Ron Dominguez, Disney Legend and former Executive Vice President of Attractions, passed away January 1, 2021. He was 85. Dominguez, known as “Mr. Disneyland,” retired from The Walt Disney Company in 1994 after 39 years of service.
The news of Dominguez’s death was first shared on the Disneyland Alumni Club Facebook page.
Born August 10, 1935, Dominguez literally grew up on the property that would become Disneyland. He shared his memories with D23.
“Our house was located right about where the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean and Cafe Orleans are today. The day we moved out, in August of 1954, we were walking in ditches and holes. Things were popping up around us because construction had to move ahead. They built Disneyland in a year.”
Ron Dominguez D23 Biography
Dominguez was hired as a Disneyland ticket taker four days before the theme park opened. In a strange twist of fate, Dominguez found that Walt Disney had moved the previous Dominguez family home backstage to serve as administrative offices.
In 1957, Dominguez was promoted to the assistant supervisor of Frontierland. In 1962, he was the manager of Tomorrowland, eventually moving on to manage the west side of Disneyland. He continued to work his way up the ranks. In 1974, Dominguez was named vice president of Disneyland and chairman of the park operating committee.
Dominguez became Executive Vice President Walt Disney Attractions, West Coast, in 1990. His close relationship with, and service within, the City of Anaheim are credited with paving the way for Disney California Adventure. He was named a Disney Legend in 2000.
According to the Disneyland Alumni Club Facebook post, Dominguez is survived by his wife of 41 years, Betty.
Featured Image Courtesy D23.com
Don’t forget about the Dominguez palm! It’s the palm tree over by the Fastpass distribution for Indiana Jones Adventure. It was in the Dominguez family’s yard before the house was removed, and it had been planted there by Ron’s grandparents. I hope to find that the tree is alive and well when Disneyland someday reopens, because that palm is a small, living memorial.
So sad to hear about 2 Disney men lost on the same day.