All Aboard! Casey Jr. Circus Train, circa 2007

Take a ride aboard the Casey Jr. Circus Train at Disneyland, circa February 2007! Based on the circus train from Disney’s animated classics “Dumbo” and “The Reluctant Dragon” (both 1941), it has been part of Fantasyland since pretty much opening day; technical difficulties caused a brief shut down for repairs.



Even seventeen years ago, establishing shots were important to me, including the original ticket booth (photo #1), the entrance sign, and of course the engine itself!



How Casey looked pulling into the station:



I scored the backseat on this ride, which provides unfettered views of Storybook Land:



…without any other guests, flailing arms, or selfie sticks to get in the way. In 2007, cellphones had yet to invade the world to the degree that we are unable to enjoy living without them.



The Matterhorn looks even larger against the back drop of the miniature landscape of Storybook Land.





An overview of the homes of the Three Little Pigs, the Three Windmills, and Toad Hall.



Gepetto’s Village:



Zooming in for a better look; who wouldn’t like to be able to walk around at their leisure to see all of the little details here?



Alice’s Village:



The French Village below Cinderella’s Castle:



The details of this still blow me away; even decorative items sitting in the windows.



Hope you enjoyed your ride aboard Casey Jr.!

See more Disneyland Casey Jr. Circus Train photos at my main website.

Storybook Land/Casey Jr. Evolution

This undated 1950’s image shows two intersecting attractions, the Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybook Land. Most likely taken by a guest near the exit of Casey, you can see the very young plants and landscaping, placing this shot around 1956/1957.

How this area looked in 2015 when I was last on the attraction:

The Skyway buckets provided this June 1958 overhead view of Monstro the Whale and the Storybook Land attraction:

Look at all that undeveloped backstage area!

A unique view of the mountains behind Pinocchio/Gepetto’s village and the Three Windmills:

Another June 1958 shot from my collection shows how that part of the attraction looks while on the ride itself:

From 2013:

…and I realized my library of vintage Storybook Land Windmill shots is mighty scarce! Here’s an undated one from 1957/1958:

…and another one from August 1959:

and finally from 2007:

See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.