(Claude Coats, seated center, with (L to R) John Hench, Mary Blair and Walt Disney)

Coats started at the Disney Studios in the background department, working on Mickey and Pluto cartoons. A watershed moment came with his color styling and naturalistic backgrounds for The Old Mill (1937), which featured breakthrough techniques in mood, lighting and color, and the use of the new Multiplane camera, creating what he described as, “the emotional response that comes from a background painting.” His star rose quickly in Walt’s eyes, and he was asked to develop the styling for the opening Wishing Well sequence in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

(Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, background and overlay by Claude Coats)

With the completion of Lady and the Tramp, Walt Disney asked Claude Coats to be part of the team to design Disneyland. This would begin what Coats would call, “my second Disney career,” as he joined an elite group of artists and engineers working with and on Walt's vision for Disneyland. This book will cover those astonishing first fifteen (15) years of the meteoric rise of the original theme park. 

(Claude Coats painting the scenic flats, in the special effects building on the studio back lot, for the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride attraction at Disneyland, 1955)

With his architectural training and ability to visualize dimensionally, Claude Coats went on to design some of the most beloved theme park attractions including the original Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. He was known for designing an attraction from the point-of-view of the guest by creating a sense of place that allowed the guest to be part of the story. As Marty Sklar, former head of Walt Disney Imagineering, observed; “Walt saw how Claude could translate his talent into three dimensions, and not everybody could do that. Understanding how things were going to work dimensionally helped him create these immersive environments.”*

*(Dave Bossert & Alan Coats did an extensive interview with Marty Sklar about Claude Coats’ career, one of the last known interviews with Marty before he passed away on July 27, 2017.)

(Claude Coats with Walt Disney discussing Primeval World, 1966)

Aside from his contribution to attractions in the original Disneyland theme park, Claude Coats was a key player in the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. He spearheaded the concepts for the Ford Magic Skyway, the GE Carousel of Progress, and the now world famous It’s a Small World attractions. Versions of these and many other iconic attractions that Claude Coats was involved with designing during those pivotal first decades of Disneyland are now permanent fixtures at the Disney theme parks around the world. Walt Disney’s Imagineer Claude Coats—The Making of Disneyland: From Toad Hall to the Haunted Mansion and Beyond will explain in detail the behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes that make many of these Disneyland attractions iconic.

(Claude Coats airbrushing the Pirates attraction model.)

Claude Coats was one of the chief Imagineers involved in the Haunted Mansion, which was the first new major attraction built after Walt passed away in 1966. Claude Coats is best known for creating the spooky, moody atmosphere in the first half of the ride as well as making this a much more scary experience. The original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is a fan favorite at Halloween with Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Variations of the Haunted Mansion are still one of the seminal attractions at the Disney parks worldwide today.

(Concept art by Claude Coats of the Haunted Mansion graveyard.)

Throughout his career, Claude Coats painted profusely on his own time, often while traveling. He was a master water-colorist known for his layered washes and skillful painting.  His personal art would change from watercolor in the 30s (when he became a member of the California Watercolor Society), to poster paint in the 40s, and by the 60s, working in acrylic, colored pencil and marker—mastering each medium.

In his years as an Imagineer, Claude Coats was known as a mentor to many young artists and aspiring theme park designers. He was always an approachable individual and Dave had the pleasure to know him in his last years at Walt Disney Imagineering. Claude Coats was always generous with his time and they had many wonderful conversations together.

(Claude Coats with Baloo walk-around-character at the Magic Kingdom, Orlando, 1973.)

Walt Disney’s Imagineer Claude Coats—The Making of Disneyland: From Toad Hall to the Haunted Mansion and Beyond is a comprehensive volume generously illustrated with rarely seen artwork from seminal theme park attractions, the 1964 World’s Fair, and Claude Coats' personal work. It will include a thorough text chronicling attractions designed by this Disney Legend, who helped to realize Walt's dreams of a Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in Florida. He also helped spread the magic of Disney entertainment worldwide to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

Dave has received permission and the full cooperation of the family, which is allowing unprecedented access to Claude Coats’ papers, artwork and photos. Claude’s son Alan Coats, an Imagineer in his own right who worked with his father, will write the Introduction. This book will appeal to Disney animation and theme park fans alike. It will be a must have book—the first ever, in-depth look at Claude Coats, one the legendary Disney artists responsible for how animated films translated into immersive theme park experiences.

(Claude Coats discussing the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through with Fred Joerger, Walt Disney, Claude and Ken Anderson.) 

Alan and I are launching this campaign to produce a beautifully crafted book on Claude Coats and his pivotal contributions to the creation of Disneyland. Pre-orders of at least 1000 books are needed in order to make this a viable campaign meeting the level of quality this book deserves. As many of you know, Dave took on the mission to document Kem Weber's furniture designs for the Disney Studios and that has become a multi-award-winning book. It also featured many never-before-seen photos and images. We will do the same for this tome and maintain the same level of quality for Walt Disney’s Imagineer Claude Coats—The Making of Disneyland: From Toad Hall to the Haunted Mansion and Beyond.

(Claude Coats working in his home studio.)

We want to raise at least $40,000 in order to have this book professionally created using top quality materials, printing and book binding techniques. This will also cover additional costs associated with publishing including editing, copy editing, design & layout, licensing fees, distribution, shipping, marketing, promotion and advertising. That means if 1000 people order the book at the pre-order price of $40.00, we will be able to create this book.Ultimately, we would like to sell out the 3,000 copy print run. If we do, we may be able to print a softcover version of the book to satisfy any additional demand. Frankly, we would love nothing better than to prove that there are thousands of interested individuals who do know who Claude Coats is and what he contributed to the making of Disneyland. We hope that you agree and will purchase your copy of this important book. Be a part of making Disney history!

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

-Dave Bossert & Alan Coats