DisneyExaminer

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

Disney Never Looked So Bright.

  • by Mike Ayala
  • in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
  • — 26 Jun, 2014

The Sailing Ship Columbia has been in service for Disneyland Park guests since 1958 and just this past weekend, the ship celebrated its 56th year in operation. As we look into the history of the Columbia, there was one man who got his start on the Columbia then rose to corporate status to become Executive Producer of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Randy Bright was hired to work on the Columbia in the summer of 1959. He was born in 1938 in Long Beach California. He earned a B.A. in political science at California State University, Fullerton. He had met his wife, Pat, while working at the parks.

After his time as a skipper on the Columbia, Randy moved around The Walt Disney Company having many roles that gave him more experience in leadership and creative skill.

NRI869888LARGEIn 1979, Randy was made Director of Scripts and Show Development, where he was executive producer of film projects for different Disney Parks. Four years later, he was promoted to Vice President of Concept Development. He was responsible for overseeing the development of all the big shows and attractions at the parks. In 1987, he was promoted to Executive Producer of Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts that made him in charge of the creative vision for all parades and spectaculars for the Disney-owned properties in the United States.

Marty Sklar, Walt Disney Imagineering Emeritus, had this to say about Randy: ” I don’t think even Walt could have created a more quintessential believer in the Disney traditions than Randy Bright. His growth from a Jungle Cruise guide and costumed spaceman at Disneyland to the top creative position at Walt Disney Imagineering is the stuff of storybook legends. He was a true dreamer and doer.”

“Disneyland : The Inside Story” was a book that was researched developed and written by Randy. It took him nearly two years and was published in 1987. If you ever want to become an Imagineer, then buy this book as it gives an Imagineer’s-eye view of Disneyland!

Although Randy is no longer with us, he was honored with a set of Main Street U.S.A. windows at Disneyland Park in 1991 above the Disney Clothiers shop. He became a Disney Legend in 2005.

– – –

(via Disney Parks Blog)

Are you a dreamer or a doer…or both like Randy was? Do you think you’d be able to use your creativity and smarts to make The Walt Disney Company even more magical? Let us know how and what you think in the comments!

print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Share
Avatar

— Mike Ayala

Disneyland Parks and Resorts editor at DisneyExaminer. People like to say I’m a nobody because I capture hearts like nobodies business. Reach me at mike@disneyexaminer.com or on Twitter at @mikeayala2

You may also like...

  • A former Disneyland executive just became a Knott’s Berry Farm executive 31 May, 2016
  • Behind the songs of Disney’s animated and live-action versions of “The Jungle Book” 12 Feb, 2016
  • Little Ears 27 Jul, 2011
  • Eat Magically for New Year’s Eve at the Disneyland Resort! 27 Dec, 2013

1 Comment

  1. Avatar Mark Hickson says:
    July 5, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Randy died from a car hitting him while he was riding his bike near his home in Yorba Linda in 1990. I remember when we all heard about it at WDI. A very sad day indeed!

  • Previous story Plan Your Happily Ever After With Disney!
  • Next story Are You A Disney Citizen Kid?
  • Today is

  • Happening Now

    My Tweets
  • What’s Trending

    beauty and the beast behind the scenes buena vista street business california adventure cars land christmas D23 expo DCA disney disney animation disney california adventure disney channel disney consumer products disneyexaminer disney interactive disneyland disneyland resort disney movie disney parks disney parks and resorts downtown disney exclusive food frozen FYI lucasfilm main street USA marvel marvel studios movie review new pixar review spoiler free star wars technology the force awakens walt disney walt disney animation studios walt disney company walt disney imagineering walt disney parks and resorts walt disney studios walt disney world
  • News Archive

  • Home
  • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
  • Disney Never Looked So Bright.
  • Hiya, Pal

    DisneyExaminer is a premier independent online magazine that takes a closer look at all things Disney.

    Founded and lovingly made in Orange County, California.

  • Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

  • Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

© 2008 - 2022 DisneyExaminer. All rights reserved.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.