PORTERVILLE – Walt Disney personally submitted Walt Disney Productions' application to the U.S. Forest Service Tuesday for a long-term lease to develop major year-round recreational facilities at Mineral King, California, in the Sequoia National Forest. In talking with the press after he submitted the application. Disney stressed that his master-plan is based on the need to preserve Mineral King’s natural beauty. He also stated that his proposal calls for summer and winter recreational facilities of interest to all people.
“If our application is accepted.” Disney said, "we could immediately begin a research and development program in cooperation with the Forest Service. It would be designed to determine the best use of land and the most logical sequence for constructing the various facilities.”
14 Ski Lifts
Disney said his plans include the eventual construction of 14 ski lifts, designed and placed so that they would compliment the Alpine-like setting. Lifts would take visitors to Mosquito Bowl, Miners Ridge, Lookout Peak. Aspen Flat, Farwell canyon, Tulare Gap and White Chief Bowl from the valley floor.
He also called attention to the fact that his plan would separate advanced, intermediate and beginning skiers to assure safety and visitor enjoyment. A special area, completely away from ski slopes, would be provided for snow play.
According to Disney, “Ski lifts would do year-round duty. They would take skiers to some of the longest and best ski runs in North America. One run is more than three and one-half miles long. In the summer, sightseers, hikers, campers, wildlife students and others would use the lifts."
Since Mineral King ranges from 8,000 to 12.000 feet in altitude, consistently good snow conditions are assured. Snow is found in this area even when it is not available in other areas of the West.
Referring to a large number of plans, drawings, labeled photographs and a specially prepared book of generous proportions, Disney pointed out other major elements of his proposal.
No Automobiles
The absence of visitor automobiles in the valley proper is one of the most significant aspects of the Disney plan.
"We’ll have a parking area for 2,500 vehicles near the valley entrance. It will be on three - tiered levels, conforming to the natural land contour. Its location will make it convenient to the valley, but its graduated level would hide it from view.”
Disney said that his engineers, calling on extensive experience in developing a variety of transportation systems, would design a unique, high-capacity public conveyance for moving people along the valley floor. He stressed that it "would fit in perfectly from an appearance standpoint” with the setting.
"We believe that a completely self-contained village would be ideal at the north end of Mineral King Valley. It would have an ice skating rink, convenience shops, conference center, cafeterias and restaurants,” he revealed.
“I sincerely believe that the proper development of Mineral King will make Tulare County one of the finest outdoor recreational centers in America,” Disney said in conclusion. “People of all age groups, leisure-time interests, income brackets, and athletic abilities will be drawn to Mineral King from all parts of the nation.”
