Monday Morning at Disneyland- in 1961!

It may not have had Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and its unreliable E Ticket, Rise of the Resistance, but to guests in 1961,  Walt's Disneyland was still an unbelievable place! Racing down the slopes of the mighty Matterhorn to a voyage 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Walt's park was filled with breathtaking adventures that were only found in California. Want to try your hand at the Flying Saucers? This was the place. Cruise down dangerous rivers in exotic lands? Yes, ma'am, you could get about a boat for the world famous Jungle Cruise. Ride a Pack Mule, fly off to Neverland, board the Sailing Ship Columbia. It was all here, and the plans were pouring out of Imagineering- and Walt's brain- for years to come. Looking at this map, Liberty Street and Edison Square were on the horizon, providing further tastes of history that early park guests loved. And the best was yet to appear, the Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and It's a Small World... a brand New Tomorrowland. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Sailing Ship Columbia and Disneyland's Liberty Street

Certainly, there are many pieces of Disney Imagineering concept art that I haven't seen before- and here's one of them! Herb Ryman's sketch for the Sailing Ship Columbia.

Walt Disney was always looking at ways to enhance the guest experience. He was not thinking like the executives today who just want to milk more money out of their theme park guests. One day, Walt was visiting Disneyland and considering what else could be done. Seeing the Rivers of America and the activity on the water, he made the decision that another ship needed to be added.

Given that the Columbia sailed around the globe at the end of the 18th Century, it would certainly be more at home in Florida's  Magic Kingdom's. The lovely Liberty Square makes more sense from a history perspective than Disneyland's Frontierland. 

                            Take notice of the Columbia in the back.

Did you remember a version of Liberty Square was once conceived for Disneyland? (Click on this image for a huge size, but more about it here.) But no matter. Being on board is a very different experience that cruising on the Mark Twain. 

I've always thought it was too bad that the dock for the Mark Twain wasn't at a newly created "end" of New Orleans Square. Fan of us Disney park fans have the idea of recreating the perfect Disneyland from scratch. Not that we'll ever see another American Disneyland or World, but we can dream. In the meantime, the Sailing Ship Columbia remains a Disneyland original.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Herb Ryman's Liberty Square or Was It Liberty Street Disneyland?

 Yesterday, I shared a piece of concept art for Liberty Square in Florida's Magic Kingdom, a few thoughts on the attractions, shops, and dining options to be found. In 1975, it was the land I instantly wanted more of. Little did I know back then that the inspiration for the place came from ideas Walt Disney himself had for a similarly themed avenue at Disneyland in California. Or was it to be a full-fledged land in the Anaheim park? Keep reading...

Here's a piece of concept art I had never seen before... and I do not remember where this came from, so please forgive me for not giving credit where it is due. I'll take a guess that the Imagineer responsible for this art is none other than the legendary Herb Ryman (whose rather unseen work appears paragraphs below). The layout of the proposed addition is quite different than what was finally built years later in an entirely new theme park. I'm sure the attention to detail would be found, but keeping the design linear by necessity would create an entirely different experience. Contrast this piece seen above to the classic art of the Florida entrance below:

Of course, color aside, this piece creates an area a bit more expansive and inviting. Note George Washington never made an appearance at the bridge entrance, and sadly, the boats that once traveled under the bridges (Plaza Swan Boats), no longer do. The missing slice of kinetic energy creates an odd stillness to the area- something that a Magic Kingdom park should never have. In contrast, Imagineer Tony Baxter and team understood the impact and importance of movement in drawing crowds. At Disneyland Paris, most every land comes equipped with its own "weenie" to draw guests in.

Back to Herb Ryman. This piece above is labeled "Liberty Square Waterfront" and is dated 1964, the year Walt starting gobbling up land in the swamps of Florida. Could it be that artwork design on an East Coast kingdom really was in full swing by then? Or was Walt going to use a parcel of Disneyland shoreline to add a taste of Colonial America to his beloved park? 

It would have been a kick to find another elegantly executed, historically based, land at the bend from Frontierland. Certainly the Sailing Ship Columbia could have had its dock moved and then the Mark Twain could have found itself properly placed in New Orleans Square. Lest you think that to be a logistical nightmare, let me say- both ships are rarely run concurrently.

Perhaps both Liberty Square and New Orleans Square point to the reason I find Epcot's World Showcase so appealing. The detailed environments and attractions found within encourage exploration and the discovery of culture and history. It's something lost on many guests to the Magic Kingdom styled parks today as they rush from attraction to character meet and greets and back.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Long Lost Lands at Disneyland: Edison Square

One part Carousel of Progress, one part Main Street U.S.A., and a touch of Walt Disney World's Liberty Square- mix together well, and then toss it aside!

Back when history was cool, and Disneyland still showcased the best of Americana, Edison Square was to be a bit of all these, with a look at how life had advanced through technology and ingenuity. Although the concept never got any farther than the drawing boards, Walt never gave up on the idea of an entertaining attraction about technological advancements and its effects on the family.

In some small way, it might even have planted the seed for the city of EPCOT, Walt's greatest and unrealized dream.
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)