Alice Puffs

In this July 1975 image, shot fifty years ago (yes, sometimes I attempt math), at first glance it looks like a cool photo taken from a Skyway bucket floating over the Alice in Wonderland attraction at Disneyland. When zooming in, one might also notice a few strange little puff balls, as seen in this detailed view:



In July 1958, just one month after the attraction opened, the “puff balls” were solid:



…and also in September:



Still there in February 1960:



(along with the Stephen King creepy twins)



As late as July 1967, the light fixtures were solid globes:



By April 1970, the puffballs had appeared.



I can only guess that there was some advancement in electronics that Imagineers felt could give a more organic feel that the solid globes did not.



August 1970:





There is a true lack of images in my collection from the 1970s until the 2005; my first decent exterior shot below from June 2010 shows all the lights have been removed:



The only lighting were these fanciful floral fixtures, circa October 2014:





It always fascinates me to see what minor/major changes these classic attractions go through, often dictated by the styles and fashions of that particular era.

See more Disneyland Alice in Wonderland attraction photos at my main website.

Disneyland Tour, July 1958: Alice Appears

Alice in Wonderland was a little late to the game; almost three years late, as her opening at Disneyland didn’t occur until June 1958. These are some of the earliest images of the attraction, from July 1958. What I love about this first image is that it captures the Omnibus on its original route, when it actually drove into Fantasyland. The steps on the right in the detail shot below took guests up to Holiday Hill, which is where the Matterhorn would materialize one year later.



The female cast members were attired like the animate heroine:



This August 1958 was taken from overhead by a guest on a Skyway bucket (as was the first shot):



Three Alices, but no blondes!



Three from September 1958:





This one also shows the path up to Holiday Hill (entrance at the left of the photo):



Yup, themed trash cans were around even in 1958:



This black and white image is also from 1958; Skyway buckets float over Holiday Hill:



Mom takes the three kids out for a spin:



Sadly, no vintage interior shots in my collection. Hopefully these exterior views will suffice!

See more Disneyland Alice photos at my website.