Anaheim Lumberyard Supplies Wood for Disneyland Since 1954

Visitors to Disneyland in Anaheim walk through structures built from materials sourced just a few miles away. The park’s maintenance and renovation efforts rely on a local supplier that has been in the business since 1884. This relationship has sustained the theme park’s physical infrastructure for more than 60 years.

Ganahl Lumber, located in Anaheim, supplies the Douglas fir, white oak, and mahogany used to repair and update the park. The company was founded in 1884 and established its Anaheim base in 1904. It is the oldest continuously operating lumberyard in California. Peter Ganahl, the company’s chairman, stated that the firm helps meet the specific visual needs of Disney, which he described as a visual artist.

The collaboration between the two entities begins with a joint walkthrough of the attraction or land requiring work. Disney’s engineering services department and Ganahl’s industrial sales team assess the site to determine the necessary materials. Kevin Johnson, Ganahl’s industrial sales manager, noted that the company sees its materials throughout the park, from Fantasyland to Main Street U.S.A.

Specific attractions require distinct wood types. The horse-drawn streetcars on Main Street U.S.A. use Douglas fir and white oak for seats and running boards. The windows along Main Street, including a tribute window for former CEO Bob Iger, are constructed from mahogany. Fantasyland interiors for rides such as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey also utilize mahogany.

Other areas of the park demand different characteristics from the wood. The Jungle Cruise dock requires a Douglas fir plank with a specific vertical grain, while the boathouse uses cedar siding. Tony Alvarado, Disneyland Engineering Service Manager, explained that Douglas fir is the only material suitable for the large timbers framing the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad lift hill. The wood can be sandblasted to reveal its grain and stained to create a weathered appearance.

Even the miniature structures in Storybook Land Canal Boats use materials from Ganahl. Alvarado noted that the tiny doors and windows are often made from Douglas fir because it is easier to theme in small parts. The Fowler’s Harbor outdoor dining area features an expansive deck made of ipe, a dense tropical hardwood. Ganahl keeps additional stocks of mahogany, cumaru, and ipe on hand specifically for Disneyland projects.

The theme park resort spans 500 acres and requires constant maintenance. Alvarado acknowledged that unexpected repairs often arise and must be addressed immediately. Johnson stated that Disney needs projects completed quickly. Ganahl operates a 20-acre lumberyard in Anaheim and maintains 13 other locations in Southern California to meet these demands.

Ganahl employs 1,200 workers in Southern California, with approximately one quarter based in Anaheim. The company has developed custom milling knives to cut specific profiles for Disney projects. Johnson remarked that Disney does not overlook expense or detail, and the lumberyard strives to fit that expectation. Ganahl is one of 8,500 small businesses Disney partners with across the country.

An Oxford Economics report commissioned by Disney in 2023 estimated the Disneyland resort’s annual economic impact at $16.1 billion in Southern California. The resort directly and indirectly supported more than 102,000 jobs in the region that year. Nearly 75% of those positions were in Orange County. Disneyland is the largest employer in the county with 36,000 workers, accounting for nearly one out of every 20 jobs in the area.