Sasha Coles
Founder & Chief Historian
There's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you walk through Disneyland's gates first-thing in the morning. One of the first times my family visited, I remember clutching my sister's hand, handing over our tickets, and gazing down Main Street. I felt completely in awe of the crowds, the stores, the sounds, the smells, and the joy surrounding us. As a adult living in southern California, not much has changed. One thing I have learned since those early years, though, is that around every corner, there's a new story just waiting to be discovered. Everything around us--the rides, characters, music, food, architecture, costumes, designs, and decorations--has a history. Working on a PhD in US history has shown me that the past is present in everything we do. Walt Disney once said, "Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future." I could not agree more, which is why I started the Enchanted Archives. I get to link my love of Disney to my passion for history while featuring the work and expertise of historians who work on all sorts of topics. What could be better?
Sarah Fling
Graduate Research Assistant
I’m an emerging museum professional and public historian who spent her teenage years with a Walt Disney World annual pass in one hand and a Dole Whip in the other. Now based in Washington, D.C., I spend my time thinking about the history that’s just beneath the surface of beloved Disney attractions, snacks, and stories—I hope you’ll find them as fascinating as I do!
Justin Sorensen
GIS Specialist
One of the best parts of my job is being able to assist others by sharing my skills in collaboratively developing their projects. As head of our GIS Services department at the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Sasha to help bring her vision of an interactive walking tour for The Enchanted Archives to life. The world of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is so powerful, providing creators and developers with a unique tool and method for sharing their projects and research with others that not only educates them, but also engages them through an interactive visual presentation. I’ve always been a visual learner and I truly believe we can learn so much through this type of interaction and hands-on participation. I am honored to be part of this unique project and hope users of the interactive walking tour will find the history of Disneyland as interesting and educating as I have.
