Living inside Disneyland is probably the dream of many fans of the magical universe created by Walt Disney. An American couple, Owen and Dolly Pope, made it happen for 15 years: the two Texans, in fact, lived in the enormous amusement park in California between 1955 and 1971, as reported by the Allociné website. There is obviously a reason behind all this: the couple were responsible for the “Pony Farm”, Disneyland’s main equestrian attraction. The two were staying at Frontierland, an area of the Californian amusement park dedicated to the Wild West, hidden from the view of most visitors.
Who were Owen and Dolly
Owen and Dolly were great horse specialists and were contacted in November 1951 by Walt Disney as advisors regarding the equestrian attractions in the park that was about to open. Once hired, with the task of taking care of the animals, they were initially forced to live in a caravan at the attraction where they bred and trained the first horses, also helping in the construction of wagons and carriages. Subsequently, the spouses were allowed to settle in the “House of the Popes” (the name derives from their surname, “Pope”)an elegant 120m2 white and green house located behind the ranch open to the public.
Withdrawal
Owen and Dolly Pope were the only inhabitants of Disneyland. The couple operated the Disneyland Pony Farm for 15 years. In 1971 they moved to Florida, again to work at the Disney park, starting the Tri Circle D Ranch. They finally retired in 1975. Today their historic home in California is no longer visible, since in 2016 a new attraction inspired by the Star Wars saga was built in its place.
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