Early Disneyland Memories?

[PinkBudgie]

Did you visit DL when you were little? What were some of your earliest memories?

I remember being 4 yrs old and riding on the POTC. (One of my favorites now.) I got down on the bottom of the boat when they started "shooting". It was the scene with the ship and the city walls. I can still remember that clearly.

I'd love to hear what other people remember.

 

[Sherry E]

Did you visit DL when you were little? What were some of your earliest memories?

I remember being 4 yrs old and riding on the POTC. (One of my favorites now.) I got down on the bottom of the boat when they started "shooting". It was the scene with the ship and the city walls. I can still remember that clearly.

I'd love to hear what other people remember.

I started going to DL when I was about 5 years old (I am 40 now). It was the best place I had ever been. I anticipated each year's trip there like someone was going to hand me a million dollars. I was sick with the 'fever' (as discussed in our 'snowball effect' thread) very early on. As soon as we were done with one trip, I was campaigning for the next trip, each time with a different little friend/schoolmate in tow. I was cleverly angling and crying for people to buy me MM watches and I got one of those MM clocks that looked like a giant wristwatch. I was terrified of the POTC and HM rides. I literally got up to the door of HM and turned around, running away. Today, POTC and HM are two of my all-time favorites! I was dragged onto Space Mountain and the other 'mountains' in later years and I was always a wreck on those (and still am). I would come out of IASW and start singing in French (or what my five-year-old mind thought was French). I loved Dumbo and the Teacups. I loved the Submarine and America the Beautiful and Country Bears. I was so happy that Mickey and Donald stopped to take pictures with me. I used to eat Welch's grape popsicles in Fantasyland. I remember my grandmother's balance and coordination were so bad that she couldn't manage to get herself on the HM doom buggies, so the ghostly CMs had to help her on and I was mortified!

I will have to think more on that. More memories will come up, I know. But I know that when I stepped foot on Disney soil, I felt like all my problems had disappeared and that this was some sort of fairyland. If I had not had that outlet as a kid, my childhood would have been much less happy. It is something every child should have the chance to experience at least once in life...or if you fall victim to THE GREAT SNOWBALL EFFECT, you will experience it at least 100 times in your life!!! And buy dozens of watches too! (But I NEEDED all of those watches...really, I did...)

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I have been going to Disneyland since I was 4 years old. I am now 43 and have taken my DD to DL 7 times, her 8th will be this fall.

My parents would take our family every Summer. I remember eating breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace and listening to the Swiss Family Treehouse music anticipating the first ride of the day on POTC. However, we had to wait for my dad to finish reading his paper. He was the only person I ever saw reading a paper at Disneyland, BTW. Anyway, I remember the different parades, especially the Bicentennial one. I remember collecting "C" tickets so my brother and I could ride Autopia over and over. I remember the first years that Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain opened.

I love going to DL, it is my "Happy Place." I have also gotten my daughter used to going and now she wants to go all the time too.

 

[annieb727]

These are great to read about! It inspires me to keep taking my boys! My first time was when I was almost 18 years old...so no cool kid memories...but my boys have been many times - my six year old's first time was to WDW at age 1!

 

[DisSarahK]

The one and only time I've been to Disneyland was when I was five years old. My mom and I were visiting my grandpa in the hospital after he had a heart attack (she snuck me in) and she told me in his hospital room--I was SO excited and it made my grandpa's day to see my excitement.

We flew to Disneyland and I think we stayed at the Motel 6--I do remember sharing a bed with my mom. I also remember eating at Dennys several times.

I don't remember a lot about Disneyland, but I do remember looking at a cart FULL of little stuffed Minnie Mouse dolls (with pink dresses with small white polka dots) and I was *so* thrilled when my mom said I could pick one out to keep. (Money wasn't plentiful for us so this was a huge treat.)

I also remember wearing my mouse ears around and being so confused as to how everyone knew my name. My mom finally pointed out that my new mouse ears had my name embroidered on the back.

The only ride I remember is IASW--I went on it quite a few times (my mom says it was ten times) and LOVED it. I'm sad it will be down for refurbishment when we go there this fall.

Oh and as an aside--last week my mom brought over my bedraggled Mickey Mouse ears from 25 years ago!

edited to add: I almost forgot! I do also remember the Country Bear Jamboree--I loved that and still have postcards depicting the bears! Oh, and I remember eating so much food at Knotts Berry Farm that my mom wouldn't let me go on some ride there that involved miniature hot air balloons. I was soooo disappointed!

 

[Sherry E]

The one and only time I've been to Disneyland was when I was five years old. My mom and I were visiting my grandpa in the hospital after he had a heart attack (she snuck me in) and she told me in his hospital room--I was SO excited and it made my grandpa's day to see my excitement.

We flew to Disneyland and I think we stayed at the Motel 6--I do remember sharing a bed with my mom. I also remember eating at Dennys several times.

I don't remember a lot about Disneyland, but I do remember looking at a cart FULL of little stuffed Minnie Mouse dolls (with pink dresses with small white polka dots) and I was *so* thrilled when my mom said I could pick one out to keep. (Money wasn't plentiful for us so this was a huge treat.)

I also remember wearing my mouse ears around and being so confused as to how everyone knew my name. My mom finally pointed out that my new mouse ears had my name embroidered on the back.

The only ride I remember is IASW--I went on it quite a few times (my mom says it was ten times) and LOVED it. I'm sad it will be down for refurbishment when we go there this fall.

Oh and as an aside--last week my mom brought over my bedraggled Mickey Mouse ears from 25 years ago!

I think IASW is re-opening in November, just in time for the holiday version of it. I know what you mean - money was not plentiful in my family either so when I got something, I was extra excited.

I also remember having to go back to the ticket booths in the middle of each land whenever we would run out of E tickets or something and buy more. The A tickets were always something like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln so there were an abundance of those. When DL switched over to Passports, it was such a revolutionary idea, and we couldn't conceive of it, being used to the tickets. But now, I don't see how ticket books were ever a good idea!

And to echo a previous poster, we also ate at River Belle (and Plaza Inn) a lot, and I loved the view of the Treehouse. I also loved the Mickey pancakes!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I just love reading these memories from the eyes of a child!

My dad would rush us over to "the bobsled ride" first thing in the morning where I would ride with my dad while my mom watched.

You reminded me that I would always get a stuffed animal every visit.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I can remember being on "Adventures through Inner Space" when I was around 4 or 5 with my Grandma. Being on the little boats that you "drove" with my Dad. My Grandma pointing out everything during the Country Bear Jamboree. Lots of childhood memories there, all wonderful. Huge part of why we go every year, so that my son will have those too.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

My first trip was when I was nine and my favorite ride was the Flying Saucers(1961). They were round and like bumper cars but floated on forced air. I also remember riding the Matterhorn and keeping my eyes closed for most if it. But the overwhelming memory is of the House of the Future, the only thing that really excited my mom. And I;m pretty sure we ate at the Tomorrowland Terrace. I also remember wanting to ride the mules, but Dad said, uh, no.

 

[PHXscuba]

I had the incredible good fortune to grow up in Orange County, CA. (That's why my avatar to the left says "Mouseketeer since birth!") My parents took me to DL often when I was little, back when you could go spend a few coupons and leave without staying the whole day. I have several "birthday" pictures of me with one of the seven dwarves, the three little pigs, on the carousel, etc. That cute little girl with Grumpy in the avatar? Me on my 3rd birthday, some 30-odd years ago!
As I got older, I performed there with a childrens' singing group and with my high school and college marching bands about once a year through age 19. We never had to pay because they let you in for free when you perform. The first time I had to pay for DL as an adult (on a delayed honeymoon) I just about croaked at the price (and that was 16 years ago LOL)!
I cherish these memories. I have tried to recreate some of my childhood pictures with my own kids; for example, every time we go I get a picture of my kids on the steps of the treehouse, just like a picture I have with me and my sister as children.

PHXscuba
"You can't have everything -- besides, where would you put it all?"

p.s. PinkBudgie: That city/fort/ship part of POTC always scared me as a kid, too!

 

[ACDSNY]

Most of my childhood trips involved my grandparents so I have wonderful memories with both sets of grandparents, siblings and extended family. In addition, one of my uncles is only two years older then me so I'd go on trips with my parents and then with my uncle and grandparents. POTC, SM & TMRR has always been my favs. In Nov 2005 we had 25 family members on our trip!

I remember the mule rides, the original subs, inner space, circle vision, country bears and many other attractions. I remember occassionally there would have been someone in costume in the HM in the area where the doors are knocking.

I remember when everyone dressed up to go to DL and people were polite!

Recently my office ran an article in our newletter on me so now everyone knows I'm a Disney nut.

 

[Sherry E]

I agree - these memories from everyone are great and heartwarming to read, and I suspect that when other people discover this thread, it will be a very popular one. Every time one of you all mentions something, it reminds me of something else, so we all have to just keep 'em coming!

I just remembered something else that was pivotal to my youth at Disneyland - SPACE MIST! Does anyone recall this nectar of the gods? It was a red punch (I think Fanta made it) that was sold at Tomorrowland Terrace as well as one other food stand in Tomorrowland, I think. I LOVED that Space Mist! SO refreshing! Something about the taste of it was so delightful to my friends and me, but I bet if you had handed me a cup that said Fanta on it, I would not have enjoyed it as much! I also remember chowing down on spaghetti at Plaza Inn. Any place that had spaghetti and meatballs was all right with me... matter of fact, it still IS! Oh, and the part of the Jungle Cruise where they shoot the gun - that scared me half to death too. I dreaded that ride for that reason and it took me a long time to get over the fear of going on it.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Someone mentioned when they switched over from tickets to day passes. I remember going once when you could choose and so my parents bought the day passes. We pinned them to our shirts with aplastic Mickey Mouse pin. I bet I still have that pin somewhere...

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I remember the passes as well. They were called Passports and you could get a certain number of days that you had to show everytime you got on an attraction, which didn't make sense, because you had to buy a "Passport" to get into the park anyway. We had plastic character pins to attach them with as well. I think I had Minnie Mouse.

It didn't take long for DL to stop requiring that you show them!

 

[Wavy Blue]

I went when I was around three, and my memories are very random and strange!

I remember burying my head into my mom's lap during the ENTIRE duration of the Haunted Mansion because I was convinced it was going to be completely scary.

I also remembered the queue for Space Mountain.

And I remembered the witch in Snow White...

...and that was pretty much about it until I went when I was 14. I don't think I even recalled the Space Mountain memory until I saw the queue again, which I didn't until I was 16, because during my trip when I was 14 the massive SM rehab was going on. But when I saw that queue again...it was DEFINITELY familiar. It was a pretty cool feeling.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

Its so funny to think back at when you were young at Disneyland. I remember going to Disneyland with family because I am an only child and people didn't mind inviting me since it was only just one more person to take care of. I'm 23 now, so I know I don't have memories of Disneyland when it was in its original state, but I have some good ones.

I remember bits and pieces as I think back. I can remember trying to go on the people mover with my parents, although it was not working and we ended up having to walk through it haha.

I also remember watching the Lion King Parade and being in awe of all of the animals and wonderful music.

I remember when Toontown first opened and the backdrop had such bright vibrant colors. I was in awe because I felt like the end of the horizon was what Disneyland made

I also remember when Michael Jackson was on the screen in 3D in Tomorrowland and never being able to get on Rocket Rods because it kept breaking down !!!

 

[ACDSNY]

This is dating me, but I remember the ticket books with the A-E tickets.

 

[Goofy_Dave]

Great thread! Remembering the magical childhood memories from DL are half the reason I love DL so much to this day.

My parents took me for the first time when I was 4 in 1980. They splurged and we stayed at the DL Hotel and everything. I only have random memories of that trip. I remember getting a little rubber-magnetic Mickey from the hotel when we checked in. I think that stayed on our fridge until I moved out of the house. Other than that, I remember loving POTC, but being nervous about the drops at the beginning and my parents assuring me that after the second one, it's just a gentle boat ride. It's funny because now the drops seem so mild, I barely even get that "woah" feeling in my stomach when we go over. I remember thinking how amazing and huge the room with the ship attacking the fort was, like there was no ceiling.

 

[nzers]

My parents took us to the UK (from New Zealand) in 1979 to meet our grandparents for the first time. On the way we had a 2 night stopover in LA. We stayed at the Buena Park Hotel and got the shuttle to Disneyland the day after arriving.

My memories are not good unfortunately as I must have been totally knackered from the looooonnnng flight & jetlagged. I have vivid memories of the endless bus ride to & from the park and the absolutely massive queues on every ride. We only went on the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Monorail and Autopia as I recall. I was completely underwhelmed and vowed to NEVER go back when it is busy like that (we were there early August). My parents must have been pretty laid back about getting there and we probably left early, but still - not good!

Anyway, we're taking our girls in late September - on purpose, as it shouldn't be too busy eh! It'll be much better this time...

nzers

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I think my very earliest memory was when I was either a baby or a really young child. I was riding POTC and this was when CMs didn't care if parents were holding thier child on rides. So my mom was carrying me in a fuzzy pink blanket and I guess I was asleep so the next thing I know, my eyes barely opened and it was right before we went down the first drop. The only thing I saw was the dark grey ceiling and then I went back to sleep. I have no idea how I knew we were before the first drop, I guess I felt myself going down the first hill and just dozed off after.

Other memories that just aren't as early as that one:

I loved going on the People Mover and whenever we'd pass by the Circle Vision lobby, I would always look for Dusty the Delta Airlines Lion (this was when Delta was WDW's official airlines) bc I saw him once in the previews but never saw him again when riding the People Mover.

I was scared of going on the Rocket Jets bc it looked really high (going up the elevator and then making the rocket go even higher). So my brother would go by himself.

I was scared of the Old Hag on Snow White whenever she would pop out of nowhere and Monstro on Pinocchio when he'd come out of the water. I wouldn't close my eyes completely, but just enough so I was still able to see a little. I was also scared of the last part of Mr. Toad when the judge came out as a devil and I didn't like it being so hot in there. Now I don't mind and I think that the little devils are cute. They kinda look like Figment.