Wee Wayfinding

Wayfinding is an important part of…well, finding stuff! Even for the non-existent inhabitants of Disneyland’s Storybook Land, the signage was part of the original attraction, as seen in this 1950’s image, most likely from the initial days of the attraction, judging by the barren landscape. 

By 1959, the Giant’s Patchwork Quilt was growing in nicely:



I am constantly amazed by the detail and artistic craftsmanship that went into the Storybook Land attraction:



An aerial view of the scene from the 1950s:



Anyone able to read what is on the sign at left?



A May 1958 shot taken from a Skyway bucket:



This detailed view provides a shot of the “island” known as Peter Pan Park as well as the Fantasyland Train Depot:



Jumping forward to August 2013, Peter Pan’s Park had been renamed London Park. Poor Peter.



This duck graciously posed for me so that I could demonstrate the scale of these miniature buildings!



See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.

Meet Me at Disneyland, Pt. 3

The Storybook Land attraction boats aren't the only way to see the miniature homes and villages of your favorite Disney characters. The Casey Jr. Circus Train is a wonderful alternative that also allows you to view (at varying speeds) these carefully crafted masterpieces. As Casey Jr. himself says, "All aboard!" The golden spires of Agrabah from "Aladdin" are some of the first sites that you'll see as your train departs the station.

Toad Hall is a particular favorite of mine; this was the first time I'd noticed the drain spout on the right side of the Hall. The amount of detail found on these buildings blows my mind.



I could spend days staring at all of the buildings in Pinocchio's Village.



The blending of the miniature alps with the scenery of the Matterhorn attraction is masterful.





The Alice in Wonderland area is another favorite.



Zooming in you can see the rabbit hole that she fell down...down...down into, which began her amazing journey into Wonderland.



Alice's modest home:



The church, complete with stained glass windows...



and detailed tombstones:



The Peter Pan Park can be difficult to capture on film as Casey speeds by. Although I love the area and the detailed statue of Peter, it seems like the designers here could have done a better job of blending the statue in with the park. It almost appears as if someone just plopped it on top of the brick pathway, which (one would assume) would block the path of the miniature pedestrians.



The cottage of the Seven Dwarves, with a tiny broom leaning against the outside wall:



At various points along the journey, you can see Cinderella's castle, perched high atop the hill:



Don't bother to set your watch to this clock; it is perennially midnight in Storybook land.



Before we leave Fantasyland, I'll post a few photos of the Climbers that were busy getting ready for their descent from the majestic Matterhorn that morning:







Zooming in for a closer view:







I know it's cruel, but this is where I will leave you "hanging" for today...ouch...what a painfully poor pun.



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.

1968 Journey Through Storybook Land, Pt. 2

Welcome back to Storybook Land with 1968 narration, part two. We'll pick up our journey from Alice's Old English Village:





ON THE LEFT JUST BEYOND THIS BRIDGE IS THE OLD ENGLISH VILLAGE WHERE ALICE-IN-WONDERLAND LIVES. THERE IS THE MILL BY THE WATER'S EDGE AND BEHIND THAT BIG OAK TREE IS ALICE'S TINY COTTAGE...







AND THERE IN FRONT OF THE TREE IS THE MAIL BOX OF WHITE RABBIT, ESQUIRE. THE LITTLE BURROW BESIDE THE MAIL BOX IS WHERE WHITE RABBIT LIVES, AND IS THE SAME ONE ALICE FELL THROUGH ON HER WAY TO WONDERLAND.

Had to use a contemporary shot for this one:



IN THE CENTER OF OUR CANAL IS LONDON PARK. THIS IS THE PARK PETER PAN, TINKERBELL, JOHN, AND WENDY FLEW OVER ON THEIR WAY TO NEVER-NEVER LAND.



Another contemporary shot to fill in:



STRAIGHT AHEAD IS TOAD HALL FROM THE STORY "WIND IN THE WILLOWS"...



AND DOWN BY THE WATER IN THE STUMP OF THAT OLD TREE IS RATTY'S HOUSE.



RATTY IS THE CARETAKER FOR MR. TOAD'S MANSION. NOW, I'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE SECRET—SEE ALL THOSE CHIMNEYS ON MR. TOAD'S ROOF? BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE FIRE PLACE INSIDE? THINK HOW CONFUSING THAT MUST BE FOR SANTA CLAUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

Still much more to come!

See more vintage & current Disneyland Storybook Land attraction photos on my Storybook Land web page.