The Very First Walt Disney World Resort Map

Ever heard of Blackbeard's Island? Yes sir, it is there to be found on the very first report map of Walt Disney World back in 1971. There's a few other unique features as well depicted by the artwork: the original and great 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage attraction in Fantasyland and the Gulf Car Care Center. You could even surf on the Seven Seas Lagoon back in the day. The whole thing just fills the senses with its retro / vintage goodness!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
 

Announcing Walt Disney World: Three Retro/VintageTravel Posters

Ah, the earliest beginnings of Walt Disney World! The thrill of anticipation! That first visit. Going from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom! Should we take the monorail or the ferry boat? Watching the horizon along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon and daydreaming of staying at the Polynesian Village Resort. 

It was just as enchanting entering the Magic Kingdom, wasn't it? Seeing Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street U.S.A. for the first time. Exploring a whole new world with Florida exclusives like the playful Country Bear Jamboree, the nostalgic and sentimental Mickey Mouse Revue, and the inspiring Hall of Presidents- in its brand new land, Liberty Square. 

It was a BIG deal for Disney to come to Florida! We forget sometimes, just how big this was. Imagine a whole new world built from scratch in the swamplands where there was once nothing at all. Real magic was created through hard work, dedication, and ultimately, imagination.

Let's take a look at these retro / vintage Disney World and Florida travel posters used to promote this new place of wonder and fun!  

The Delta Airlines poster at top is one that has found its place in my office. It's just iconic, isn't it? Love the original colors of the castle, and I'm thrilled they are returning. 

 

The generic "Orlando" poster from National Airlines (may it rest in peace) gets their castle from Disneyland, not the Florida one. Perhaps it is unofficial and therefore, they had to do it this way. While this one is nice as well, it's definitely third place among this trio.

The winner is clearly this one! Eastern Air Lines, being the official airline of the resort focused on the entire Vacation Kingdom. The sunset red poster did not feature its sponsored attraction, If You Had Wings, because it wouldn't open until a couple of years later. Mickey gets trips billing but so do some birds from the Tropical Serenade (aka Enchanted Tiki Room), the Haunted Mansion, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and the Contemporary Resort. 

October 1971 brought a whole new world into existence. The future plans of the suits and Imagineers made sure the future looked bright. And it was, wasn't it? 

(Art copyright the Walt Disney Company and National,Delta, and Eastern airlines.)

Moana Finds Her Home at Magic Kingdom's Legendary Fire Mountain

Are you a Moana fan? If so, listen up. After making its theme park debut in Epcot of all places, it seems the Polynesian themed Disney hit movie is set to be star of one more new attraction. Where? In a place it fits! Imagine that.  Over the very last expansion pad in the Magic Kingdom's already quite crowded Adventureland, Moana is rumored to take the area once designated for the infamous Fire Mountain. 

This rumor first hit about two months ago per Jack at the DSNY Newscast. 

Here's the Infamous Fire Mountain in three color variations. I'd been looking for a piece of Imagineering concept art for years. I found the concept art on the Neverland Files site and did a few quick fixes to highlight the details.

This was incredible idea would have also sat across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Polynesian Village Resort. Not a bad thing to be looking at while you're on the beach waiting for fireworks!  

If you look closely at the art (and as always, click on it for the largest size), you'll see the project also went by the name Volcania.   

What is that front and center? Well, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is, in fact, the Nautilus submarine. Would that be a nod to 20K Leagues Under the Sea or a full-blown attraction? If you're thinking as I am that the suits at Disney would try to pass this onto the Oriental Land Company for Tokyo DisneySea, my guess is we are right.

Moana may be just the thing to bring some new adventures to the Magic Kingdom- and it could be in theme too. Maybe then the suits will rip out the misplaced Aladdin!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Bronzed Submarine Voyage Attraction Poster

This Disneyland's Submarine Voyage poster has a very unique look! With its burnished bronzes and olive toned greens, it certainly has the right look for Disneyland's Tomorrowland 1998 or even Disneyland Paris' Discoveryland. Think about the transformation of California's iconic Space Mountain. Gleaming white gave way to Jules Verne-is tones associated with steampunk...then back again. Where can you find this attraction poster? Chances are you have it in your bank of images. Just open it and invert the colors! I stumbled upon it by chance and loved the result!

Vintage Magic Kingdom Art

Compared to what was painted and sketched for Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World had relatively little concept art done for the park. What you can find is actually quite charming (particularly the art done for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). 

This piece showing the main entrance to the park, the train station, and a bit of good old Main Street U.S.A. is done in the very rich, saturated, 1960's type color scheme that was all the rage. With the monorail track dissecting the piece and a bit of a lighthouse below, the Imagineers highlighted that this was just not a copy of the park that made Anaheim famous. In California, the parking lot lead to the ticket booths at the front of Disneyland. The Seven Seas Lagoon sets a very classy and inviting the stage for what was to come in Florida. 

Disney park lovers will argue back and forth with resort is best, west coast or east coast, but they reality is each holds its own unique aspects and very different environments. More on that in posts to come.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney World's Fire Mountain

Never heard of Disney's unbuilt Fire Mountain attraction? Have you ever seen it? As a lover of Imagineering art, I've been looking to find it for years. "Never give up!" applies to sop many things in life, but here it is:  the infamous never-built Fire Mountain for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. 

Almost approved by the suits, it was to be an extension of the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland, this incredible idea would have also sat across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Polynesian Village Resort. Not a bad thing to be looking at while you're on the beach waiting for fireworks! It would certainly bring a new look and feel to an old and tired part of the park as well as opening up the options for new stories.

If you look closely at the art (and as always, click on it for the largest size), you'll see the project also went by the name Volcania. 
  

What is that front and center? Well, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is, in fact, the Nautilus submarine. Would that be a nod to 20K Leagues Under the Sea or a full-blown attraction? If you're thinking as I am that the suits at Disney would try to pass this onto the Oriental Land Company for Tokyo DisneySea, my guess is we are right.

Rumors of old attraction being reborn come and go (think Western River Expedition), but sometimes it really does happen. It's rare- and in this case, I'd say we chalk up a great idea to the history books. By the way, I found this art on the Neverland Files site and did a few quick fixes to highlight the details.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Before the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland...

Yes, the sparkling waters of the Fantasyland lagoon hosted the iconic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Right across from it was the beloved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Clearly, worlds apart, but still a draw. The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World continues to change and grow, but what a wonder to explore upon opening! 

It wasn't until 1975 that I first got to see the place for myself, but I loved discovering all the changes that made Walt's second kingdom unique. Some, like the Crystal Palace and the Country Bear Jamboree, are still there today. Others, like the two rides mentioned above- along with If You Had Wings and The Mickey Mouse Musical Revue- have been long gone. Now only a memory in theme park history books and old photographs from long ago.

Much to the delight of many fans, the brand new Tron Light Cycles Power Run is coming from Shanghai Disneyland.  It will forever change the vista of Tomorrowland  as it's built next to Space Mountain. Smaller projects come and go. That land is slowly reverting to its 1971 look and leaving the 90's Sci-Fi future feel behind it. Stitch is thankfully disappearing and something new this ways comes. Glad to see it gone, but I do miss the creepy humor of the defunct Alien Encounter. I guess change is always a constant.

(Photograph found on Imagineer Tom Morris' twitter account.)

Retro Magic Kingdom- 20, 000 Leagues Under The Sea

A charming photograph for a lazy Sunday afternoon! On occasion we post photographs that show a retro or vintage Disneyland. These help preserve the past and remind us of all the changes the park has endured as well as its rich history. 

But as you can tell by looking at the photo above, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom offers retro photographs all its own. That park has changed as well! Here's a great skyway show showing Dumbo right next to 20000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage. The bright red cabins contrast nicely to the blues of the sparkling lagoon where, just across the way, the two tracked Mr. Toad's Wild Ride made its home. 

(Photograph copyright FUNaticsTV!)

Alternative Attraction Poster for Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Were you ever a fan of the classic Submarine Voyage at Disneyland? I know I was! I was an even bigger fan of Walt Disney World's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Oh, those vintage machines and that beautiful crystal lagoon!

I'm not so hot on the redo bringing Nemo the clownfish into Tomorrowland, but I have to credit Imagineer Tony Baxter with "saving" the lagoon and the underwater attraction. The ride is too cartoon focused (as expected), but it misses a real sense of drama- with a whole slate of video screens that make it a "one and done" attraction for this guest.

So, the ride's a miss unless you're little. I am a big fan, however, of great Disney attraction posters. Here's an alternative Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction poster. It's cute, playful, and a fairly charming piece of art.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Ahoy Mateys!

Don't let the diminutive size of this piece of Imagineering concept art fool you! The original Disneyland Submarine Voyage was huge on mystery, thrills, mermaids, and fun. 

Tomorrowland premiered this fan favorite attraction in 1959, proving again Walt Disney's words that Disneyland would never be completed. Guests couldn't get enough of this incredible one of a kind experience. 

The voyage through Liquid Space, with or without a little clownfish attached to it, remains thanks to Tony Baxter. It's still something that cannot be experienced in any other Disney park. (Their were plans for something more here, a journey to the lost city of Atlantis- rare concept art here- but the suits opted for the cheaper in the moment character attraction instead.)

The subs were also an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World, but the Magic Kingdom in Florida removed their beautiful 20K Leagues Under the Sea voyage and left it as an Ariel meet and greet - or just left it empty- for years. Eventually the space was filled in and New Fantasyland took hold. The stunning ships were destroyed aside from one found in the Bahamas as a snorkeling prop on Disney's private island for those cruising the beautiful teal waters.

Guests can ride a submarine at Tokyo DisneySea, but it isn't a real water filled adventure. Dry show sets are made to look real through the power of Imagineering skill. Nearby, the journey with the popular little clownfish is also dry- a simulator attraction that's enhanced by some in cabin effects. It's still not the real thing.

On the other side of the world at Disneyland Paris, the steampunk ship known as the Nautilus is open for exploration, but in reality, the painted concrete vessel of Jules Verne's Captain Nemo goes absolutely nowhere.  

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Three Vintage Posters for the Magic Kingdom

Got to love these retro / vintage Florida travel posters! Especially when they are of places you like to go. Like Walt Disney World! 

The now defunct National Airlines released this posted before the grand opening of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. They clearly were not given an advance look at the art for Cinderella Castle. What you see is an idea of it looking a bit too much like its California cousin over at Disneyland. Balloons cover a multitude of artistic sins.

Delta Airlines had a better deal- be it before or after opening, at least their version of the castle was accurate. The Tropical Serenade building got a bit of promotion as well. More balloons. 

In my opinion, the best, the most colorful, and the most inviting poster had to be Eastern Airlines wonderful look at the whole Vacation Kingdom. The birds of the Serenade still had prominence, but 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarine voyage and the Haunted Mansion show up as well. "The Wings of Man" airline poster did not feature its sponsored attraction, If You Had Wings, but the beloved blast from the past wouldn't open until later.

(Art copyright the Walt Disney Company and National,Delta, and Eastern airlines.)

Rare Art for Disneyland's Submarine Voyage

Well, here it is! A rare piece of art. Actually, Imagineering concept art for Disneyland's Submarine Voyage. It took a little clean up to bring it back to its original mid-century charm, but the results were worth it. 

You can tell it is an old piece as there's not a Nemo in sight! And you can tell it is not for the Magic Kingdom's classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Walt Disney World's Fantasyland because the subs are not designed in the beautiful steam punk design once found across from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Nor is it for Tokyo Disney Sea or for Disneyland Paris- each which hold a relatively full size version of the most beautiful vessels. 

One day, I hope to ride the subs for an adventure to Atlantis. I'd happily trade Jules Verne's Captain Nemo for Pixar's Nemo any day!
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Watching the solar eclipse today? Imagine- if we are in the full path of the eclipse, we're able to see what the Jews saw when Jesus died on the cross. (Mark 15:32-33)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rare Art for Disneyland's Unbuilt Atlantis Expedition

The Atlantis Expedition in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The art is real and not a figment of your imagination. Click on it to see it in the highest resolution. Goodbye Autopia. Hello stunning E Ticket.

The attraction was long rumored and even announced - sort of. See the image below for the proof: A single photograph of the sign temporarily hoisted during the closing of the beloved Submarine Voyage. 

Was it Imagineers at play or a very clever promotional tool to get guests excited and the project approved? Both.

Photographer unknown.

As you can see from the concept art, a West Coast answer to Tokyo Disney Sea's incredible Mysterious Island would have played a key part in the design. Imagineer Tony Baxter tried to rescue the submarine excursion as a real underwater journey was rare among all the castle parks in Disney's kingdom.

Due to it being an expensive project, there had to be a tie in to an Intellectual Property to bring it to fruition. In this case, the film was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, an animated movie that was actually pretty good even though it was largely overlooked by the paying public in 2001. It's too bad really, as it would have made much better sense than to bring in something from Finding Nemo.

Close up shot.

Looking closer, it seems guests would be able to walk across two separate bridges into the heart of the caldera- and into a secret side building just hidden from view from the "mainland". Just now, I was reminded of a potential plan for the new attraction where guests would ride in the subs to a secret destination, disembarking for the rest of an adventure, creating a Phase One and Phase Two of the whole experience. Sounds similar to what I've heard regarding the Battle Escape attraction for Star Wars Land. Two separate ride experiences where the visitors leave one vehicle and queue for a second one to complete the entire experience.

And a cool poster on top of it all!

Newest Information: Seems folks have a passionate response to this concept art and my article:

This just in from "phruby" on the WDWMagic Boards. More information on the project and a copy (above) of the proposed attraction poster.:

"The poster was drawn by Josh Shipley and was suppose to be on the construction walls. Park management didn't like the idea and never put it up.

At the time, park management wanted to close the subs in order to send funding to Innoventions. They had no plans to put a new ride in. They just wanted to mothball the thing to save money. Unknown to park management, WDI came in and setup camp with the Atlantis Expedition sign. Park management saw the sign later that day and forced them to remove it. Later that day a flag with a trident on a blue background showed up. WDI left a few weeks later.

There is also the story about how Marty Sklar threaten to lay across Harbor Blvd if the subs were to be shut down without a replacement. He should have done it."

Even more: And now, I add to this post with this amazing insight, shared again by "phruby":

http://www.parkscope.net/2017/02/the-atlantis-expedition-atlantean.html.  

Tomorrowland is no longer about the future or even a future fantasy look as is found in the way beautiful Jules Verne inspired Discoveryland in Disneyland Paris. It's now about shoving in the latest movie tie-in. Sometimes it works- such as the case of Tron Lightcycles in Shanghai Disneyland and other times, it's a relative disaster as in the case of Nemo. Still, I'd rather have the subs than not, but I do wish we'd had Atlantis instead. Don't you?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Vintage Tomorrowland- Late 1950's Edition

Sometimes an image captivates me- and such is this one, a vintage view of Disneyland right after the big expansion at the end of the 1950's. The majestic Matterhorn and its bobsled run was a out of the box hit, the first tubular steel coaster ever built. The monorail and skyway buckets sail over the world of Tomorrowland on the way to Fantasyland, while guests take a voyage through liquid space on the classic Submarine Voyage. Nearby, the Autopia lets drivers young and old test  their motoring skills on a freeway of the future. Want more retro Disneyland? Come back tomorrow for some vintage concept art.

The great folks on the WDWMagic boards have posted photos of the day on the Disneyland forums. If you want to see some great pics old and new, it's the place to go. And of course, the always excellent Daveland is full of retro goodness!

(Photograph copyright phruby on WDWMagic.)

Friday in the Magic Kingdom, 1971

Friday in the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida. 1971. Just get a look at this opening day map. It's a pretty cool one. Even without Space Mountain in Tomorrowland and the classic If You Had Wings nearby, guests couldn't wait to get down to the Sunshine State to see what was Walt Disney's final foray into the fantasy world. 

At the end of magnificently grand Main Street, a brand new Liberty Square called out. And what a beautiful place it was! The Hall of Presidents was a must-see stop, but it was the imposing Haunted Mansion at the edge of town that caught everyone's eye. The gothic structure was especially eerie at night. 

The premier version of the Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland entertained us all, but this side of the frontier was a little empty for the time being. 

On the opposite side of the park, the beautiful Plaza Swan Boats would soon circle the park (and the Swiss Family Treehouse which sat on its very own island).  Tomorrowland was light on attractions, but a huge expansion was a year or so from making its presence known. In the meantime, the entrance to the area was elegant and futuristic without being instantly dated.

Fantasyland had its own surprises. Walking through the grand castle, the Mickey Mouse Musical Revue played to packed houses. A double tracked Mr. Toad's Wild Ride offered guest two different excursions with Toad and friends, and right across the way,  the elegant Nautilus submarines cruised a sparkling lagoon for a voyage 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 

New attractions were on the drawing boards as well- The incredible and never built Western River Expedition and its replacement, Pirates of the Caribbean. The latter was quickly shoehorned into Adventureland after too many guests wondered why the pirates weren't also found in the Florida park. 

Also planned: a well deserved The Walt Disney Story, celebrating the accomplishments of the man that began it all. I saw it all in its early years, the beginning of many, many visits to come.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The First Walt Disney World Map

Here it is for your viewing pleasure: the very first map I ever saw of Walt Disney World. Looking at this illustration of the soon to open Magic Kingdom was all it took for me to convince my folks to take a trip to Central Florida. It still has its charms with its very distinctive 1960's design aesthetic. 

Just look at 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea up at the top with its huge lagoon and mysterious caverns! Liberty Square and the Hall of Presidents. A brand new castle and the Country Bear Jamboree. So much to see, not counting the futuristic Contemporary Resort and the tropical Polynesian Village.f

Passport to Dreams Old and New is one heck of a site. One that provided this map. In fact, there's a whole article about the first ten year's of Magic Kingdom maps, and it can be found here.  But there's more on this site worth your time: in depth articles, rare photographs, and investigative reporting. One of the best out there is you love Walt Disney World history.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Sunday Special: Disneyland Monorail and Submarine Art

From deep within my Imagineering concept art files comes this piece circa 1957 or so. The artist is unknown.

Walt Disney was very serious when he said Disneyland would never be completed. The park opened with 22 attractions and within four years, the number had increased to almost 50, including the Submarine Voyage, the Disneyland Alweg Monorial, and the iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds. 

From the Disney Parks blog.

This growth pattern would continue for many years until work on Walt Disney World would overtake the interests of the company businessmen and therefore the designers of the park. 

Under Michael Eisner, the company began to reinvest in its resort properties, beginning an expansion in Florida that has never been repeated. Disney-MGM Studios, Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney's Animal Kingdom all came into existence during his tenure. The Florida resort thrived under his leadership.

When Robert Iger came on board, he took on a "been there, done that" attitude toward the beloved theme parks, and they suffered by lack of investment and additions. They were profitable as never before, so they were viewed as a money printing machine. That is until Universal Orlando upped their game with the Harry Potter expansion, and Florida visitors began to take one or two of their vacation days to see the Studios and Islands of Adventure parks, leaving the Mouse behind. This was the wake up call that got his attention. Things have begun to change with Star Wars and Avatar coming into the Florida parks and the earlier almost total re-Imagineering of Disney California Adventure. 

Nothing like a little competition to make a company go back to its business foundations for success! Guess Walt knew what he was doing, after all!
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Note: I just realized this article was my 2,000th one on the Insights blog. Just incredible...

(Art and photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Combined Tokyo Disney Land and Sea Map

In preparation for the onslaught of news via D23 Japan, here is a wonderful map combining both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The current title holder to the best one-two punch in theme park resorts belongs to Tokyo Disney Resort. It's really large and detailed, so make sure you click on it and download it for viewing.

Will we see some new concept art for all the terrific attractions planned for the two parks in the next few years? You can bet on it! Shanghai Disneyland may be getting all the press in the next six months, but Disney park fans will have much to celebrate in the years ahead. Even if it means going to Japan to see it all. Disney fans in the States may bemoan having to settle for Frozen Ever After in Epcot and settling for just dining in the Beast's castle in New Fantasyland however. You can quote me...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Top Ten Things I Miss From Disneyland

There's so much excitement about Shanghai Disneyland and all its stunning concept art! Deservedly so! It's been years since Disney suits have allowed it skilled Imagineers such free reign to design anything that incredible for Walt Disney World. And unfortunately, it's even true in regards for Walt's original park.

California Adventure's Cars Land is stunning, and the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland are certainly beautiful to look at. Cars Land delivers what it promises, but the recent Florida addition, is woefully lacking in the substance department. The Magic Kingdom parks have always been the focal point of each resort. Each park holds its charms. Absolutely none compare, however, when it comes to the devotion of fans, care by employees, and attention to detail by Imagineering that's lavished on the grandaddy of them all- Disneyland.

Thinking about Disneyland, especially in its 60th year when I cannot visit, I have been thinking about what I miss and what makes it so special. So, in contemporary manner, as I did with Disneyland Paris a few years ago, here are the Top Ten Things I Miss From Disneyland. I'll start with Number Ten and work my way to Number One.

Number Ten- A real live working submarine attraction. No, it's not the defunct 20k Leagues Under the Sea with its beautiful crafts and emerald lagoon, but the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage does provide a stunning backdrop against the Matterhorn Bobsleds as well as being the only submarine ride in any Disney park that actually goes under water.

Number Nine-  Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. A clear "C Ticket", not a blockbuster must see, but one of the minor attractions that give Fantasyland a unique flavor and tons of charm. Toad Hall is built with care reserved for attractions with much more clout. Only proving that sometimes great things come in smaller packages. Ex-Imagineer Tony Baxter was one of few contemporary artists for the company that really understood this. So sad that he's gone.

Number Eight-  The warmth and tiny size of Main Street U.S.A. Honestly, there's something so heartwarming about a walk down this street. It's something I've done so many times and with so many different people through the years, it's become a tradition that means the day ahead is going to be full of memories. Be it the clip-clop of the Horse-drawn trolleys or the toot-toot of the Omnibus horns, there's a special sense of coming home as you travel down the boulevard past the Emporium and the Main Street Cinema- which still shows films, by the way.

I love Big Thunder, but I miss Nature's Wonderland too!

Number Seven- A Frontierland that still evokes an authenticity to representing the Old West. The land is much smaller and less fleshed out than the perfect execution found in Paris, and there are not as many incredible attractions as when it first opened. The stagecoach is gone, the pack mules have been sent packing, and Nature's Wonderland is now but a memory. In deference to  Americans now too jaded against our own history to really appreciate what the men and women of the century did at the time, the land continues to shrink. But it's still there and still waiting to be expanded one day. Yes, even after Star Wars Land is built, there's still much that can be done to bring the Old West back to life.

Charming!

Number Six- That mini- Alice in Wonderland area comprised of the ride through attraction, the Mad Tea Party and the Mad Hatter Shop. There are certainly more beautiful Fantasylands, but probably none of them have this much charm (and beautiful mature vegetation) packed into such a small area. This is something Walt's original park does so well: cramming different elements together in perfect harmony in such a clever way that the guest is awash with intriguing photo worthy opportunities wherever they look.

Number Five- The Jungle Cruise. It's so retro. It's so campy. It's so quintessentially Disneyland. No need to say more.

Number Four- Walking onto the castle drawbridge late at night from the courtyard of Fantasyland. What is it about "When You Wish Upon a Star" that seems to be the perfect song for just the perfect Disney park moment? Particularly as its close to the end of the park's operating hours, and you feel like you are almost left to yourself. The sentimental value of this is powerful in its innocence and simplicity.

45 Years of the Haunted Mansion.

Number Three-  Cruising The Disney Gallery. I know other parks have something similar, but here, there's something real honest about the intent and purpose. The Gallery celebrates the richness of the park and doesn't just exploit it for financial gain. I don't feel that sense of honest integrity in other locations which sell merchandise connected to the parks.

Number Two-  Mint Juleps in New Orleans Square. Sitting in a sidewalk cafe, listening to jazz and drinking a green tinted gem, soaking it all in. The Mark Twain Steamboat glistening as it rounds the bend, all the while knowing Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion are right there waiting to be explored. What more could a theme park fan ever want?

Imagine having Walt as your granddad!

Number One-  The very fact that Walt Disney walked this park. Granting its place in history for theme park enthusiasts. His hand in design and his personal care in giving guests more for their money can be found all over the place. Nothing was too good for his Disneyland- and Walt made sure that remained true during his lifetime. There's more to a visit to Disneyland than rushing from attraction to attraction. There's a sense of history to be found, an inspiring elegance and rhythm to the park unmatched by others that came after it. If visitors look for it, they will find Walt's touch everywhere. That single fact gives the Anaheim park an appealing aspect that none other will ever have. 

(Most Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Expedition to Atlantis at Disneyland