Disney Shines the Spotlight on Three Legendary Imagineers to Celebrate Woman’s History Month
In celebration of Women’s History Month, The Walt Disney Archives are shining a spotlight on a trio of Imagineering legends, highlighting their storied careers, achievements, and lasting legacies.
Throughout the annals of Imagineering history, many individuals have left an indelible mark on the Disney Parks. You would be hard-pressed, however, to find three more impactful people than Harriet Burns, Doris Hardoon, and Mary Blair.
This is their story.
Harriet Burns
Harriet Burns joined Disney in 1955 when she was hired to paint sets and props for the Mickey Mouse Club. Quickly, Burns began coordinating the show’s color styling and eventually designed and built the iconic Mouse Clubhouse.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
When Walt Disney set out to create WED Enterprise, which was founded to construct Disneyland, Burns was swiftly brought on board.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
Burns was the first woman hired by WED, and her Imagineering career would eventually become legendary. At Disneyland, Burns helped create Sleeping Beauty Castle, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, and more. She also constructed the miniatures for Storybook Land and designed all of the singing birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
When WED began working on attractions for the New York World’s Fair in 1964, Burns helped create Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Carousel of Progress.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
It is impossible to imagine Disneyland without Harriet Burns. In 2000, she was named a Disney Legend.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
Doris Hardoon
Doris Hardoon, a recent graduate of San Francisco’s California College of the Arts, interviewed for a job at WED Enterprises in 1979. Future Disney Legends Marty Sklar, John Hench, and Rolly Crump evaluated her application.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
The Imagineers were impressed and hired Hardoon on the spot.
Hardoon’s first assignment was to assist Crump with the creation of EPCOT Center’s The Land pavilion. From there, her talents for show design were utilized throughout many of EPCOT Center’s galleries.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
“I was launched into that whole world of designing for the parks,” she recalled, “then also for all the galleries at EPCOT World Showcase.”
After EPCOT Center opened, Hardoon embarked on a whirlwind career that included contributions to Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. She was even part of the team tasked with scouting sights for Hong Kong Disneyland.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
After leaving Disney in the early 2000s, Hardoon was asked to return in 2010 to help bring Shanghai Disneyland to life. The goal was to create a park that was ” authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”
At Shanghai Disney, Hardoon was the design lead on the Gardens of Imagination and the park’s Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Her final project for Imagineering brought her back to Hong Kong, where she transformed the park’s castle into the new Castle of Magical Dreams.
Mary Blair
Last but certainly not least, we have Mary Blair.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
Blair joined the Walt Disney Studio in 1940, where she worked on several projects, including a proposed second version of Fantasia. In 1941, she joined Walt Disney on his expedition to South America, which inspired the creation of The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
Mary’s distinct style and use of color would heavily influence subsequent Disney films. She would eventually create concept art and contribute to Song of the South, Make Mine Music, Melody Time, So Dear to My Heart, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
When Walt Disney set out to create an attraction for UNICEF at the 1964 World’s Fair, he brought Blair over to WED Enterprises. Eventually, Blair would help create the iconic style and concept of “it’s a small world.”
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
Later, Blair would contribute stunning murals to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and the Grand Canyon Concourse at Walt Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Photo: Walt Disney Archives
Mary Blair was named a Disney Legend in 1991.
