ORLANDO, Fla. — Dick Nunis, the former chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, died Wednesday in Orlando, The Walt Disney Co. announced in a release. He was 91.

What You Need To Know

  • Dick Nunis died Wednesday in Orlando at the age of 91

  • The former Disney executive started his career at Disneyland in 1955 

  • Nunis, who also served as chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, was instrumental in the development of Project X, which became Disney World

  • He retired from Disney in 1999, after a 44-year career, and was named a Disney Legend the same year

Nunis, a Disney Legend who worked for the company for 44 years, began his career in 1955 as an orientation training instructor at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

During his early years with the company, Nunis learned firsthand from Walt Disney, and, as attractions supervisor, he developed operating procedures for the park’s attractions—with many of the procedures still in use today.

“Dick took the values and philosophies he learned directly from Walt and incorporated them into everything he did at Disney,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement Wednesday. “We are grateful for his many achievements and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”

Nunis’ influence extended beyond Disneyland. In 1961, he became director of park operations and was instrumental in the development of “Project X,” aka The Florida Project, which would later become Walt Disney World Resort.

By the time Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, Nunis had been named vice president of Disney World and Disneyland. In 1980, he was named president of the outdoor recreation division, overseeing EPCOT and Disney-MGM Studios (now known at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

Nunis retired from the company in 1999, the same year he was made a Disney Legend. He received a window above Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland and one above Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom.

"Dick's impact on our theme parks business is everlasting," Disney Experience chairman Josh D'Amaro said in a statement Wednesday. "Along with our founder, Walt Disney, Dick helped shape our business, create happiness for millions of famlies around the world..and set a standard that an entire industry must now live up to."

A Cedartown, Georgia, native, Nunis made Central Florida his home. He and his wife Mary were donors to the University of Central Florida, where he also served on the board of trustees.

In 2022, Nunis released his memoir “Walt’s Apprentice: Keeping the Disney Dream Alive, which documents his time working at Disney.