About the Club

“You can take the person out of Disneyland^®, but you can’t take Disneyland out of the person.”

– Van A. France

That was the first sentence from the first newsletter of the Disneyland Alumni Club, written by Van A. France, founder of the University of Disneyland and the Disneyland Alumni Club. “I created the Alumni Club because Dick Nunis and I wanted to make Disneyland a life-long experience, something that adds to a Cast Member’s life after their work experience here at the Happiest Place on Earth comes to a close,” Van said.

“All Disneyland Cast Members are special. Walt knew that,” explained Dick Nunis, former Disneyland President. “In fact, he said, they had to be special in order to bring to life an outdoor entertainment experience found nowhere else in the world. The Disneyland Alumni Club brings together those special people and helps them all stay in touch with each other while it preserves, honors, and perpetuates the values, traditions, and outlook upon which Disneyland was created.”

Formed in 1983, the Disneyland Alumni Club existed as a list in Van France’s desk drawer for many years. After Van’s passing in 1999, forward momentum slowed and the Club’s direction wavered. Following cost reductions, Disneyland disengaged the Club in 2001 and the Disneyland Alumni Club became self-supporting. After Disneyland’s 50^th Anniversary, your all-volunteer board recognized the need for a fresh approach and a re-established foundation. And so we began anew.

Today we can confidently say we are off to a great new beginning, with the implementation of a Board of Governors and a dedicated Board of Directors overseeing all Club activities.  Like so much in Disneyland’s history we’ve discovered the best place to be is right in line with Van and Dick’s original vision. They saw the Disneyland Alumni Club as a key benefit for former Cast Members. With our new leadership and plans to make the Disneyland Alumni Club and Historical Society more relevant than ever, we believe you will agree.

Our mission:

To preserve, honor and perpetuate the values, traditions and outlook upon which Disneyland was created.

Why Join the Disneyland Alumni Club and Historical Society?

Members are eligible to take advantage of all Club services and benefits, our annual mini-reunions, family film screenings at the Walt Disney Studio, purchase specially-designed Club merchandise, help our designated children’s charity (see below), obtain discounted travel packages, and much more.  It’s all meant to help you keep Walt’s dream alive in a more tangible way – by living his legacy every day.

Our Charity Connection

One way in which we are “living Walt” is by honoring his love for children through our support of children’s charity. Currently, we help the Children’s Hospital of Orange County in tangible contributions to their work.  All members are invited to help cement our connection and to exhibit Walt’s ideals in a clear and substantial way. Throughout the year, we will show you how to offer your personal support in unique ways – because YOU are ALWAYS PART OF THE MAGIC!