Disney World Studies from '60s among Theme Park Documents Now Online

By Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala May 15, 2006

What was it about Central Florida that drew Walt Disney to the area in 1963? A new collection of documents at the University of Central Florida Library provides a few answers and sheds some light on the development of other theme parks across the country.

Harrison Buzz Price, an economic consultant who was instrumental in the logistical planning of Disneyland and Disney World donated more than 1,000 documents that include feasibility and economic impact studies of several major attractions to the University in 2003.

About 150 of these documents are now available online at http://buzz.lib.ucf.edu to UCF students and the general public.

The papers are invaluable for teaching students who are studying tourism and hospitality, said Scott Lee, an adjunct professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at UCF. Lee uses the documents in courses he teaches on how to develop a product for the market, theme parks and attractions.

Its absolutely incredible for product development, Lee said. Students learn not just to see if its a yes or no. They can see what other variables they have to consider. It is what they are learning to do.

The documents look at the various criteria, such as weather and location, that must be considered when determining whether a proposed project is worth the investment.

The papers include an economic impact report on the then-proposed Disney World and a feasibility study of River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. The donation also includes feasibility reports for attractions that were proposed but abandoned after their analysis, such as the Fukuoka Sea Life Park in Japan, a theme park in Mexico City, and Undersea World in Phoenix, Ariz.

Price graduated from the California Institute of Technology with an engineering degree, and an MBA from Stanford University. He started two consulting firms in the 1950s and 60s. One of his companies completed more than 6,000 studies. He has been an active contributor to UCF for several years.

Today, Harrison Price resides in Pasadena, Calif., with his wife. He still does some private consulting.

Its very exciting, said Elizabeth Konzak, the curator of Special Collections at the UCF Library. Original documents teach students to think because they are seeing the information raw, not processed. Its a way to preserve history.

Viewing the documents online requires registration on the site. Some of the documents contain proprietary information and will not be available to the public until 2010 or 2013.

Researchers wishing to use closed documents may contact Special Collections and petition the donor for access. The entire collection may be viewed in Special Collections daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 407-823-2576 or e-mail speccoll@mail.ucf.edu for more information.

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