Walt Hired Me – TomNabbe.com

On May 14-15, 2011 Tom appeared as a guest and speaker at D23′s Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th held at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. It was a great opportunity for Tom to reunite with old friends, make some new ones, and get a chance to share his early Disneyland stories.

For full information on D23′s Destination D, CLICK HERE.

To see more of Tom’s photos from the weekend, check out the gallery HERE.

On July 19, 1955 Tom began his first job at Disneyland selling the Disneyland News outside of the park gates.

As he explains it, “It was a pre-guide book type of thing done on a turn of the century press so it was the size of a regular newspaper. The lessees all advertised in it. It was published on a monthly basis, not a weekly basis, and covered the ongoing events happening at Disneyland. It sold for ten cents a copy.” (June 2003 interview with Jim Korkis)

On July 18, 1955, Tom Nabbe paid to get into Disneyland. It was the first, last and ONLY time he would ever do so. This, of course, was actually his second day in the park after he became an invited guest of Danny Thomas during the Press Invitational the previous day. Be sure to ask him about that story when you have a chance!

In celebration of Disneyland’s 55th birthday, Tom and Janice will be in the park and then attending Disneyland’s Alumni Club part at the Disneyland Hotel tonight. It’s sure to be an event to remember! Remember to say “Hi!” to the Nabbe’s when you see them there!