I was born in 1976, so my memories of theme park visits begin in the early 1980s. I was lucky enough to visit Disneyland in 1985 when I was nine, but I have only limited memories of that vacation. We did experience classic attractions like Adventure Thru Inner Space and America Sings, which was a real treat in hindsight. Even so, there is so much history that I can only enjoy through photos.

A few years ago, I discovered that my dad actually visited Disneyland in 1959. It was mind-blowing to see those photos from a trip just four years after the opening. What I still didn’t realize is that he returned in 1968 on a post-college trip to California. Thankfully, my dad still has a small group of photos from that vacation. I can’t get enough of these pictures from 1968, and I’m thrilled to present them to you here.

I love just how different the park looks compared to the Disneyland of today. The photo above embodies the “world on the move” idea of early Tomorrowland. You can see the People Mover, Skyway, Autopia, and the Matterhorn all in one shot. There’s even a bird flying in the foreground! The other surprise is the small number of people on the paths. This is a common trend with old pictures of Disneyland, and they provide a stark contrast from today’s crowded pathways. Let’s board our time machines and take a brief journey back to Disneyland in 1968!

We begin our trip in the parking lot with a spot that only gives us a glimpse of the train station in the distance. It’s great to see the Disneyland Monorail passing in front of the park and the Matterhorn in the background. Disney California Adventure now covers this lot, and parking is no longer so easy. I’ve never arrived at Disneyland by car, but I doubt that I’d ever park this close today. You can also see the parking tram in the far-right corner of the shot transporting guests to the front gate.

We’ve reached the Rivers of America, and there are plenty of sights to see from our boat. It’s unclear which type of water craft we’ve chosen, but the view is still excellent. Tepees line the river as we travel along the calm waterways. Although there was a full Indian Village at Disneyland in 1968, I believe this is just a scene to view from afar. This seems to be part of the island in the waterway’s center.

The Sailing Ship Columbia is my favorite way to travel on the Rivers of America today. I love the open-air feeling that you experience, especially on a mild day. Having two large ships on the water at Disneyland makes a huge difference. This shot presents the Columbia in motion near its dock, I believe. It’s an interesting view of an attraction that has been part of Frontierland since 1958.

Let’s go to Fantasyland! A glaring difference in photos before 1982 is the massive Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant. The opening day attraction connected directly to Peter Pan and was a key Fantasyland icon. It didn’t survive the park’s New Fantasyland, so it’s great to see this ship in all its glory. The sponsor left in 1969, just one year after this picture was taken. I also enjoy seeing the Skyway flying above the ship; that attraction played such a key role in making Disneyland a vibrant park.

Our next stop is for a boat ride with children from around the world. It’s easy to forget that It’s a Small World (plus Carousel of Progress and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln) were still pretty new in 1968. The 1964-1965 World’s Fair in New York had a huge impact on Disneyland and introduced a higher caliber of attractions. This isn’t the best picture of It’s a Small World, but it provides a good idea of the scope of the massive outdoor facade. Fans of Walt Disney World that haven’t visited Disneyland will be surprised by the scale of the stunning exterior.

It seems fitting to conclude our visit in Tomorrowland with the Disneyland Monorail track in the foreground. It’s easy to just look at that empty track and miss all the vehicles behind it. You can see the PeopleMover up top, Autopia in the middle, and the Submarine Voyage down in the water. There’s even a second group of yellow PeopleMover cars way in the background! This picture encapsulates how much was happening in Tomorrowland and what’s missing today.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse at my dad’s 1968 vacation through Disneyland. It’s remarkable to note that 50 years have passed since these photos were taken. The park looks different but hardly dated even with the grainy photos. The energy that I still feel today at the parks is definitely present in these shots. It reminds me of Disneyland’s incredible creative success even during its earlier days.

Related Photo Essays

Disneyland in 1959

Disney’s America on Parade

Family Vacations in the ’80s and ’90s

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