‘Sir. Ron Dominguez of Disneyland died at 85

Ron Dominguez – one of the local Disney executives, literally – has passed away.

Dominguez, also known as “Mr. Disneyland ”, died Friday… this according to the Disneyland Alumni Club. The cause of death was not revealed, but the guy’s rich history with the Mouse House was … and its roots go back to where the park actually began.

An official ‘Disney Legend’, the RD family were one of the original owners of several acres of land and orange trees that Walt Disney and Co. reclaimed in the 1950s to build what is now known as from Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim, CALIFORNIA.

The story goes … Walt actually turned Dominguez’s two-story family home into one of Disneyland’s original administrative buildings in a backlot on the grounds of the park, and not only – but Dominguez stuck around and started working for them in as one of the early cast members.

The guy started working as a ticket seller and eventually got to know each attraction. He worked his way up the corporate ladder over the years, until he became the park’s COO in 1970. It wasn’t long before he became fully vice president of Disneyland, and more late in the 90s … executive vice president of Walt Disney attractions on the West Coast, before retiring from Disney in 1994. Talk about a Cinderella story, eh?!?

Dominguez is credited as being an integral part of negotiations for the construction of Disney California Adventure – the park across from Disneyland, which is seen more as the case for adults – and was a heavyweight in the Orange County / SoCal business community. He was inducted as a legend in 2000 and even has his own window on Main Street (near where his OG house has remained intact). Safe to say … Disneyland wouldn’t be here without Ron and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, with whom he has been married for decades. The Disneyland Alumni Club says a small family reunion is expected due to COVID restrictions.

Ron was 85.