By Keith Mahne

For years, the Walt Disney Company believed that they had lost the full video recording of Kodak presents Disneyland ’59 — the TV show that celebrated the grand opening of the Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage.  Thanks to this kinescope recording of the live, 90 minute television special, we can travel back to Disneyland of the 50's and join Walt Disney as he shows the world the brand new attractions he built for the happiest place on earth. Join us today for Kodak Presents Disneyland '59...








Here's a show that was originally lost for many years. It's a kinescope recording (a low-quality image made from a camera mounted in front of a TV monitor) of a live, 90 minute television special that served to introduce the world to three new Disneyland attractions that opened at the Anaheim park—the Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage.

Walt Disney and Art Linkletter in Kodak presents Disneyland ’59

Walt Disney once again trusted his friend Art Linkletter to be the official master of ceremonies as he had been on the park's opening day in 1955. But the boss is never far away and everything you see is part of his dream come true.

Then-vice president of the United States Richard Nixon opens the Monorail with Walt

There are dignitaries including the then-vice president of the United States, Richard Nixon, with his two daughters, and a galaxy of stars, including some names that will ring a nostalgic bell for anyone who was watching TV in those days.

Pre-produced film segments like this one appear to be much better quality than the rest of the kinescope recording

Incidentally, a Walt Disney Studio film archivist located the film's original footage for the pre-produced film segments in this live show and spliced them into the kinescope recording for the Walt Disney Treasures DVD Your Host Walt Disney so those segments will look much better than the rest of the program which was photographed off of a television screen in 1959. Enjoy the show!

(For your viewing pleasure, be sure to pause the Disney Avenue Music Player located above prior to starting the video below if you are on a desktop computer.)















Keith Michael Mahne is the owner and editor of Disney Avenue and the host of the Disney Avenue Podcast. He has made countless trips to the Walt Disney World resort since his first trip in 1989 at the age of four. Keith has a strong passion and respect for Walt Disney, the parks and resorts, and the men and women who help create them. He started Disney Avenue as a way to inform and entertain readers and to repay all those who make dreams come true every day.

You can find all of Keith's articles here.