Original attractions at Disneyland that are still around today
Category: Travel
It’s been 70 years since Disneyland opened. Walt Disney began his speech, “To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land.”
It has been dubbed “The Happiest Place on Earth” and for families that has been true for generations as young and old have happy memories of their time spent in the resort.
When it opened Disneyland was much different than the resort we know today. The parking lot is now known as Disney California Adventure! How’s that for a change?
While it has gone through countless changes there are still some original attractions that remain today.
The attractions have been upgraded, spoofed up, and attended to through the years, but the bones are still the same as the day Walt Disney opened the park.
Walt Disney was a train enthusiast and he insisted Disneyland included a railroad. The Disneyland Railroad still operates and loops around the park. Currently it stops at Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland while also taking guests on a tour of the Grand Canyon and the Primeval World.
Fantasyland
“Here is a world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, age of chivalric, magic, and make-believe are reborn, and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young in heart, to those believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true.” Walt Disney
What would a theme park be without a carrousel? King Arthur Carrousel still excites guests young and old. It has been restored several times since 1955 yet remains as beautiful and enchanting as ever. The Carousel sits at the entrance to Fantasyland and is the first attraction guests encounter when they walk through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
With Disney music accompanying the horses and animals as they ride around, this carousel reminds guests of the joy the park and the films have brought to young and old.
Peter Pan’s Flight is so popular there are always lines to enter. Guests fly through the air (slowly) in a pirate ship and encounter the story of Peter Pan, Wendy, and the whole gang with the streets of London at their feet.
The pirate ships glide on a track giving riders the illusion of flying through the air like Peter and the others. This attraction is one of the most popular in the land.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is another Fantasyland attraction that has stood the test of time. As guests travel through the story of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, they sit in an old-fashioned car just like the one Mr. Toad drives in the film 1949 animated film.
This is the quintessential ride through a story, which the original attractions were meant to be.
Snow White’s Scary Adventures takes guests through the story of the princess. This attraction is the only one in Fantasyland that is dedicated to a Disney princess, which is interesting as the princesses have become some of the most popular Disney characters. The ride has been re-themed with a more fantasy approach than a scary one, and it has been tamed down, items added, and renamed Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.
The re-themed version is more in keeping with the joy and delight associated with the land and brings the love of the princess to the delight of fans. Fantasyland less fear and more fantasy, and that is just what guests get in the Snow White attraction.
Mad Tea Party is a spinning ride as guests twirl around in teacups. As many people have discovered, even though it is possible to keep the cups from spinning too fast this ride is not for everyone. If you can handle spinning, then this is a fun – and colorful – attraction.
Guests have the ability to spin their cups fast or slow while they also twirl around on a table top. At night with the lights above this is a beautiful sight with the colorful teacups spinning under the twinkling lights.
The Storybook Land Canal Boats cruise is a leisurely boat ride on a canal that winds through miniature settings of some popular Disney films. The ride has been updated through the years as new films have come out bringing more opportunities for various recreations.
Since it first opened there have been so many new films and they have required their own space in Storybook Land.
As mentioned above, Walt Disney enjoyed trains. Besides the Disneyland Railway, the Casey Jr. Circus Train is another train ride. This one takes passengers through more miniature representations of Disney films. Some of these can also be seen on the Storybook Land Canal Boats. This is actually a fun little train ride for the very young.
Tomorrowland
“A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man’s achievement, a step into the future with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure, and ideals — the atomic age, the challenge of outer space, and the hope for a peaceful and unified world.” Walt Disney
Autopia has had many car upgrades throughout the decades but remains a tribute to Walt Disney’s idea of giving youngsters the thrill of driving their own car. This is one car ride where traffic jams are not a problem. And drivers won’t get a speeding ticket, although the cars can only go a maximum of 6 miles per hour. Whew!
Adventureland
“Here is adventure. Here is romance. Here is mystery.” Walt Disney
Adventureland is the home of the Jungle Cruise. While the boat ride remains the same as it was on opening day, what is happening on the shore has been tweaked over the years. The original ride was a bit more adventurous than the often-comic one we know today. Everyone remembers when they see “the back side of water.”
Frontierland
“It is here that we experience the story of our country’s past — the color, romance, and drama of frontier America as it developed from wilderness trails to roads, riverboats and civilization; a tribute to the faith, courage, and ingenuity of our hearty pioneers who blazed the trails and made this progress possible.” Walt Disney
In Frontierland the Mark Twain Riverboat on the Rivers of America remains a nice way to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful cruise. It’s tame and peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of the park. This is a delightful 14-minute ride aboard an old-time paddlewheel boat.
Disneyland is 70! What a legacy!
While these attractions have been upgraded and altered throughout the years, they are still the foundation of the park. They were opened by Walt Disney in July 1955 with the hope of entertaining and delighting all ages.
Disneyland has had many changes in the past 70 years and is still undergoing advancements. As Disney famously said, “Disneyland will never be completed, as long as there is imagination left in the world”. And oh boy, is there ever still imagination in the world. Stay tuned for some big changes but in the meantime these original attractions remain a throwback and tribute to Mr. Walt Disney.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Photo use is approved by Disney