, to develop and own the place. (Linkletter would, however, host ABC’s live coverage of the Opening Day festivities of Disneyland Park, and decades later, he’d become the first-ever guest presenter aboard a Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise, starting a tradition of made-for-Members entertainment that continues today. But back to Disneyland Hotel...)
Jack Wrather took sole ownership of the hotel in 1958, and 30 years later, The Walt Disney Company officially acquired the property by purchasing what had become the Wrather Corporation, an entertainment group that, at one point, held the since-sold rights to such TV hits as “Lassie†and “The Lone Ranger.†(I’m not sure where “Lassie†lives these days, though I’d like to think she’s running free in a field with other famous dogs.)
And now, with the opening of The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, Disney Vacation Club Members write the latest chapter in the historic hotel’s colorful “ownership†story, calling the Disney Resort Hotel that started it all “home.â€
All of us at Disney Files Magazine hope you enjoy the visual tour of your new digs in the pages ahead, and we wish you many years of joy and inspiration at “The Happiest Place on Earth.â€
Welcome home,
Ryan March
Disney Files Editor
Please note: Theme Park admission is not part of the ownership interest and is sold separately. Some options shown are Membership Extras. Eligibility requires new Members accumulate 150 Vacation Points or more purchased directly from Disney. This is an incidental benefit subject to availability, change or termination. Fees may apply. Many Membership Extras require proof of Membership in the form of your valid digital Disney Vacation Club Membership Card and corresponding valid photo ID. Learn more online at DisneyVacationClub.com/MemExtrasPolicy.
