August 3, 2020

When the Imagineers Were at the Top of Their Craft

The first generation of Walt Disney's Imagineers were the cream of the crop! The dazzling results spoke for the high quality of their art. As they learned under their head master, perfection and the highest appreciation for park guests were their number one concerns.

The Spring 1967 opening of Pirates of the Caribbean capped off the elegance and excitement of New Orleans Square, a faithful but fanciful take on the beloved city. This photograph shows off the original attraction entrance. Perfectly in tune with the rest of the land, its charming and understated building never gave a hint to the exciting and classic attraction found within. The best Disneyland had to offer would be found here in this new land.

Once Fast Pass reared its ugly head decades later, crowds gathered, and the monstrosity of queue lines had to be reconfigured due to its continued popularity. More crowds came with the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Fantastic! and an underwhelming Tomorrowland that did not draw the guest count of earlier years.

What will the suits think of next?

(Photographer unknown.)

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