My parents have been longtime Disney fans, and they are one of the main reasons for my passion for theme parks. Our annual trips to Walt Disney World (and one to Disneyland in 1985) made me into the fan that I am today. Even so, it stunned me to learn that my dad visited Disneyland as a teenager in 1959. Beyond that surprise, he also gave me an incredible collection of black-and-white photos from that trip. The images had been packed away at their house and only discovered a few years ago. I have included all of his photos, and they give a clear look at the park’s early days.
1959 was such a pivotal year for Disneyland. Walt recognized the importance of expanding the park due to increased competition and opened three new attractions that remain prominent today. The Matterhorn Bobsleds, Submarine Voyage, and Monorail all officially opened on June 14, and my dad’s photos reference June 1959. They come from very close to the grand opening day. This Disney Parks Blog article does a great job summarizing that pivotal event. Even Vice President Richard Nixon arrived with his family for an inaugural Monorail ride.
I still cannot believe these amazing photos were under my nose for so long. Glimpses at the history of parks help me take a short break from stress and daily concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are fascinating whether you love Disney history or have become a fan more recently. I hope you enjoy this glimpse at Disneyland’s past!
My favorite part of this shot of the Matterhorn is seeing a car on the paths beneath the Skyway. It’s such a rarity to see, particularly in modern Disneyland. There is also a glimpse at the Submarine Voyage entrance; we can see a park that’s still coming together. I love the choice to have the Skyway fly through the Matterhorn. I only experienced it once as a kid in 1985, but it definitely made an impression.
Here is a clearer picture of the Matterhorn with a surprisingly limited amount of snow at the top. The look has changed multiple times since this point. All of these photos include such light crowds! Disneyland still draws a lot more even on the slowest days today. It’s a reminder of how far the park has changed since the early years.
Here is another shot from the Skyway as we fly above Alice in Wonderland. It’s cool to see the outdoor portion of this attraction’s original version. You can really see all the tents in Fantasyland, which really had a medieval vibe before the 1983 update. The castle structure on the left also really fits with this theme. I can’t get enough of these overhead shots of Disneyland!
Here’s a closer look at the Submarine Voyage, which may still be a work in progress. I would love to know the exact date when my dad visited Disneyland in June. The earlier shot with the car also made me wonder if the new attractions had opened when they arrived. It’s hard to say for sure, but I think the figures in the water may be the mermaids from that era!
The original TWA Moonliner was only part of Tomorrowland until 1967, and the current version doesn’t match this massive scale. The icon stood around 80 feet and was even taller than Sleeping Beauty Castle! The nearby attraction was the Rocket to the Moon, which opened at a time before space travel became a reality. I love this glimpse at a completely different, slimmed-down version of Tomorrowland.
Let’s switch over to Frontierland for a shot of the nearly vacant Rivers of America. You can see the Mark Twain docked in the background and guests waiting on Tom Sawyer Island. This area remains such an important part of Disneyland today. It’s a lot busier now than what we see here in 1959, but the spirit remains strong today.
One of my favorite moments during my last Disneyland trip was just riding the Sailing Ship Columbia multiple times. The open-air views of the Rivers of America are hard to beat, especially in the mild Southern California weather. This area feels more like this park’s centerpiece than in Walt Disney World.
Let’s close out this visit to Disneyland in 1959 with an overhead shot of the Mad Tea Party. You can also see the Mickey Mouse Club Theater, which ultimately became the Fantasyland Theater five years later. That space looks very different now with Pinocchio’s Daring Journey there. Unlike some of the earlier photos, there’s a lot happening in this area.
I hope you enjoyed this trip back in time! I’m still learning more about Disneyland’s early days and all the changes that happened even in the first decade. This photo essay gives just a glimpse at what that park was like, and there’s so much more out there. Let’s keep exploring the history! Disneyland isn’t open right now, and I can’t wait to enjoy it once again when it’s safe. Take care of yourself out there!
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Thank ypu for posting, its always a wonderful thing to see anything historic of Disneyland through someone elses eyes and camera. This is wonderful inages of early Disneyland, thank you for sharing them with us. We get to add our memories to yours:)
No problem. Glad you enjoyed them!
Wow talk about discovering gold! It must have been exciting for you father to experience all those new 1959 attractions just days after they opened. It’s interesting to see how empty the midways are, the park is always so crowded now.
It’s crazy that my dad hadn’t mentioned the trip in the past. I feel like whenever I see old pictures of Disneyland or Disney World, the parks always look so quiet and less crowded. It’s just a lot easier to travel now.
How incredible! The lack of crowds always amaze me in old photos too. I love seeing a picture of the Submarines when the mermaids were still there, a short lived experiment.
Elaina, the mermaids were such a nice touch! There’s a real charm to the early years of Disneyland (and Disney World for that matter). The parks just looked less busy in terms of decor, not just the people.
I made my first trip to Disneyland in the summer of 1959. I remember riding the submarine experience, so it was definitely open in the summer of 1959. Our family trip from Texas was a prequel to National Lampoon’s Vacation. Long before the Griswolds were famous, our family set out for California via Route 66. My grandfather bought a brand-new Ford station wagon for the trip. I can remember the Painted Dessert, the Wigwam Motel, but the highlight of our trip was Disneyland. I only wish I had kept that first pair of Mickey Mouse ears!
Wow, that sounds like an amazing trip! Thanks so much for sharing it. I’m sure it was an eventful trip down Route 66. It’s also great you were able to visit in 1959 and ride the subs. That was such a cool time for the park. My first visit to Disneyland was in 1985 when I was nine, and it definitely left a mark. We flew there from St. Louis, and it’s my first plane flight that I remember. Thanks again!