Storybook 1956 Blowout!

Today is a stockpile of beautiful images from the earliest days of Disneyland’s Storybook Land attraction. The first one is the actual Storybook that was used to promote the attraction when it first opened. Oh, how I wonder what happened to these gigantic fake books!

A view at dusk of the patchwork quilt area with Cinderella’s Castle towering over the background as Casey Junior passes below.

Those d#$n telephone wires in the back!

A daylight shot of the castle:

Much better angle — no wires! This photographer knew what they were doing!

The landscape is pretty barren here in this view of the Tremaine home:

Thanks to Matthew for letting me know that the location of this shot is near the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs. I hope you enjoyed today’s journey!

See more Storybook Land photos at my main website.

1977 Storybook Land

Care to join me on a vintage ride through Disneyland’s Storybook Land, circa October 1977? Our first stop in the journey is Mole End/Ratty's House.

For guests, the Cinderella tableau seems to have been the most popular spot.



I get blown away by the tiny details that most guests never see, yet the Imagineers took the time to put them there. Doorways, windows, chimneys, the stonework...



The modest Tremaine home:



Gotta’ have a closeup, because I know you want to see their mailbox:



Last one of the bunch shows Gepetto’s Village. If only it were a bit lighter I could have gotten some really great detail shots out of this one!



See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.

80s Flashback: Storybook Land Pt. 1

Not convinced that Disneyland was all about the details? Just check out this tiny sign hanging from one of the Village Buildings in Storybook Land. You'd probably never notice it while zooming by on Casey Jr., but you sure can see it in a photograph. Most places wouldn't have bothered with something so small; which is why Disneyland was so special.



The Tremaine home:



By the 80s, I'm sure some of these buildings were looking a little rough from the wear and tear of California sunshine. A little patch job is visible in this shot.





In case you weren't sure who lives here, just read the mailbox, silly!



The crowning glory of Storybook Land is Cinderella's Castle:



A closer look at the clock face:





I've always loved this pumpkin coach detail:



See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.

Storybook Land Cinderella Castle

Monday got here WAAAAAAAAY too fast; no time for an in-depth entry, so you'll have to "suffer" with this medley of yet-to-be-posted images of Cinderella Castle at the Disneyland Storybook Land attraction. The first one from 1958 is good enough that it yields two detailed views. Three shots in one - LOVE IT! Check out the vintage employee cars:



And the original buildings in the French Village where the Tremaines live:



An undated 1950s image:



It only yields one closeup. Boo!



October 1959 was a better time for detail!



Once again the Village:



...and the employee parking lot:



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website..

Going to Magic Kingdom!

I am extremely happy to announce that my third collaboration with author Shannon Laskey has been published! You may have previously enjoyed her other two guides for Disney Park fanatics, Going To Disneyland - A Guide for Kids & Kids at Heart, and Going to Disney California Adventure: A Guide for Kids & Kids at Heart. All three books feature my photographs, although I have to admit my Florida WDW shots are sparse in comparison to the Anaheim property, so Shannon had to rely on other photographers for this volume. Regardless, I am totally in love with the series and the concept that Shannon came up with. In honor of Shannon's latest book release, I am sharing a few of the photos that you can see in this volume.



All of these were shot in January 2010, which was my last visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando. I know...shameful.



Oh how I wish I had been able to retake some of these, as this was probably about 3 cameras ago! That's how I measure the onslaught of time, folks!



I still remember taking this photo and watching the gorgeous sunset from the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.









Here's Shannon in front of my favorite WDW Hotel, The Polynesian Resort:



Shannon is just as darling as her books!



I hope you'll check this book out for yourselves; especially great to share with your children if you have any, or even a niece or nephew: Going to Magic Kingdom: A Guide for Kids & Kids at Heart

See more WDW photos at my main website.

1970s Skyway Journey

Soar with me over Disneyland via this series of 1970s images taken from the Skyway. Beginning in Tomorrowland, our square-shaped bucket sails towards the Matterhorn, which at one time had two holes to accommodate the Skyway.



We are now within the Matterhorn; oh if we could only get out and take photos!



Zooming in for a look at Skull Rock Cove, which appears to have the falls turned off.



Sunshine on the other side as we approach the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant.



This closeup reveals that yes, there is construction work occurring in this area.



So glad this 1970s photographer took all of these consecutive shots.

Craving more Skyway shots? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

Storybook Treasures

A few circa 1958 gems from Storybook Land at Disneyland today, beginning with a shot of the village where the Tremaine family from "Cinderella" lived, directly below Cinderella's Castle. Zooming in for a detailed look at the Tudor-style structures from this February 1958 image:



This November 1958 shot shows the windmill at the forefront of this area:



Over in Gepetto's Village, the Skyway is visible in the background, but the majestic Matterhorn has yet to be built.



This is how the same area looks today. The location of the Matterhorn behind the miniature white-capped mountains behind Gepetto's Village was most certainly a very happy visual accident.



This Storybook Land Tour Guide is gliding by the village where Alice in Wonderland resides.



A closeup of the Mill by the water's edge:



Another view of this structure from 1956:



Hopefully you enjoy the miniatures of Storybook Land as much as I do!

See more vintage & current Disneyland Storybook Land photos from my collection on my main website.