Marty Sklar Celebrates 54 Years of Imagination on the 54th Anniversary of Disneyland

ANAHEIM, Callif., July 17, 2009 - Marty Sklar, Executive Vice President and Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador, spent a lifetime making magic for the Walt Disney Company. After 54 years of service, he was honored with a tribute window at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, July 17. The celebration coincided with the 54th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland, the place where Sklar began his Disney career.

The tradition of dedicating a second-story window along Main Street, U.S.A., was begun by Walt Disney as a way to pay tribute to the men and women who were instrumental in the creation and operation of Disneyland. Sklar's window, unveiled on July 17, can be seen above City Hall at Town Square in Disneyland.

Sklar began his Disney career in June 1955 as editor of "The Disneyland News," just one month before Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. Sklar also worked personally with Walt Disney on several major projects, including the creation of landmark Disney attractions for the 1964 World's Fair and leading the design of Walt Disney's final vision, Epcot.

Sklar holds great memories of all 11 Disney parks around the world, but he has a particular fondness for Disneyland.

"Disneyland will always be a special place for me because it's the only park that Walt Disney walked in," Sklar said. "For me, retiring on this date is significant, having been here with Walt for the opening of the original Disney park."