Windows With a View: Honoring Disney Legends on Main Street, U.S.A.


Photo Credit: Where In The Park

Have you ever paused to look up at the second-story windows on Main Street, U.S.A., and wondered who the names belong to? These aren’t just clever tributes — they’re stories carved into the very heart of the Disney parks. In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, we’re exploring the dedication windows in Town Square at Disneyland and uncovering the legacies of three visionaries who helped shape the magic: Buzz Price, Marty Sklar, and Jack Lindquist.

So grab a bench near the flagpole, and let’s take a closer look at the details most guests walk right past.

Buzz Price – The Numbers Man Who Made Magic Possible

Right at the entrance to Town Square, tucked between the Guided Tours courtyard and City Hall, you’ll find a set of two window panes celebrating Harrison "Buzz" Price — a man who never built a castle, but made sure the land was ready for one.

Photo Credit: Where In The Park

The window reads:

"Founded 1955
 Price Is Right

Land Company
 Call on our numbers man for the best price
 Anaheim – Orlando"
 Harrison “Buzz” Price
 Founder & Finder
 “We never say ‘No’
 ‘Yes’ makes more cents”

Photo Credit: Where In The Park

The Economist Behind the Magic

Buzz wasn’t an Imagineer — he was an economist. Walt and Roy Disney hired him to conduct the site studies that led to the selection of Anaheim for Disneyland and later Orlando for Walt Disney World. 

Finding the Perfect Place for Disneyland

In the early 1950s, Buzz was part of the Stanford Research Institute as a research economist.  Walt and his brother Roy contracted Buzz to run feasibility studies and site analysis for where the best place for this new Disneyland project would be.  Walt was thinking about Burbank but was open to exploring all possibilities and determining the best location. Buzz had his sights set on Orange County, considering factors such as accessibility to new freeways, current and projected population sizes, and climate conditions. Eventually, he settled on 160 acres of orange groves in Anaheim, which is where Disneyland is today.

Left to right, Walt Disney, C.V. Wood, Jr., and Harrison “Buzz” Price share plans for what would become Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Photo credit: D23

From Numbers Man to Walt’s Most Trusted Advisor

In 1958, with Walt’s encouragement, Buzz founded Economic Research Associates, or ERA. Walt agreed to a 3-year contract, which would expand over time as Buzz would become Walt’s go-to numbers man for everything from Disneyland expansion plans to choosing the location of Walt Disney World and Epcot Center in Florida. In 1966, just a month prior to Walt’s death, Walt personally appointed Buzz to oversee the California Institute of the Arts (or CalArts) in Valencia, where Buzz was a dedicated trustee for over 30 years.

Roy O. Disney with Harrison “Buzz” Price looking at a scale model of what would become CalArts. Photo credit: D23

Buzz would work on over 150 projects for the Walt Disney Company, including involvement in the 64-65 World’s Fair in New York, site selection and feasibility for Tokyo Disneyland, and the location for Walt’s Mineral King project, a Swiss-themed ski resort that would be near Sequoia National Park in California. This project halted after Walt’s passing.

Beyond the Kingdom: A Legacy That Shaped Theme Parks Worldwide

Buzz had numerous non-Disney projects, which included master planning eight world’s fairs and site and economic feasibility studies for Six Flags, Busch Gardens, and SeaWorld parks. He also was a consultant for Universal Studios, and with their partnership conducted feasibility studies for many projects, including City Walk and The Revue Studio Tour, including the use of tram vehicles.   This is now known as the famous Universal Studios Tour.

A Legacy Etched in Glass

In 1994, the Themed Entertainment Association, or TEA, awarded Buzz with the first-ever Thea lifetime achievement award, which was renamed to “The Buzz Price Thea Award” in his honor.

Photo credit: From Marty Sklar’s Autobiography, Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms

In 2003, Buzz wrote his autobiography Walt’s Revolution by the Numbers, and was named a Disney Legend that same year.

In April 2010, just 4 months before he passed away, he received his window on Main Street, U.S.A.

Buzz is quoted as saying: “Dreams without a way of measuring their value are just dreams.”

Disneyland was Walt’s original concept, but without Buzz Price, there might not be a Disneyland, and it probably would not be in Anaheim. Buzz saw the value of Walt’s dream and helped make it a reality by choosing the best location.

Marty Sklar – Dream It! Do It!

Turn your gaze upward to the second floor of City Hall. Here, you’ll spot a scholarly-looking window honoring Marty Sklar, the creative force behind Disney’s storytelling legacy.

Photo Credit: Where In The Park

The window reads:

"Id Somniate Id Facite"
 Main Street

College of Arts & Sciences,

Est. 1852
 Martin A. Sklar,

Dean
 Inspiring the Dreamers and Doers of Tomorrow

“Id Somniate Id Facite” means “Dream it, Do It,” which had been Marty’s philosophy for years and is the name of his 2013 autobiography.

Photo Credit: Where In The Park

From Campus Paper to City Hall Window

From his early days writing The Disneyland News as a college student, to becoming Walt’s speechwriter and later Executive VP of Imagineering, Marty helped shape every single Disney park around the world.

Marty’s dedication window is located on the second floor on the left side of the Disneyland City Hall in Town Square, which was part of the office that he once occupied.  The City Hall building itself has been in the park since opening day on July 17, 1955, and was originally home to the Disneyland Publicity Department but now houses guest relations and Main Street Operations offices. 

Photo Credit: Where In The Park

Before graduating from UCLA, Marty was hired for a job in Disneyland's publicity department, writing "The Disneyland News," a paper sold on Main Street.

In 1961, he joined WED Enterprises, the creative powerhouse behind Disney's attractions, to work on the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.

Writing Walt’s Words and Shaping Disney’s Story

Marty became Walt Disney's literary right-hand man for the Disney parks. From crafting annual reports and messages to creating publicity and marketing materials, Marty was instrumental in shaping the Disney experience. He prepared presentations for sponsors of the yet-unopened Walt Disney World.

Leading the Creative Charge Across Continents

In 1974, Marty became the Creative Lead of Imagineering, helping develop Disney theme parks around the world for the next 35 years. His contributions were invaluable in the creative development of Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, the Disney-MGM Studios, Disneyland Paris, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney California Adventure Park, Tokyo DisneySea, The Walt Disney Studios Park, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Photo credit: From Marty Sklar’s Autobiography, Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms

In 1995, he was awarded the Buzz Price Thea Award - the second person to receive it after Buzz Price himself.

In 2001, Marty was recognized as a Disney Legend. In February 2006, he became the Imagineering Ambassador for the Parks and Resorts. Marty considered his 3 years and 5 months as Executive Vice President of Parks and Resorts and Imagineering Ambassador among the most important of his 54 years with the company.

 As Marty mentions in the foreword in the Chuck Snyder’s book “Windows on Main Street”, in 2008, it was proposed that a window would be made for him at Disneyland.  However, this created a bit of a predicament.  There are clear rules about the windows at Disneyland and Marty was responsible for enforcing them.   The rules are: 1) Only retired employees, 2) Only the highest level of service, respect, and achievement, and 3) Agreement between individual park management and Walt Disney Imagineering.   Marty was still working as the Executive Vice President of Parks and Resorts and Imagineering Ambassador at Disney in 2008, so when the window was offered, Marty respectfully declined. 

Marty retired on July 17, 2009, Disneyland's 54th birthday.  After 54 years with Disney, Marty was honored with a window on Main Street in Disneyland, adding to the windows with his name in Florida, Paris, and Hong Kong.

Photo credit: From Marty Sklar’s Autobiography, Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms

A Legacy That Opened Every Gate

Marty already had windows at The Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland, which he shared with others who were instrumental in the creation of those parks.  Some articles have mentioned his name on windows at those other parks before his retirement as a relaxation of his rules, but there is an OC Register YouTube video from 2015 with Marty explaining that Disneyland’s “original windows were done [for] the people who created and opened the park.”   Marty was pivotal to those park’s creations and opening, so it makes sense he would have windows on their opening days.


The Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom, on the right side above the Confectionery:

Photo credit: Chuck Schmidt, AllEars.net

The window reads:

HOLLYWOOD PUBLISHING CO.

MANUSCRIPTS AND MELODRAMAS

F.X. ATENCIO
AL BERTINO
MARTY SKLAR


Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris, Photo Credit: AllEars.net

The window reads:

Main Street
Gazette

Since 1867

"We print the news
before it happens"

MARTIN SKLAR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

TONY BAXTER

MANAGING EDITOR


Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disney: Above the Professional Building, to the right of the Opera House/Art of Animation Building. Photo Credit: @SamHowzit, X

The window reads:

Blank Sheet Paper

Co.

"We make the first mark"

Marty Sklar

&

Tom Fitzgerald

Dedicated to Making it Write

Also in Hong Kong Disneyland, you'll find Marty's General Store on Main Street, across from the Emporium.

Marty was the only Disney employee to participate in the opening of all 12 Disney Parks around the world. Although he had already retired, he still attended the opening of Shanghai Disney in June 2016.

Jack Lindquist – Master of Fun

Directly across from Marty’s tribute, on the opposite side of City Hall on the second floor, you’ll find a green banner announcing the "Honorary Mayor of Disneyland, J.B. Lindquist.   The "B" on his window stands for Bernard, his middle name, which was also his father's first name.

Photo credit: Where In The Park

The window reads:

J.B. Lindquist
 Honorary Mayor of Disneyland
 "Jack of all trades, Master of fun"

Photo Credit Where In The Park

The Legacy of Jack Lindquist: Disneyland's First Advertising Manager

Jack Lindquist retired as President of Disneyland on October 18th, 1993, and received his commemorative window on Mickey Mouse's 65th birthday, November 18th, 1993. Mickey's official birthday, designated by the late Disney archivist Dave Smith, is November 18th, 1928, the date Steamboat Willie debuted.

Jack Lindquist's journey with Disneyland began in September 1955 when he was hired as the park's first Advertising Manager, just two months after Disneyland opened.  

From Orange Groves to Opening Day

Lindquist was working for an advertising company in Los Angeles, and one of his clients was Kelvinator, a brand of appliances. In 1954, Kelvinator's parent company, Nash, merged with Hudson, forming the American Motors Corporation, which became an early sponsor of Disneyland.  In April 1955, Lindquist reached out to his contacts at Kelvinator, proposing an ad campaign and promotion involving Disneyland.   He reached out to Bud Colson, the manager of Disneyland's Public Relations Division, to schedule a meeting.  

The meeting took place at Disneyland while it was still under construction. Lindquist described the experience in his 2010 autobiography, "In Service of the Mouse," detailing his drive from Los Angeles to Anaheim, ending at an unpaved road leading to a plywood shack with a security officer. The shack directed him to an unmarked farmhouse surrounded by orange groves, which served as the Disneyland administration building until 1964.  Bud’s assistant told Jack that Bud was delayed by 30 minutes and he was invited to look around the park, as long as he didn't get in anyone's way.  He walked over to Town Square and described seeing an "about 70 percent complete" Main Street U.S.A., with a "real fairytale castle under construction" at the end of the road. This moment made Walt's vision for the park click in Lindquist's mind, realizing it was not just another amusement park.

Photo Credit: D23, From AllEars.net Blog - Chuck Schmidt

Lindquist eventually met with Colson and proposed a promotion where customers would receive a package of ride tickets for various Disneyland attractions when they purchased Kelvinator appliances. Colson liked the idea but needed approval from Ed Ettinger, the director of Public Relations. After some back and forth, the promotion was approved, and Lindquist created ads to run in every local paper, set to start on July 18th, the park's opening day. However, Walt Disney decided there shouldn't be any Disneyland promotions other than what Disney was doing. Lindquist didn't back down and met with Ettinger, where they had a heated discussion. Eventually, a compromise was made, and the promotion ran starting in early August, becoming the first-ever third-party promotion of Disneyland.

A month later, Ed Ettinger called Lindquist, asking if he could help find someone to be Disneyland's first advertising manager. Lindquist expressed interest in the job, and after interviewing with Ettinger and Card Walker, he started work at Disneyland on September 26th, 1955, working in the Publicity Department, which was located on the second floor of City Hall.  In his autobiography, he talks about his first day of work, and meeting his new co-workers, including Marty Sklar, who at the time was working a summer job as the editor of Disneyland News, but was about to return to UCLA for his senior year.

Jack mixing water from around the world prior to the opening of 'it's a small world'

Photo Credit: D23, From AllEars.net Blog - Chuck Schmidt

In 1957, Lindquist came up with the idea of selling tickets for special events in advance for Disneyland's first New Year's Eve celebration. This idea paved the way for advanced ticket sales, which were much less common at the time. Lindquist also lobbied for the expansion of Disneyland and the development of a second theme park.

From Promotions to President

In 1965, Lindquist was promoted to Director of Marketing, later becoming Vice President of Marketing for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, then Vice President of Marketing for Walt Disney Attractions, and Executive Vice President of Marketing and Entertainment for all of Disney's outdoor recreation activities. In 1988, Michael Eisner appointed him as Disneyland's First President.

Marketing Magic and Park-Wide Firsts

During his 38 years at Disney, Lindquist created promotional material for Disneyland and later every new Disney park until Disneyland Paris. He contributed to the creation of Disney Dollars, the Ambassador Program, and Grad Nites.    Lindquist retired from Disneyland at the end of 1993.

Photo Credit: D23

In 1994, Lindquist received his Disney Legend award, about a year after retiring and receiving his window.

He was entered into the IAAPA hall of fame in 2015. Watch his inductee video here!

City Hall

Many people say the City Hall design created by Imagineer Harper Goff is based on the 1888 old Larimer County Courthouse that was in Fort Collins, Colorado, which was demolished in 1957.   There is a forum post on MiceChat from 2006 that says it looks more like the Bay County Courthouse, in Bay City, Michigan, which was listed in a Bicknell's Victorian Buildings book that could have been used by Harper Goff.  It also looks similar to the 1888 Ouray County Courthouse that is still standing in Ouray, Colorado, and is still being used as a courthouse today. 

Which location do you think represents City Hall the most?  Share your thoughts in the comments below or in our Where In The Park Explorers Facebook group!

Disneyland’s City Hall, Anaheim, CA

Larimer County Courthouse, Fort Collins, CO

Bay City County Courthouse, Bay City, Michigan

Ouray County Courthouse in Ouray, CO

Main Street’s windows may be above eye level, but they’re at the heart of Disney history. These tributes to Buzz Price, Marty Sklar, and Jack Lindquist remind us that behind every attraction and magical moment is a team of dreamers, doers, and difference-makers. So next time you stroll through Town Square, take a moment to look up—you might just spot the names that made it all possible.

Photo Credit: Where In The Park

Discover even more details at Disneyland with seek-&-find games from Where In The Park! Each game pack comes with a deck of cards, each card has an image hidden in the theming of the park! The question is: Where In The Park?

With 68 details to find at Disneyland alone, there is so much more to discover! Check out the Mini Game and Where In The Park Game packs today, or expand your search to include Disney California Adventure and even bundles for both parks!  We also have a digital game for Downtown Disney.   Shop all Disneyland Resort games here, and let's go explore the parks!

✨ Articles referenced in this blog: ✨ 

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Discover More Details

View all
1 3
View all