Hollywood, May 22 – Had a sneak preview of Disneyland. Yesterday it was a peaceful 160 acres orange groves; today castles and rocket ships and part of the old west itself are rising in front of your eyes. Despite all the construction, it was the planting that awed me. Walt bought $400,000 worth of trees and shrubs; he depleted our nurseries and is now importing trees from Santa Barbara and San Diego. One hill is covered with pines, and he'll have a snow machine working full time, so that kids in this area who've never had a sleigh ride can rent a sled and sail down hill. Cactus from Arizona already dots Disney's painted desert, and catfish are swimming in the river where the old showboat will sail July 18. Last Sunday 9,000 cars were counted in the uncompleted parking lot. Which makes me wonder what happen to our highways when Disneyland – with accommodations for 60,000 - opens for business. Walt may find himself behind the biggest traffic ticket in the world.
