Grand Central Air Terminal (2023). photo: Art Deco Society of Los Angeles.
Attention Travelers: Tickets are no longer on sale online. A very small number will be released at the door. CASH ONLY.
Pack your valises for an Art Deco Society of Los Angeles excursion to the historic Art Deco meets Spanish Colonial Revival Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, CA. You’ve seen this 1930 airport designed by architect Henry L. Gogerty in Art Deco era movies such as BRIGHT EYES with Shirley Temple, but it was also famed aviator Amelia Earhart’s home airport and a major hub for early commercial flight. Planes no longer take off from Grand Central Air Terminal, but ideas still take flight. The building houses offices for Imagineers!
SCHEDULE:
12:00 PM Door Open
Enjoy the architect Henry L. Gogerty building design with a walk around the exterior, take a photo in our photo booth ADSLA airplane, enjoy an airline snack (while supply lasts), meet Amelia Earhart, view the 2nd floor landing and the preserved “ghost sign,” and visit the small onsite Museum.
1:00 PM
Take your seats to prepare for take-off!
A short documentary on Grand Central Air Terminal will screen, followed by a presentation on the history and restoration of the building. A discussion with the preservationists who reimagined the space will be followed by a look at some of Bob Gurr’s personal photos and movies, narrated by the Disney legend himself.
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Repeat the opportunities list above at 12:00 PM.
3:00 PM
Your return flight departs for home!
Our Saturday, May 4 visit to the Glendale Grand Central Air Terminal will feature a 1:00 PM presentation on the history of early commercial air travel and the airport (as well as its later incarnations) by historian Steve Spiegel (who designed the museum exhibit housed in the building), architect John Berley who oversaw Disney’s incredible restoration of the building along with Jeff Greene, founder and Executive Chairman of EverGreene Architectural Arts. Disney legend Bob Gurr who has been entwined with the property for 85 years, will join us with some personal photos and footage of airplanes taking off, shot by his father.
So much to do! When you arrive between 12 and 1pm you can talk photos with Amelia Earhart and our Art Deco Society “airplane,” visit the Grand Central Museum and the very Art Deco 2nd floor of the building, picnic on the lawn and admire the architecture. Get your bags packed and your best vintage traveling outfits ready for take off!
Much gratitude to Disney for making it possible to study this magnificent restoration from inside and out!
Glendale Central Air Terminal post restoration. Photo: Frederick Fisher and Partners.
Member Tickets: $24, Non-Member $34.
A very small number of tickets remain. They will be available onsite, CASH ONLY. There is no bank nearby, so please bring cash with you.
All ticket buyers were emailed detailed information on May 2 or 3.
Doors open at noon. The program begins at 1:00 PM. Following the presentation and panel discussion, the small museum exhibit will be open for an additional 30 minutes for those who don’t have a chance to see it prior to the presentation.
Free street parking is available on Air Way, or in the parking lot at 1311 Grand Central St. Grand Central is the side of the airport terminal building where you can see a grass lawn. You will not be able to enter the building from Air Way, but it is a fun walk around the block to see the side of the building that fronts Air Way.
No food or drink will be available at the event (except for airline snacks), but you are welcome to bring a picnic to eat on the lawn between noon and 1pm. You are also welcome to bring water bottles into the venue. There is a water fountain on the premises. No food is permitted inside the venue. All snacks must be eaten outside.
Members of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets at noon on Thursday, April 18. Remaining tickets will be on sale at general admission prices on Monday, April 22 at 5:00 PM. Tickets are non-refundable, but you may transfer your ticket to a friend.
As always, vintage attire admired, but not required.
No pets permitted at this facility.
The event is on the ground floor.
Social media producers, please note that you may not produce pieces to exhibit publicly without advance permission from Disney.
This building now houses Disney private offices. We ask that all guests stay in the designated areas for the event. No recordings or photos can be taken of the material presented onscreen.