The Partners Statue, a fixture in Disney theme parks worldwide, often evokes a sense of nostalgia and magic for visitors. As a recipient of the Partners in Excellence honor at Disney, symbolized by a miniature replica of this very statue, I’ve always felt a personal connection to it. This prestigious award, representing the highest recognition within the Disney Company, is granted to less than 2% of cast members after rigorous evaluation of their contributions to cast excellence, guest satisfaction, and business results. My own journey to receiving this honor, after three consecutive nominations, underscores the significance Disney places on partnership and excellence.
My miniature Partners statue holds a place of honor on my desk, a constant reminder of Disney’s core values as I delve into writing about the magic of Disney. While I hold a deep appreciation for the iconic Partners statue gracing Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, I’m aware that not all share this sentiment. The recent unveiling of a new, reimagined “Partners-ish” statue at Disney California Adventure Park as part of its revitalization further emphasizes the statue’s enduring appeal and relevance. This new iteration depicts a younger Walt, reminiscent of a dashing Howard Hughes, alongside an early Mickey Mouse perched atop a travel trunk, capturing the spirit of their early Hollywood aspirations in the 1920s and 30s. Imagineer Ray Spencer aptly describes it as a “bookend” to the Disneyland Park statue, representing Walt and Mickey at the beginning of their journey, while the original “Partners” statue portrays them at the height of their success, sharing their realized dreams with park guests.
However, amidst the widespread admiration, the internet is rife with misconceptions and inaccurate narratives surrounding the Partners statue. Many outlandish and untrue stories have emerged over the years, often presented as factual accounts of its creation and meaning. It’s time to set the record straight and delve into the genuine story of this beloved icon.
Debunking the Myths: What the Partners Statue is NOT
Numerous fabricated stories attempt to explain the statue’s symbolism, often attributing meanings that simply aren’t true. One common myth suggests Walt is pointing towards the future, sometimes specifically towards the location of Epcot or, in a more recent iteration, towards the Roy O. Disney statue at Walt Disney World, symbolizing Walt entrusting Roy to carry on his dream. Another popular, yet equally false, tale claims Walt is pointing towards the trains, not the castle, due to his renowned love for trains and their foundational role in the inception of theme parks.
These stories, while perhaps entertaining, hold no basis in reality. They are akin to urban legends like the bride’s ring embedded in the Haunted Mansion cement or Cinderella’s horse on the carousel having ribbons in its tail – charming anecdotes that persist despite lacking any factual evidence. It’s crucial to dispel these myths and reveal the authentic narrative behind the Partners statue.
The True Inspiration: “Look at all the happy people…”
The genuine story, as told by the statue’s sculptor, Disney Legend Blaine Gibson, is far more grounded and heartwarming. When the Partners statue was first unveiled at Disneyland in 1993, Gibson shared that Walt is depicted pointing down Main Street, exclaiming to Mickey, “Look at all the happy people who have come to visit us today.” This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the true essence of the statue.
While this explanation is fundamentally accurate and consistently shared by Gibson, a deeper dive into the statue’s origins reveals a richer and more nuanced story.
Blaine Gibson: From Animation to Iconic Sculptor
Blaine Gibson’s journey to becoming the sculptor of the Partners statue is a testament to his remarkable talent and diverse contributions to Disney. Starting his Disney career in 1939 as an animation apprentice, Gibson spent a decade in effects animation before briefly assisting animator Frank Thomas. Walt Disney recognized Gibson’s burgeoning sculpting skills and transitioned him to WED Enterprises (now Imagineering) to contribute to Disneyland.
Gibson’s sculpting portfolio at Disney is incredibly diverse, ranging from Native American figures and mermaids to animatronic elephants and, eventually, iconic figures like President Lincoln, the Haunted Mansion ghosts, and the Pirates of the Caribbean pirates. After retiring from Disney in 1983 and relocating to Sedona, Arizona, Gibson continued to collaborate with the company, notably sculpting each new president for the Hall of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World until President Obama, for whom he consulted on the head design. His legendary status was officially recognized in 1993, the same year the Partners statue debuted at Disneyland.
The 1962 Bust and Lillian Disney’s Wish
The seeds of the Partners statue can be traced back to 1962 when Gibson, encouraged by his WED supervisor Richard “Dick” Irvine, sculpted a bust of Walt Disney as a thank-you gift. Gibson, however, was reportedly dissatisfied with the final product, citing late nights and foundry issues. Walt’s reaction, according to Gibson, was less than enthusiastic: “What am I going to do with this? Statues are for dead people.” Despite wanting to destroy the bust, Gibson kept the clay original, illustrating his experience in a cartoon sketch depicting Walt’s humorous reaction.
Years later, while working on a CalArts memorial medal featuring Walt, Gibson learned from Walt’s widow, Lillian Disney, that “she didn’t ever want a bust or a portrait or a statue of Walt to be done.” This sentiment initially presented a challenge to the Partners statue project.
However, a bust of Walt sculpted by Gibson in 1991 for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) Hall of Fame, where Walt was inducted in 1986, ultimately paved the way. A duplicate of this bust resides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the ATAS Hall of Fame Plaza. These early attempts at capturing Walt’s likeness in bronze served as crucial groundwork for the future Partners statue.
Charles Boyer’s Lithograph: “Partners”
Another key piece in the Partners statue puzzle is Disney Legend Charles Boyer, Disneyland’s master illustrator. In 1981, Boyer was commissioned to create a lithograph titled “Partners” to commemorate Disneyland’s 200 millionth guest. Limited to 2,500 prints for cast members only, this artwork depicted Walt and Mickey as partners.
In Boyer’s “Partners” lithograph, Walt stands on the right, holding Mickey’s hand, both smiling and looking forward. This concept of Walt and Mickey as partners, hand-in-hand facing the world, became a powerful visual representation of their relationship.
The influence of Boyer’s lithograph extended beyond artwork. In 1987, at CEO Michael Eisner’s request, the Disneyland Employees Federal Credit Union was renamed Partners Federal Credit Union, directly inspired by Boyer’s “Partners” print, which was displayed in their offices for many years. Boyer’s contribution was further honored in 1999 with a window on Disneyland’s Main Street: “Partners Portrait Gallery—Charles Boyer, Master Illustrator”.
Eisner’s Vision and the Need for a Permanent Tribute
Michael Eisner, upon becoming CEO in 1984, sought to boost theme park attendance through various promotions and events. While successful in the short term, these promotions, some of which temporarily obscured iconic park features like Sleeping Beauty Castle, sparked concern among Imagineers like Marty Sklar and John Hench.
Recognizing the need for a permanent and respectful tribute to Walt Disney, the idea of a statue emerged. The rationale was that Walt, two decades after his passing, risked being forgotten by a new generation. Highlighting Walt’s legacy was seen as crucial for brand promotion.
Eisner approved the concept, recognizing its potential to honor Walt and promote the Disney brand. Convincing the Disney family, particularly Lillian, initially hesitant towards statues of Walt, was the next hurdle. The statue unveiling was planned to coincide with Mickey Mouse’s 65th birthday, a significant milestone.
Gibson Sculpting the Dream: Life-Size Walt and Mickey
Marty Sklar, a friend of Blaine Gibson, played a pivotal role in bringing Gibson on board to sculpt the Partners statue. Sklar had previously encouraged Gibson to sculpt statues after his retirement, connecting him with projects like the Sam Rayburn statue.
In a 1995 interview, Gibson recalled Sklar’s call: “Marty Sklar called me on the phone and asked if I’d be interested in doing a life-size statue of Walt, holding Mickey’s hand.” Despite initial reservations about capturing Walt’s essence, Gibson embarked on the project, starting with sketches and then moving to three-dimensional sculpting.
Gibson aimed to depict Walt as he appeared in 1954, considering it his prime. He strived to bridge the gap between Walt’s public image and the “real Walt” known to those who worked with him. His goal was to imbue the statue with a sense of life and Walt’s “magical spirit,” envisioning Walt admiring the park and saying, “Mickey, look what we’ve done.”
Conclusion: A Partnership Etched in Bronze
The Partners statue is far more than just a photo opportunity or a park decoration. It is a carefully considered and deeply meaningful tribute to the enduring partnership of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. It represents their shared dream realized, their dedication to bringing joy to millions, and their lasting legacy on the world of entertainment. Debunking the myths and understanding the true story behind the Partners statue allows for a deeper appreciation of its significance and the remarkable individuals it commemorates. It stands as a timeless reminder of the power of partnership, vision, and the pursuit of dreams, core values that continue to resonate within the Disney company and inspire generations worldwide.
