Disney Unit Buys Historic Masonic Temple

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, an affiliate of Walt Disney Co., has purchased the historic Hollywood Masonic Temple, next to the El Capitan Theatre, to house interactive attractions for its animated children’s movies. Disney said it purchased the 1920s-era building at 6840 Hollywood Blvd. last week from a bankrupt individual for $3.6 million. “It’s a classic, gorgeous old building,” said Dick Cook, president of marketing and distribution at Disney. “And it’s a perfect fit for the theater. That houses 1,000 people and this does too.” Disney used the 34,000-square-foot building last Thanksgiving to house a seven-room “Toy Story Fun House.” The company will begin using the building in November to promote the animated movie, “A Bug’s Life.”