Meet The Man Behind Many Of Walt Disney's Most Famous Attractions

Van Eaton Galleries, one of the world's premier animation artwork and collectibles galleries, has announced a very special appearance by Walt Disney's legendary Imagineer Rolly Crump who will appear today prior to the auction from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. PDT and will be available for media interviews. The Life and Career of Disney Legend Rolly Crump auction begins at 11:00 a.m. today at Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks, California.

One of Walt Disney's early Imagineers, Rolly Crump is known as a "true" original. He joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1952 where he quickly became one of the most multi-talented artists on Walt's team. In 1959, he joined show design at WED Enterprises, later known as Walt Disney Imagineering. It was there that he became one of Walt's key designers for some of Disney's groundbreaking new attractions and entertainment, including the Haunted Mansion, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Adventureland Bazaar.

Rolly also served as a key designer on the Disney attractions featured at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, including Its a Small World and the Tower of the Four Winds. When the It's a Small World attraction moved to Disneyland in 1966, Rolly designed the larger-than-life animated clock at its entrance, which sends the children of the world on a parade each quarter-hour.

Rolly would go on to contribute to the initial design of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, where he would improve upon such popular attractions as Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Snow White's Scary Adventures for the new Florida Park. Rolly aided in the master planning of EPCOT Center, and would serve as project designer for The Land and Wonders of Life pavilions prior to the 1981 opening.

Crump had a special relationship with Walt Disney, often sharing ideas and stories that would ultimately create an attraction or character at the park. Rolly has stated, "Walt had the ability to reach inside of you and bring out a part of you within, a part that even you were unaware existed. Walt's character and how he ran the Studio brought out the best in me. I wouldn't be the person I am today without Walt."

In addition to artifacts from his work at the Disney Studios, the exhibition and auction also includes a selection of Crump's original artwork and designs which highlight the sense of humor and imagination that made him an invaluable asset to Walt Disney and The Disneyland Parks.

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