I've just returned from seeing the new "Walt Disney-A Magical Life" at Disneyland. I give the show mixed reviews, but the displays in the Opera House were quite impressive. Tons of old photos and renderings of Disneyland over its 70 years of operation, original furnishings from Walt's apartment over the Fire Station, and a great display featuring the history of Audio Animatronics featuring the original bird who ushered guests into the Enchanted Tiki Room (a replica, though).

But what I really found interesting were the very early plans for the layout of the park, most of which have never been revealed to the public and have been in storage at the Disney Archives. I figured I'd share photos of these here, as I'm sure a few members would appreciate seeing them. They range from very early modest layouts to be originally built at the Burbank Studios, to plans that got larger, more ambitious, and became closer and closer to the final plan for Disneyland built in Anaheim, CA in 1955.

To truly see all the details, (if your browser supports this) right click on each image and open in a new tab. Or download them and open in any photo editor. Then you can blow them up to full size.

Enjoy

Edited July 22Jul 22 by shyguy

Interesting to see how the ideas for Disneyland developed over time. Some of the attractions were planned from the beginning, like the Haunted House. While other ideas fell by the wayside.

Another point of interest is how Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Junior started out as an entire land...Lilliputian Land. Thanks goodness it was downgraded to just 2 rides, as I seriously doubted the land as originally imagined would have survived to this day.

And sadly, Grannie's Farm never saw the light of day...😉

Edited July 23Jul 23 by shyguy

How cool! It's interesting to scroll down and see how the plans gradually grew more and more complex as ideas were added, some even more complex than what was actually build!

I love maps anyways, but these are exceptional.

really cool stuff

On 7/23/2025 at 3:17 AM, Wabigbear said:

How cool! It's interesting to scroll down and see how the plans gradually grew more and more complex as ideas were added, some even more complex than what was actually build!

I love maps anyways, but these are exceptional.

I thought you'd appreciate these.

Thanks for sharing these, it is really cool to see how the park evolved and changed. Never been to Disneyland before, but it definitely paved the way with how all future theme parks are laid out, I feel. Super cool to see how it all came together!

Guess I missed this when you first posted. Fabulous stuff! Giving me a few ideas as well...