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A Dream Becomes Reality for Ray Bradbury
11/20/2007
October 31 was a night to remember for Ray Bradbury, the man who has been known as "the Father of Halloween" by Tony Baxter, senior vice president, Walt Disney Imagineering. Ray Bradbury, 87, the legendary author and recent recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award, experienced his personal dream come true on Halloween night ? the lighting of his very own Halloween Tree at Disneyland Park.
"This is the 35th anniversary of Ray Bradbury's novel, The Halloween Tree," Tony said, "It is very exciting to have this stately oak dedicated to him at Disneyland for children to come and see for years to come. Ray is one of the greatest supporters of Disney and what better way to honor him for all his accomplishments than to make him feel part of the family."
Ray enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Club 33 with friends, family, Imagineers and Cast Members where he reminisced about his longtime friendship with Walt Disney and told stories about their collaborations on projects like Spaceship Earth for Epcot among others. The dinner was followed by a special ceremony in Frontierland where Ray pulled the switch that signaled the lighting of the living Halloween Tree that will be a permanent part of Disneyland Park.
And when he did, he raised his hands toward the tree and exclaimed, "I know that the ghost of Walt Disney is blessing me, right this very moment! To have my tree planted and lit in your midst makes this one of the greatest nights in my life."
Ray often proclaims that Halloween is his favorite holiday. He said that 35 years ago after he wrote The Halloween Tree, a strange thing had begun to happen.
"We discovered that there were Halloween trees being displayed in front yards all over," Ray said. "I didn't know that I was going to become a part of history, but perhaps a hundred years from now, there will be Halloween trees all across the country."
For Tim Delaney, vice president and executive designer, Walt Disney Imagineering, the evening was one he will never forget.
"Ray's passion for The Halloween Tree, and, that he has created this amazing icon for this special holiday, would normally be enough for most people, but his dream is now fulfilled with the lighting of the tree in Disneyland," Tim said.
"It's also very special for all of us who work for the company and observe The Year of a Million Dreams celebration. When I saw Ray's face when he threw the switch, I saw firsthand the true meaning of seeing someone's dream come true. I know I will not see the other 999,999 other dreams, but the one I did see happen was the most special."
Ray Bradbury recently received the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award for his distinguished career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy. Bradbury wrote and narrated a feature-length animated version of The Halloween Tree for television, for which he won an Emmy Award. His best-known and beloved books include Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, and Fahrenheit 451.
Man this is so cool! I was there on Halloween too. A friend of mine that works for the Disney just sent this to me. Anyone have any idea where the Halloween Tree is in Frontierland?
11/20/2007
October 31 was a night to remember for Ray Bradbury, the man who has been known as "the Father of Halloween" by Tony Baxter, senior vice president, Walt Disney Imagineering. Ray Bradbury, 87, the legendary author and recent recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award, experienced his personal dream come true on Halloween night ? the lighting of his very own Halloween Tree at Disneyland Park.
"This is the 35th anniversary of Ray Bradbury's novel, The Halloween Tree," Tony said, "It is very exciting to have this stately oak dedicated to him at Disneyland for children to come and see for years to come. Ray is one of the greatest supporters of Disney and what better way to honor him for all his accomplishments than to make him feel part of the family."
Ray enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Club 33 with friends, family, Imagineers and Cast Members where he reminisced about his longtime friendship with Walt Disney and told stories about their collaborations on projects like Spaceship Earth for Epcot among others. The dinner was followed by a special ceremony in Frontierland where Ray pulled the switch that signaled the lighting of the living Halloween Tree that will be a permanent part of Disneyland Park.
And when he did, he raised his hands toward the tree and exclaimed, "I know that the ghost of Walt Disney is blessing me, right this very moment! To have my tree planted and lit in your midst makes this one of the greatest nights in my life."
Ray often proclaims that Halloween is his favorite holiday. He said that 35 years ago after he wrote The Halloween Tree, a strange thing had begun to happen.
"We discovered that there were Halloween trees being displayed in front yards all over," Ray said. "I didn't know that I was going to become a part of history, but perhaps a hundred years from now, there will be Halloween trees all across the country."
For Tim Delaney, vice president and executive designer, Walt Disney Imagineering, the evening was one he will never forget.
"Ray's passion for The Halloween Tree, and, that he has created this amazing icon for this special holiday, would normally be enough for most people, but his dream is now fulfilled with the lighting of the tree in Disneyland," Tim said.
"It's also very special for all of us who work for the company and observe The Year of a Million Dreams celebration. When I saw Ray's face when he threw the switch, I saw firsthand the true meaning of seeing someone's dream come true. I know I will not see the other 999,999 other dreams, but the one I did see happen was the most special."
Ray Bradbury recently received the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award for his distinguished career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy. Bradbury wrote and narrated a feature-length animated version of The Halloween Tree for television, for which he won an Emmy Award. His best-known and beloved books include Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, and Fahrenheit 451.
Man this is so cool! I was there on Halloween too. A friend of mine that works for the Disney just sent this to me. Anyone have any idea where the Halloween Tree is in Frontierland?
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