Disney’s Marty Sklar died this July in his
Hollywood Hills home at the age of 83. We look back at his influential career and how he became an inspiration for so many
By Tom Anstey | Published in Attractions Management 2017 issue 3
Marty Sklar visits Disney Town at Shanghai Disney Resort in June 2016
Marty Sklar – the legendary Disney Imagineer and IAAPA Hall of Famer who played a major role in the creation of almost every Disney theme park – was an inspiration to generations of theme park designers.
His 54-year career started in 1955 as a writer of The Disneyland News for the just-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Sklar went on to work closely with Walt Disney and was referred to as the “keeper of the keys” by his peers – someone who understood the Disney way because he had “learned it at Walt’s knee”.
Joining the company full-time in 1956, Sklar would act as Disney’s right-hand man, writing speeches and marketing materials and creating a film showcasing the vision for Walt Disney World and Epcot. He also joined WED Enterprises – the precursor to Walt Disney Imagineering – which he would go on to lead for the next three decades.
Working closely with Disney helped instil in Sklar a sense of the “Disney DNA”, which he circulated to his Imagineers through the doctrine of “Mickey’s Ten Commandments”.
“It was vital to instil self-belief and imagination in the team,” Sklar said, speaking to Attractions Management in 2015 (see AM/2/15). “I always said there are two ways to look at a blank piece of paper: it’s either the most frightening thing in the world or the greatest opportunity. You need to get people to see it as a chance to let their imaginations run wild.
“You have to figure out where you’re going and motivate people to help you get there. As a creative leader, I was focused on getting people to follow the foundation that we had set up and getting them to buy into and understand it. If you have a team of talented creative people, once they understand where you’re going, they really respond. That’s when the magic happens.”
In July 2009, on the 54th anniversary of Disneyland, Sklar retired from Disney as executive vice president and Imagineering ambassador, an occasion marked by a dedication in his name on Disneyland’s City Hall – the highest Disney honour.
“Everything about Marty was legendary – his achievements, his spirit, his career,” said Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger. “He embodied the very best of Disney, from his bold originality to his joyful optimism and relentless drive for excellence. He was also a powerful connection to Walt himself. No one was more passionate about Disney than Marty and we’ll miss his enthusiasm, his grace, and his indomitable spirit.”
Bob Chapek, chair of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said: “Marty was the ultimate Disney Imagineer and Cast Member. From his days working as an intern with Walt to just two weeks ago, engaging with fans at D23 Expo, Marty left an indelible mark on Disney Parks around the globe.
“We will dearly miss Marty’s passion, skill and imaginative spark that inspired generations of Cast, Crew and Imagineers.”
Enduring legacy Fellow Imagineer Bob Weis, who is now president of Walt Disney Imagineering, paid tribute. “Marty was one of Walt’s most trusted advisors and helped turn his most ambitious dreams into reality,” he said. “For us, it’s hard to imagine a world without Marty because Marty is synonymous with Imagineering. His influence can be seen around the world, in every Disney park, and in the creative and imaginative work of almost every themed entertainment professional in the industry.”
Recognised with the top awards and accolades, Sklar is a member of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and was named a Disney Legend in 2001. He has also been awarded the Themed Entertainment Association’s (TEA) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sklar remained active after his retirement, regularly attending events such as the IAAPA Expo D23 Disney fan expo.
During his extensive career, Sklar played a part in the opening of every Disney park up to Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened in 2016 – the first project he would watch from the sidelines.
Marty and his wife of 60 years, Leah, were two of the founders of the Ryman Program for Young Artists, a project of Ryman Arts, a nonprofit foundation whose purpose is to teach and mentor traditional drawing and painting skills to talented young artists in Southern California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marty’s name to Ryman Arts at www.rymanarts.org.
He is also survived by son Howard, daughter Leslie, and their families.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 3
Interview: Wolfgang Kiessling
We talked to Wolfgang Kiessling, who set
up a small parrot park on Tenerife in the
1970s. Today, Loro Parque and Siam Park
are some of Europe’s top attractions
Promotional feature: Sysco Productions
Sysco Productions is a world-class experience delivery
company, working for global clients in the museum and
heritage, exhibition, and sports and leisure industries
Disney’s Marty Sklar died this July in his
Hollywood Hills home at the age of 83. We look back at his influential career and how he became an inspiration for so many
By Tom Anstey | Published in Attractions Management 2017 issue 3
Marty Sklar visits Disney Town at Shanghai Disney Resort in June 2016
Marty Sklar – the legendary Disney Imagineer and IAAPA Hall of Famer who played a major role in the creation of almost every Disney theme park – was an inspiration to generations of theme park designers.
His 54-year career started in 1955 as a writer of The Disneyland News for the just-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Sklar went on to work closely with Walt Disney and was referred to as the “keeper of the keys” by his peers – someone who understood the Disney way because he had “learned it at Walt’s knee”.
Joining the company full-time in 1956, Sklar would act as Disney’s right-hand man, writing speeches and marketing materials and creating a film showcasing the vision for Walt Disney World and Epcot. He also joined WED Enterprises – the precursor to Walt Disney Imagineering – which he would go on to lead for the next three decades.
Working closely with Disney helped instil in Sklar a sense of the “Disney DNA”, which he circulated to his Imagineers through the doctrine of “Mickey’s Ten Commandments”.
“It was vital to instil self-belief and imagination in the team,” Sklar said, speaking to Attractions Management in 2015 (see AM/2/15). “I always said there are two ways to look at a blank piece of paper: it’s either the most frightening thing in the world or the greatest opportunity. You need to get people to see it as a chance to let their imaginations run wild.
“You have to figure out where you’re going and motivate people to help you get there. As a creative leader, I was focused on getting people to follow the foundation that we had set up and getting them to buy into and understand it. If you have a team of talented creative people, once they understand where you’re going, they really respond. That’s when the magic happens.”
In July 2009, on the 54th anniversary of Disneyland, Sklar retired from Disney as executive vice president and Imagineering ambassador, an occasion marked by a dedication in his name on Disneyland’s City Hall – the highest Disney honour.
“Everything about Marty was legendary – his achievements, his spirit, his career,” said Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger. “He embodied the very best of Disney, from his bold originality to his joyful optimism and relentless drive for excellence. He was also a powerful connection to Walt himself. No one was more passionate about Disney than Marty and we’ll miss his enthusiasm, his grace, and his indomitable spirit.”
Bob Chapek, chair of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said: “Marty was the ultimate Disney Imagineer and Cast Member. From his days working as an intern with Walt to just two weeks ago, engaging with fans at D23 Expo, Marty left an indelible mark on Disney Parks around the globe.
“We will dearly miss Marty’s passion, skill and imaginative spark that inspired generations of Cast, Crew and Imagineers.”
Enduring legacy Fellow Imagineer Bob Weis, who is now president of Walt Disney Imagineering, paid tribute. “Marty was one of Walt’s most trusted advisors and helped turn his most ambitious dreams into reality,” he said. “For us, it’s hard to imagine a world without Marty because Marty is synonymous with Imagineering. His influence can be seen around the world, in every Disney park, and in the creative and imaginative work of almost every themed entertainment professional in the industry.”
Recognised with the top awards and accolades, Sklar is a member of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and was named a Disney Legend in 2001. He has also been awarded the Themed Entertainment Association’s (TEA) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sklar remained active after his retirement, regularly attending events such as the IAAPA Expo D23 Disney fan expo.
During his extensive career, Sklar played a part in the opening of every Disney park up to Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened in 2016 – the first project he would watch from the sidelines.
Marty and his wife of 60 years, Leah, were two of the founders of the Ryman Program for Young Artists, a project of Ryman Arts, a nonprofit foundation whose purpose is to teach and mentor traditional drawing and painting skills to talented young artists in Southern California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marty’s name to Ryman Arts at www.rymanarts.org.
He is also survived by son Howard, daughter Leslie, and their families.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 3
Interview: Wolfgang Kiessling
We talked to Wolfgang Kiessling, who set
up a small parrot park on Tenerife in the
1970s. Today, Loro Parque and Siam Park
are some of Europe’s top attractions
Promotional feature: Sysco Productions
Sysco Productions is a world-class experience delivery
company, working for global clients in the museum and
heritage, exhibition, and sports and leisure industries
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
