Monorail Expansion, October 1961

This October 1961 image shows a banner heralding the expansion of the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System. In June of the same year, the Disneyland Monorail became a genuine mode of transportation. With a 2.5 mile track expansion, Disneyland Hotel guests could board at the hotel and begin their park visit by exiting the sleek comfort of their Monorail car at the Tomorrowland station. Did you know department: The Disneyland Monorail was the first in the U.S. to run adjacent to a major traffic artery.



At the end of the day, guests could return to the Disneyland Hotel and sip adult beverages at the Monorail Lounge that weren’t available in the park. Guests had the option to purchase two different types of tickets: the traditional ticket to Disneyland park (disembarking in Tomorrowland) or they could stay on for a round trip. Not only was the track extended, but trains grew from three cars to four cars and the fleet grew to three Mark II trains with the addition of a yellow Monorail.

With a time machine and a bag of quarters, you could make a good profit hoarding the 25¢ Disneyland Guidebooks available at the Disneyland News stand!



This previously posted June 1961 shot shows the entrance tunnel on the right side of the Main Street Train Station, draped with the same banner. My OCD tendencies have been satisfied!



The Grand Canyon Passenger Car shown here was eventually converted into the Lilly Belle.



So many great vintage paper items here!



Another previously posted 1961 shot showing the edge of the banner on the left side tunnel:



LATE ADDITION: A few readers have tried to figure out what text was covered up in the first shot. Most likely it matched what was on this display board: "First On Earth    Flying Saucers.”



See more 1960s Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.

Disneyland Opening Day Celebration!

On the anniversary of Disneyland’s Opening Day (July 17, 1955), I will post an assortment of shots from one of my favorite attractions: the Disneyland Railroad. The above Genuine FauxD© shot shows the time lapse tower from Opening Day as well as an assortment of highly collectible (at least today they are) vintage cars! Walt Disney’s oft told quote made before the Park was completed was this:

I just want it to look like nothing else in the world, and it should be surrounded by a train.



This 1956 image captures the joy of Disneyland. The E.P. Ripley is waiting at the Main Street, U.S.A. Train Station and in front, the little boy is proudly displaying his souvenir for the day, a pennant with Tinkerbell!



I was one of those Park nerds who would arrive WAAAAAAAY before opening, just to see the train pull up, see the smoke, and hear the whistle toot, letting guests know of its impending Grand Circle Tour around the Park. I would do my best to hustle through the turnstiles to board that first train and at least take it as far as the Frontierland/New Orleans Depot. Below is another 1956 gem:



See any hats or souvenirs you’d be interested in purchasing from The Disneyland News stand?



An undated 1950’s Genuine FauxD© shot of the Main Street Station:



A closeup of the Colorado Rockies passenger car, complete with summer bunting:



While on the topic of Walt quotes, according to Ward Kimball, Walt made this statement about the design/comfort of the cattle cars that were part of the original Disneyland Railroad fleet:

I want all the people inside those cars to feel the way the cows feel, looking out through the slats on a real cattle train!



Mission accomplished! These passengers look more like prisoners than Park guests in this 1956 shot:



A contemporary view from July 2008:



While I can’t say for sure when my next visit to the Park will be, I can guarantee you that this is the first thing I will be looking for upon arrival!



See more Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.

Side by Side

This undated image of a Main Street map at Disneyland is from 1956. Always fascinating to see early signage at the Park...at least to me.

Zooming in, you can see the double track in front of the Main Street Train Station. At one time, the second track was more than just a parking spot for the Kalamazoo handcar.



As seen here, two trains formerly coexisted on the tracks together.



Another shot of the Disneyland railroad from the same batch. Back in the day, guests truly felt like cattle as they were shuttered inside of these cars:



A closeup of the C.K. Holliday:



More vintage & current Disneyland Railroad images at my main website.

Frontierland Depot, August 1956

This image from August 1956 shows a fairly barren Frontierland Depot at Disneyland. Guests are riding in the Cattle Car, standing up (please don't tell the attorneys!). On the left-hand side of the photo is a wooden post support, also visible in this 1955 shot:



And here's what that post belongs to: The Chicken Plantation. The backside of this restaurant had more of a Mexican adobe style to it:



While the front was pure southern plantation:



Zooming in, you can see the ticket seller in the window of the Frontierland Depot:



This July 1959 shot shows the Depot in living color:



For all you signage geeks out there, here's a closeup of the sign in front:



See more vintage & current Disneyland Frontierland Depot photos on my main website.

July 1965 @ Disneyland, Pt. 2

And we’re in! Is there a greater excitement at Disneyland as when you first go through the turnstiles, you see the Train Station, and you know that you have a full day of fun ahead of you? I don’t know how families are able to get their kids to pose when there's so much adventure to be had on the other side of the Station. Notice the Tencennial discs on the Cattle Car.

Look at the those beautiful white horses leading the Horse-Drawn Streetcar past the Upjohn Pharmacy!



Looking down from Central Plaza, this particular Streetcar has a different set pulling it:



Hungry for lunch? Read this menu marquee inside the Plaza Inn and I’m sure you will be! AND you'll have plenty of change leftover for souvenirs



I’m going to drop you off in front of the Castle and we’ll pick this story up at a later date.



See more Disneyland photos at my website.

You Are There: September 1959, pt. 1

Time to hop aboard the magical Disneyland Hotel Tram and take a trip back in time to September 1959. You won’t see dad in any of these photos; he's busy snapping away these colorful Technicolor slides for your enjoyment in 2010. Can you believe that peeling paint? That would surely stir up some controversy over on the MiceAge chat boards...and under Walt's watch, too!

Look at those frowns! We shouldn't judge though; how happy would you be if you were steps away from entering the Happiest Place on Earth and you had to stop to pose for some lousy pictures?



Check out those virgin ticket books in the little tykes' hands...if only I could grab a few of those.



The family finally made it through the turnstiles, but dad isn’t ready to let his boys have any fun yet...just one more picture, kids! They can't wait to feel like cattle by riding the cattle cars of the Disneyland Railroad.



How about another virgin ticket-book closeup?



See more Disneyland photos at my regular website.

1956 In Glorious Color: The Disneyland Railroad

Hey folks...the C.K. Holliday is just pulling into the Frontierland Depot. Hop aboard if you want to take the Grand Circle Tour today. Shot #2 shows The Painted Desert car from RETLAW 1. I know this type of car made it difficult to see the sights for all guests, but it’s still my preference, as it adds to the realism of your trip around the park.



And if you REALLY want realism, how about getting shoved into a cattle car? Do your best to view the scenery through those slats.



See more Disneyland Railroad photos at my website.

Disneyland August 1956: Color Restoration 4

Yet another day in Tomorrowland, 1956. Originally, Tomorrowland was similar to a County Fair, with lots of exhibits from major brand names. One in particular was sponsored by Dutch Boy Paints. Previously, I had posted this dark photo that showed the interior of their exhibit, The Dutch Boy Paint Color Gallery; this 2nd photo is from the August 1956 batch and shows a clearer view of the color circles on the ceiling.



We also get 2 nice views of the Autopia; in the background of shot #1 we see the infamous cattle cars of the Disneyland Railroad.



In Autopia shot #2, there’s a glimpse of the Phantom Motor Boats, chugging around in their final summer appearance:





This shot taken from the Skyway provides a better idea of what the Phantom Boats looked, which was something right out of Batman! Holy Smokes! I wonder if the pink one inspired Mary Kay Cosmetics?



Come back tomorrow for the final post of this August 1956 series. See more vintage & current Tomorrowland photos at my website.