Disney's 700-Acre Ranch: A Closely Guarded Secret

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Disney owns a 708-acre ranch called Golden Oak Ranch in Placerita Canyon, near Santa Clarita, California, that has been used as a film set and testing site for theme park rides since the late 1950s. The secluded property features multiple permanent backlots, including Old West sets, a small-town downtown, residential neighborhoods, and natural landscapes, but it is kept strictly off-limits to the public with no tours or public access allowed.

Why it matters

The Golden Oak Ranch represents a rare glimpse into Disney's behind-the-scenes operations, as the company closely guards the property to keep its film and theme park development activities private. The ranch's history and use as a production facility for both Disney and other studios highlights the company's commitment to maintaining control over its creative processes and intellectual property.

The details

Disney first used the Golden Oak Ranch in the late 1950s to shoot episodes of 'The Adventures of Spin and Marty' for 'The Mickey Mouse Club.' Walt Disney liked the land so much that he bought the original 315-acre property outright in 1959 for $300,000 to preserve it for future productions. Over the decades, the ranch has grown to 708 acres and has been used as a filming location for shows like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Little House on the Prairie,' as well as movies like 'Back to the Future.' Disney also uses the ranch to test future theme park attractions and grow hay for Disneyland's horses, some of which retire on the property.

• Disney first used the Golden Oak Ranch in the late 1950s.
• Walt Disney bought the original 315-acre property in 1959 for $300,000.