If you know anything about the Windows of Main Street, you know that to have your name on a window is the highest honor an employee can get. These windows also serve as the credits to the corporation of the people who have helped make the Disney Corporation what it is today. If you have been to Disneyland, and read the windows you may have seen this one:
Cicely Rigdon passed away on December 31, 2013
It was a quality that Walt Disney had, and obviously Cicely Rigdon had it, too—persistence. “When they first opened the Park,” Cicely once recalled, “I made five attempts to get a job. The fifth time, I was finally hired, and I was so excited I came home and drove my car through the garage!”
Cicely began at Disneyland in 1957 as a ticket seller. In 1959, she joined the Tour Guide Department and was responsible for initiating its growth and development. “Walt really liked the Tour Guides,” Cicely said. “Every time he would come to the Park he would always stop by and see us and talk to us.”
She eventually became the supervisor of Guest Relations, and in 1967 took on additional responsibility for the ticket sellers, ticket receptionists, and Guest Relations. While in Guest Relations, she was responsible for Walt’s apartment above the Main Street Fire Station, and was therefore known as the “Keeper of the Keys.”
Among the other highlights of her career, Cicely most fondly remembered her trip with Walt Disney to the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, and the many conversations she had with him while he was in the Park. She also counted being able to train all the ticket sellers and ticket receptionists for the opening of Walt Disney World as one of her treasured opportunities.
Beginning in 1982, Cicely led and developed the Disneyland Ambassador Program, working with thirteen Disneyland Ambassadors during her tenure, and representing Disneyland around the world. She retired as manager of the Ambassador Program in 1994, with a 37-year Disneyland career to her credit. Despite her long career of traveling, the first thing Cicely did after her retirement was to travel to England to visit her family.
She remembered her years at Disneyland and her unique boss with great fondness. “Walt was just a very decent, very nice man,” Cicely once said. “And I believe that is reflected in all of us here at Disneyland, and that this place for family and fun and decency is what it’s all about.”
Cicely was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2005. Next time you are in Disneyland and see her window, now you will know the contribution of this woman and the impact she has on Disney to this day.
As co-owner and co-creator of The Main Street Mouse.Working in a technical support position for 18 years, it was time for a change.As the Webmaster and Project Planner, I spend most of my time researching everything from the latest Disney News, technology advances and of course keeping up on all the Marvel news that comes out.I never considered myself a writer but I’ve come to like blogging and sharing news with all.I feel blessed everyday that I get to spend my days working with my best friend and love of my life while we continue to grow and expand what started as a hobby all those years ago.
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R.I.P. Cicely. I always enjoy visiting Disneyland and trying to look for the secret Mickey facts around the park. May she live with the angels and enjoy her own Magid Kingdom up in the sky.