In honor of the 25th anniversary of Disney’s California Adventure, I thought I’d look back at my first views of the park, including the prior year, through a gap in the esplanade construction fence.

Frito Kid.

Coke and Pepsi

Wouldn't you love to visit the Disneyland knockoff, Nara Dreamland, in its prime? Thanks to an early 1960s souvenir guidebook, we'll do just that! Here's a comparison with Disneyland's 1962 edition. 1/36

What I wouldn’t give to have this map in my office! From the amazing #Disneyland #book by @cdylanm.bsky.social

Words are insufficient for me to summarize the extraordinary life of the brilliant Eddie Sotto, even after a day of writing notices of varying lengths. Although I knew this day was approaching, I still don’t know where to begin. Eddie had been signaling it to me in the most paradoxical, “Eddie” way…

Remembering Eddie Sotto progresscityusa.com/2025/12/18/r...

Here’s one of my favorite park photos, taken from Tom Sawyer Island in the mid 60s. The details captured are amazing. Zoom into Mark Twain. Look at all those guests enjoying such a simple, serene pleasure. Zoom into the treehouse. More guests who had no idea they just became part of an iconic photo.

Happy 70th Disneyland!

One of the benefits to keeping boxes of newspapers for decades is being able to digitize now-vintage color advertisements in high resolution. Happy 30th anniversary to the Indiana Jones Adventure!

Celebrating 30 years of Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure, my favorite “modern” park attraction. A full-sized attraction poster graces our loft, complete with snake sconces!

To celebrate this Retro WDW episode release, let's head on over to the best coast for a visual sampling of materials related to photography at the Disneyland Resort! 1/32

"Seldom Praised" Works of Art Disneyland signs featured in Vacationland, Summer 1982 #SignageSunday

Merry Christmas Disneylanders!

Celebrating the holidays year-round, hanging in my home office is this signed Eric Robison print from the original Disney Gallery. Can’t go wrong with Jiminy Cricket and Christmas!

Seasons Greetings from 1982, plus an introduction to Journey into Imagination!

Pixel art of the Fantasyland Skyway Sun & Moon emblem. A project I started before going to Disneyland and as soon as I saw it in the Matterhorn queue, I had to finish.

The original Disneyland holiday decorations appear sparingly in backgrounds. It's always a delight to spy them. I'm sure I haven't seen them all!

I’ve been an Oakland A’s and Rickey Henderson fan for as long as I can remember. One of my most surreal experiences was taking photos of his Hall of Fame induction while leaning against the stage. I still can’t believe the news.

Went to Stage Nine in Old Sacramento today for the first time since their “Underground Vault” was a permanent exhibition space. Lots of fun theme park artifacts!

Tom Sawyer Island, Barrel Bridge, and a Davy Crockett Explorer Canoe as seen from Cascade Peak and the Three Sisters Falls. Mid-1970s. Photo: #GaryKrueger

The Disneyland Railroad's Lilly Belle observation car was refurbished car 106 ("Grand Canyon") from the 1955 Passenger Train. Here's a more recent (2023) photo of it traveling alongside the Rivers of America.

Can you wish on the Matterhorn Christmas star for the return of the Skyway and PeopleMover?

Main Street on Disneyland’s 6th Christmas in 1960.

WED Imagineering incorporated 72 years ago today, Dec 16, 1954. Its first employee: Nat Winecoff, a Polish immigrant vaudevillian performer-turned-music publisher. His first task: produce Zorro for TV in order to generate income to build Disneyland. Of course, it didn’t end up exactly in that order.

Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn in 1961. I always loved the Christmas trees in the moat.

Need a last minute Christmas gift for a Disneyland fan? Look no further...

The Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland at Disneyland in 1972.

A fun collection of black & white photos of Disneyland in the 1950s.

From 1965, when the black and red Matterhorn Bobsleds matched the Disneyland Monorail above.

In honor of Walt Disney’s birthday, here’s samurai Mickey!

A 1968 Kodak brochure "focusing on film sales at Disneyland,” with an interactive cover.

The Flight Circle was completely encircled by that very futuristic chain link fence.

The Thimble-Drome Flight Circle, one of Disneyland’s more unique and lesser known attractions.

Circa 1959 aerial view of Disneyland, featuring the short-lived Holidayland, complete with baseball diamond, plus a partially constructed Matterhorn.

Eyvind Earle concept painting for THE WORLD BENEATH US (1955) - an exhibition film on Richfield Oil that screened at Disneyland. #wardsmorguefile

The Douglas Rocket, Cox Flight Circle, and Tomorrowland Hat Bar from 1965. #signagesunday

Finally making it over to Tokyo Disneyland for our first time in June! Would love to hear anyone’s must see sites or tips/suggestions for the parks or Japan in general.

From 1957, you must be this tall to drive on Autopia. #signagesunday

Three different versions of Sleeping Beauty Castle on the cover of essentially the same 1955 Disneyland brochure.

Castle Noel in Medina, OH is also home to some vintage WDW Emporium Window displays.

Taken on July 18, 1955, the first day the park was open to the public, there’s something mesmerizing about the Santa Fe railroad traversing a sparsely landscaped Disneyland.

The Walt Disney Organization, from an internal publication circa 1959.

Donald Duck first appeared in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1972, almost 40 years after Mickey.

Happy Thanksgiving Day Mirthquakes to everyone!

Here’s your 1955 deal of the day. Pic found on mediagraph.io/parken... / @jason.parkendium.com

Mickey Mouse first made its debut on the 10th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 1934. A thread of its journey.

Disneyland Thanksgiving ads of yesteryear

Disneyland flyer for Thanksgiving weekend in 1968, with entertainment including the Righteous Brothers and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

Highlights of the Little Golden Book exhibit at the Orlando Museum of Art