Anaheim Lumberyard Supplies Wood for Disneyland

Ganahl Lumber in Anaheim supplies the Douglas fir, white oak, and mahogany used to maintain and renovate Disneyland. The company has served as a primary wood source for the resort for more than 60 years. Its materials appear in structures ranging from the Main Street U.S.A. streetcars to the interiors of Fantasyland attractions.

The relationship began in 1954 when Walt Disney built an industrial lumber mill on the site that later became the Main Street Opera House. Disney required substantial timber for the initial park construction. Ganahl, founded in 1884 and based in Anaheim since 1904, began supplying the park during this early phase of development.

Project planning typically involves a joint walkthrough by Disneyland engineering staff and Ganahl's industrial sales team. They assess the specific material needs for refurbishments or repairs. Ganahl Industrial Sales Manager Kevin Johnson noted that he sees Ganahl materials throughout the park's themed lands, including Frontierland and Adventureland.

Specific wood types serve distinct functions based on durability and aesthetic requirements. Douglas fir and white oak are used for the seats and running boards of the Main Street horse-drawn streetcars. Mahogany constructs the Emporium balcony, Main Street windows, and interior elements for attractions such as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Cedar siding covers the Jungle Cruise boathouse.

Disneyland Engineering Service Manager Tony Alvarado stated that Douglas fir is the only material that can be sandblasted to achieve the weathered look required for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad lift hill. The wood is also used for the miniature doors and windows lining the Storybook Land Canal Boats. Alvarado noted that these small components are typically two inches by four inches tall.

Ganahl maintains a 20-acre yard in Anaheim and 13 other locations in Southern California. The company keeps stock of mahogany, cumaru, and ipe specifically for Disneyland projects. It also manufactures custom milling knives to cut specific profiles for the park. The company employs 1,200 workers in Southern California, with approximately a quarter of the workforce based in Anaheim.

The Disneyland resort generated an annual economic impact of $16.1 billion in Southern California in 2023. According to an Oxford Economics report commissioned by Disney, the resort directly and indirectly supported more than 102,000 jobs in the region that year. Nearly 75% of those jobs were located in Orange County. The resort is the largest employer in the county, with 36,000 workers.