Ron Dominguez, former executive vice president of Walt Disney Attractions, died on January 1. He was 85 years old.
Dominguez was known as a “native Disneylander”, as his family owned and lived on the 10-acre Anaheim estate that was purchased by Walt Disney in 1954 to build Disneyland.
“Our house was located very close to the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean and Café Orleans today,” Dominguez once said, according to D23. “On the day of the move, in August 1954, we walked in ditches and holes. Things were coming up around us because the building needed to move on. They built Disneyland in a year. “
Born on August 10, 1935, Dominguez grew up on the property, which the family inherited from his grandfather, who originally bought the land in the late 19th century. Dominguez then studied at the University of Arizona, where he studied business administration. On July 13, 1955 – a few days before Disneyland opened its doors – Dominguez got a summer job as a ticket seller at the park.
Dominguez ended up becoming the temporary supervisor for Main Street, USA, and even worked as a cast member, dressing like Davey Crockett. He went on to oversee Frontierland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland and, in 1962, became the general supervisor for the west side of Disneyland. Later that year, he was promoted to manager.
Dominguez continued to move up the park’s administrative hierarchy, becoming director of operations in 1970 and vice president of Disneyland and chairman of the park’s operating committee in 1974. In 1990, he became executive vice president of Walt Disney Attractions, West Coast.
In 1994, Dominguez retired after 39 years at the Walt Disney Company. In 2000, he was named a Disney legend and won a window on Main Street, USA
“We are sad to have lost a very dear member of our family, Ron Dominguez,” said Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in a statement to D23. “Ron’s contributions to Disneyland are almost incalculable. He was well known to the cast and community throughout his tenure at the park and continued to show his support long after his retirement, guiding and guiding leaders, including myself, for decades. I am personally grateful for everything he has done for Disney and would like to express my deepest condolences to his family on behalf of all the cast members of Disney Parks around the world. “
Dominguez leaves his 41-year-old wife, Betty, and three children from a previous marriage, Sheryl Ralston, Steve Dominguez and Ronald K. Dominguez Jr, as well as his grandchildren.