My first introduction to the magic of Disneyland came through Walt Disney himself during the very successful ABC TV show "Disneyland". I was an instant fan as I watched Walt Disney describe with great enthusiasm and a little help from Tinkerbell his plans for the park. It was so exciting to see it all unfold before our eyes!
By 1958 Disneyland was turning a profit, the landscaping had filled in and on June 14, Alice in Wonderland joined The Adventures of Snow White, Peter Pan and Mr. Toad in Fantasyland as the newest "dark ride". The attraction was originally planned to be part of Disneyland’s opening day festivities three years earlier, but those plans had to be abandoned because of budgeting issues.
This new "D" ticket attraction had Guests board a two row caterpillar that followed a path through a garden of giant fiberglass leaves and flowers following as Alice would follow a white rabbit into a rabbit hole.
The dark and scary part was a black-light world featuring strange scenes such as the Upside Down Room and doors that kept getting smaller and smaller. This all sounds tame for compared to "dark rides" of today. Keep in mind, this was 1958 when women wore Pill Box hats and were just beginning to wear Pedal Pushers in public.
Walt Disney showed his love of trains and transportation in not only the Disneyland Train that was described at the time as the “longest diorama in the world” but with an eye on the future of transportation with the Viewliner train.
The Viewliner was a sleek futuristic aluminum sided train with an Chevrolet V-8 engine that transported Guests between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The Viewliner train was short lived running from June 26, 1957, to September 15, 1958.
On December 21, 1958, a new tradition began at Disneyland park that continues to this day in Disneyland and in Walt Disney World with The Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. I haven't experienced The Candlelight Processional in Disneyland but I have in Disney World's Epcot. It is a glorious experience! Disneyland is on my bucket list.
In 1958 Disneyland aka the Happiest Place on Earth was enjoyed by Danny Kaye and his daughter on Autopia and nuns were seen soaring above the park on Dumbo.
The next time you are in the Disneyland park look up.
During construction of the park, and occasionally until he passed away in 1966, Walt Disney would stay overnight in a small apartment above the Main Street Fire Dept., next to Disneyland City Hall. Today, a lamp shines continuously in the apartment window in shining tribute to the spirit of Walt Disney.
I hope you've enjoyed our Disneyland journey back in time. If you would like to follow along simply click on the links below and you will be magically transported through the years.
Special thanks to Didi from Dis,Therapy and Gayle from The Disney Gals for hosting 60 Days to 60 Years ~ A Magical Invitation to Celebrate Disneyland
Have a Magical Day!
I hope you've enjoyed our Disneyland journey back in time. If you would like to follow along simply click on the links below and you will be magically transported through the years.
Special thanks to Didi from Dis,Therapy and Gayle from The Disney Gals for hosting 60 Days to 60 Years ~ A Magical Invitation to Celebrate Disneyland
Have a Magical Day!
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