Susan Goes To Disneyland: July 1958

Reader Susan from Fresno was extremely generous to send me these images from a trip she took to Disneyland in July of 1958. I’ll let her finish the story:

“This was our first visit to Disneyland. My Dad was in the military and we had just returned back to the states after being stationed in Japan and Okinawa. We were visiting relatives in Riverside, CA and just had to make a visit to Disneyland! I do know we visited just for one day and also visited Knott's Berry Farm to eat the chicken and biscuits dinner. We’ve visited Disneyland several times through the years, so memories mesh together. My first basic memory of our first visit to Disneyland: it was not crowded. We three kids could run and play on Tom Sawyer’s Island and play on the rocking rock. We took the raft ride over as a family. We also played around Fort Wilderness. My brothers loved Davy Crockett and I believe they bought faux coonskin hats. The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Walk-Through Exhibit I remember was scary to me because of the giant octopus. The Jungle Cruise and the animals in and out of the water seemed so real. We had never seen anything like it. My older brother bought a shrunken head and kept chasing me and scaring me to death with it! Rocket to the Moon ride...the seats vibrated during lift off. My older brother loved Autopia. The train ride around the park from Main Street Station was relaxing and fun for our whole family every time we visited. It was always one of the last rides we went on when our feet were dog tired and our minds numb from all the excitement of the day. We could take in all the sites, sounds and smells of Disneyland and experience the Grand Canyon, too.

“We then visited Disneyland next in 1961 when we drove out from Virginia to once again visit with relatives in Riverside. I remember Tinker Bell on one of our later visits coming down on a wire from the top of the Matterhorn. No matter how old I get, I still love the magic of Disney...Tinker Bell is still my favorite. We finally were able to visit Disney World's Magic Kingdom a year ago and loved it. We loved the whole Disney World experience, Epcot, etc....BUT our hearts will always stay true to the original Anaheim Disneyland.”





















“This photo below shows my mom and me in the green Skyway gondola basket. My Dad took the picture.”



MANY many thanks to Susan for sharing her fond memories of her July 1958 visit to Disneyland! Come back tomorrow to see the souvenir guide book that Susan got on her first trip to Disneyland.

See more Disneyland Skyway photos at my main website.