[Pictures] Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

[Werner]

I ran into this picture and it really makes me nostalgic for the days back when Disneyland arose -- mirage-like -- from a cement desert. And at night, as this picture shows, there was a wonderful counterbalance between the sparkling Magic Kingdom and the allure of the Disneyland Hotel.

[orbitalpunk]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

no see picture

[Sir.Mouse]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

It's an old photo, before my time, but I still feel nostalgic. *right click save!

[Victor Brunswick]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Makes me feel old to think that I remember it that way.

[sediment]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

no see picture

Click the words "this picture" in the post.

[explodingboy]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

What a sight! I love it!

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

i miss that old parking lot good picture though

[lctom1]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

... it really makes me nostalgic for the days back when Disneyland arose -- mirage-like -- from a cement desert.

Yes, I remember those days. I remember being able to actually see the Matterhorn for miles before we got to the park. We would be driving south on US 101 (in the days before I-5) and would have a contest to see who could spot the peak first.

[Werner]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Yes, I remember those days. I remember being able to actually see the Matterhorn for miles before we got to the park. We would be driving south on US 101 (in the days before I-5) and would have a contest to see who could spot the peak first.

I, too, remember the excitement of looking for the Matterhorn! Although, it was always from I-5. Interesting -- I always assumed that I-5 had been there from the very beginning.

[Big Drunk Dave @ DL]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Anyone for a drink at the Neon Cactus?

[Werner]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Anyone for a drink at the Neon Cactus?

Sounds good! Then, we could amble over to the Fantasy Waters Show. And walk under the waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower. And then, perhaps, take a round-trip ride in the tailcone of the monorail....during the fireworks....ahhhh

[Ortizmo2000]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Sounds good! Then, we could amble over to the Fantasy Waters Show. And walk under the waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower. And then, perhaps, take a round-trip ride in the tailcone of the monorail....during the fireworks....ahhhh

SIGN


ME


UP


I miss the pre-refurbed Hotel.

[RegionsBeyond]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Yes, I miss this, and the old DL Hotel, and the Monorail Cafe, and Magic Waters....man. Brings back memories.

[Broadway Guru]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Sounds good! Then, we could amble over to the Fantasy Waters Show. And walk under the waterfalls in front of the Bonita Tower. And then, perhaps, take a round-trip ride in the tailcone of the monorail....during the fireworks....ahhhh

Or how about we catch the "Sgt. Preston of the Yukon" dinner show? Or go hang out w/ the off duty JC skips at Acapulco?

[Westsider]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Yes, I remember those days. I remember being able to actually see the Matterhorn for miles before we got to the park. We would be driving south on US 101 (in the days before I-5) and would have a contest to see who could spot the peak first.

You may have driven south into Los Angeles proper on Hwy 101, but by the time you got to Anaheim, or within miles of Disneyland, you would have had to have left 101 and travelled many miles inland and then south, likely on State Route 39 (AKA Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim), to see Disneyland without traveling on I-5.

However, since the I-5 Santa Ana Freeway portion through Anaheim and alongside Disneyland property opened for public travel in 1954, before Disneyland opened in July of 1955, you are likely remembering car trips from the 1950's or 60's that included segments on the 101 north of Los Angeles.

By July, 1955 the I-5 Santa Ana Freeway was well established from south LA County through Anaheim city limits, and Anaheim off-ramps at Katella Ave. for Disneyland were in use. The Harbor Blvd. on/off ramps were under construction in mid 1955, but opened in late 1955. All Disneyland advertising from 1956 onward mentioned "Santa Ana Freeway at Harbor Blvd." as the directional instructions to motorists.

A car arriving from the north or south for Disneyland's opening day on July 17th, 1955 would have been able to use Interstate 5, obviously. When the Matterhorn opened in the summer of 1959, that Orange County segment of I-5 was already five years old. Your memories of using Hwy 101 to access Disneyland directly, or to spot the Matterhorn from, are inaccurate and likely clouded by time.

Disneyland, Summer 1955, I-5 Freeway Directly Northeast Of Park

http://latimesphoto.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/anniversary_061.jpg

[sucho23]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

Thats a great photo above.

[Druggas]

Re: Pre-DCA/Downtown Disney Wonderland

It was the Santa Ana freeway or the I5 as people call it now.