A Historic Tour from Disneyland's First Host

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Jan. 7, 2019 - PRLog -- More than 60 years after giving his last official tour of the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland's very first host has returned to lead a behind-the-scenes trip through the park's first years—in his brand new book.

In A Walk in the Park: Reflections from Disneyland's First Host, author Bob D'Arcy shares how his father—a Disney food consultant—got him a job at the park in early 1955, assisting the construction supervisor by giving tours of the site to VIP's, often in Walt Disney's own Jeep. Bob's adventures really took off on Opening Day, when he was named the park's first—and for the first summer only—Guest Relations Host.

For the first time, Bob recounts many of his wild adventures, from his encounters with Walt Disney and raiding the liquor cabinet in the boss's apartment above the Fire Station, to his love affair with the Golden Horseshoe's original Slue Foot Sue. Readers can join along as D'Arcy recreates his private tours with celebrities from Jimmy Stewart to The Lone Ranger.

The book also features nearly 70 never-before-published photos, many that D'Arcy himself snapped of the magical construction site, during his pre-opening excursions in the Jeep.

D'Arcy left the company after about 18 months to pursue a music career, but ended up spending 30 years in television and movies as a stand-in and stunt double for, among others, Bob Denver on Gilligan's Island and George Burns in The Sunshine Boys. Fittingly, his final role was for Disney—with a prominent part in The Rocketeer (1991).

Published by Bonaventure Press, the book is $17.95 from Amazon.com or http://BonaventurePress.com.

Editors: For more information or to schedule an interview with Bob D'Arcy, contact Bonaventure Press at bonaventure.press@cox.net.