60 years of first visits to Disneyland park!!

[DLfan4]

So in honour of the upcoming 60th, I was wondering when was the first time you visted the original Disneyland park?

Please reply with the format as follows

Year:
a bit about the trip:
attractions/shows/restuarants that you experience on your first trip that are no longer around. (or majorly changed).

I will go first. see next post.

if you have a picture post it also (I will see if I can find my pics and post them later)

 

[DLfan4]

Year: 1992
A bit about the trip: Went on a Carnival Cruise with friends, and had 5 days in Anaheim after the trip. Spent 1 day at Disneyland.
Attractions/shows/restaurants that are no longer around:
I remember the Country Bear Jamboree!
I also remember these giant cutouts of characters that you could pose with and take pictures. Does anyone else remember these?

 

[lovebug33]

Year: 1981 or 1982
a bit about the trip: my adopted grandpa told my parents that all good parents took their kids to Disneyland. My parents had no clue what Disneyland really was, but he was willing to pay , so they went (he had raised his kids right next to Disneyland before he moved to Nevada). So we went. I remember very little (I was 4 or 5), except that mommy bought me this ridiculously expensive Minnie Mouse dress and I wore it all the time. I remember it was expensive because my daddy would tell me, "Better wear that a lot girl. Cost me half a day's pay." This was all more than you needed to know, I am sure.
No clue about attractions.

 

[Stryker]

So in honour of the upcoming 60th, I was wondering when was the first time you visted the original Disneyland park?

Please reply with the format as follows

Year:
a bit about the trip:
attractions/shows/restuarants that you experience on your first trip that are no longer around. (or majorly changed).

I will go first. see next post.

if you have a picture post it also (I will see if I can find my pics and post them later)

April 1994

I was 11 & the youngest in a group of 9 people. I felt so spoiled (in a good way).That week was pretty much the highlight of my childhood. I remember it rained most of the week so we all wore ponchos & it was great because there were hardly any lines!

Not sure what's no longer there because my 2nd trip will be May 2015! I'm looking forward to things that weren't there like DCA & Indiana jones.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Year: 1987. I was around 2 years old. I went with my mom, grandmother, and aunt on a day trip. Back then, the cost of tickets was so much better than it is now. We went in summer so it was warm. I don't remember much, but I do remember the Main Street Electrical Light Parade. Pure magic. I think I was exhausted, but even though I was falling asleep, I remember hearing the music the first time. Even today it gives me chills. I also remember the polynesian dinner show...what was it called? I still have my shell necklace they gave out with the show.

I have to admit though, most of my memories are of the trips I took in the 90s when I was older. Stuff like the Beauty and the Beast Live Show, The Hunchback of Notre Dame show, Mickey's 65th birthday, and, my personal favorite, the 40 Years of Adventure show at the Tomorrowland Terrace.

Year: 1992
A bit about the trip: Went on a Carnival Cruise with friends, and had 5 days in Anaheim after the trip. Spent 1 day at Disneyland.
Attractions/shows/restaurants that are no longer around:
I remember the Country Bear Jamboree!
I also remember these giant cutouts of characters that you could pose with and take pictures. Does anyone else remember these?

I remember the cutouts I think you were talking about. There were a bunch of Beauty and the Beast ones, then there was also a huge cutout area made to look like "Disney Afternoon."

 

[Butterfly123]

All you youngsters!!
Year: 1969
I was 6. We had moved to the U.S. a little over a year before. I remember bits and pieces of the trip...the people mover, the ride where they shrink you down, America Sings, Country Bear Jamboree, a motor boat ride, the gondulas through the Matterhorn. I remember seeing a moon rock on display in Tomorrowland! So much has changed since 1969! Some of those memories may be from another trip we took there a few years later, it was more than a few years ago.

 

[Diznygrl]

1984.

I was 3 so I don't remember much. We were there because my grandparents were visiting and wanted to take us. Little did anyone know that we would end up going back nearly every year since. Sadly I hardly have any pictures from this visit...or much from any of my childhood visits, unfortunately. My family was never big on picture taking back then...actually my dad was the camera handler of the family and he seemed to rather take pictures of birds, flowers, and landmarks more than his own family. ANYWAY, I was recently looking through some old slides and found some from that trip. There are pictures of a Donald Duck 50th Birthday show at the old Tomorrowland Stage (where Magic Eye Theater is now), two shadowy pictures of me with Donald somewhere on Main Street, and some pictures of my brother wearing a pair of old school style Mickey ears (when the ears were less circular...jeez, wish he still had these!). They were taken in Bear Country (now Critter Country) with a few of the Country Bears.

My brother, who is three years older than me, likes to tell me about how we used to watch some "A Visit to Disneyland" video over and over before we ever went to DL, and that apparently all I would ever talk about is getting a Mickey Mouse Pancake. Not even sure if I ended up getting one.

 

[bcwife76]

Year: 1987
I was 11 years old, went with my mom and stepdad. They kept the trip a secret until just a few days before we left. We drove down from Vancouver - I remember visiting the sealion caves in Oregon! I remember being scared to go on the matterhorn (still am LOL) and made my mom go on Small World about 3 times ;-) Pirates was my absolute favourite ride and it still is; now it's even more special because my youngest LOVED LOVED LOVED pirates when we took our kids there for their first trip in 2013. Carnation Cafe....I remember for sure eating at Carnation Cafe (and I think I ordered a monte cristo sandwich???) The Electric Parade. That was amazing to me.

 

[Meriweather]

1957.......I was 3. Went with my parents.
Really only remember my hat flying off while riding Dumbo.

 

[NannyBeBe]

My husband was there in 1955.
He and I went with our families when we were 13 years old, so around 1959. The only thing I remember is riding Peter Pan and he and I sneaking kisses.
We were also there for the 50th and will be there for the 60th.

 

[nunzia]

1963...I was six years old I was a Disney geek even then..we were that family huddled around the TV every Sunday night watching Uncle Walt.
Went with Mom, Dad and brother and stayed at I think the Saga Inn..it had a logo of a knight on a horse. Long gone, of course. There was a mini golf place close by.
I remember the Flying Saucers, Adventure through Inner Space, the Skyway, Monsanto House of the Future, People Mover, Carousel of Progress and some ride through Rainbow Caverns? I sure wish my family had taken more pictures but I have very very few. Still have my Guidebook and Park Map though!

 

[DLmama]

Summer of 1985. It was the 30th anniversary. I had just turned 4.

I don't remember much, but the Main St Electrical Parade was mesmerizing. I loved it! I was terrified of POTC because of the drops. But, it was my mom's favorite ride, so we rode it more than any of the other rides. My favorite ride was Dumbo.

I went during the 50th and will make a few trips during the 60th.

 

[PinkBudgie]

1971 or so. I was 4 years old. My favorite was "The Microscope Ride" AKA Adventures Thru Inner Space. That was the ride on wanted to go on first every time we returned.
However I most remember POTC and ducking down in the bottom of the boat because I thought they were really shooting.
And I loved the singing flower in the Tiki Room.
On a later trip I remember calling my Grandma in Washington from a phone booth in TL that let the whole family talk at the same time! (Speaker phone)

 

[finchy3]

Year : 2004
From the UK it was meant as a one off, we fell in love with DL and have been back 9 times since and are now DVC owners at GCV.
Family of four.

 

[HopLow1968]

1980, I was 12 years old. We were poor and had saved up for a long time. My mom was from California originally and had gone to the Park a lot in her childhood. She always spoke of it with almost reverence. I remember Adventures through Inner Space, especially the "microscope" in the que where you could see the little people in their ride chairs. The other thing I remember was all the girls! I guess I was an early bloomer and being from a small town I couldn't believe how many cute girls there were. Being 12 and shy I didn't speak to any. But I had a great time anyway!

I went again when I was 16 (I was a little bolder that time).

And then in the late 80s, I joined the Marines and was stationed in CAlifornia and realized I could just pop a ride a couple hours north and go to Disneyland anytime I wanted. And then I got a AP (back when it cost $199 and included parking). By then I was rather disillusioned with California and Disneyland became my refuge. I went a LOT. But then moved in the late 90s and haven't been back since. Going again this October and super excited.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Year: 1957
A bit about the trip: Drove down from San Francisco, spent one day at Disneyland, one day at Knott's. Christmastime.
Attractions/shows/restaurants that are no longer around: Mine Train ride, gunfights in Frontierland, Rocket ride to Moon, 20,000 Leagues under the sea submarine, The World Beneath Us, Captain Hook's restaurant.
We each had $1 dollar to spend, wound up getting Mickey ears (yes, I still have mine)

 

[xApril]

Year: 2014
We were supposed to go in May 2014 but plans changed so we went in December instead. We had to use our airline credit before it expired and we couldn't miss too much of work, so it was a very short 3 day trip. We only had one day at the park and we chose to do Disneyland. It was super magical to see everything decorated for Christmas!
Nothing really has changed since then, so I don't have anything to comment on that aspect.

 

[Canuck16]

Spring Break 1982.

We drove down from Vancouver BC in our motor with our grand parents and another family in their camper van.

We camped right across the street from the park where DCA is now.

We spent 1 day at DL and I remember riding PoC over and over......it was my favorite ride

 

[corinne76]

1983, I was 3. I went with my grandparents but I don't remember much of that trip and there don't seem to be any picture.

We went again with my grandparents when both my sisters made 3 as well, so around 1988 and 1991. I remember going with my parents when I was 15. That was it. I didnt get to go back until 2 years ago with my husband and kids. Some things have changed, but somethings remain the same, making DL perfectly modern and nostalgic at the same time.

I do remember the light parade and the Country Bear Jamboree. I didn't even realize until recently that Splash Mountain took it's place. Peter Pan was (and still is) my fave ride

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

1983, I was 3. I went with my grandparents but I don't remember much of that trip and there don't seem to be any picture.

We went again with my grandparents when both my sisters made 3 as well, so around 1988 and 1991. I remember going with my parents when I was 15. That was it. I didnt get to go back until 2 years ago with my husband and kids. Some things have changed, but somethings remain the same, making DL perfectly modern and nostalgic at the same time.

I do remember the light parade and the Country Bear Jamboree. I didn't even realize until recently that Splash Mountain took it's place. Peter Pan was (and still is) my fave ride

Just a slight correction - the Many Adventures with Winnie the Pooh stands where Country Bear Jamboree used to be. My favorite was Peter Pan, too.