By Keith Mahne

1965 marked the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, and to celebrate the occasion, Walt gave TV viewers a sneak peek into the upcoming Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean attractions and other new plans for his park on this beloved 10th anniversary show as part of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Join us in today's new article as we travel back to 1965 and join Walt, Disneyland Ambassador Julie Reihm, and his Imagineers as we watch Disneyland's 10th Anniversary Show in spectacular HD quality...

By Jim Denney

Walt Disney fell in love with the real Matterhorn in Switzerland while filming the 1959 live-action film Third Man on the Mountain. Back at Disneyland Park, Walt decided to cover a forested 20-foot-high mound named Holiday Hill with artificial snow, add a toboggan run and rename it Snow Hill. However, Walt always dreamed big, and his "hill" grew into a 147-foot-tall "mountain." Join us today as we embark on the first in a series of articles on Walt's Mountains by Jim Denney, author of Walt’s Disneyland, and learn the incredible history of how the Matterhorn came to call Disneyland home...

By Chris Lyndon

We all know the story of Walt one day sitting on a park bench watching his daughters delight in riding a merry-go-round. Legend says this was the first time he imagined a place where kids and their parents could have fun together. It's no secret that 62 years ago—as a result of his musings that fateful day—Walt opened the gates to a whole new world of entertainment, a place where the cares of the world melt away in lands of adventure, fantasy, and tomorrow. In celebration of Disneyland's 62nd anniversary, we are pleased to present a collection of songs in tribute to the most beloved theme park in the world. Join us today on this musical tribute tour as we celebrate the opening of Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom...

By Keith Mahne

The castles of Disney's kingdoms don't strive for authenticity; they were born in a world of fairy tales and fantasy, and that is where they've stayed. These castles "belong" to Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, not a long-forgotten king, queen or prince. These castles have become the enduring architectural symbols of Disney's theme parks. It is to the castle where guests turn when they want that last memorable photograph, and it is the image of the castle that the Disney Company has used more than anything else in advertisements and commercials. But how were they designed? Let's find out in today's new article as we discuss designing Disney castles...

By Keith Mahne

Nothing says the 80s quite like shoulder padded jackets, the band Cheap Trick and neon font, all of which you would have found at Grad Nite 84'. What better way to celebrate the end of high school and the beginning of a new era in one's life than with a fun filled night at the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland?! Let's travel back to Disneyland of the 80s and see what a Grad Nite at Disneyland was like with this "totally bangin'" 1984 pamphlet and program guide...

By Chris Lyndon

It's time to continue our new series of articles here on Disney Avenue celebrating the sounds of Disneyland. At contributing writer Chris Lyndon's website called DisneyChris.com you will find a collection of over 1300 audio tracks taking you on a magical musical visit through the Happiest Place on Earth. We will be highlighting each of the 25 chapters included in this "Magical Audio Tour" in the weeks and months ahead. Join us today for our third stop on this nostalgic audio tour of Disneyland's yesteryear as we travel down the turn of the twentieth century Main Street USA...

By Keith Mahne

This past March, Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean attraction turned 50 years old – and what a ride it’s been. It's unique, unconventional, uncharacteristically dark and  – without a doubt  –  one of the most iconic theme park rides of all time. Launched on March 18, 1967, the original "Pirates" ride featured a 1,838-foot flume with a 12-minute running time, making it one of the longest theme park rides in existence. The attraction quickly became a fan favorite and an icon for the park that had opened only twelve years earlier. The ride was one of the first to combine multiple elements for users to enjoy: audio animatronics, a double drop, theatrical effects and more. Join us today as we celebrate 50 years of plundering fun with this delightful 1967 Pirates of the Caribbean radio commercial that you have got to hear...

By Keith Mahne

Those toe-tapping ragtime tunes Disneyland guests heard on Main Street, U.S.A. since 1969 came from the patio of Coca Cola Refreshment Corner. On piano, the remarkable man responsible for that enthusiastic, honky-tonk music was the great Rod Miler. Rod has made that sound a cheerful part of the Disneyland experience for 30+ years. Join us today as we celebrate the master of Disneyland ragtime music, the legendary Rod Miler...

By Keith Mahne

In July 1956, the five-member Barstow family of Wethersfield, Connecticut, won a free trip to the newly-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in a nationwide contest. This 30-minute amateur documentary film tells the fabulous story of their fun-filled, dream-come-true vacation filmed on the scene at Walt Disney's brand new Disneyland. And, as if incredible early footage of Disneyland wasn't enough, this movie is also noteworthy as the uncredited first screen appearance of a young Disneyland employee named Steve Martin. Let's join the Barstow family back in 1956 for a truly magical family adventure to the "Happiest Place On Earth"...

By Alejandro Meza

Every so often something extremely magical pops up from Disney history. Today is one of those days. You are about to see an extraordinary find of never-before-seen photos featuring the construction of New Orleans Square found at an estate sale for the late Imagineering legend, Bill Martin. Join us in today's new article as you learn the story of how these amazing photos were found and you will also want to prepare your eyes to see New Orleans Square as Walt once did with these 35 never-before-seen construction photos...

By Matthew Buch

Lucille Ball, best known as the star of I Love Lucy, was a frequent visitor to Disneyland over the years. Lucky for us, one of these trips was captured on home video during a visit to "the happiest place on earth" back in 1956, just one year after the Park opened. Join us in today's new article as we travel back to 1956 and visit Lucille Ball and her family during a trip to Disneyland...

By Ron Baxley

The Alice in Wonderland dark ride is a Disneyland classic. The 1958 version of the ride, with sets adapted from the animated feature by Imagineer Claude Coats, had little in common with Lewis Carroll's source books. Instead it used various environments suggested by the film to create loud, garish, and somewhat nightmarish scenes reminiscent of some of Fantasyland's other dark rides and the portable dark rides found in traveling fairs and carnivals. In today's new article, let's travel back to 1958 and join Walt Disney at the opening of Alice in Wonderland with some rare footage and also learn the origins of the classic Disney film…

By Ted Linhart

In 1967, Disneyland had one of its most exciting summers in history. A summer jam-packed with the Park's largest variety of entertainment, the most attractions it ever had and even a brand new, $23 million (over $160 million in 2017 dollars) Tomorrowland. In today's exciting new article, we'll take a rare look at the New Tomorrowland of 1967 Press Kit. If you enjoy seeing rare pieces of Disneyland history then you are going to love this one...

By Chris Lyndon

It's time to continue our new series of articles here on Disney Avenue celebrating the sounds of Disneyland. At contributing writer Chris Lyndon's website called DisneyChris.com you will find a collection of nearly 1300 audio tracks taking you on a magical musical visit through the Happiest Place on Earth. We will be highlighting each of the 25 chapters included in this "Magical Audio Tour" in the weeks and months ahead. Join us today for our second stop on this nostalgic audio tour of Disneyland's yesteryear as we enter the Park in turn of the twentieth century, Town Square...

By Carey & George Kiraly

The Disneyland Dining Dilemma. It’s something every person has to face if they want to have a nice, sit-down meal in the Parks. With all the excitement surrounding you, the last thing on your mind is food. A quick churro here or there, and you’re fine, right? Boy, could that be any more wrong! Don’t get me wrong, who doesn't love churros, but if you want the stamina to catch all the shows and use all your FastPasses, you’d better plan your meals in advance. Join us in today's new article for some helpful tips for dinner and a show at Disneyland the easy way...

By Keith Mahne

During his reign, the Japanese hardly ever got to see Emperor Hirohito. It was only about 15 times a year that the gates of his Imperial Palace in central Tokyo would open and a custom Nissan Royal limousine would roll across the moat to carry the Emperor and his ceremonial sword and stone toward some ritual of life on the throne: the opening of parliament, the viewing of a sumo wrestling match, the greeting of a state visitor. But in 1975, just like other imperial visitors before them, including Ethiopia's late Emperor Haile Selassie and the Shah of Iran, Japan's Emperor Hirohito and his wife Empress Nagako paid a visit to the most magical kingdom of them all, Walt Disney's very own Disneyland. Join us in today's new article as we return to Disneyland of 1975 during the Emperor's visit to Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom...

By Keith Mahne

Walt Disney is a legend, a folk hero of the 20th century. His worldwide popularity was based upon the ideas which his name represents: imagination, optimism and self-made success in the American tradition. Walt Disney did more to touch the hearts, minds and emotions of millions of Americans than any other man in the past century. Through his dreams, he brought joy, happiness and a universal means of communication to the people of every nation. Join us as we celebrate a man who has given and continues to give so much joy to so many with this video tribute to Walt Disney, the ultimate dreamer...

By Chris Lyndon

Background music in the Disney Parks is an important subliminal way to help transport guests into a different time and place. Join us in today's new article as Disney Avenue contributing writer Chris Lyndon, through his extensive digging and research, explains the story behind Disneyland's Original Main Entrance Music Loop...

By Keith Mahne

Imagine just for a few minutes that you are a young child in 1958 that loves the Walt Disney's Disneyland television series so much that you actually convinced your parents to take you on a fun-filled day to the happiest place on earth. You've just returned home and now it's time to look through your 1958 Disneyland Mail Order Catalog filled with the most sought after Disneyland collectibles of all time. Had they known that some of these items would go for thousands of dollars today, your parents would have bought you everything in the catalog and made one magical investment in your college fund and their retirement. But, the best part about seeing this Disneyland catalog today is getting to reminiscence back to a time when Walt still called the shots and a Disneyland ticket book cost only $5.25. Join us in today's new article as we take a step back in time and peek inside the 1958 Disneyland Mail Order Catalog...

By Ted Linhart

Given the behemoth that the Walt Disney Company has become, it’s hard for today’s guests to realize that in Disneyland’s early decades its success depended on outside companies deciding to sponsor attractions. In today's new article, we will examine a rarely-seen Summer 1968 publication called “You’re in good company… A Report To Disneyland Lessees." This unusual, 20-page document was essentially a sales brochure to brag about how great the Park was, how much better it was going to be, and ultimately to get the sponsors to renew their leases. Join us for a fascinating look back at an era when corporate sponsorship played a key role in Disneyland's success...