Sunday, December 18, 2011

Disneyland Aerial: No Rest For The Weary



Taken in July 1955, it's not difficult to imagine the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that were needed to complete Disneyland with only a handful of days left. Not sure if it was a matter of saving the best for last, but Tomorrowland was the last area to get started, as the decision of whether or not to include it waffled right up until the last minute. As you can see in this closeup section, there's still a lot of scaffolding and a plethora of pickup trucks. Be sure to notice Snow Hill (top left), the future site of the Matterhorn, as well as the star formation to the left of the Moonliner; this is where the flags of each state were situated originally before they were moved to the Tomorrowland entrance.



Fantasyland also has its share of work left to do. Snow Hill is on the right, an uncompleted Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant in the center, as well as a very raw Storybook Land attraction.



Nature's Wonderland is nowhere near being completed, and the town of Rainbow Ridge is but a pipe dream. The Bandstand has already been moved from Town Square to its second location near the castle (right side of the photo).



1 year to build Disneyland...almost two years to build Cars Land. Huh?

See more vintage & current Disneyland Aerial photos on my Disneyland Aerial web page.

7 comments:

Thufer said...

It is amazing to stop and look at the details and the story they tell.

Connie Moreno said...

Have I ever told you how much I love, love, love aerial photos of Disneyland?

The Viewliner Limited said...

Dave, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for all the great posts. All the best, Richard.

fuzzhead said...

"1 year to build Disneyland...almost two years to build Cars Land. Huh?"

People are much lazier nowadays.

Daveland said...

Fuzzhead - I think it's also a matter of regulation/codes/red tape, etc.

Thanks Richard! Same to you as well!

Thufer - that's what I love about the aerial shots...zooming in and seeing the details.

JG said...

These are great, Dave. I also spent a few enjoyable minutes on your "aerial collection" page.

Very cool. I am so surprised to see how much farmland was still around even into the '70's.

I am accustomed to thinking of the whole area as built-up. I guess I just never noticed back then.

Thank you.

JG

Anonymous said...

Notice that I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway)was under construction at that time. Merry Christmas to all!