Disneyland Diary, 1957-1958

Since 1957 and 1958 were a bit lacking in the Disneyland Diary, I have combined them into one post.

1957 ADDITIONS

• HOUSE OF THE FUTURE (since removed) — Tomorrowland
• SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE Interior (Shirley Temple Black unveiled the walk-thru, featuring diorama scenes from the famous story) — Fantasyland



• MIDGET AUTOPIA (since removed) — Fantasyland



• TOM SAWYER ISLAND Additions (including caves, barrel-and-suspension-bridges, rock formations) — Frontierland
• VIEW-LINER (forerunner of the Monorail) — Tomorrowland
• FRONTIERLAND SHOOTING GALLERY (now Frontierland Shootin' Arcade) — Frontierland
• INDIAN VILLAGE RAFTS (since removed) — Frontierland
• HOLIDAYLAND (since removed), a facility outside the Park's berm, opened for group activities—company picnics, conventions, dances, etc.



HIGHLIGHTS

The park launched its first extensive nighttime program (open every night 'til midnight, mid-June to mid-September), including "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks every summer evening at 9 p.m.

Inauguration of "Date Nite" program Friday and Saturday nights, summer months, with four dance bands playing both nights, was another major addition.

Some 115 youth choruses performed during the "Christmas Festival."



Disneyland initiated its Community Service Awards program, honoring outstanding achievements by civic and charitable Orange County organizations. The Park awarded $9,000 to six organizations.

The ten millionth visitor arrived December 31, 1957.

FAMOUS GUESTS

• Prime Minister Suhrawardy of Pakistan (July)
• Former President Harry S. Truman (November)
• King Mohammed of Morocco (December)



1958 ADDITIONS

• THE COLUMBIA (Full-size, exact replica of the 18th century ship which became the first American vessel to sail 'round the world) — Frontierland



• GRAND CANYON DIORAMA (Longest diorama in the world) — on the Disneyland Railroad journey



• ALICE IN WONDERLAND — Fantasyland
• FIRE TRUCK — Main Street, U.S.A.



HIGHLIGHTS

Success of "Date Nite" brought about first New Year's Eve party at Disneyland. Some 7,500 people welcomed in '58 at the "Magic Kingdom."

More than 3,500 marchers took part in first "Christmas in Many Lands" parade.

Disneyland's Community Service Awards program saluted the achievements of six civic and charitable county organizations, awarding a total of $9,000.

FAMOUS GUESTS

• President Mario Echandi-Jimenez of Costa Rica (April)
• Prime Minister Cahill of New South Wales (May)
• His Royal Highness Mohammed Daud, Prime Minister of Afghanistan (July)
• Princess Sophie of Greece (November)

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

Indian Village Signage & Back to Barbie

As I was updating the pages of my site, I realized I hadn't posted this Indian Village photo from the 1960's yet. Check out that signage! Think of what a thrill this was for this little boy—Cowboys and Indians come to life!

Back to the 1991 Sleeping Beauty Diorama: Even though I prefer the artistry of the original and the 2008 versions, R. Potter brings up a good point about how the narrative of the 1991 version is much more cohesive and actually tells a full story. Some of the "flat" look to the 1991 Diorama that you might notice has to do with the use of a flash to capture these extremely rare images. In particular, the scene of Aurora climbing the stairs, following a glowing orb, was much more interesting in person as R. Potter describes for us:

I had read your commentary about this scene and there was actually more to it than my picture shows—unfortunately the flash blurs the more interesting aspect of this scene so I'll have to describe it. Along with Aurora climbing the stairs, there was a glowing ball of light that was seen near the top of the landing. There was also a small figure of Maleficent that would come slowly out of the doorway onto the landing which made this scene more dramatic. But you can't see this from my picture, unfortunately.

Flash or not, it's still amazing to have this colorful record of the 1991 version. Thanks again!







As a bonus, here's a January 1961 photo of the entrance to the Diorama. At left is Dopey, and cut-off at the far right edge is Christopher Fair, Disneyland jester from 1960-1963.



Zooming in for a better look at the Band uniforms and the cast member working the door of the Diorama.



See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web page.

Barbie Comes To Disneyland

Thanks to Daveland reader R. Potter, I am able to share these amazing shots of the Sleeping Beauty Diorama circa 1991. Not the artistic version done by Eyvind Earle, but rather the 1977 "update" that was created to freshen up this attraction.

This image of Aurora shows why this version was unofficially dubbed the Barbie & Ken version. The dolls used have little resemblance to the Disney animated versions.



Seeing these photos, I am amazed at how a three dimensional diorama can look so "flat." Some of these scenes have no counterpart to the original Earle version or the 2008 reboot. For the three that I was able to match, there is a definite lack of drama and artistry.

1991:



2008:



Aurora going up the stairs...so what?



The use of flash probably obliterated any drama that this particular scene might have had. Even though this particular three-dimensional dragon might be more realistic...



I still prefer the version that guests can see today, which is a much more faithful representation of the animated classic:



For the True Love's Kiss scene, Aurora has a few stalkers that can be seen outside the window:



The lovely version from 2008:



Thanks to R. Potter for the 1991 images used in today's post!

See more vintage and current Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama photos on my SB Diorama web page.

Trip Report, Pt. 4

With the sun down and the moon up, the three of us headed back to the Grand Californian to get some night shots of this beautifully done hotel. Michaela & Matt, 2/3 of the Tours Departing Daily team took a brief break from shooting and posed near the pool.









Right behind light fixtures comes hotel hallways.



As you can tell by the absence of people, it was pretty late at night when we were taking photos.



During the day, this type of shot devoid of guests would be next to impossible.







Here Michaela is lining up a shot:



...and the finished product:



Be sure to check out their photo blog; they publish one carefully crafted gem per day.

On the way back to Disneyland (yes, it was a late night!), the Monorail zipped through the courtyard of the hotel:



Back at the park, we were disappointed to see that the lines at Gibson were still long (the new queue seemed to make little difference), so we had to skip our sundaes.



To drown our sorrows out, we took more photos in the moonlight:



Posed while waiting in line for a few dark rides:



Went through the Castle Dioramas:







MORE LIGHT FIXTURES - YOWZA!



Any of you have the key to this door?







How to scare the bejesus out of little kids, pt. 1:



Fittingly, the last shot of the day was of Walt's Apartment above the Fire Department in Town Square:



Still one more part to go - hang in there!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my Disneyland website.

TPE: Leaving Fantasyland

My last TPE post for Fantasyland is a small assortment of miscellaneous gems from the past. I would love to visit Merlin's Magic Shop when it existed adjacent to the Peter Pan dark ride. This image showing the front of the shop is from the early years of Disneyland:



Zooming in, you can get a gander at the windows:





This December 1961 slide shows the festively adorned Matterhorn, even more impressive with a space-aged Christmas star atop its peak.



As a young child, I remember the doll-like Ken & Barbie-style Sleeping Beauty Diorama.



As an adult, I remember the joy I felt when I was able to experience the restored Diorama in the Castle, based on the original Eyvind Earle designs. The first image, from a Viewmaster set, is the only original photo I have from that era. This is why I cherish the souvenir booklet given out during the initial years of the Diorama's opening.



Do you have your protective envelope, or would you care to use my coupon?



Primitive as it may be, I also love the entryway of the Diorama:





What a treat it would be to see Shirley Temple Black march up Main Street for the opening of the Diorama:



...reading her regal speech to assembled guests under the watchful eye of Walt:





Another favorite area that I'd love to see during its first years would be the peaceful glen of the Snow White Wishing Well, which opened in April 1961. This photo is my earliest image of this beloved corner of the park, dated May 1961:



From the April 1961 "The Disneylander" Newsletter comes this fascinating article:

Wishing Well Dedication April 9th

Photographic enthusiasts in Disneyland will thrill to a new sight the first part of April when they see the magnificent Snow White Grotto in all its splendor on the right of Sleeping Beauty's Castle as they approach Fantasyland.

Many Disneylanders feel that of all the beautiful picture taking spots throughout the Park this newest addition to the Magic Kingdom will soon become one of the top stopping places for guests with still and motion picture cameras.

Nestled in the hill alongside the Castle the Grotto will include not only Snow White, but the Seven Dwarfs as well. The famous Walt Disney characters, carved from the finest Italian marble, will be placed around Echo Falls, a new Disneyland water fall spectacular. Guests will also see other characters from the motion picture of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," including rabbits, doves, a little doe, turtles and fish spouting water that perform like ballet dancers to the beautiful music made famous in the motion picture.

Adjacent to the Grotto and accessible to guests will be one of the world's most beautiful and inviting wishing wells, designed by WED Enterprises and made in the Disneyland mill and by our staff shop experts. Contributions thrown into the well will be turned over to Variety Clubs International, the famed organization made up of show business personalities, who will use the money for their chartiabe work among the needy.

The wishing well will be formally dedicated on Sunday, April 9th in a ceremony arranged by Tommy Walker. Stars from stage, screen, television and show business in general, as they visit the Park, are planning to make their contributions along with the public as they pass the Wishing Well and admire the beauty of the latest addition to the Disneyland scene.



I sure hope the number-crunchers leave this area alone. See you in Tomorrowland next!

See more vintage & current Disneyland Fantasyland photos on my Fantasyland web page.