Tag: Disneyland History
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Disneyland Marathon | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 26, 1995
On this day in 1995, Disneyland hosted the inaugural (and only) Disneyland Marathon in celebration of the park’s 40th anniversary. In all, 2,200 runners participated. The course made a double loop through Disneyland and then took to Anaheim area streets. The route had to be remeasured during the race when bicycle escorts turned left instead…
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Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years | DISNEY THIS DAY | March 15, 2009
On this day in 2009, ‘Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years’ ended its run at the Main Street Opera House. The experience featured an exhibit made up of models, photos, concept art, and sculptures as well as a 17-minute film hosted by Donald Duck and former Cast Member Steve Martin. The attraction took a nostalgic…
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Columbia | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 22, 1964
On this day in 1964, the Below Decks Maritime Museum opened onboard the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland, six years after the ship debuted. The museum gives an idea of the living conditions of sailors in the late 1700s, during the time that the original ‘Columbia’ circumnavigated the globe. The museum features the captain’s cabin,…
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Ward Kimball | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 15, 2006
On this day in 2006, the Ward Kimball steam engine was dedicated at Disneyland at an exclusive ceremony attended by hundreds of Cast Members. Engine No. 5 was the first locomotive to be added to the park in almost 50 years. It was built in 1902 and once operated at Cedar Point in Ohio. Named…
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Grim, Grinning Ghosts | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 14, 1969
On this day in 1969, “Grim, Grinning Ghosts” was recorded for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. This would come on the second day of recording for the attraction, six months before it would open. The producer noticed how good Thurl Ravenscroft, Jay Meyer, Bob Ebright, Chuck Schroeder, and Verne Rowe looked together. They were cast…
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Disneyland | DISNEY THIS DAY | February 6, 1985
On this day in 1985, Disneyland began operating seven days a week throughout the year. Up until that time, Disneyland would often be closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the off season, including early spring, fall, and winter. The closure days were used for park upkeep and attraction maintenance. Interestingly, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT at Walt…
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Toontown Redux – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
If you were reading this blog a year ago (and I sincerely hope you were), you were sharing the excitement of the grand opening of Mickey’s Toontown, on January 24, 1993. Or January 26th. Or the 25th. (You will have to check out last year’s blog to figure that one out.) And what are we…
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Walt Disney’s Disneyland Band Concert – A Musical Look Back in Time
Walt Disney’s Disneyland Band Concert is vinyl that was originally released in 1956. This recording has a variety of music from the Disneyland Band that was led by Vesey Walker at the time. This record is a look back in time for the history of Disneyland from a musical perspective. Along with having some great…
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Rainy Disneyland Day | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 20, 1962
On this day in 1962, a record low number of guests visited Disneyland – only 389! Heavy rain and wind would force the park to close after only three hours. That Saturday would be one of the lowest attendance numbers ever recorded at Disneyland, and the lowest during Walt Disney’s lifetime. The rainy weather would…
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Disneyland Hotel | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 15, 1969
On this day in 1969, the Marina Tower officially opened at the Disneyland Hotel. This second tower would feature 319 rooms on 11 stories and a brand new registration lobby—the largest in the U.S. at the time! The Hotel entrance moved to the north side of the complex, where it remains today. An adjacent 3.5…
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Remembering Disneyland 55 Years Ago
As I look back over my 68 years on this earth, I think of three experiences that profoundly and forever changed my reality of entertainment. The first was in 1964 when I was eight years old. We were visiting my Aunt Susie in Alexandria, Virginia and I came down sick. I remember the doctor coming…
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Disneyland’s Chicken Plantation Restaurant | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 8, 1962
On this day in 1962, Disneyland’s Chicken Plantation Restaurant closed to make way for New Orleans Square. A popular dining location since opening day, the Chicken Plantation served fried chicken dinners that some said were the best meal in the park! It was located on the waterfront of the Rivers of America, between what is…
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Rivers of America | DISNEY THIS DAY | January 6, 2003
On this day in 2003, the Rivers of America in Disneyland was drained for the first time in ten years. Without the river’s six million gallons of water, crews found some strange items, like a toaster and a full bottle of rum! With Tom Sawyer Island closed, Cast Members entertained guests by re-enacting the fence…
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New Year’s Eve Party at Disneyland | DISNEY THIS DAY | December 31, 1957
On this day in 1957, Disneyland hosted its first New Year’s Eve party. A total of 7,500 guests attended at the cost of $3.95 per person. Each ticket included unlimited rides on all attractions (no ticket books needed!), dancing to three live bands, activities until 2AM, and a New Year’s Eve Fun Package with streamers,…
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New Orleans Square’s Old New Waterfront – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
The last new “land” that Walt Disney personally dedicated at Disneyland was New Orleans Square. The appearance of the deceptively small area has remained pretty much the same since that July 24, 1966 day, with winding streets and secluded courtyards creating the illusion that it is much larger. One important area of New Orleans Square…
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The Arrival of the Partners – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Do you remember “The Globe of Death?” If you do, it will remain only a vivid memory. That is because, thirty years ago this month, Disneyland dedicated the Partners statue at the center of the park, creating a permanent tribute to the man who started it all, and the mouse that he said started it…
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Souvenir Guidebook and Disneyland Today – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
If you read this column last year, you may recall we explored the 1992 Disneyland Souvenir Guide, which weighed in at a hefty 32 pages. This month, we will be looking at the 1993 Souvenir Guidebook. The addition of “book” to the guide was most appropriate, as it had expanded to no less than 36…
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Two Concert Orchestrions Provide Unique Halloween Music at Disneyland
At Disneyland, there are many different entertainment offerings to enjoy during different seasons. Halloween Time is no different. For guests wandering through the Candy Palace on Main Street, USA, or in Frontierland, two concert orchestrions provide a very different approach to Halloween music. On Main Street, USA at the Candy Palace, the orchestrion is made…
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Disneyland’s Main Street Fire Engine Celebrates 65 Years on Main Street
Today the Fire Engine at Disneyland celebrates 65 years of driving up and down Main Street, USA. On August 16, 1958, the Fire Engine was added to the fleet of vehicles on Main Street, USA. It was a favorite vehicle of Walt Disney, who loved to drive it around the park in the mornings before…
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54 Years of the Haunted Mansion
Today the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland celebrates its 54th anniversary. Since opening originally in 1969, it has been a fan favorite as the happy haunts bring spirited delight to those who make their way through its spooky halls. Haunted Mansion History The Haunted Mansion took many years to come to be. Walt Disney had the…
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A Very Special Episode of Blossom – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
With all the hoopla surrounding the opening of Mickey’s Toontown thirty years ago earlier this year, I managed to get past another memorable event that took place at Disneyland in January of 1993. Fortunately I have photos to share, and some rather fuzzy screen shots from an episode of a quintessential 90s sitcom, Blossom. Blossom…
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A Different Summer at Disneyland Without the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band
On June 21, 2022, the 2022 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band stepped out and performed in Disneyland in front of guests for the first time of its summer season. The arrival of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band in the parks marked the arrival for summer for many guests who have followed the band for…
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“Animazement – The Musical” – 25 Years Later
25 years ago today Animazement – The Musical debuted in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland. This magical musical began with a new theme song written for the show itself called It Starts with a Sketch and then went on a musical adventure through several different Disney stories. This included The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast,…
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Bring the Whole Family! – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
After spending so much time on Toontown this year, this month’s entry will get us back into and around the rest of Disneyland. In May of 1993 (May eighth, to be precise) I again renewed my Annual Passport. This time it cost $119, but I felt the expense was worth it, considering the use I…