Disney Legend William “Sully” Sullivan Has Passed Away at 88
Disney Legend William “Sully” Sullivan, whose 38-year career at The Walt Disney Company made a lasting impact on the company, has passed away at 88.
Sullivan was born April 18, 1936, in Fullerton, California. After studying architecture, he worked in the aircraft industry. His life trajectory changed, however, after he watched the Disneyland opening ceremonies on ABC.
“The following Saturday I went down and applied for a job. Monday, I quit Northrop Aircraft, and Tuesday, I reported to work as a ticket-taker at the Jungle Cruise,” Sullivan recalled.
![William Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan.jpg)
Photo: Disney
During his Disneyland career, Sullivan eventually moved up the ranks, progressing from Jungle Cruise skipper to operations supervisor.
“I took a summer job, and I’ve been here ever since,” Sullivan said before his retirement.
Olympics, World’s Fair, and Disney Premieres
Eventually, Sullivan was tasked with helping with the opening and operation of the Winter Olympics in 1960, when Walt Disney was in charge of Pageantry. Next, he traveled to New York and served as assistant manager for the Disney attractions at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.
![Walt Disney Facts](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Walt-Disney-Worlds-Fair.jpg)
![Walt Disney Facts](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Walt-Disney-Worlds-Fair.jpg)
Photo: Disney
“Walt was a really warm individual,” Sullivan remembered fondly. “He had a great sense of humor, and he loved people. And he was an executive, but not what you perceive as an ‘executive.’ He was a real team guy.”
After participating in the operations management of numerous Disney film premieres, including Mary Poppins and The Happiest Millionaire, Sullivan was sent to Florida to work alongside fellow future Disney Legends Bob Allen and Bob Mathieson on the project management team for Walt Disney World.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/mary-poppins-julia-andrews-2-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/mary-poppins-julia-andrews-2-1024x683.jpg)
PhotoL Disney-MARY POPPINS, Julie Andrews, 1964
Move to Walt Disney World
There, Sullivan established the resort’s first security team and prepared operational layouts for Main Street, U.S.A, Fantasyland, and the Transportation and Ticket Center. He also helped establish Disney’s first hotel division.
“I moved to Orlando in 1969 and moved the family here the following year,” Sullivan remembered. “We reached an agreement to manage the Hilton Inn South on International Drive with [Walt Disney World’s first hotel employee] John Curry. It gave us a base of operations to get to understand the hotel business, because we didn’t know anything about it. We also tried our hands at operating laundry facilities, at food purchasing. It was really a whole new world for us.”
![William Sully Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan-3.jpg)
![William Sully Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan-3.jpg)
Photo: Disney
By the time Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, Sullivan was overseeing operations on Main Street, Adventureland, and Liberty Square.
After Walt Disney World opened, Sullivan served as director of the Project Installation and Coordination Office (PICO), coordinating the operational design and installation of EPCOT Center. He then served as director of EPCOT Center operations.
![William Sully Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan-5-1024x521.jpg)
![William Sully Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan-5-1024x521.jpg)
Photo: D23
In 1987, Sullivan was named vice president of Magic Kingdom, where he oversaw all of the park’s operations.
Becoming a Disney Legend
After working on the opening team of Euro Disneyland, Sullivan retired in 1993 after a 38-year career.
“If I had to do it all over,” he said, “I’d do it all again tomorrow.”
![William Sully Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan-2.jpg)
![William Sully Sullivan](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/William-Sully-Sullivan-2.jpg)
Photo: Disney
William “Sully” Sullivan was named a Disney Legend in 2005. For his contributions to the park, Sullivan has two windows on Main Street, U.S.A., in the Magic Kingdom. One window is located above the Crystal Arts Shop and pays tribute to Sullivan and his fellow Walt Disney World opening team leaders Bob Allen, Pete Crimmings, Dick Evans, Bill Hoelscher, and Bob Mathieson.
The second window is located above the Plaza Ice Cream parlor and reads “Sully’s Safaris & Guide Service / Chief Guide / Bill Sullivan”- a tribute to Sullivan’s love of hunting and fishing.
Josh D’Amaro Pays Tribute to Sullivan
“Few people have contributed as much to Disney theme parks as Bill Sullivan,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences. “His personal connection with Walt Disney and his incredible career spanning multiple decades and several destinations helped pass along Disney heritage to generations of cast members and guests around the world.”
![D23 Josh](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/165188_CS1_4463-1024x683.jpg)
![D23 Josh](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/165188_CS1_4463-1024x683.jpg)
Photo: The Walt Disney Company-
Josh D’Amaro (Chairman; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products)
Sullivan is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jacqueline Sullivan; children Laurie (Jeffrey) Wallace, Elizabeth (Paul) Hoffman, Matt (Stacey) Sullivan, and Kathleen (Dave) Riordan; grandchildren (Joe Coleman, Jessica (Eric) Gomez, Jake (Tara) Coleman, Briana (Jon Teasley) Hoffman, Kellan (Dahlia) Madeline Hoffman, Zachary Sullivan, Noah Sullivan, Matthew Sullivan, Luc Riordan, Nico Riordan, and Gabriel Riordan; great-grandchildren Addison Coleman, Logan Coleman, Jackson Teasley, Piper Gomez, and Sadie Gomez; and sister Virginia Gass.
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