What was happening at Disneyland when you were born?

[Mountain Dawg]

So it seems that 1959, the year I was born was a pretty big year for Disneyland.

The Disneyland Monorail opened in 1959 along with the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Submarine Voyage. That was at the time the largest expansion of Disneyland since the park's opening in 1955

These rides were built to last because I just rode them all in their current versions when I was there about a month ago! Of course I have ridden them all many times over the years, but it's nice to know that classic's like these were born at the same time as me! I just hope that I can age as gracefully as the rides!

[pratt55]

Disneyland in 1964

New Attractions:
Main Street U.S.A.
China Closet
Christmas in Many Lands Parade ended (1957-1964)
Fantasy on Parade (1964-1985)
Adventureland
Jungle Cruise expanded with trapped safari and African veldt region
Frontierland
Sailing Ship Columbia Museum (below deck)
Fantasyland
Mickey Mouse Club Theater renamed Fantasyland Theater (1964-1981)
Tomorrowland
Autopia remodeled

• Thirty-six Disneyland cast members create an "official certificate of membership in the Order of the Red Handkerchief". Eligible members are those who had operated the Mine Train Thru Rainbow Caverns. 256 cast members become members. [328.293]

• The first death in Disneyland is recorded. 15-year old Mark Maples stands up while on the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride, and is catapulted out. He dies four days after the incident. [163] [450.170]

• The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair. [85.361] [226.93] [228.135]

• The first edition of Walt Disney's Disneyland souvenir book is published. [19]
• A three-masted windjammer is added to Disneyland's Frontierland. [4]
• United Airlines begins sponsoring the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at Disneyland. [228.164]
• John Hench creates a sketch of a proposed new thrill attraction for Disneyland's Tomorrowland, called Space Port. (It later becomes Space Mountain.) [226.21]

[diznimom]

1953 - Disney started to buy up the land, rather discreetly, for the Disneyland Park site.

[okerry]

In the year I was born, people were growing oranges at Disneyland and that's all that was happening on the site. I was born in 1953!
okerry

[MollyTrolly]

1972

Main Street U.S.A.
Hurricane Lamp Shop (1972-1975)
New Century Clock Shop
The Main Street Electrical Parade (1972-1996)

New Orleans Square
Cafe Orleans
Creole Cafe closes (replaced by Cafe Orleans, 1972)

Bear Country- NEW LAND
Country Bear Jamboree (1972-2001)
Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade (1972-2003)
Ursus H. Bear's Wilderness Outpost (1972-1988)

[anaheimgirl79]

Disneyland in 1979
________________
Main Street, U.S.A.
Global Van Lines Locker Area closed
Honor America float added to the Main Street Electrical Parade
Polaroid Camera Center (1979-1984)

Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

me too thats the year i was born

[Lynn, Renaissance Woman]

Thanks for the list AK! Here's my new one:

1961
December 17

• The Babes in Toyland exhibit opens at the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. It shows sets from the movie of the same name. [9] [4] [26] [228.36]

They also had the facade of the Mickey Mouse Club Clubhouse there, where I had my Polaroid photo taken with the Big Cheese on my birthday in 1963. It was great to be able to wander around the sets. Members of MMC were often there to take pictures and sign autographs.

[The Mad Hatter]

-1981-
-January 1
Disneyland Family Reunion Parade debuts

-March 6
"Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary" airs

-June 1
National Car Rental Locker Area (removed, January 2, 1990)

-December 20
Fantasyland:
Fantasyland Theater closes

[sir clinksalot]

Great Thread!!!

1975

Jan 5th - Flight to the Moon closes
Feb 12th - Walt Disney Story closes
March 21st - Mission to Mars opens
June 6th - America on Parade parade begins
June 12th - Walt Disney Story featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln opens
August 22nd - Sir Clinksalot Born
October - Emporer Hirohito visits Disneyland

I find it funny that updates to Flight to the Moon and Walt Disney Story only took 2 and 4 months respectively. Granted, not MAJOR updates ... but still.

[Experiment626]

Fantasyland '83 is the only real thing I can think of which is major.

No Electrical Parade.

I was born in '83 too and here's what I found...

Disneyland in 1983

New Attractions:
Main Street U.S.A.
American Egg House closed (replaced by Town Square Café)
Flights of Fantasy Parade (1983-1983)
Gulf Oil Hospitality Center closed
Town Square Café (1983-1992)
Fantasyland - (Renovated)
Dumbo the Flying Elephant was remodeled and moved, to north of former spot of the Pirate Ship Restaurant
King Arthur Carrousel was remodeled and moved, north to former spot of Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party was remodeled and moved to the north side of Alice in Wonderland
Merlin's Magic Shop closed
Mickey's Christmas Chalet (1983-1987)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was remodeled
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Peter Pan's Flight was remodeled
Snow White's Scary Adventure was remodeled and named changed from Snow White's Adventures
Village Inn Restaurant (1983-?)
Other News:
A television special announcing the new Fantasyland aired. It was called: Believe You Can. ..and You Can!
In Fantasyland, the Village Inn Restaurant opened and Merlin's Magic Shop closed
On Main Street U.S.A. the American Egg House became Town Square Café in Town Square
Sword in the Stone ceremony began
The Main Street Electrical Parade did not operate this year

Cast Member Disneyland Birthday Button

Dated: July 17, 1983
Measurements: 2.1" in diameter
Description:
Each year on July 17, Disneyland Cast Members wear a special button (in the past they have also worn ribbons and cards with a carnation stuck through them) to commemorate the arrival of another wonderful year at Disneyland.
Happy 28th birthday Disneyland!








Disneyland: The New Fantasyland Button

Dated: May 1983
Measurements: 3” in diameter
Description:
This button commemorates the opening of the new Fantasyland.









Cast Member Brochure: The New Fantasyland

Dated: none
Measurements: 8.5" x 11"
Description:
What a treasure! This book from 1983, was given to Disneyland Cast Members to introduce the new Fantasyland that opened in May of that year.
Photo 1:
The cover of the publication. You are looking through a window that is actually cut out. The view behind the "window" is a full-page photograph of the new Fantasyland.
Photo 2:
The first text page of this souvenir gives a brief history of Fantasyland complete with photos. Notice the image in the bottom left, which is photo 3.
Photo 3:
Now this is unique. It is an artist's rendition of how 1955 Fantasyland was to be. Notice the different sections of the land:

• Mother Goose Fun Through (top left)
• Pirate Ship (middle in water)
• Nemo's Sub (middle in water)
• Alice in Wonderland Walk Through (top right)
• Snow White's Ride Through (bottom left)
• Pinocchio's Square (bottom middle)
• Peter Pan Fly Thru (bottom right)

Peter Pan and the Pirate Ship were the only attractions that were actually created and then placed where they were marked on this early conception.
Photo 4: A somewhat rare photo of the Village Inn restaurant in Fantasyland. While I believe the Village Haus Restaurant opened the same year and in the same location, I am researching the subject.




















Disneyland: Your Souvenir Guide for 1983

Dated: 1983 Walt Disney Productions
Measurements: 3.75” x 7.25”
Description:
This souvenir guide is complete with maps and descriptions of the attractions, shops and restaurants through out the park.
Pictured below is a map of the new Fantasyland.






http://users.sisna.com/matkinson/Pages/1983.html

[BroncoBob]

-1981-
-January 1
Disneyland Family Reunion Parade debuts

-March 6
"Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary" airs

-June 1
National Car Rental Locker Area (removed, January 2, 1990)

-December 20
Fantasyland:
Fantasyland Theater closes

I was born the same year, but what i found was that in 1981, they eliminated the ticket books...good or bad, thats what happend.












Bye bye...

[The Mad Hatter]

I was born the same year, but what i found was that in 1981, they eliminated the ticket books...good or bad, thats what happend.

I was under the impression that ticket books went away in 1982.

[BroncoBob]

I found on a site that it was '81. i'll see if i can find the link.

[BroncoBob]

Touche! i stand corrected. Werner at Yesterland has it '82. Hmm...perhaps the first site i went to had the wrong info. Either way, nice catch...

[Dave chelstowski]

They were picking oranges in 1949