E.A. Hanks Reflects on Disneyland, Family, and Tom Hanks’ Lasting Legacy in New Memoir

For E.A. Hanks, Disneyland has always been a symbol of stability and joy throughout her life. In her new memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, she shares how the park served as a constant in a life full of change.

Celebrating birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas there, E.A. built a deep emotional bond with Disneyland, closely tied to her relationship with her father, Tom Hanks. Her memories at the park reflect a strong father-daughter connection that grew over the years through countless shared experiences.

Disneyland Becomes a Living Tribute to Tom Hanks’ Legacy, Art, and Immortality

E.A. acknowledges that Tom Hanks’ legacy is deeply interwoven into Disneyland itself, thanks to his iconic role as Woody in Toy Story and his portrayal of Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks. She reflects on the inevitability of her father’s passing and how returning to the park afterward will be bittersweet.

Hearing Woody’s voice will be a powerful reminder of her father’s enduring spirit, allowing a part of him to live on within the magic of Disneyland. For E.A., Disneyland has become a tribute not just to childhood joy, but to the lasting impact of art and memory.

Through her reflections, E.A. sees Disneyland as a broader symbol of survival through creativity. Walt Disney’s vision, much like her father’s contributions to storytelling and acting, stands as a monument against the finality of death. She describes Disneyland as a place where art ensures a kind of immortality, suggesting that her father’s work will continue to influence and inspire even after he’s gone. In this way, E.A. finds comfort in knowing that artistic legacy can outlast physical presence.

Overcoming a Troubled Childhood Through the Steady Love of Tom Hanks and Family

While E.A. holds fond memories of her father, her relationship with her mother, Susan Dillingham, was fraught with challenges. She candidly recounts a turbulent childhood marked by instability, speculating that her mother may have suffered from undiagnosed mental illness, possibly bipolar disorder.

Growing up, E.A. faced erratic behavior at home, from paranoia-fueled nights spent outside to a lack of basic necessities and emotional support. By age 14, she recognized the dysfunction, noting the absence of normalcy that other households seemed to have.

Despite her early struggles, E.A. found a nurturing environment in her father, Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson, and her siblings. She speaks warmly of Rita, not as a stepmother, but as another mother who helped anchor her childhood.

Similarly, her brothers—Chet and Truman—were not half-siblings in her eyes, but part of a tight-knit “posse” that provided her with love and stability. Through Tom and Rita’s steady presence, E.A. was able to build a sense of family and belonging that helped her overcome the challenges of her early years.