Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

[Werner Weiss]

In 1974, the heart of Fantasyland still looked much as it did when Disneyland opened in 1955.

Link to Old Fantasyland, 1974 at Yesterland

This is a redo of something I originally posted in 1999. Back then, I had small pictures, with Javascript buttons (that no longer work properly on some platforms).

Please discuss it here.

[Alchimedes]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

My first visit was in 75'. I remember going to the Fantasyland theatre with my parents.
Thank you for the pictures and info.

[Pressler69]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Does anyone have any pictures of the old Fantasyland dead end? It's hard to visualize the area without Big Thunder Trail.

[Werner Weiss]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Does anyone have any pictures of the old Fantasyland dead end? It's hard to visualize the area without Big Thunder Trail.

See http://www.yesterland.com/dl1955.html

[Pressler69]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

See http://www.yesterland.com/dl1955.html

Thanks.

[Neverlandtink]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Great update, Werner! I always look forward to them.

Did anyone notice how funny the Dumbo's were connected to the ride shafts? It almost looks like they were attached with a big strip of duct tape.

I know it's crazy, but I miss those power lines in the parking lot. They were helpful in finding your car. Then again, maybe it's the parking lot I miss...

[BFJen]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Looking at those pictures, all I can think of is Walt Disney World's Fantasyland. (I went to WDW for the first time this year) I felt like I was looking at a cheap Renaissance Fair with cardboard cutouts.

I'm glad that Disneyland got the complete makeover.

[Katella Gate]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

I remember the power lines in the parking lot quite vividly. I was six years old and simply assumed that they supplied Disneyland with the vast amounts of electricity needed to run the place. I was shocked later as a teenager when I actually traced out the lines and found they just passed over the property.

And Neverlandtink, don't worry about Dumbo. There's actually a link that connects the elephant to the lifting arm. The silver cloth is a boot to keep the link clean.

[xalesa]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Great update. My first trip to DL was 1969 and I was 2. Don't remember anything, but it's still cool to know I was there back in the day...

[BassBone]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Wow. Fantasyland used to be UGly.

[Yendorb]

Re: Nov. 2, 2007: Old Fantasyland, 1974

Wow. Fantasyland used to be UGly.

It wasn't ugly, it was what it was, and quite nice really. Yeah some of the murals seemed dated, and some other things weren't as nice as now, but there was a charm, and without the new fantasyland to compare it with, it was truly cool.