The History Of Disneyland

This post is written by my 12 year old son. He has a fascination with all things Disney especially the Haunted Mansion ride.

Hello, and welcome to my first post.

Now, today I was rummaging through my Grandmother’s old hope chest and I found her scrapbook. Inside I found some pieces of Disneyland history from 1957. She kept everything lets start where I started, Tom Sawyer’s island

This is a map of Tom Sawyer's island before it became Pirates Lair. it used to have 2 landings Tom’s landing and Huck’s landing. Tom’s landing is the only way onto the island now through the dock near The Haunted Mansion. There was also another landing Hucks landing which led to the Indian village (Yes you could go back there once upon a time.)

This was it then. There where live “Indians” performing to an audience. But, then came the pirates and now the Indians are all secretive.

Now look at them, not one of them will welcome you to their home.  Stuck in the same routine (well they are audio animatronics of course.) The pirates are to blame turning this island into their lair!

The building in the background was the old mill and yes it doubles as a stage for Fantasmic. You can see the old “Rafts to Tom Sawyer’s Island” sign behind the Pirates Lair sign. Almost as temporary looking as Haunted Mansion Holiday. 

Actually, it may have begun that way. Remember that big pirate party when Jack Sparrow was introduced to The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland? That was the time when Pirate Island appeared and Tom Sawyer’s Island vanished.

The décor always did look temporary. anyways back to history.
 
This was the back of the pamphlet that told you what you could do on the island take as long as you need, as for me I am done with Tom Sawyer Island.

Let’s move on to the ticket guide. As you all know, in Disneyland’s early history they used a ticket system A, B, C, D, and, E. This was the ticket book guide my Grandmother received in 1957. Now, as you will see this does not talk about lettered tickets. That is because at this time they didn’t have lettered ticket rides.  “Dumbo” and “The Jungle Cruise” cost the same.

    
Disneyland for four dollars How nice.

Now, thus far I have offered some interesting things but nothing show stopping.  What would you say if  told you that I had a picture of the 1957 map of Disneyland?
 




Well isn't that nice.  But, that’s not all if you look now you get an aerial photo of 1963 Disneyland for free!

Nice parking lots. Those would one day become “Disney’s California Adventures Park”, later renamed to “Disney California Adventure”. That huge construction is believed to be “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “New Orleans” if you look a little further up you can see the façade of The Haunted Mansion. now lets look at a newer aerial.

Now all that ugly parking is a theme park how nice.  When Disney was in its youth they gave out corsages to people. My Grandmother received one and pressed it between the pages of her scrapbook.
It was orange with big green petals.

Now, if you wanted to see a ticket today, you came to the right place

This is a Mark Twain Riverboat ticket those stains are from tape that once held it into her scrapbook. No idea how she kept it. Now, if you’re wondering did they hand out Autopia Drivers Licenses?

and
 
Yes my Grandmother’s name was Connie Leah Wheeler. It used to look a lot like a real license. Notice that it is called the Richfield Autopia. Richfield must have sponsored them at that time. That’s all that I have for now. But, check back soon for some 1960’s photos of Disneyland from my Grandmother’s honeymoon.