Disneyland Population: The Boring Conclusion

The Disneyland “population” (aka guest count) reached 300,000,000 in October 1995 (as seen in my previous post). The number by Spring 2000 on the Main Street Train station sign increased to 400,000,000:



The Park was celebrating its 45th Anniversary!



The numbers remained the same in April 2002:





Still 450,000,000 in January 2003:





Half a million by May 2004!





And here’s where you’re going to need the NoDoz caffeine pills. June 2005: 500,000,000



…just peaking out behind the train:



October 2006: 500,000,000. Happy Halloween!



January 2007: 500,000,000. Happy New Year!





May 2008: 500,000,000



Does an animated gif from September 2009 help the boredom? At least the train is moving, even if the number isn’t.



May 2012: 500,000,000



How is it possible that the Disneyland Population was stagnant for eight years?



FINALLY! In this June 2013 image, the number jumped to 650,000,000:





Sorry folks, it was just a temporary burst of activity. Here we go again: May 2015: 650,000,000.





And the last photo that I shot myself from December 2016: 650,000,000





According to inside sources, the number is still at 650 million as of January 2024. Maybe if somebody gets back on the job I’ll return to the Park. It could happen!

See more Disneyland population numbers at my main website.

60th Anniversary Tribute to Walt Disney

Today the Disneyland Resort is celebrating its 60th Anniversary; hard to believe since it seems just like yesterday I was basking in the nostalgia of the 50th. Oh how time flies.

This black and white shot of Walt standing outside the Jungle Cruise attraction talking to two young lads has been in my collection for awhile now.



Recently, I was able to acquire a color shot from the same scene. You can just imagine Walt grilling the boys, asking them what they liked and didn't like about his beloved theme park.



This may be a publicity shot, but I guarantee you that those frown lines are real; the boys are probably telling him that once you ride the Jungle Cruise, you don't need to do so again.



This color image has an extra detail that helps date it. Note the back of the souvenir guide book from 1956:



It's a match!



This other recently acquire image makes my heart warm, seeing how happy Walt is to show off Disneyland in his Horseless Carriage.



Continue the 60th Celebration by checking out a gigawatt more vintage & current photos of Disneyland at my main website.

60th Anniversary Trip, Pt. 1

Going to the Park less often is working out well for me; now I actually look forward to going, and find that I enjoy myself more. Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Celebration has begun to be rolled out, and the festive blue bunting can be seen almost everywhere.



The plastic jewels are just a little much, but considering Disneyland is theme park of fantasy, I should probably let it go...



Walking down Main Street, U.S.A. I saw Oscar Martinez, the longest tenured employee in the Park (December 29, 1956), standing in front of the Carnation Cafe:



The Partners statue in Central Plaza with the newly painted and bunted Castle in the background.



Closer…



And here it is…again, a little overdone for my tastes. Keep the bunting, lose the faux "jewels", plastic caps, etc. and it would be markedly improved.



The back of the Castle has yet to be bedazzled.



As you already know, the Mansion was my first destination of the morning. That didn't stop me from taking photos of the Rivers of America on the way!



In New Orleans Square, Pandora Jewelry is a new vendor:



Hmmmm…don't think I'll be spending any money (or time) in here.



A panoramic view of the New Orleans Square entrance:



I will drop you off at the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean, where my tale will pick up tomorrow.



See more vintage and current Disneyland photos at my main website.