60 years of first visits to Disneyland park!!

[StormyCA]

Date; July 17 1955.

What do I remember? Not a thing. I was 7 months old. I hear tell that I had a great time & somewhere there's an old home movie of me and my mother on the carrousel along with various other scenes and family members.

 

[DharmaLou]

1979
It was the week before I turned 6. I just have some small memories, like my cousin's (now) husband bought her a HUGE stuffed Winnie the Pooh - i.e. lifesize. I remember being scared on Snow White and I remember seeing Chip and Dale. That's about the extent of my memories from that first trip.

 

[gingerpeach]

1966
A day trip with grandparents, cousins, aunt, sis and mom. We did several day trips in the 60s and early 70s and rides may be blending together. The earliest memories are of the ticket books with the A, B, C, D, and E Tickets when I was four or so. I think that trip we went on Carousel of Progress, People Mover, Teacups, original Submarine ride, Small World, Lincoln and the Train. I remember the gondola but never rode it until as a teenager. Later as a child I liked America Sings, POTC, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House (wanted to live in it) and the Tiki Room. Not sure when Bear Country Jamboree opened, but that became a favorite, too. The trips were special because of the time spent with our grandparents and their favorites became my favorites through the years. We have some slides from those trips that were compiled into a family video that we watch when we all get together. We wore cowboy/cowgirl hats - the same hats every trip, and were handed down from cousin to cousin.

My DH and I just got back from our first trip in many, many years on March 2-5, and it was bittersweet to see how some of the classics were changed. I didn't like Tarzan's tree house compared to Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. Small World had the tarp completely covering the outside so no moving parts and inside seemed like some of the dolls were missing. The train was beautiful but had Dinasaurs tarped/closed. On the plus side, the submarine is now Finding Nemo - and I really liked it. The Monorail was still cool and DH was impressed with how clean and shiny the outside was. Tiki and POTC were pretty close to the same although Jack Sparrow was added - that seemed like a good fit. I liked the updated Alice in Wonderland. And as for new things, we loved DCA. Carsland is amazing and my favorite was RSR and the Carsland lighting of the neon at night. I made sure we were at the lighting two nights in a row. We are looking forward to taking our grandchildren and continuing the traditions.

 

[jenjersnap]

June 2008. We decided to the San Diego and LA loop, hitting as many attractions as we could. We had 5 day tickets and stayed at Hojo's. The weather was amazing (not very hot, just the way I like it) and Disneyland Park charmed us so much. One memory: Our toddler discovered shoplifting on this trip, LOL, and started hiding his purloined items under his bum in the stroller. After having to walk all the way back to a store in the back of the park to pay for he merchandise two days in a row, we got smart and shook him down every once in awhile . I was convinced he was headed for a life of crime but he has never stolen another thing in his life after that vacation. No idea what spurred it but it has become one of the family stories...hey, here is that Disneyland magnet you stole when you were 15 months old!

As far as what is no longer around...um, Bountiful Valley Farm is where Carsland is now, right? Maliboomer is gone. The movie about California where Ariel is now? All positive changes, I guess.

 

[momtohms]

April 2000. Spring break of my freshman year in high school. It was the first time my parents took my siblings and I. They wanted to wait until everyone was tall enough to ride everything. However, neither of my parents are that tall, and my younger siblings were both late bloomers so I was almost 15 by the time we finally went. I'm not bitter. Lol.

I remember bits and pieces. It was the year before CA opened. I remember doing the Tiki Room and Pirates and seeing Mickey in Toontown the most. I don't remember much else though, I wish I did! I think we only spent a couple days there since we did a bunch of other stuff in the area on that trip as well.

 

[disneychrista]

1975ish? I was about 3. Don't remember a thing.

 

[Congo Queen]

I first visited in 1966 when I was 3 years old with my mom, aunt and cousins. My mom had been going to Dland since it opened (when she was a teen). I don't remember much from my first visit but mom tells me I loved all the boat rides and was heartbroken when my cousins (who were all older) went on rides that she thought were too scary or fast for me. I sobbed when it was time to leave so my mom promised me a balloon and one last ride on the train (which became my life long ritual in saying goodbye at the end of a trip to Dland.)

 

[scrapshappen]

My first visit was in 1987 on a band trip. I was in 8th grade and living in the San Fransisco at the time and the band teacher took a group down during Spring Break every year. I remember the Skyway to Fantasyland tram through the Matterhorn that someone mentioned earlier and the submarines that aren't there any more. I also remember that Captain EO and Star Tours were fairly new and we stood in line for 2 hours for one and 90 minutes for the other.

 

[Indiana Scott]

First trip was about 1966. We drove from Kirkland Wa down to the park in our new 1965 Mustang. Let me tell you that was along ways in the back seat of a Mustang without AC. I would have been about 6 or 7 y/o.
I "think" we ate at Tangaroa Terrace because I seem to remember sitting and being waited on by people in Hawaiian garb.
One thing I remember clearly was walking down Main Street next to my dad when suddenly I looked up at him and he was somebody else!
I no more than stopped and spun my head around a couple times before a cast member grabbed me and took me to City Hall. I look back now and I am astounded by how fast someone noticed me.

 

[KeKy4]

1989, I was almost 5 years old and Splash Mountain was a brand new ride! I went on it with my dad and the whole time we were in line I was asking "After we go, can we go again?" I was in the front seat, loving the ride, until the last drop. Terrified me! My dad asked "You ready to go again???" "No!"
My 4 year old loves the ride though, but he's much more adventurous than I was!

 

[Lizzzys]

1979

My mom and dad took my friend and I, we were about 12 and 13. We drove from Montana and visited the Red Wood Forest and Carlsbad Caverns. Tickets at DL were sold individually for each ride (we had books of tickets. I think I still have some remaining) It was summertime and HOT, the lineups were entirely outside and mostly exposed to the heat and sun. My friend and I ducked under the ropes and went to the front of the lines like it was nobody's business. We were young and crazy; people back then were reserved and polite and didn't say a word about our bad behaviour.

I remember Bear Country Jamboree and our hotel's swimming pool. Eating at Carl's Jr. And the long hot drive.

 

[sgrap]

Year: Spring 1983

Our high school band and drill team from Western WA area drove down in buses to participate in a band competition at the Rose Bowl. We performed in a parade at Disneyland and then got in free for the day. The park closed early that night for a convention, and they let our group stay in during that time. The park was so empty, but of course having never been before, I don't think I appreciated how utterly and completely awesome that was. I don't remember a whole lot except walking on to Pirates. Wish I had some pictures. It was a fabulous experience for a teenager who had never been to DL before! My mom still has not been and I'd love to take her, but health issues are a problem. Our kids have been multiple times and I'm hooked now!

 

[csgsu]

Year 2015-Coming up in May
We are going with my parents and my 1 year old son....Can not wait!!! 65 days from today but im not counting down or anything

 

[wildflower329]

Year:1995

I was in 8th grade and our high school band was playing in Disney Magic Music Days. The HS needed some additional members, so 5 eighth graders got to go too. I vaguely remember we had some backstage tour, but do not remember specific rides.

 

[ImDMous]

1976 - summer

I was about 5 and we had come to Cali to visit my grandparents. I have a great picture of my DGF in Mickey Ears. I don't remember a ton, Dumbo, Adventures Through Inner Space, the Peoplemover, I chickened out of Space Mountain at the last exit before boarding. We moved to Cali in 78 and we went once a year every year, but never did get my grandparents back there.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Year: 1975 (I was 8 or nearly 9)

A bit about the trip: It was the 'divorce' trip. My mum was leaving my dad (I didn't know that at the time) and she decided, for some reason, to take me to DLR. We stayed right near the park in a family-run hotel (we're sure is no longer there) and the owners gave me a set of books, "Serendipity", that I still have, and have expanded upon for my kids! Mum and I were there for 3 or 4 days and managed to fit in DLR and KBF.

Attractions/shows/restuarants that you experience on your first trip that are no longer around. (or majorly changed): I don't remember much... I remember I begged and begged for the HM and we did it first. Then I was too scared to go on POTC and ruined Mum's plan (that was the only one she wanted to go on). I went again in 2000 and got her a POTC keychain. Poor substitute. That's about all I can remember from that trip. Such a shame - I'm sure we would have had so much more fun if I hadn't been such a scaredy-cat.

 

[Just Peachy]

August 1982 and I was on my first corporate trip after graduation from college and staying at the Anaheim Convention Center. I looked out my window and thought, “so that’s Disneyland”. On Saturday I had no meetings so went over to the park for the day.
My first impression was that a single day ticket was over $50 and no half-day offering….really?!? Also the area around the parking lots was pretty run down at that time with lots of adult entertainment shops and advertisements. I found it amusing to see a Disneyland brochure in the news stand right next to the free brochures advertising adult entertainment and escort services. I thought, “Wow, California really is a playground for all kinds of tastes”. [I’m not from California.] I was very glad that Anaheim and Disney took an interest in cleaning up the areas around the park in subsequent years.

I’m also glad I tried to do the commando visit on that short day as many of the attractions/rides I did were gone by the time I returned in 1999 with my family.

Rides/attractions I remember that are gone now – The Country Bear Jamboree, Mike Fink’s Keel Boats, The Swiss Family Treehouse, America Sings, the Skyway to Fantasyland and the People Mover. I wanted to see the Golden Horseshoe Review but didn’t have the time.
I also didn’t eat at any restaurants, just munchies from the carts and store fronts.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

year was 2012, spring break. We were on our San Diego family vacation.
We had one child then, he was one years old.
Disneyland was a day trip and I remember it being hot and busy. I remember asking a CM about the heat they said it was unusually hot.
I'm sure everything we rode is still there and we did not go to California Adventure park or watch the fire works show, I don't remember why we didn't watch the fire works. I fell in love with New Orleans area and the fries at Cafe Orleans, the corny dog cart.

 

[Diznygrl]

August 1982 and I was on my first corporate trip after graduation from college and staying at the Anaheim Convention Center. I looked out my window and thought, “so that’s Disneyland”. On Saturday I had no meetings so went over to the park for the day.
My first impression was that a single day ticket was over $50 and no half-day offering….really?!? Also the area around the parking lots was pretty run down at that time with lots of adult entertainment shops and advertisements. I found it amusing to see a Disneyland brochure in the news stand right next to the free brochures advertising adult entertainment and escort services. I thought, “Wow, California really is a playground for all kinds of tastes”. [I’m not from California.] I was very glad that Anaheim and Disney took an interest in cleaning up the areas around the park in subsequent years.

I’m also glad I tried to do the commando visit on that short day as many of the attractions/rides I did were gone by the time I returned in 1999 with my family.

Rides/attractions I remember that are gone now – The Country Bear Jamboree, Mike Fink’s Keel Boats, The Swiss Family Treehouse, America Sings, the Skyway to Fantasyland and the People Mover. I wanted to see the Golden Horseshoe Review but didn’t have the time.
I also didn’t eat at any restaurants, just munchies from the carts and store fronts.

In 1982??? Admission in 1982 was $12.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Year: 1988
a bit about the trip: The trip was for Grad Night. The Senior Class of '88 hopped on buses around noon or so. We parked in the lot at Disneyland and everyone got dressed and "made up" for the night. I had to sit outside because I had an allergic reaction to all the hairspray... lol! At midnight the park opened for the celebration.

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the concerts were Expose, Run DMC, and Roger (sang with some kind of tube in his mouth to change his voice?).

I remember thinking how ridiculous it was that the girls had to wear skirts or dresses and the guys had to wear jackets and ties, as I had to hike my skirt up to straddle sit behind someone on Splash Mountain.

Was there a statue of Toady in front of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride? I think I remember taking photos with it. I also vaguely remember there being a sphere like Epcot being near the entrance.

The park was open until 5 am, then we loaded back on the buses to head back to Elk Grove, CA.

If I remember, I will dig out some photos later and post them here.