Six Attractions You'll Never See at Disneyland (unless you already did)

Posted by Stacy in Neatorama Only, Travel & Places on February 11, 2008 at 5:32 pm

I’m going to Disneyland in two weeks! I’ve been there before; my husband hasn’t. We’re both Disney freaks – especially anything Haunted Mansion-related.

Some Disneyland attractions are classics and have been around forever – Dumbo, for instance, has been around almost since the beginning (the park opened on July 17, 1955 and Dumbo followed about a month later). Peter Pan’s Flight has been around since the beginning, and so has the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (the teacups!) and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Other rides haven’t really stood up to the test of time, unfortunately, and those are the ones we’re going to take a look at.

Holidayland

photo from A History of Disney Theme Parks

You’re probably familiar with the different sections of Disneyland these days – Tomorrowland, Frontierland and Fantasyland, to name a few. But Holidayland? Yep. It opened on June 16, 1957, and was a nine-acre picnic area that was for… well… frolicking, basically. There were playgrounds, horseshoes, a baseball field, volleyball and the “world’s largest candy-striped circus tent” which stood where the Haunted Mansion is today. Pirates of the Caribbean takes up the spot where the baseball field used to be. It only lasted a few years – Holidayland closed in 1961 because it just didn’t fit in with the rest of the park (among other things like lack of shade).

The Viewliner

This miniature train has the dubious honor of being one of the shortest-lived rides to ever exist at Disneyland. It opened in June of 1957 and promptly closed in September 1958 when construction started on the Matterhorn and Submarine Voyage. There were two trains – one for Fantasyland and one for Tomorrowland – and the track ran a figure-eight through both of those areas. The tiny, sleek (for that time) train was supposed to represent the future of train travel. Eventually the monorail filled the void left by the Viewliner.

Monsanto House of the Future

picture from Apartment Therapy

I love those old ads from the 1950s that show “futuristic” kitchens cooking the meals all by themselves with “space-age” technology. That’s kind of what the Monsanto House of the Future was like. It was in operation from 1957 to 1967 and was a tour of a house in the year 1986. It’s laughable now, but the MIT-built house featured technology such as microwaves, which obviously did end up being invented. Just about everything about the house – including the exterior – was made out of plastic. You can still see the support pillars of Monsanto’s House of the Future in Neptune’s Grotto – they were rated for earthquakes and proved to be so sturdy that they were just about impossible to remove. Monsanto, by the way, is an agricultural biotechnology company (meaning they make herbicides and pesticides and the like).

Captain EO

picture from AlteredDreams

In the more recent past, we have Captain EO, which I vaguely remember from EPCOT. Captain EO was a 3-D movie starring, of course, Michael Jackson. And if you’re looking for more credentials than that (keep in mind MJ was HUGE at this point in time), it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive produced by George Lucas. They also co-wrote the script with Rusty Lemorande.

Here’s the plot: Captain EO and his team are piloting a spaceship to deliver a gift to the evil Supreme Leader (Anjelica Huston). One of his shipmates is named Hooter, which seems like a huge oversight to me. Hooter is an elephant, not an owl as you might suspect. Well, the Supreme Leader isn’t exactly thrilled with the crew and orders them to be tortured. EO charms the Queen by singing her a song, but as soon as the music stops the spell breaks and she orders the crew to be captured again. EO uses his music to transform the evil guards into dancers who line up to dance behind him Thriller-zombie-style. EO eventually uses his powers to turn the Supreme Leader and her entire planet into things of beauty.
The 17-minute film cost somewhere between $17 and $30 million to make. Sounds like a lot, but when you consider than it ran for more than 10 years at Disneyland (1986 to 1997), maybe it’s not so bad. Then MJ went weird and Disney decided to pull the attraction and replace it with “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”.

America Sings!

picture from Yesterland

Looking for a collection of animatronic swamp critters singing old Dixieland favorites and old folk tunes? Too bad you missed America Sings! Had you been at Disneyland sometime between June of 1974 and April of 1988, you could have witnessed geese singing “Camptown Races”, a dog singing “Home on the Range” a pink singing “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey?” and a crane and a rooster singing “Shake, Rattle and Roll”. A decent number of the characters appeared to be either quite intoxicated or at least trying their hardest to get there. It’s one of the few Disney attractions with characters actually drinking alcohol (Pirates of the Caribbean also comes to mind… rum anyone?). The building was used for offices for a while and eventually became home to Innoventions, which I believe is still there today. The swamp creatures, however, befriended Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear and now reside happily at Splash Mountain.

Flying Saucers

Picture from Yesterland

High school physics students who participated in Hovercraft competitions, this one is for you. Basically, the Flying Saucers ride was Disney’s answer to bumper cars. When the ride starts, air would shoot up under the saucer and lift it up off the floor (just a little… we’re not talking feet here). Riders would have to tilt their bodies the way they wanted the saucer to go and were encouraged to bump into other guests. Alas, the saucers only lasted about five years in the mid 60s.

Those are just a few of the rides that are now defunct – things at all of the Disney parks are always changing. Even the old favorites get little updates every now and then. Do you have a favorite ride that is no longer in operation? I know a lot of people were upset when the Magic Kingdom’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea met its maker.

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Tags: attractions, disneyland, retro, rides

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COMMENT

264 comments to "Six Attractions You'll Never See at Disneyland (unless you already did)"

HollywoodBob
February 11th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I miss Horizons, at EPCOT, it was the continuation of The Carousel of Progress. Mission Space is built on it's former site, and pales in comparison.
Kjaere
February 11th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I remember Captain EO... I was so happy my parent bought me a stuffed animal of that weird creature that's sitting on his shoulder in that picture... I bet that'd be worth money now... I wonder where it is?
krn
February 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Carousel of Progress was always great, even when the last scene representing the future became somewhat outdated.
Sniperman
February 11th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
man captain eo was awesome
every time i went to disneyland (at least once a year, during xmas time) i would drop in and watch that, it was really fun. i haven't gone to check out the replacement.
Brizmo
February 11th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I always wondered where the footage for "farting saucers" came from - early 200 internet memes are no match for Neatorama. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D320hetS9g if you're interested)
Brizmo
February 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Early 2000, that is, and here's a linked link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D320hetS9g
Sniperman
February 11th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
hey wait, you forgot one...
http://www.yesterland.com/submarine.html
its back now, but its not the same, its something about finding nemo now.
jasonrocksout
February 11th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Personally I miss the brief but relaxing trip on the Skyway. The Fantasyland Skyway station is still there, just blocked off.
Bambi
February 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I loved "Mister Toads Wild Ride". When I went to Disney World for my High School's Senior Day I was so upset to see "Pooh's Hundred Acre Woods" there. I refuse to go, I refuse to take my future children on it. Mister Toads was my first ride at Disney World and I miss it very much.
donna
February 11th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
"It's a great big beautiful tomorrow!"
Alex
February 11th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Is the Swiss Family Robinson tree still there? I miss the old stinky submarine ride!
Eva
February 11th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I've never been to Disneyland, but I have to comment that I read Rusty Lemorande (in the Captain EO bit) as "Rusty Lemonade."

I'm not sure if I'm delighted or grossed out by my neural misfire, there... Rusty Lemonade might be a hilarious name, but it doesn't sound like a particularly tasty beverage.
lauren
February 11th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I agree with Bambi on Mister Toad being one of the greatest rides in Magic Kingdom. I still can't believe they got rid of it for Pooh. I was forced on the Pooh monstrosity and it made me want to stomp temper tantrum style out of the park.

My mom said there was a ride/show that featured the presidents or something when I was much younger & she had to ride it 3 times in a row because it was the only time I would sleep Does anyone remember the name of it?
jen
February 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
They got rid of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride? What what what??? Someone should be fired!

I also miss the old submarine ride (haven't tried the new one, yet). And I was partial to ADVENTURE THROUGH INNER SPACE, too.

By far my favorite attraction when I was young, though, was America Sings. That's the probably the one you're thinking of, Lauren. It was very patriotic. I really miss that ride.

I miss Disneyland all together. We're not too far away, but it's always so packed that it's just not worth dealing with the crowds. I think I'll wait to go back until we have a kid.

In the meantime, Knott's Berry Farm on a non-summer midweek day is where it's at! I've never waited in line on a non-summer midweek day. In fact, there's been whole sections of the park where we've wandered around and not seen a soul. I love Knotts.
natalie
February 11th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I had the America Sings record. I didn't know what it was from but it was the only kid-themed one my parents had. And therefore it was mine.
jen
February 11th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
NOTE: Phew. I looked it up and Mr. Toad's wild ride is still at the original Disneyland park.
jen
February 11th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
ANOTHER NOTE:
That damn Pooh killed COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE at Disneyland. Grrr!
Line
February 11th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I was a little obsessed with Captain EO. i saw it at Disneyworld though.
L
February 11th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
LOL @ Eva. I thought it was "Rusty Lemonade", too.

I remember Captain EO. And America Sings. I liked the first. I can barely remember the second. Oh, well.
betty*rocker
February 11th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I still mourn the loss of Captain EO. Gone but, believe you me, NOT FORGOTTEN. To quote the Addams Family, "How could I forget you? You're too weird."
stacia
February 11th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Shoot.. just close your eyes on the Pooh ride, it's the same track as Mr Toad. I know, i know, not the same thing.

I leave for WDW in the AM! YAY!!

Having grown up in Florida, I've seen quite a bit come and go through those gates... I'm currently mourning the loss of Tarzan Rocks! (taken over by a dumb Broadway inspired Nemo show) and the original concepts of The Living Seas (Again, warped by Nemo) I know Tarzan seems silly, but it was an awesome rock and roll style show with live musicians and singers and aeroacrobatics that were just unbelieveable!!

I miss the sky way too.. what a great way to avoid the crowds.. of course teenagers threw things and ruined the fun for everyone!

What about If You Had Wings (where Buzz Lightyear is now) -- all about if you could fly. Great imagery!!

I only went on 20,000 Leagues once or twice, but even as a child, it annoyed me because i could see the strings on the "fish" and the glue holding the shells on things!

Carousel of Progress has seasonal hours now, it's not open all the time... and they've updated the final scene with Grandma playing a virtual reality game and a voice controlled oven.. but all the rest is the same.. except the song.. they changed the song.. I was sad. I doubt they'll ever take that one out as it was one of the attractions featured at the World's Fair.
Christophe
February 12th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I remember Captain EO (in Disneyworld) when it was fashionable to like MJ.

I heard that they may show it at the horror house now
NeuroGirl
February 12th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Captain EO was definitely an experience. I go to California Adventure for dinner every once in a while. Disneyland has the BEST fried cheesecake. It's like drugs, but fattening.

@Alex - I think they took Swiss Family Robinson down about a decade ago when they put in the Indiana Jones ride
S-r-ex
February 12th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I remeber having read about the Monsanto House of the Future in a science mag. They had to cut open the house to tears it down, the wrecking ball would just bounce of the plastic walls.
Dan
February 12th, 2008 at 2:24 am
"Monsanto, by the way, is an agricultural biotechnology company (meaning they make herbicides and pesticides and the like)."

Yes, pesticides such as Canola Oil:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/tech_docs/tech _011332.htm
Ninjababe
February 12th, 2008 at 2:29 am
At Disneyland, The Swiss Family Robinson house is now the Tarzan tree house...

I like the Pooh ride, and I'm glad that Disney decided to change different rides in different parks for the Pooh ride. I would miss Mr Toad's ride too much. It's my favorite 'storybook' ride.

Of course, I do miss the Country Bear Jamboree, especially at Christmas-time.

I used to go to Disneyland five to seven times a year (between the months of October and May) when it was less busy. And, I love the park during Christmas...
Anthony
February 12th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I am a huge Disney nut. I go all the time. Just went to Disneyland last may. Was at Disneyworld last weekend and am going this weekend. What I really love is now that the Carousel of Progress is narrated by the guy that narrated and wrote A Christmas Story. I miss Mr. Toads Wild ride, but you can still see it in Cali. You can also see the submarine ride in Cali as well. Also, if you look closely at the Haunted Mansion in Florida they have a pet cemetary out front. In the back is a tombstone for Mr. Toads Wild Ride.
Stacy L.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I LOVED Captain EO!!! I made my parents go to it 2 or 3 times. But like you said...MJ went a little nutso and Disney cut that tie! But I've always remembered how awesome the music was and the 3D effects!
Blackthornhiei
February 12th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I have the EO wingy plush! Though right now it's in the box of plush toys I don't have the heart to give away.

I also loved the Magic Journeys movie they had before the made Captain EO.

Last time I went to EPCOT, I became upset that it was no longer named EPCOT and that most of my favorite rides had been changed.
Leslie
February 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I loved Captian EO. I remember going back one year and thinking I was going to see it and it ended up being that Star Wars ride.

Very disappointed I was.
Leslie
February 12th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
did i mention that i think it was the first ever 3D thing i'd ever seen?

3D People! Such a cool idea! HAHA
Vako
February 12th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
The one thing about Captain EO that I found peculiar is when Michael Jackson said "We're going in."

A couple people mentioned the little orange winged creature that flew around and perched on Jackson's shoulder. I also bought the stuffed animal of it, as a gift for my sister.
Nate Deviate
February 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I remember this weird water drop display outside that ride that left more memories than the ride did. it was like some sort of fountain that shot drops and neads of water over your head. it was super cool.
Nate Deviate
February 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Outside Captain EO that is....
Elaine
February 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I remember that my parents took my sister and me to see Captain EO when we were little. My sister had these striped pants and she called them "Captain EO pants" for at least a year afterward.

Does anyone remember Rocket Rods at Disneyland (probably around 2003)? There were little silver "buggies" that went really fast along a track. I remember that they were a lot of fun but they also seemed to break down a lot.
Mandie
February 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
They brought my favorite BACK! but it's not as great as it used to be. When I was little, I was obsessed with the submarine ride. They killed it, then resurrected it!

But now it's Nemo
Cassie
February 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I remember Captain EO too and I also had one of those orange stuffed creature things... Fuzzball was his name I think. Loved that little guy
Jon
February 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I saw the public world premiere of Captain EO, just by accident. There was a private premiere, for celebrities and such, and a whole section of Tomorrowland had been closed off, including Space Mountain. They told me that it would reopening soon, so I waited at the ropes. When they finally let us in to Tommorrowland, I instead followed the crowd to the Captain EO show. TV Cameras were still set up, so they could film crowd reaction to the 3d effects. With the house lights on, they had us move to the right, move to the left, and act like something was right in front our face, like we were reacting to a 3d movie, and then we got to watch the actual show. About a week or two later there was a one hour special on network TV about the opening of Captain EO, hosted by Patrick Duffy and some woman I can't remember. Most of the hour was interviews with the stars at the premiere, but they did show about 2 seconds of the crowd reaction that I was in. I think I still have it on videotape somewhere.
Merrilee
February 12th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I remember the president's ride! It wasn't the animatronic animals one, it was right on main street in Cali, on the right hand side when you entered. I was 13 when I went, and my grandparents made me go through it, and I remember thinking it was creepy. Is that really gone?
Tracy
February 13th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
The Hall of Presidents is/was at Disney World. They don't/didn't sing or dance...just talk. Boring...but the parents loved it. I don't know if it's still there, but to the poster who mentioned her mom talking about it, yes...it existed.
April
February 13th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
We still do a silent burn everytime we walk past the Pooh ride at MK. Mr. Toad rocked!
Pablo
February 15th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I just read at livescience that they're bringing back the house of tomorrow.

http://www.livescience.com/technology/080213-ap-disney-home.html
Jessica
February 16th, 2008 at 2:31 am
I miss the old Disney style. Princesses in danger and such. But anyway, Ive never been to Disneyland, just Disney World in Florida. Mr. Toads Wild Ride was my first ride and I think it should be EVERYONES. I thought the Presidents thingy was still there...? I tortured my mom and grandma with Its A Small World as a kid. I havent been there in...7 years? Wow. At the time I was loving the Rockin Rollercoaster, The Twilight Zone tower of Terror and Splash Mountain.
Jessica
February 16th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Oh and the Honey I Shrunk The Audience thingy is kinda cool but the Bugs Life show is a must see(if they still have it)
VikingBerserker
February 17th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
And yet the "It's a small world ride through hell" is still available..........
Matt
February 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hey Stacy--get RideMax before you go to Disneyland. It is worth its modest price TEN TIMES OVER. Not kidding, it really works--the product of some serious OC über-geek engineer & his family...I'm completely unaffiliated with them, so this is definitely not a shameless plug--just the straight dope. Read the reviews and then GET IT!! Have fun!
Corona
February 20th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I remember going to the NYC World Fair in '64 and Disneyland in '65 when I was a kid. Maybe that's why I'm confusing the 2 of them with a few attractions. The House Of Tomorrow was at the World Fair. But I coulda sworn the Hovercraft ride was there as well. Went to Barnum & Bailey Circus in '64 as well as the World Fair.

I went to Disneyland again in the early/mid '80s and could finally enter the Haunted Mansion. When I was a kid the mansion had a small plaque on its lawn saying it would open in 8 years. Talk about disappointed. Also I saw a 3D film that was there before they started Captain EO. It was about underwater life and was very entertaining.

But, they didn't have the Tiki Room any more, nor the Swiss Family Robinson tree, or the Jungle Boat River ride (maybe was closed for service at the time), or the Sky ride, or the ever boring People Mover, or the Rocket to the Moon, or the Auto track, or the Frontierland Tom Sawyer whistling caves. And Tinkerbell and Mary Poppins didn't cross the sky during the fireworks.

My favorites rides are Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr. Toad, and Alice Tea Cups.
geld lenen
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
You said Disneyland, not Disneyworld? Paris or the US?

Well, that bumper alternative was really cool! Could still be a great success...
Lynn
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Yes the "Horizons" attraction at Epcot was my ultimate favorite.
I heard the Disney Ceos tore Horizons down because it wasn't future enough.
But then again there wouldn't be anything like the Horizons attraction again in the furture.
It seemed like a ride not put together fast from the inside and out.
I say leave Misson Space attraction at Nasa, if people want a space simulation.
That's just what i think,just me.
Epcot was more visonary than just pictureing Space and that showed thru also in the now gone attractions.
It seems it's slowly conforming and I haven't seen a new change I liked.
The new things seem rushed somehow and not carefully thought thru and more like it came out of a factory without the fine thinking craftsmanship.
I hope the rides are the future aren't all fast and don't become more like an amusement park.
That's been done, that's not furistic.
If it does why bother going there at all again?
There's nothing to see it's all in a blur, if only fast rides exist in the furture.
Epcot was unique among the other amusement parks and you learned something and got inspired.
It had to do with more what you see, than having a jerked around sensation.
But this is just what I've observed I don't know everything but it's just from my experince.
katskratch
February 5th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
is that big white paddle boat still at disney world ? the one that circled tom sawyers island.... i kissed a sailor on that boat once when i was a senior in high school. heh. ahhh to be young again!
gatorfan
February 5th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
My children have been to Disney a few times with their grandparents. I was thinking of taking them and my husband maybe sometime this summer. Any suggestions on where to stay? Maybe a hotel owned by Disney, with all the little "extras"?
elizabeth
February 5th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I miss Mr. Toad's Wild ride also the Tram ride over the park was it the SkyRide? You would go through the Matterhorn. On the plus side they did add Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) to Pirates of the Caribbean!
Michelle
February 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I HAVE Captain Eo on DVD! Hard to find, but totally worth it! It's WAY better than what is there now.. Even though he's a scary pedofile..He was a musical genius once.
BrandiKC
February 5th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I remember the poeple mover and tron, anyone else remember that?
Elmer Peterson
February 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Its the Mermaids that I miss most. Over the years we have been allowed to take lots of children (foster) to the Magic Kingdom. Its fun but I believe the children looking down and seeing Mermaids was really something. They really believed.
taguer
February 5th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Some things have changed for the better. When I first went, you got a coupon book. I think an gold colored E coupon was good for the matterhorn or haunted mansion which had just opened. Once your good coupons were gone it seems like you were stuck with tickets to the teacups and that was about it
auntiemar
February 5th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Does anyone remember "Food Rocks" over in EPCOT at the land? We miss that show there.
ilikedisney
February 5th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
The Flying Saucers ride used magnets to levitate the bumber cars not air, just look closely at the pictures there are NO holes in the floor for air to shoot up through. Look closely and you can see the holes in any air hockey table; no holes = no air.
--
Basically, the Flying Saucers ride was Disney’s answer to bumper cars. When the ride starts, air would shoot up under the saucer and lift it up off the floor
--
Julie
February 5th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
America Sings was my absolute favorite ride at Disneyland!! I was heartbroken when they got rid of it, and I agree with the poster that said the Pooh ride stinks for taking away the Country Bear Jamboree. I have four kids now and they'll never know the joy that those two shows/rides brought to my life. An I still have the LP record of America Sings....those were the days.
Julie
February 5th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
And, I absolutely do remember the peoplemover and Tron....those were the days...lol
rvrbmsteve
February 5th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
What about the people movers.....loved that ride.....on a hot day it was a good ride to sit down and relax....when TRON was out they had the section where you were in the game itself....also a great makeout ride...no place on earth like the original Disneyland!
ChadNichols
February 5th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
You guys are all forgetting one of the old school reat rides at Disneyland...the People Mover! Doesn't anyone remember the part where you would get "shrunk" down as you passed the line of people waiting to board?
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
America Sings was closed after a guest was actually crushed against a non moving pillar. Also...When you go on Star Tours...Look to the lower right, just before your shuttle actually leaves the station...You will see the Giant Microscope from Journey to Innerspace.
Robert
February 5th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I miss "Mission to Mars" (or was it the Moon) in Tomorrowland - sitting in a big circle, seats rumbling, with a creaky movie of planet earth shrinking away into space.

Loved loved LOVED the Swiss Family Robinson tree.

Lauren - you asked about the presidents. As I recall, at Disneyland, there was just an animatronic President Lincoln, but at Disneyworld, there was a hall of most or all of them at the time. The Lincoln one kind of freaked me out when I was really little.
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Disneyland replaced the Peoplemover with Rocket Rods...Which is now gone as well...as the latest news says they are bringing back the Peoplemover. Now, the Peoplemover did go by Journey to Innerspace, just as it did Star Tours. But Journey to Innerspace was the ride, where you were shrunk down, while riding in the same buggies used in the Haunted Mansion.
Gilbert
February 5th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Dude...
People Mover: they had Tron and, later, Star Wars elements to it.
Old Rocket Ships: nothing like being on a rickety old death trap high above Tomorrow Land.
Mission to Mars: the animatronics while waiting in line were so old and cheesey all it was missing was a shag rug in the Mission Control room.
Tomorrow Land's Arcade: what's up with that? There use to be a 2nd level and all the new games available, like Michael Jackson's Moonwalker!
Country Bear Jamboree: best place to fall sleep... something about the soothing voices of drunk bears.
Sky Lift from Tomorrow land to Fantasy Land: so what if it was dangerous, ride at own risk.
Videorama!: it was a rave before there were raves... the Pocahantas show replacement makes my blood boil.
Penny Arcade: use to be fun when it mixed turn of the century penny eating games with Area 51 and Street Fighter.
Disneylands orginal parking lot: we use to walk to the front gates! Now we get an overpriced theme park (California Disney) themed after the state we live in!? How stupid is that?
Phighton
February 5th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
The Carousel of Progress, Inner Space. Were great!! Mr Lincoln is also gone. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow is now being sung, however updated, at Innovations. Remember walking up through the ride at the end! Also miss the Skyway. Almost bought one on the "buckets" from the skyway but got out bid at the last minute. Would have made a great talking point in the living room.
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Yes..."Mission to Mars" was originally "Flight to the Moon", until they switched it to "Rocket to the Moon," than eventually Mars. Anyone remember Tom Morrow, in mission control?
SUSIE
February 5th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE TOMORROW! I'M SOOOO EXCITED!!
Charl
February 5th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and my sister and I went to Disneyland the first year it opened. We had seen a million commercials on TV featuring Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, and the tea cups. We are both in our 60's now and the thing we remember most fondly from our first visit was our Mr Toad's Wild Ride. We were scared to death and thrilled at the same time. What good memories we have!
Cruxx
February 5th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Does anyone remember the "Chicken of the Sea" galleon? It was a restaurant in Fantasyland built to look like a pirate ship. I know it was there in 1956 when my parents first took me to Disneyland.
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Before Tron, there was a speedway, in the Peoplemover.
TSDrama
February 5th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Does anyone know of any new rides coming up this year at Disney World?
James F
February 5th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I remember The Carousel of Progress and it's "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" that was replaced by America Sings. My favorite attraction was The Adventure Through Inner Space which was sponsored by Monsanto and was commonly referred to as the Monsanto ride. The yellow Mine train Through Nature's Wonderland was also a favorite. They also had pack mules (real) that you could ride over the same route as the train.
Shaun
February 5th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
The Journey to Inner Space was my favorite as a kid. Shrinking down and being injected into a snowflake, where the atoms and molecules were all circling around, bigger than we were.
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
My favorite thing to do at Disneyland actually is just to walk through the castle, toward Fantasyland, while "When You Wish Upon a Star" is playing.
sillysuzieq
February 5th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I miss the 10 cent rides. Back when it opened rides were 10-50 cents each. I still have ticket books from the year it opened.
I grow up a mile from Disneyland. Back in the late 50's and early 60's Disneyland would shoot off fireworks every night at 9pm. This was the signal that all the kids from our neighborhood were to be in the house. And being good kids we went.
sillysuzieq
flavorup
February 5th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Yeah the Rockin Rods were great while they lasted. I think they only lasted a year. Your right, they were broken down more than they ran. They were their when they first reopened tommorowland. Disneyland is great the weekend after Thanksgiving, all decorated but not so crowded.
Kelly
February 5th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I am really glad they got rid of Alien Encounter!!! I enjoyed Carousel of Progress and this other attraction where you stood in a room surrounded by television screens and this bug thing went through time and had adventures.
Pink61
February 5th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
The Carousel of Progress! I miss it in its old glory. That was my favorite. Disney.... look at this blog... Carousel of Progress has been mentioned many, many times!
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Aww...I loved Alien Encounter...it was great fun! But, Stitch is good too! I was bummed when they took out Country Bear Jamboree from Disneyland...I just hope they leave it in Disneyworld.
Susan
February 5th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Anyone have any old ticket books lying around?? Remember E-ticket rides?? My first trip there was in 1956...I love looking at pictures from that trip!
James Fitzgerald
February 5th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I grew up in Orange County and went to D-land all the time with my family. I remember being there late at night with my brothers and sisters and one ride that NEVER had a line was Mission to Mars. It's now Star Tours. They used to also have big phone booths where you could fit 4 or 5 people and talk on a speaker phone. We used to think that was the coolest thing ever.
al cash
February 5th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
you don't mention anything about the swan ride around the castle. that was at disney world.
Brent
February 5th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I was just at Disneyland in Anaheim, and Mr. Toads Wild Ride is definately still there!

Why is it I loved going to hell
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Mission to Mars was replaced by Redd Rocket's Pizza Port...and Star Tours replaced Journey to Innerspace.
MelissMary4514
February 5th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Does anyone remember the 3D movie that the Magic Kingdom played back in the 80's that was in a building that looked like a circus tent on the outside? And an old-school theater on the inside. I think it was next to the Peter Pan ride. I remember in the movie, reaching out to 'grab' the golden ring from carousels. Ring a bell to anyone?
Bullheadgal
February 5th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I grew up in Southern California, and would go to Disneyland at least once or twice a year, back when a family could go and not break the bank. I am looking forward to taking my new grandaughter for the first time. The Hall of Presidents is still on mainstreet, and yes it can be freaky for little ones, but the animitronics are sooo cool.
I MISS THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON TREE HOUSE TOO!!!
Brittany
February 5th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
What happened to the cable cars at Disneyland? Those were fun!
Steve917
February 5th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
I miss the mule train ride through the painted desert. Kids would ride real mules/burros. It was where the Mexican restaurant and the mine train ride are now. I thought the Rocket to the Moon was real!
Julie
February 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
What about the rocket rods?? they were only there (working) for about 9 months
Andy Pesich
February 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
The G.E. Carousel of Progress was my favorite. I heard it got moved to Florida. I believe the dog's name was Buster.
Patricia
February 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I love Disneyland (California).

My favorite ride was the Mansonto....where you were shrunk and a huge eyeball looked at you through a telescope. Anyone else remember that one?
Oh that was great!!
valerie
February 5th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I pray that they will bring Alien Encounter to CA Adventure. I LOVED THAT RIDE. It was the single most terrifying thing I had ever experienced. It still freaks me out just thinking about it. Who can we petition for that??
disneyfreak
February 5th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
What about the Country Bear Jamboree??? I miss those bears so much.
mrjoe
February 5th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Anyone remember "Inner Space"? It was were the Star Wars ride is today. (Disneyland) That big eye at the end used to freak me out.
Needlefingers
February 5th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
How about "If You Had Wings" sponsered by Eastern Airlines? It was at DisneyWorld, Orlando and was a free ride. It was 360 vision where you stood first and saw different ariel views of the world and tilted with them. Then you got in these buble cars that took you skiing down a hill, on a rollercoaster and over a cliff. It was from the '70s and was there when the park opened.
Sarahlynn
February 5th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Wait a minute, when I was there in 2006, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was still there, and the Pooh Bear thing had been built too! I thought the Pooh Bear ride was further over by Splash Mountain, and Mr. Toad was closer to the Carousel...

But on topic: I do miss the Submarine Ride. I only went on it once because I was like 5 the time they took it out, but I remember it and it was really awesome. Who else could get away with a ride that goes underwater? I wouldn't trust going underwater anywhere else besides Disneyland...
nurse Bates
February 5th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
The best ride was the rockets! you had to take the elevator up to get on it!
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Hmmm...Monsanto was the house of the future...as told in the above article...The huge eyeball that looked at you, was on "Adventure Thru Inner Space"(I have been calling it Journey Through Innerspace)...but, it was presented by Monsanto.
Abby
February 5th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Disney is bringing back Monasanto's House of the Future. They just announced it this month, and it'll be modernized for the future of now, instead of 1957's modern of 1986. Yay!
Janet Bird
February 5th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I've been to Disney World, Disneyland, and the '64 World's Fair. Two of the rides, which were later at both parks, were originally designed as exhibits at the Fair: Small World was the Pepsi exhibit, and Carosel of Progress, with it's emphasis on electricity, was the GE exhibit.

As for the President ride, one Disney park had the Parade of Presidents, actually just a line of anamatronic presidents standing on the stage, and the Park had Meet Mr. Lincoln, or something like that, with an anamatronics Abraham Lincoln.

This was the only difference between which rides were at the two parks when I first visited them in the mid to late '70s. A number of rides, such as Space Mountain and Small World, were constructed differently (2 sets of tracks in Florida vs. 1 in California for Space Mountain, water filled track vs. water everywhere for Small World), but the essence of the rides was the same. It sounds like nowadays there are several differences between the two parks. Now, that couldn't be a way to encourage people to visit both of them, now could it?
nurse Bates
February 5th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I think when you would ride the rockets , the person who sat in the back had the controls. We would go 2 the top and stay there.
Jac
February 5th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
The people mover was the best, just a tour around Tommorowland and yes the Skyway ride was relaxing. Those were keepers.
Char
February 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I loved the old Inner Space ride at Disneyland where you would shrink and go into a microscope. America Sings was also a favorite, at least we still see the animals in Splash Mountain. The People Mover was good. That was the sit and relax a minute ride in the park. It was a much better alternative than Small World, which gets obnoxious fairly quickly. The tracks are still there, so they could bring that back. I slightly remember some kind of a of future thing, showing refrigerators and dishwashers as the wave of the future, but it couldn't have been the Monsanto House. That was out before I was even born. This was in the location of America Sings. I remember when they were putting that in and the future thing went out. Maybe they used some of the future stuff for a while there after the Monsanto House was gone during the interim before America Sings. There was a miniature of a city kind of like in the Peter Pan ride over London in there too. Tomorrow Land just isn't that great anymore, except for Space Mountain and I like Buzz Light Year. I also remember a prairie ride of some kind where Thunder Mountain is now. It was no great loss, Thunder Mountain is MUCH better. Finally, it sounds like that STUPID Pooh Bear Ride should be out in BOTH parks. Them taking out Bear Country Jamboree for that ride still makes me mad. Taking out Mr. Toads Wild Ride in Florida is just as bad! We're going to Orlando, Fl this year and one thing my family is looking forward to is seeing Bear Country again. So, come to California and ride Mr. Toads again anytime.
Hazelee Jaberg
February 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Does anyone remember "America The Beautiful"? It was a 360 degree movie that went across the United States. They then put in "China" and then re-did "America The Beautiful". Wasn't nearly as good. Now Buz Lightyear is there.
yoyoditney
February 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
So Cal native. Ditneyland attendee, over 40 years. Oh, there were some @$$kickin stuff there my pretties.
Monsanto had "the ride through inner space" The ride "MiCrOsIzEd" you down to the size of an atom, so that you could see molecular activities larger than life, and at the end you rode by the end of a microscope, seeing an EYE peering down at you. Corny but CLASSIC! (and way the heck better than the "star tours" junk that took its place)

The tommorrowland rockets were up THREE stories, and you could elevate to FOUR stories as it rotated. Alas they did a "pluck-and-stuck" over to the tommorrowland "portal" (entrance to theme area) and dropped it "down to earth" making it a lame KIDDIE ride.
They had an attraction (the name escapes me) that was a 360 degree movie, and the theater (buzz lightyear astroblasters now sits there) had a 360 degree screen. you stood and watched and no matter what direction you looked, you could see what was going on. Mostly people GAWKING at the 360 camera apperatus as it filmed. The most halarious thing was when the camera headed down Lombard Street, (San Francisco), as it took the turns, watching it actually caused people to fall on occassion. They installed handrails for folks to hang onto.
The pirates of the carribean is NOW "The Excuse To Gurgle The Name Jack Sparrow At Every Turn" Believe me, They kinda screwed up on THAT remodel. THAT USED to be a favorite ride. Ridership on it is now pretty low.
HERE is a real good one! It's a small world was closed for a facelift. BUT, the actual reason they HAD to close it, was that a problem had slowly developed over time, and it continued to grow. Seems the DRAFT of the boats were calculated for LIGHTER folks. Over the years, more and more people become a tad heavier, and the number of chunky people boarding the ride increased. Result? the boats were getting stuck at different locations along the waterway due to "bottoming out". More and more, the ride would see major delays as personnel would have to go in and actually free the boats. At times they would have to "shadow" the heavier ones and free them up from multiple groundings. So the facelift deepend the draft of the waterway and added boyancy to boats, along with the asthetic improvements. Got that gem from my nephew who was a ride operator.
They haven't been doing the CANOES in the mark twain waterway, That was always fun, as kids we would act like uncoordinated morons with no concept of how the "whole canoe thing" worked. This resulted in alot of people getting soaked from "idiots with oars" and the canoe guide asking that we refrain from rowing. AHHH good times! It was GREAT! Half way round the waterway and ya just kick back and enjoy the view, while the rest of the folks is huffin and puffin, paddlin' and a bitchin' bout bein all wet. Heh, KIDS!

They used to have a little "boatopia" between the subs and small world, BORING and as such, GONE. The old dock is now a picturesque smoking area.

Peoplemover, GONE
SKYWAY buckets, GONE (due to some MORON who actually climbed out and fell. Yeah he survived, and is probably BREEDING somewhere so BE CAREFUL!)
ABE LINCOLN SPEECH attraction GONE (actually went to MK and became Hall O'Presidents)
Electrical Parade, UnPlUgEd
Walk thru sleeping beauty's castle GONE, BUT RETURNING!

There have been ALOT of changes at DITNEYLAND, but the one that really bums me out the MOST?
The original monorails had a "skybubble" at the front of the train right behind the operator, and it was the best seat on the best ride there. Pokin your head out the top of the ride all the way around. THAT was FUN as a kid, and they were the most coveted seats in the whole park. The fact that they removed it put a bit of a TARNISH on ditney, that can never be polished away.

Yeah, I been to the DL...DOZENS OF TIMES, and well over a HUNDRED. Wanna hear about KNOTTS? Magic Mtn.?
heheheheh.
Esley
February 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
@Susan,

I still have some old tickets books. Still have some E tickets in them. Not something I will ever part with!
vickla
February 5th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
wow all these stories bring back so much that i have forgot. keep writing
Laurie
February 5th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Oh my gosh! I loved this link. I don't miss how you could hear the Small World song everywhere....hate that song. I did love the Carousel of Progress, it was corny but cool. Nothing will ever top the Pirates though....if they get rid of that, they get rid of me! I was disappointed that they didn't have the Animatronic Presidents, Lincoln talking in the little theatre when I was there in December. That was a good one and besides it was free, didn't have to use an "E" ticket, boy does that date me!
jim
February 5th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I went to see captain eo more times than I could count during my visits to epcot... have the shirt they sold, the poster, and the 3 stuffed characters from it to! have a vhs tape of it from when mtv finally showed it about a decade ago... still love it!
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I was at the park about a month ago, and Pirates had the longest line in the park!!! I was upset when they changed things originally(before Jack Sparrow) to be politically correct...however...back then...pirates did not chase women for food(you can thank Mrs. Eisner for that little gem)...so, when they added Jack Sparrow, Barbosa, and Davey Jones...i was, and am thrilled!!!
July
February 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Ohhh, what was the rollercoaster ride that looked like a train at Disneyland? And is it still there? I grew up within walking distance of Disneyland, went all the time. Now haven't been is many years.
I too loved Country Bear Jamboree, it's a small world, Pirates of the Caribbean. Oh how I miss that place!
Tammy
February 5th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
....and another that most likely will not be back...is the sky cars. (not sure what they are called) However, you can see them in the background of the picture showing the flying saucers.
jymkata
February 5th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
My favorite closed attractions were the Incredible Shrinking Machine ride in Tomorrowland (you got shrunk down to molecular size) - I remember at the end of the ride there was a giant eye peering at you through a microscope.

I also loved the Trip to Mars attraction.

Both of these were in Tomorrowland.
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Skyway?
BLUEBIRDIE1
February 5th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
It was whoopie goldberg on the tv premier of Captain EO.Can you buy the movie or the tv show,anywhere online?
Miriam
February 5th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I've been to Disneyland once and Disney World twice now. I do remember Captain EO! I think I saw it one of the first years it was there since I was either 7 or 8 at the time, and it was the first 3D attraction I had ever seen.

There were about 10 years between my three visits to the parks, and yeah, oh the changes! I rode the 20,000 Leages ride, remember America Sings, the People Mover, and seeing the Alien Encounter attraction when it was still being built. My latest visit was last year to WDW, and some things were moved around that I didn't recognize, but I rode all the rides I could. I absolutely LOVE Expedition Everest!...rode that 3 times in a row!
Joannefm2
February 5th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I go to Disneyland a lot, and they are actually going to redo the Flying Saucers. It is going to be in what is now California Adventure, which is going to be completely retooled. Of course, they won't be called the Flying Saucers, but based on the movie Cars. A prototype is in CA Adv, in the imagineering building that is right by the Italian restaurant.
Brittany
February 5th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
@Tammy- That's what those were...sky cars! Those things were awesome!
Disney man
February 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Note to ilikedisney,
I was a ride operator on the Flying Saucer ride. I guarantee that it was air that lifted the saucers. The table was covered with about 8 inch valves that opened when the saucer passed over them and air would shoot up to lift the saucers -- and sometimes a dress.
barkersbeauty
February 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Gatorfan,

The best places to stay at DisneyWorld would be the $99 night hotels. We stayed at the one with the different years. I got a great deal by checking out the website for Disney and also calling for my reservations. Hope this helps.
Chrissy
February 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I loved Food Rocks!! I wish they would have kept it. I don't remember the 1st version, but I have the 2nd one on tape somewhere, plus it's on youtube I am sure. I remember liking Captin EO when I was little. I also love Carousal of Progress, and was super glad it was open this December. It's sad more people don't go and do it. I miss Tarzan Rocks! Such a great show!!!
Jerry
February 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
wow!!! I remember Captain EO, i remember America Sings.
My parents took me to Dineyland for the first time when i was 6 in 1982. I wish they still let people fish for Cat Fish off the pier like they did in the 50's.
Steve Walter
February 5th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I live in Florida and went to WDW the first time in October 1971, very soon after it first opened.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was a favorite, especially since my little sister, three at the time, really believed the train in the tunnel at the end was real. She remembers it to this day.

Mission to the Moon in Tomorrowland was a favorite, but got dated. Then, it changed to Mission to Mars, which was basically the same thing, but with a different destination, as I recall. Then, it was Alien Encounter, probably the best "ride" at WDW at the time.

The Carousel Of Progress. I loved the original with the original song. I really don't like the new one. "Now is the time! Now is the best time! Now is the best time of your life!" "Yesterday's memories may sparkle and gleam. Tomorrow is still but a dream. Right here and now, you've got it made. The world's marching forward and you're in the parade!" Love it!

The Tiki Room. Great place to relax after standing in line for Pirates for an hour and a half! "In the Tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki room. In the tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki room. All the bird sing words and the flowers bloom in the tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki room."

Space Mountain. Anyone remember the two-hour TV special when they opened Space Mountain in what, 1977? That along with the WEDWAY PeopleMover.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. My brother and I so wanted one of those submarines. "You think you're little John-boat is cool? Check this out!" Heh!

I don't remember the name of it, but there was a CircleVision 360 thing across from Alien Encounter that was some kind of time travel thing, I think, with Robin Williams, Reah Perlman, and Jeremy Irons. I don't remember much about it except the beginning when you're walking in. Robin's character is a robot in front of the room welcoming everyone in and saying "Please don't sit on the hand rails. They're HAND rails." Like, duh!

Country Bear Jamboree. My mother absolutely loved Big Al. Cracked her up every time he sang. "There was blood on the saddle and... blood on the ground."

The original Haunted House. The new version just isn't right.

I actually like The Hall of the Presidents. Last time I saw it, they had just added Clinton.

The Monorail. I miss the original monorail trains that had the individual doors that someone had to come by and close. The current trains with the sliding doors are too much like a normal subway.

River Country. It may not have been much, but it was a great way to cool off when you stayed in Fort Wilderness. Originally, if you were staying in the campground, you had free admission. It's all still there and there was talk of re-opening it with a Pirates theme, but that's fallen through.

Treasure Island. It was full of all kinds of exotic birds. Great educational experience for kids. Now, all the birds are at Animal Kingdom. There had been plans to turn the island into Myst Island, but they couldn't work that out, sadly.

Ah, the memories!
elisha
February 5th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
When I was a kid my favorite thing at Disney world was the "home improvement" area where you could get your picture taken with Tim Allen and his crew! They also had an area for kids to play with old kodak film rolls as slides etc. Anyone else remember this? ...I know its not there anymore
Cathy
February 5th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I miss America Sings! Disney should bring this back.
elizabeth
February 5th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
You all brought back such good memories. I do remember that restaurant Chicken of the Sea...and I had forgotten the people mover and the mule ride...they were real mules..someone mentioned a swan ride that I don't remember. I think my first trip there was in 1957-1958..I know some rides did not make it through the firat year. I also remember wearing a big pink plastic sun hat that said Disneyland..I am sure I have a picture somewhere. I was sorry also when they took away Country Bear Jamboree...it was corny but so much fun.
Laura Hernandez
February 5th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I MISS THE COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE, which was replaced by the winnie the pooh ride. if you asked me they should have left it because as a season pass holder I've notice that winnie the pooh atraction never has anyone in line... the country bear was always full of people waiting for the next showing
barkersbeauty
February 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
At WDW The Country Bear Jamboree is still there. When I went in Oct 08, it was under construction.
Bella
February 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I read in a previous post that the sky way was still around but blocked off. Granted I haven't been to Disneyland or world in several years but.. WHEN THE HECK DID THAT HAPPEN?? Is that true for Disney World too or just Disneyland?
akm
February 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE i was soooo upset when i searched the whole park back in 2005 and found out it wasnt there anymore! i asked someone who worked there and told them that its ridiculous they don't have them there anymore. real dissapointing
July
February 5th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Steve Walter, I too remember that thing with Robbin Williams, can't get the name either. The Hall of Presidents, Was that the one with the animotronics Presidents?
Oh boy Space Mountain, I remember waiting in line for I don't how long to get on that ride when it first opened!

That incredible shrinking thing, I faintly remember that, I remember the big eyeball, I remember the shrinking stuff. Did you ride through that or what? Can't remember!
Dusty
February 5th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I'm from the "E" ticket days. And as teens we use to go there allot. It only cost about 2 or 3 dollars to get into the park with out buying the ticket books. We would go in the evenings to see the bands. The Righteous Brothers, Beach Boys, Sunny and Char and a bunch more. And if we wanted to ride the rides we could buy a ticket for that one ride. All of our "All-Night" parties were at Disneyland. It was great! They'd close the park to every one except the schools that had signed up. Those were some fun times. Disneyland will always be a magic place to all generations. I know my kids and my grandkids love them all.
charlienecro
February 5th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I think the Skyway was actually finally closed in 1999, in Disneyland. It was still functioning in WDW, the last time I was there(2 -3 years ago).
kurt
February 5th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I miss World of Motion. It was my and my wife's
favorite ride. Test Track is good but I wish they
would have built it elsewhere and left WOM alone. I also miss The Body. Cranium Command and that funny movie they showed before it were really good. Body Wars was ok. I definitely would like to see Captain Eo again.
I thought all the stuff they added for the new
millennium at Epcot was cool and you can still see
evidence of some of it. I'd like for some of that to
open back up. Last time it was open my kids were
small and I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I would've
like to.
Joey
February 5th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
How can these morons forget to mention INNERSPACE and THE PEOPLE MOVER!!! The people mover was awesome on so many levels, the biggest one of which was the fact that the seats were magically empowered with the perfect material and angle to ensure that all men's wallets fell out on the ride. That's innovation!
Sally K. Jennelle
February 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I was born at California Hospital, downtown L.A. in 1944. At the age of 5 I was sent East to West Virginia to live with my grandmother. I spent 3 summers after that in Studio City, CA with my aunt - 1955, 1960 and 1961. She took me to every tourist attraction possible (and then some)during those three summers. I visited Disney Land in 1955 when I was 11 years old, just after it opened. I have pictures and fabulous memories of Disney Land, Knots Berry Farm, Farmer's Market, etc. in 1955. And I have brochures and the original ticket (a prized possession) to Disney Land park. I remember the various theme parks within Disney Land...Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Main Street, etc. I also have the original post card of the Monsanto House (but reading the article it says it was set up in 1957), and I think I went inside of it, also. So I'm confused about that. Anyway, it was a grand time that entire day at Disney Land. A photo of me was taken on Main Street. The rest of the photos are various shots I took of the park thru my 11-year old eyes. Today, I would take many more!
kurt
February 5th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
The skyway at WDW has been closed longer than 2-3 years.
I can't remember the last time it was running but
it has been longer than 5 years. I seem to remember
it being shutdown even before 2000. So it may have
been around the same time the closed it down at
Disneyland.
david chase
February 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Lauren, I believe the President's "ride" was called "Meet Mr. Lincoln"...However it was a seated audience thing, if I recall correctly.....
david chase
February 5th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Has anyone seen Walt's old apartment when it still existed that way? It's now a private club, upstairs over Main Street.
BLUEBIRDIE1
February 5th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I was in a high school marhing band,and played on top of the america sings,spin around thing.
I never new what it was,or that it was an attraction,with star tours and better rides to see.
I know that shrink ride with pulsating rocks and space sounds,and the little people.I was not sure if I really shrunk.I was looking at it to see real people inside.
NannieD
February 5th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Wow! Reading all these comments was sooooo much fun! I am a big Disney fan and make it to Disneyland about once a year (and I'm 52)! A few years back, I got thinking about E- Tickets and found one on Ebay. When I was a kid I used to buy the large scale Disneyland map showing all the rides in their different lands - they are now a fun way to remember how it used to be.
Disneyland never had all the presidents...Main Street hosted "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln". Made me laugh that someone commented that it was a ride only the parents liked - I loved it (until it closed a few years back), but my kids thought it boring. Talk about feeling old...
I loved that so many of you remember Monsanto's Voyage Through Innerspace" with the same fondness that I do...corny, but a true classic! "Dare I go further, I dare not!"
kurt
February 5th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
It looks like Disneyland closed the skyway in Nov. '94
and WDW closed theirs in Nov. '99.
elizabeth
February 5th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
charlienecro,

I think the person killed in America Sings was a park employee I vaguely remember the story and I do not think they were ever certain why she was at that spot at that moment, but she was crushed. You are right I think it was called Skyway but I seem to think there was another word with that.

Even though we all miss the old rides I must say it is still a wonderful place to spend a day. I was last there a year ago last October and completely enjoyed Halloween and I love Fantasmic...seems they are moving away from rides that accomodate 2 4 people on a car and going for more mass movement. Still you can go in and forget your troubles for a day.
john ziesing
February 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
i went to disneyland on opening day as a cub scout from s. california. walt shook my hand and said welcome.
nativeguy
February 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
( DisneyLand )
Carousel of Progress was a 360 theatre with revolving stage.
There used to be a pirate ship docked next to the submarine ride ( the subs didn't go below water, just the lower half of them with windows you looked out of was below the water line )
The autopia was little cars you drove along a guided track, you couldn't get in an accident, and at least toward the end it didn't matter if you pushed the gas pedal or not.
Tom Sawyer Island only half of the island was open, the back side you couldn't walk in, but it was still kinda cool as a kid.
The donkey ride & the little train through the southwestern desert was one of the early things that didn't last.
Of course in recent years they changed the Pirates ride, as everyone knows pirates didn't chase women...
there used to be a restaurant next to the exit of Pirates, always looking out at the night scene of the ride.
The ticket books were a drag, but that was how they used to keep the lines down.
The arcade used to have a "how long can you hang on" thing where you held onto metal bars that gave some kind of a shock- no doubt lawyers got involved with removing it.
Carl
February 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Had a friend in the early 60's who worked at the gate where they let you back in with a hand stamp.She would let us know when she was working and let us in for free. Used to go 3 or 4 times a week. Then we would hang out by the exit and ask people leaving for their extra tickets. Didn't get many E's but it was still good. Went mainly for the bands and picking up girls. Great for both. They always had great bands in tomorrowland and all those tourist hotties. Oh my. As for Captain Eo, you can find the whole thing on YouTube. I must be getting old, because the flying saucers were my favorite ride and I swear I remember them using air to lift the saucers.
Marta Morrison
February 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I rode on burros when I went there when I was four.
Kristin
February 5th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
they're bringing back a type of flying saucers ride over the california adventure. it's supposed to be a cars themed one in the radiator springs are they're putting in
Marisa J
February 5th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
You missed Journey through Innerspace, and the GE Carosel of Progress (It's a great big beautiful tomorrow). And shouldn't shortest lived ride honor go to Rocket Rods? That was a cool ride...when it was working!
brooklynsbums
February 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I believe the Presidents attraction was... Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Monsanto was a classic.
Suzan
February 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I was a toddler when Disneyland opened. It used to be my favorite place on earth! Attractions/places that I enjoyed that are no longer around include:

- Mine train ride (where Thunder Mountain is now)
– Live donkey rides (also where Thunder Mountain is now)
- Mickey Mouse Club House on main street
- Tahitian Terrace (a restaurant)
- Aunt Jemima Pancake House (with Aunt Jemima outside to greet you)
- Rocket to the Moon
- Skyway
- Carnation Ice Cream Parlor when sundaes were made to order
- People Mover
- Motor Boat Cruise
- Indian Trading Post

And, of course, the Disneyland Ticket Book that afforded those "E" ticket rides!
Carol Mitchell
February 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I went to Disneyland the first year it opened, and many times after that. Actually, when I was in college, there was a summer job there posted on the job board, but alas I didn't have a car and it would have been hours by bus from Pasadena.We went there for grad night in 1966, and then the L.A. Times sponsored a night there. It was raining so very few people were there, and for once I got to go on everything I wanted to. I spent 4 days in Disneyworld in 1992, and I got to get another look at the original submarine ride and the outside of the house of the future (it was closed for the day). They also had the original space voyage ride-I can't remember what it was called.
The last time I was able to go was in 1996, with some people who'd never been there before. My daughter, who is a flight attendant, goes home to Southern California frequently, and she tells me the newest attraction, on the site of the old parking lot, felt more like a copy of Universal's theme park.
I am a bit puzzled by Walt Disney's claim that he started Disneyland because there were no decent amusement parks in the area. We used to go to Streamland in Pico Rivera, now a housing development (boo!) and it was a great place for small kids. It was a lot closer to us than to him, of course.
Thanks for the chance to revisit old times
suess
February 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
We went to Disneyland the week before Christmas. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was still there in Fantasyland. It's right next to Peter Pan ride. Winnie the Pooh is over in adventure land across from Splash Mountain.
Camie
February 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I work at Disneyland, in the backstage area. My favorite attraction of ALL time is Haunted Mansion, celebrating 40 years in '09!! But I'll always have a soft spot for Captain EO, Adventures in Innerspace, Skyway and the People Mover. It had Tron in it!!
Kensbest
February 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Does anyone remember when the park was 24 hours? When Space Mountain and Capt. EO opened, the park opened Friday morning and closed on Sunday night. It was a special 1 time per ride thing that I went to twice. Kids were sleeping everywhere and the Disney employees would wake them up and move them. We used to go into Mickeys Cartoon theater on Main Street to sleep! The never bothered us in there, and it was dark.
meagers
February 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
i loooooove the tiki room. that is by far in my top 5 favorite rides at disneyland. i agree with everyone that country bear jamboree was a really good attraction and kinda bullshit it got replaced by pooh bear.

oh, and the swiss family robinson tree was changed into tarzans tree or whatever. lame that they had to add a bunch of plastic nothings to it, but at least the actual tree house is still there.

oh man, why does disneyland have to be so damn expensive now? i cant even afford a cheeseburger there, let alone the ticket!
Red Eyes Burning
February 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I remember back in the 70's WDW would throw late nite parties for all occasions. When i went 4 my prom nite, me and a buddy went on the Haunted Mansion ride and got STONED and once we got around to the talking crystal ball a park employee jumped on our car and scared the living bejesus out of us and i thought i was seeing real ghosts and threw my pot away near the graveyard area. Aaaahhhh those were the days. plus i used to smoke on the skyway ride to. yuk yuk
Laura O'Lacy
February 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Actually, DCA is saying that in the new area that they are building, based on the Movie CARS,there will be a ride that brings back the flying saucers... as flying tires. Should be interesting.
Red Eyes Burning
February 5th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
The Presidents show was at The Hall of Presidents.
Betty
February 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Sorry folks, but I LOVED It's a Small World, would go on it more than once. We took our 4 kids back in the 50s and loved everything. Went one Feb with my niece and was so disappointed because so many rides were closed down for repairs, etc. Have been to DW 3 times and am ready to go again, I love all Disney items and belong to the Disney Society. I remember Mr. Lincoln and the main street parade.
MarkD
February 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
So many memories flooding back.

Seems like no one else remembers the Indian canoes that you could ride in - complete with Indian guide by fronteerland. I remember riding next to my dad with my mom in the seat behind me and my paddling getting her soaked. They also had hourly Indian dances. I have no idea if they had acutal native americans or just some local kids playing the part.

Voyage to inner-space was the best "make-out" ride - very slow and once you started, you could not be seen by the other cars at all.
Carl
February 5th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
They used to have company nights where they would close the park for a while, then reopen it for the employees of the company, i.e. Douglas Aircraft, Hughes etc. It would be limited to a few thousand people, no lines and ride as much as you wanted. In later years they just gave the company people wrist bands for the rides and let the general public in. I remember there used to be some hard feelings between the people with ticket books and the wrist banders. They aways wanted to know why we were so special that we didn't need tickets.
Sioux
February 5th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
My new husband and I went to Disneyland in the early 70's and we were smoking and a Mickey Mouse guy came up to us in the parking lot and told us "Mickey doesn't like stoners."!
Old Angel Fan
February 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I remember when GTE hosted the America the Beautiful movie in 360 degrees. My sister was one of the hostesses when she first started working for what is once again AT &T. My most vivid memory of it, though not my dad's was getting sick when the car went down Lombard St in SF. I was 4 at the time!! The best part growing up near the park and going quite often was the motor boat ride and the Utopia. I too remember when they had the cable cars going up and down Main St. I also miss eating at the French Quarter restraunt that was inside the P of the C. Best clam chowder ever!!! The best though was to be at the old Anaheim Stadium (when the "A" was in centerfield), and running over to the 3rd base side of the top bleachers to watch the Disney fireworks (more exciting than the Angels back then, pre Nolan Ryan)
Dean
February 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
It's A Small World drove me insane. There were some other really annoying "rides" at Epcot that were supposed to be educational, but they really came off as ridiculous (I recall some Food Rock thing...I HOPE that's gone). I did like the Mars/Spaceship thing. Really not a park for thrill rides, and it's way too expensive, so I avoid it.
Darklighter1
February 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hold on. Michael Jackson only got weird AFTER 1997?
Jax
February 5th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Reading about the Hall of Presidents, does anyone remember seeing the video of Lincoln having a melt down? I think it was on the news many years ago. I remember seeing Lincoln's head detaching from the animatronic body and tilting backwards. I think his entire body went limp and almost fell down. Sorry, but for some reason, while I am thinking about this, I can't stop laughing.
Terie
February 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I remember Innerspace..It was my favorite ride when I was a kid. It was such a disapointment when it went away! The people movers also rocked...I wish that they would come back. As for Country Bear Jamboree...How could they do it!!!! After the Country Bears movie came out my kids were so excited to see the Country Bears Jamboree, they were so disappointed that it was closed, and the next year that we went back to Disneyland (California) and rode the Pooh replacement ride..WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT..even for my little ones (both under6), did not like it. Disney still rocks!!! We try to go 1 time a year.
lovedisney
February 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
didn't there used to be light-up dancing water fountains in epcot??

AND i remeber when that alien encounter ride in tomorrowland was actually scary..last time i went to disneyworld they had changed it to lilo & stitch and i was so sad. I loved how the old ride was actually scary.
Dano
February 5th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I still miss the Calico Mine ride.

My wife had a heart condition when she was a child and could not ride any of the roller coasters because of that, her favorite 'ride' was the Country Bear Jamboree. She was depressed for weeks when we learned it had closed down for the Winnie the Pooh ride.
Sylvia
February 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I have been to both Disneyland and Disney World. I saw Captain EO and it was pretty cool. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was awesome! I can honestly say that adults should never go through the It's a Small World ride. That song sticks in your head for days and by the end of the ride you will be glad it's a small world. I liked the Haunted Mansion. My favorite will always be the Enchanted Tiki Room:-) It was such a surprise the first time the whole room start singing. It was wonderful.
Tukot
February 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I went with my family about 6 years back to the Florida park. Funnest place we found to eat had old t.v. shows playing and women serving you in house robes. It was like being at your buddy's house for breakfast, and you were in big trouble if you wore your hat to the table or didn't finish your food! Our waitress even pulled out a big old picture album because she thought she had a picture of my brother in law from a past visit! One of the only meals I remember from 3 days there:)
Carrie Loves Disney
February 5th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
The People mover was awesome. Do you remember when it went through the exciting world of Tron? I remember when that feature was NEW! The People Mover was replaced by a fast ride called "Rocket Rods." That had to be one of the shortest lived attractions ever at Disneyland. So short lived, in fact, I don't think anyone remembers it except me. Did I dream it?

Disneyland had "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." An animatronic President Lincoln talked to you in an auditorium. It wasn't a ride. It was boring, but there was no line and it was awesome to sit there in the air conditioning on a hot summer day, after standing in lines for hours and hours. We'd go there to rest. It's been gone for decades.
Dano
February 5th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Oh, and to add on...what I really miss is when Disney had a backbone and didn't feel the need to PC their rides like they have over the years.

Rivers of America: settler's house on fire with body out front riddled with Indian arrows turns into a settler's house on fire (with some lame blah blah on the train ride about careless fires), then that's over and it's just a house (I seem to recall some bears digging through it...).

Pirates of the Carribean: The entire 'chasing room' has gone from proper lechery to some ridiculous 'grab the ladies carrying desserts' with the fat woman chasing a guy with desserts. Even that was too much for the 'fat lady' caucus who must have complained. Now she carries a rolling pin to look like he stole what she just baked.

I'm sure there's others...

Bra-VO, Disney.
ChiefMelee
February 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL was the 360* theater with scenes from monumental attractions across the US (Mt Rushmore, SF's Lombard St, Niagra falls, Autumn in Vermont while "riding" in a horse drawn buggy).
I have wonderful memories of seeing Captain EO in 1987 at the Senior Grad Night, when everyone was dressed up in prom dresses and tuxes. I'm blind in one eye, so 3-D is out of the question for me EXCEPT that one wonderful night when I went with my friends and wore a pair of 3-D glasses that actually let me see in 3-D for the one and only time ever. I cried. I never thought it was possible. I regret returning those glasses. Since then, I have been to numerous 3-D shows (including the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience show) and the glasses don't work for me.
I was so surprised at the different track layout for Pirates in WDW MK compared to DL. There's no drop after the skull says "Dead men tell no tales". That was my favorite part as a kid. So when I went to MK, I prepared myself, for the "surprise", only to be disappointed when the track stayed flat (and boring).
The other surprise is how Small World is so beautiful on the outside (with the huge animal shaped topiaries and magical white building at DL, but just another indoor dark ride at MK. I almost walked past it at WDW.
I miss the old Skyway too. I loved going through the Matterhorn and seeing the tiny Yeti.
Randy
February 5th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
does anyone know if the stage is still there that comes up out of the ground I think it was by the Matterhorn or rocket ride and by a food stand I remember that as kid and thought it was too cool, bright stage lights,blasting sound and cool fog effect, I remember it in the 80,s wham was there with their no. one hit wake me up before you go go. That carousel ride freaked me out and when the room in the haunted mansion gets bigger and the ghost sitting in the car with you.
Catman
February 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Does anyone that has been to both DL and WDW think that Pirates in WDW doesn"t measure up to DL.I swear they left out half the ride.
Jim
February 5th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I remember the Country Bear Jamboree (replaced by the Winnie the Pooh ride), the Skyway (currently just a closed off area), Adventure into Inner Space (currently Star Tours), Mission to Mars (currently Honey i Shrunk the Audience), the Rocket Ships when they were on the third floor, the short-lived Rocket Cars and the PeopleMover. I've heard that the People Mover had some horrific accidents when people tried jumping off it at certain times. Any proof to that?
Jim
February 5th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
It's still there, Randy
Tinkfan
February 5th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Gatorfan,
Your best bet will be one of the "value" resorts, like the All-Star Sports, Music, or Movies. Or, Pop Century. I recommend staying on Disney property because if you rent a car, or drive your own, parking (which is now at least $10 per day) is covered. That's your biggest perk. And, those resorts aren't horrible. They're clean as well as reasonably priced. Pop Century is closer to the middle of where the parks are, whereas the All-Star resorts are over by Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's a great park, but further from the rest of Disney property.
barkersbeauty
February 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Pop Century was an awesome hotel. We stayed there in Oct 08 and had the best time. We parked our car and rode the buses to whichever park we aent to that day. My husband and I just loved it. It was real close to Downtown Disney and we drove there and had a lot of fun walking around and enjoying the sights.
Ninjababy2
February 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
My first visit to WDW was in 1976. I still have photos of the Bicentennial parade and my fabulous afro. I vaguely remember riding in a swan boat around Cinderella’s castle. One of my favorites was If You Had Wings. It was a great ride to cool off on.
trferguson22
February 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I know the original lady who played snow white at Disney Land. She is awesome. SHe tells of some great stories that came out of that adventure. I have been there myself. I would love to go back and see the changes now.
Debby in Illinois
February 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
We were at WDW in December. A portion of the WED people mover was still there, but it used to have three or four stations, and now there is only one. The sky whatever-it-was that used to begin and/or end in a chalet behind Cinderella's Castle is gone completely.

We, too, were disappointed that Mr. Toad was gone. It was the first time that we had been there in about eight years and it was our almost-three-year-old grandson's first visit ever.

We always loved the ever-cheesy 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. We did get to ride the teacups (Alice and the Mad Hatter happened to ride at the same time) and our daughter was happy to see that Dumbo was still there.(She was also THRILLED that Jack Sparrow had been added to the Pirates ride)

All these posts have triggered all sorts of memories - The Tiki-tiki-tiki Room, Mr. Toad, CAPTAIN Nemo (not that dippy fish,) The Country Bears, the Hall of Presidents, etc.... thanks so much for the warm fuzzies!

Debby
Jan
February 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I've been going to Disneyland since the year after it opened. Even in college, we would make the drive up from San Diego once a year because it used to be so much fun. When I was a kid, we used to spend one day at Disneyland and the other at Knotts Berry Farm. Because we couldn't afford the Disneyland Hotel, we stayed at a motel down the road where there were horses in a pasture next to the parking lot. And you knew you were getting close because you could see the Matterhorn rising out of the orange groves! Now you can't even tell where it is from the freeway and the horses and orange groves are long gone.

We loved the flying saucers. The original automobile rides didn't have the ridge in the middle of the lane either and kids were always getting stuck sideways. Those were more fun, too. Since I was horse crazy, I always rode the mule train in Frontierland and sometimes we got to ride the stagecoach. All that gave way to Big Thunder Railroad, which is still one of my favorite rides.

I really loved Rocket Rods, but they never functioned very well. Most of the time they were down for tests and then they closed it completely.

I also used to like the original spaceships...the one where you went up in an elevator and they were suspended above Tomorrowland. They were much more fun than the tame ride that's replaced them.

I even remember when the Matterhorn bobsleds were only one car with 4 people instead of double like now. It always seemed to me like they went faster badk then.

And the original Pirates ride didn't have boats bumping into each other because they were so close. When you started out, it was dark and you were alone and it really felt like you were on the bayou. Not anymore!

I miss the old Disneyland but everything changes. At least I got to see it before it got so loud and busy.
Robert Sozzani
February 5th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I rode on the flying saucers when I was about eight years old. I didn't meet the weight requirement and had to ride with some strange kid. Alone I wouldn't have been heavy enough to steer the saucer.
kirsten
February 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
So, just reading some of these comments and I noticed someone said that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Not true. I work at Disneyland and I know for a fact that Mr. Toad's is still there in Fantasyland. The Winnie the Pooh ride is in Critter Country across from Splash Mountain where Country Bear Jamboree used to be. Little known fact: in the Winnie the Pooh ride, when you leave the room with all the Heffalumps and Woozles if you look up, above the doorway is the three talking heads from Country Bear Jamboree, Max, Buff, and the other one.
elizabeth
February 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I had also forgotten the canoe rides where we all paddled like crazy...and you would look for all those animals on the island.
babariley
February 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
The secret is going with those you care about and having fun. I would say taking a kid is a must, but just be a kid at heart and you will be OK. Being a WDW (east coast) guy I miss Mr. Toad's wild ride, but I miss my parents more. That why Disney will always be special to me. It was my brand for fun as a kid, superior to all others. Times have changed, and Disney is just another public company with stockholders and profit margins. Maybe I have changed more than Disney, but I still think back to those times when I was a kid. My dying word will probably be "E-ticket" instead of "Rosebud".
penguin
February 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hmmm - no one has mentioned the control line model airplane flying area in Tomorrowland - aircraft carrier landing and all - It wasn't for visitors, they had demonstrations there. Disneyland - 1960's
Jill
February 5th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Does this sound familiar to anyone?

In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room
Where the birds sing words and the flowers croon
In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room

I miss those singing birds!!!!!
debbie munari
February 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
i remember when disneyland first open in 1954 i was 2 yrs old and also the tickets were only 25 cents a piece for tickets and 35 tickets so that was along time ago i a can imagine now its really expensive to go there havent been there for along time
Disneyfile
February 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Walt's apartment is still there in Disneyland above the fire station. Like everything in Main Street it is built t 3/4 scale so the ceiling is kind of low (yes, I've been inside). Walt used to slide down the fire pole into the station but Disney had to seal the top because kids would climb up into the apartment. The upstairs private club at Disneyland is Club 33 in New Orleans Square. You have to know a member to get in but it is worth the effort. Looking out at the square and Tom Sawyer's Island is beautiful at night. There is something so decadent about having a cocktail inside Disneyland.
jan
February 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
No new rides under construction at WDW. They've tightened their belt to get thru the recession.

Stay at the All-Star Resort. It's less expensive and caters to families. Never stay at the Contemporary. Always smells bad.

Try listening to It's a Small World 5 nights a week for 6 months while renovating the ride.
MAGGIE
February 5th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
People no longer sing along in the Tiki Room when the animated birds tell them to...despite "American Idol" we are not a nation of singers like we used to be. "Let's all sing like the birdies sing, tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet...let's all warble like nightingales, give yourself a treat..." I believe the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse became the Tarzan Treehouse when that movie came out. And yes I remember "America the Beautiful," a completely circular movie screen surrounding the audience, who stood and turned whichever way it wanted to look since the scenary literally surrounded you. And when the E tickets were gone, the A tickets were good for the horse drawn streetcars, which at the time seemed boring.
Steve from Sacto
February 5th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Yeah, I remember the Flying Saucers. That was the best ride ever! You could really get those things going across the area. I was just old enough to ride them. I still tell people they missed the best ride.
neeki
February 5th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I don't know what is wrong with you 1900's people but I like disney land the way it presently is. I am a 14 year old and I just have to comment on this.CAPTAIN EO? what type of gay faggish name is that? that is worse than the powerangers dude. and michal jackson totally sucks it's all about freaking rock and metal now MJ can't compare to that! Explain to me why you would like a movie called Captain EO please! And house of tommorrow what they did with that totally over exaggerated. But one thing I agree with you on is that dumb president's ride that is SOOOOO gay. By the way I love the haunted house. And why were you mad over some dumb toad ride? and a skyliner that is NOT the definition of thrill and adrineline. Get over your anger dude time changes if they had that crap there now no one would go but old people.
katari
February 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
i would have gone but i wasn't alive yet when some of these were still there so all hope of riding them is gone
Captain EO
February 5th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Download Captain EO torrent here Divx in 608megshttp://rapidshare.com/files/194507504/-_Demonoid.com_-Captain_E O__1986_P_S_WS__Extras_5480905.522.torrent.html
Bob Weaver
February 5th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
The best discontinued Disneyland ride was "Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland" in Frontierland. It had a short waiting line and a long duration (16 minute ride) through scenery based on the "Nature's Wonderland" series of Disney films. There were geysers and bubbling mud pots similar to Yellowstone. There were spinning rocks, all kinds of simulated animals, waterfalls and forests. Best of all was the Rainbow Caverns at the end, a dark grotto area filled with fluorescent rivers, cascades, fountains and waterfalls in a rainbow of glowing colors. The most beautiful thing Disneyland has ever had. Tragically, they tore it all down in the late 1970s and replaced part of the area with the far inferior Thunder Mountain railroad thrill ride, and they have done nothing good with the rest of the area that the Mine Train ride used.
Jason
February 5th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
I haven't been to DL in 10 years. I moved to MI but still had an unexpired CA license to get the discount. I used to go at least once a year as a kid. People talk about America the Beautiful and don't mention rafting down the river, It took awile to get your equalibrium back after that ride. Mission to Mars was great, The Autorama(?) when it was open track with no guide rails. I liked the speed boats, there used to be a sign that said to let off the gas at the end, I would always stand on it and crash into the boat in front of us, that didn't make dad or the workers happy!I have to say the non-PC park was the greatest!!!!
Wardah
February 5th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
If you are looking for a real value as far as lodging Fort Wilderness is your best bet. When I went for about a week with my grandmother she had an RV so we had a campsite. The good thing about this is the RV had a kitchen (supposedly the cabins have kitchens too). This is good because food inside the park, even simple food, is so damn expensive. We bought food at a market just a little bit before we arrived. Nothing fancy of course just simple things that could be done in 10-15 minutes. The only time we ate inside the park was the character breakfast that came with the package. I do kinda wish I could have gone to the restaurants for dinner though.
Jason
February 5th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Club 33 is a restaurant that walk used to entertain investors in. He even had it bugged so he could leave the room and still hear what they were discussing. There is another place that was being put in New Orleans Square for walt and his brother and their families to stay. It wasn't finished before walt's death so it never really got used. His and his brother's initials are on the posts outside the entrance. One of the prizes in the million dreams thing this last year was a night in the place.
vann
February 5th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I went to Walt Disney World, and the thing I miss the most is the penny arcade. Can't beleive they took it out along with the Magic Shoppe to put in more shops. As if they don't have enough
GrapeApe
February 5th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
How about the Welch's white grape juice stand at WDW? The ultimate refreshment of plenty of ice with awesome white grape juice in a huge cup.
Ikerry
February 5th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Hi,
As a former employee of Disneyland, I worked on what is known as the West Side of Disneyland. I was a World-Famous Jungle Cruiser for 9 years. I worked rides like The Enchanted Tiki Room, The Mine Train, The Mark Twain, The Swiss Family Tree House, The Pirates of the Caribbean, The Davy Crockett Canoes, The Mike Fink Keel boats, both of the Shooting Galleries, and of course the World Famous Jungle Cruise. It was a great place to work with many friends whom I still stay in contact with today.
Regards,
Harry Kerry
Jungle Cruiser
Tony
February 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Back when I was working at the Park (late 70's) I knew a man who had worked there from the beginning and he did work on the Flying Saucers ride. He commented that it was notoriously unreliable, and they would, I think the phrase was "lose the table", meaning there would be problems with the air coming off the deck. If I remember correctly, there was also a problem with heavier riders too.
Alonia
February 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Seriously, i think that disney WORLD is better than disney land. i m only 13 and i have no clue wat rides yall are talking bout. but i asked my adopted mom (yes i m adopted) if the mr toad ride is just like the pooh ride and she said that it is, you just have 2 close yur eyes and imagen like u are in the mr toad ride. i have been 2 disney world 9 times and disney land 3 times. i m from new orleans, and i was given away at 3 monthes old by my 16 year old mom, and i was adopted when i was 2 years old. i dont really like ophanages!!!! and i dont care if u dont want 2 hear bout my life and if you do than keep replying on this bloging thingey. i m a disney freak, and an orlando universal freak 2. i cant wait 4 the harry potter theme park 2 come out in fall of 2009 or fall of 2010. if u want more infomation than go 2 dogpile.com or google.com and put in this: the wizarding world of harry potter and it will show you pics of wat it will look like and where they are now with the park, and it will give u info. on and bout it 2!!!! have fun and keep reply 2 me!! luv yall bunches!!! bye!!!
Snappedpeas
February 5th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I grew up in SoCal and got season passes to Disneyland every Christmas. Summers were awesome!

What I miss the most is the Davey Crocket River Canoes and the Can-Can Girl Show at the Golden Horse Shoe Review. Now it is some singing Elvis-like Hillbilly band.

I took my husband and my twins for their first Disney trip a few years ago. Makes you feel very sad and very old when all the places where you had good memories can't be pointed out because they no longer exist. I had my first kiss inside Country Bear Jamboree standing in line in front of the snoring bear. Would have been nice to show my husband some of these places that meant a lot to me growing up, but I guess Winnie the Pooh was better for some reason.

Have been to Disneyland a few times every year since I can remember and have seen the changes over the years. I like it better how it used to be.
Cinder
February 5th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Thanks Pablo for the heads up on the new future house going in I love that stuff, that will be so cool. Mark D I remember the canoe ride where one can go on a canoe ride and paddle the canoe yourself. Everyone keeps talking about the Carousel of Progress the 360 theatre with revolving stage, if we are thinking about the samething it was my fav. The GE moving theatre where it would show how the appliances evolved up to modern time appliances, is this the Carousel of Progress????????????????????? I loved that, I was very intrigued with the automaton, the people robots that talked, do any of you remember that, is was cool.
Growing up in So. Calif and my dad being a L.A. County Fireman we would get a free night where only fireman and there families could get in that night it was a blast because we knew everyone. I don't know if any of you had dads that worked for the L.A. co. fire dept in the 70s but if you did I am sure you would remember this.
But can someone answer if the evolved
was the GE sponsered theatre that went around and showed the progres of the American family kitchen and appliances???????????????????????? This was there until 74 then they put in America Sings. I to heard about someone being killed on the Carousel of Progress,
I heard it was an employee that was crushed while the theatre was turning???? Correct me if I am wrong??
Thanks,
Cinder
Miste
February 5th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Swiss Family Robinson is now Tarzan's Tree House in DL. I really miss the Country Bear Jamboree - I was so ticked when I saw what it had been replaced with, that lame Winnie the Pooh ride. I miss Adventure Through Space, Captain EO, and Rocket Rods were pretty cool although they were always breaking down.
Zen
February 5th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I miss the Rocketrods, the Sky Ride, the train ride (forgot the name) that was replaced by Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Electric Light Parade.
Morghianna
February 5th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
My first husband and I spent our honeymoon in 1977 at Disneyland. I remember Space Mountain being pitch black inside when it first opened, the next time we went it was so light inside you could see the walls! I think they finally reached a happy medium later that was mostly dark but you could kind of see the lighted track. My favorite ride was the Peter Pan flight over London, but I haven't seen anyone mention the wonderful King Arthur Carousel, I think it was supposed to be the largest in N. America? I bought the "America Sings" album, loved the eyeball looking at me through the microscope, flinched when the little flying fuzzy "flew" in my face in "Captain EO", laughed at all the gags on the Jungle Cruise, was entranced with the "fireflies" darting in the swamp in the old Pirates ride, loved climbing the treehouse...too many happy memories to list;o) Would really like to go and see all the changes, but maybe not considering how many of the favorites that seem to be gone or changed for the worse!!!
Big B
February 5th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
You forgot the attraction "Country Bear Jamboree" in Anaheim ...it was pretty bad.....like singing geese it had ...Bears.
I believe it was near the haunted mansion past the docks for the boat rides...but I havnt been there for 25 years.,
I remember as a kid wondering .."what the heck??"
Big B
Bev
February 5th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
If I remember correctly, I'm 58 now, but I do seem to remember in Frontierland where you could ride real horses (or were they donkeys?)on a hillside trail. This was back in the late 50's, so I was probably 7 or 8 years old, but some things you never forget!!
Jingles
February 5th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
One of my best memorable visits to Disneyland(Calif.),was in 1991.I'll never forget walking down Main street at night while tripping on LSD.Looking at the lights in the trees was AWESOME!Pirates of the Carribean ROCKED!(We Want the Redhead!)We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and my buddies emptied the RoboBar in our room to the tune of about $125.Reading everyones posts brings back alot of good memories for me as a child as well as an adult visitor to the park.In 1999 went to WDW in Fla. for 5 days.Talk about an overload of fun.For $85,I got to take 4 laps in a real stock car at the Richard Petty Speedway.How COOL was that!
Kate
February 5th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Does anyone remember the rafts that were on the river surrounding Tom Sawyer's Island? They may have been called Huck Finn River Raft. My husband is a born and raised California boy from 1958 and was a ride operator in Tomorrow Land from 1976-1980. He remembers riding them before he worked at Disney Land. Even though he was a Tomorrow Land ride operator his favorite job was working the Disneyland Parade route.
azimages
February 5th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I celebrated my 7th birthday at Disneyland on July 19, 1955 ! Yes, it was 2 days after the place opened! On the July 17 opening day, I watched TV from a relatives house, seeing films of Walt Disney actually cutting the ribbon to open the park. Part of the speech he made that day is engraved on a bronze plaque which is on display in front of Snow White's castle. I rode the Mad Hatter Tea Cup ride, and remember seeing some carpenters still working on "Captain Hook's" ship, which no longer exists. I also have read that there was a heat wave in L.A. that week, causing the newly poured asphalt on Main Street to soften, with many of the ladies' high heeled shoes sinking into the soft muck ! I wish I would have saved a souvenir or two from that visit, I was one of the first ever in the park ! A GREAT memory !
SweeperMike
February 5th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
ilikedisney is wrong the Flying Saucer ride did not use magnets to levitate the Saucers it was Air. If you ever rode them & I did many times you would know it was Air. When you leaned the air would blow up & folks with long hair would be blown up it the air. I used to go there night just to pick up girls & see the Shows in Tomorrowland. I saw the Beach Boys on the Tomorrowland Terrace stage. You know the stage that rises up it is still there & still in use.
Also remember the Cox control-line airplane demo area & even saw the Spaceman fly around with the Jet pack.
Back in the 60's Disney has a dress code & I was turned away becaues I had old ragged pair of Levi cut-offs on, also guys with long hair were turned away.
cathyc
February 5th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Grew up in So Cal and went to DL all the time. Loved the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Autopia cars we'd crash into each other(stop, wait, crash!) the people mover, playing on Tom Sawyer Island
Carl
February 5th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Hey Sweeper Mike, I was there for the Beach Boys. Tomorrowland concerts were the best for picking up girls. Also saw Paul Revere and the Raiders, Sir Douglas Quintet and a whole bunch of other great groups there in the sixties. Thanks for backing up my memory of the flying saucers. I was pretty sure it was air powered, but of all the things I lost over the years, I miss my mind the most so I wasn't positive. And yeah I remember not being let in because my hair was to long and sneaking in by hopping the fence to the monorail at the hotel and getting in that way and then still getting kicked out.
SweeperMike
February 5th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
You Bet Carl I also saw some of the same shows you saw.
If any of you have not been to Yesterland.com check it out.
Here is the info about the Flying Saucers.
http://www.yesterland.com/saucers.html
Travel on a cushion of air in these high-tech bumper cars.
Welcome to one of the most interesting uses of space-age technology ever employed by a theme park.
Sit down on your individual Flying Saucer.
Hold on to the round handles on either side of your seat.
As the ride cycle begins, air valves directly below your Saucer lift it up.
Tilt your body to make your Saucer scoot across floor, actuating air valves as you pass over them.
Bump into other guests—surprise them from behind.
When your ride cycle ends, a giant arm pushes you back into the loading area.
Terri J
February 6th, 2009 at 12:08 am
The carousel of progress was turned into America Sings. There was an employee of Disneyland that was killed when (I think it was a girl) she was changing rooms while the carousel was moving. She was crushed between the walls. Very sad. I loved the GE Carousel of Progress. I didn't love America Sings as much. I grew up in So Cal, spent a lot of summers at Disneyland. Memories you just don't forget. I'm 52 now and my husband and I still go every chance we get. Big Kids I tell ya.
Craig
February 6th, 2009 at 12:28 am
I remember the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" which was right on main street as you went in. Maybe it was in the movie theatre but I don't remember. It had the replica of Walt Dinsey's office and a model of the Capital building I think. The character actor Royal Dano did Mr. Lincoln's voice and behind him the bakgound chnaged form day to night to day again. I will never forget it.
CruellaDV
February 6th, 2009 at 12:47 am
I remember many of these things from my childhood, but the strongest memory of Disneyland in the 60's was the take-over by the Hippies and Yippies. I have asked about this at Disneyland and they deny it even happened. Well...I know it happened, because I was there.
My brother, stepfather, and I first went on the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, since they were the newest rides and we were heading over the Matterhorn (my favorite). As we were walking we noticed a lot of commotion near the Tom Sawyer area and saw that a flag with a marijuana leaf on it had been raised on the riverboat. We were in line at the Matterhorn when park employees told us that the ride had been closed, apparently the "group" had taken over the controls to the ride. We were then advised that we needed to leave the park immediately. As we were leaving Disneyland it was quite impressive to see the California National Guard, in full riot gear, lining Main Street.
As we left the park we were told that we could return to the park the following day for free. Well...we didn't get to go back for free since we were heading back home the next day. I personally think this experience had a huge impact on me and some of my choices in life. I have never smoked pot and never taken an illegal drug. I think I was so upset with the hippies and yippies ruining my trip to Disneyland that I refused to be anything like them. To me this event is part of Disneyland history, so why do they not want people knowing that it happened?
Camogirl
February 6th, 2009 at 1:10 am
I really miss Country Bear Jamboree.
I grew up in So Cal as well and was fortunate enough to have been taken there all through my childhood. Many great memories of family and my parents there..
I remember the people movers.. hated it because of the really loud part!
Kate... yes I remember the rafts well, and the canoes were really popular. I barely remember the speed boats, and Jan, it was alot better on pirates when there were only a few boats.. and the recording of the skull and cross bones voice has been upgraded, the old one was so scratchy it was hard to hear what he was saying...

Thanks for all the memories everyone....
Holly
February 6th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Someone mentioned that they miss the stinky old submarine ride.....LOL...that's the one and only ride that I couldn't handle when I went there as a kid. I was mortified when they closed the hatch. I thought I was going to suffocate!!! I noticed last time I was there that it wasn't operating and I felt kind of bad about it, so I guess I missed it being there too. I wouldn't have gone on it though!!!
DJIK
February 6th, 2009 at 1:23 am
DisneyLand still has Mr. Toads Wild ride! just another reason the Land is better the the give me all your money world.....
DJIK
February 6th, 2009 at 1:28 am
CruellaDV WOW! That must of sucked as a kid. And good thing it had a positive influence on you.
DJIK
February 6th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Holly you should check out the new nemo sub, Its alot better then the old one =)
Nari
February 6th, 2009 at 1:32 am
I wish I could have been alive back then to experience all that :/ I really miss the Muppet live action stage shows...
Unknown
February 6th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I remember when I was little you used to be able to control dumbo yourself...going up and down. but someone told me you cant anymore?
matt
February 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
hey what about country bear jamboree, at disneyland its the home of winnie the pooh now, thats so not cool, i actually enjoyed it when i was younger. plus they made a movie on it in what 03 i think and now its not even there lame
Kevin
February 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
One ride you wont ever see at disneyworld is ALIENS the ride. Which was AWESOME but it wasnt 'family'friendly at the time
Rina
February 6th, 2009 at 1:57 am
Grew up in Anaheim, from '66 age 3 til I left for college in 1981...can't count the number of times I've been. When I was small, it was the Monsanto-sponsored Journey to Innerspace that thrilled my brother and I. My father used to con us into thinking we were actually going to be shrunk, and we were always so excited about it! We'd marvel when we exited how easy it was to go back to our real sizes...how our parents must have cracked up about that! I remember also, Autopia before the crappy Chevron cars, and of course, was horribly disappointed to take my 8 yr old niece there and find that 20,000 Leagues was gone.

I don't think all the changes they make are for the good - part of the trip is nostalgia, and I like seeing the same things for the past 40 yrs. Will reserve judgement on the newly-remodeled Small World. My memories of Disneyland go back to 1967, and I like them.

My favourite ride is still Storybook Land!
Troy Anthony
February 6th, 2009 at 1:57 am
I have been to Disneyland perhaps 50 times. I first went there when I was 3 and I am a 47 now. Other attractions that, I remember well but, are no longer at Disneyland - The People Mover, The Cable Cars (which went through the Matterhorn), and the Rocket Rods.
Doug
February 6th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Does anyone else remember the Satellite View of America. It was across from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit and the Monsanto Exhibit, and next to the Circarama Theater. It was later replace by the Art of Animation Exhibit where you could buy animation cells for $5.00. The first major remodel of Tomorrowland in 1967 eliminated all but the Circarama. That's when the Flying Saucers disappeared too. Those were the days, my friend.
suzy shiels
February 6th, 2009 at 2:01 am
i actually have video from 70's of america sings and i believe tiki room singin birds and suzy the bear comes down on swing singing.
Derek
February 6th, 2009 at 2:06 am
When at WDW, you must have a meal at the Prime Time Cafe at Disney-MGM. The food is good, and the experience is better.

I had the privilege of riding the Rocket Rods at Disneyland during its brief life, and lost my hat when an air burst at the end of the ride blew it off. I think the air burst was merely to enhance the speed sensation (or collect hats from unsuspecting guests).

However, my fondest memories of Disneyland are from the late 60's and early 70's, when our family would take our annual summer vacation there from Northern California. In particular, I remember a miniature city of tomorrow model at the end of the Carousel of Progress ride that my dad and I would marvel at. For those of you who remember and reminisce Disneyland in the same era, the Disney Channel occasionally runs its old Wonderful World of Disney shows from the park, and the one I get the biggest kick from is the one hosted by the Osmonds. Such an innocent time! You can find some clips from it on youtube.
Jenn
February 6th, 2009 at 2:10 am
I grew up in So. Cal and I used to love being let loose by the parental figures in the park with my friends with the one rule that we meet in front of the swiss family tree house at a certian time. Us kids would always race up the tree and back down again before meeting time! It was like excersize with out thinking about it! I so wanted to live in that house back then! I know disney has to keep things fresh and updated but I sure miss the disney of yesteryear (80's and 90's).
Lou
February 6th, 2009 at 3:03 am
There are a lot more then 6 rides missing form the streets of Disneyland.
Take a look at http://WWW.YESTERLAND.COM and see all that is missing. There are things on this web site I don't even rememeber seeing and I was there the first year it opened. (But I was only 4/5 years old)
Mary
February 6th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Disneyland is my favorite place in the whole world!
I remember the ticket books, the submarine ride (it was my favorite!), the House of the Future, the Carousel of Progress...
I was really sorry that Rocket Rods didn't last - they were AWESOME!!!! I also miss being able to go up thru Sleeping Beauty's Castle!! I never could figure out why they stopped letting us do that!!!!
And YES! Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is still at Disneyland!!
Disneyland=Magic!
Dusty
February 6th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I remeber the jet-pack flighers. I didn't think anyone else did. We have a D.J. here in L.A. that always wants to know about them and when I called to tell him that DL use to have one they all think I'm nuts. Thank you for varifing it for me SweeperMike. There are so many memories. The 14 yr. old kid (neeki) will maybe understand some day when he looks back (as he waits for his kids to get thru a ride)and wonders "where are all the things he remebers from his good-old days."
Vic
February 6th, 2009 at 4:12 am
I miss the Country Bear Jamboree and People Mover ride in Disneyland. I used to work there and the shows are part of the thrill for me, I miss Animazement! Oh well.
Tanya L.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
My FAVORITE ride ever they got rid of was Alice in Wonderland in Disneyland, Anaheim. I can't believe no one else has mentioned their sincere nostalgia for this!!! You rode in a caterpillar and the ride actually went on a track outside. It was such a good ride! You could see and hear the white rabbit say "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" and you would veer away from the Queen of Hearts with her ax. So mad they took it down! R.I.P.!

Also, it was about time they got rid of Carousel of "Progress." I saw it in like 2001 and was disgusted at how the main narrator yelled at his wife from decade to decade. What a sexist pig! Hello, lame!

In addition, there was this great ride at Epcot called Horizons. You could see what the "future" would look like with people living in outer space and under the sea...then at the end you could chose what movie you wanted to see. Sniff, sniff. Outdated for sure, but they could have updated it! Why has no one else mentioned this?!?
SweeperMike
February 6th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Dusty here is a link that shows the JetPack Flyer at Disneyland. It is narrated by Walt.
http://rehallag.blogspot.com/2008/03/jet-pack-at-tomorrowlonad-disneyl and.html
Bob M.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I really love all the comments on Disneyland of the past. I remember The Chicken of the Sea restaurant, the (originally) Indian War Canoes (I even saw one that capsized and dumped everybody in the water!)and the whistling caves on Tom Sawyer's Island. I even remember the hippie takeover of the island in the 60's. Yes, I can verify that it is a true story. As a kid, Tomorrowland was my favorite, with the AstroJets, the Rocket to the Moon (with Captain Collins telling us that years ago when returning to Anaheim on the rocket, you would have seen a dark brown cloud of smog,
but that problem had been solved in the future!) The Flying Saucers were a favorite also, but I do remember they were down a lot for maintenace. I really got upset when they went away. I remember walking through the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea exhibit, when you could walk through and see the actualy props from the movie (and fool around with them if no one was watching)
Later, as a teen, the Tomorrowland stage was definitely the place to meet girls, and the house band was dressed in silver matching suits (I forget their name). If your girlfriend was with you, you could go to the Shrinking Molecle Ride, and make out in the dark spots. Main Street still had a Tobacco shop, the only place in the park where you could buy cigarettes, and they never checked your ID in those days, so you could get all the exotic brands like Players and Gualoise, a courtesy for all international visitors.
I never left the park without a free copy of the Declaration of Independence, from the INA esxhibit.
But for some stupid reason, I always remember the Winnie the Pooh theatre, which continuously showed "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day", because it was the Academy Award winner for Best Animated Short Subject in 1968. My girlfriend Jan and I used to go in there and crash in each other's arms for a few showings, one of the few places you could rest.
Finally, I remember jumping off the train that goes around the park with my friend (we were about 11) and wandering around the deer, until we got kicked out,and had to find a way to sneak back in, because we had to rendezvous with our parents!
Bob M.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I just wanted to mention that after the Tom Sawyer's island takeover, Disneyland got much more restrictive with "hippie types" coming into the park. The late Gram Parsons of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers was refused entrance in the late sixties because he was wearing a dress, even though his wife and child were with him.
July
February 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
One thing I liked that you could never do now, and didn't give it a secong thought back then. Was to let your kids go and do their own thing. It gave us parents a break do go do our own thing.
We too would set a time to meet back at the Tom Sayer tree house.

Different times, seems worlds apart.
charlienecro
February 6th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Umm...the Alice and Wonderland ride is still at Disneyland...just thought I'd share that. And you still ride in the caterpillars.
nicole marie
February 6th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
ok so im almost 20 and i have only been to disneyworld twice and i cant wait to take my kids there when i have them lol. i actually went a few summers ago and alot has changed in just a few years. i loved all the new attractions thought (not sure of the names of them); rockin roller coaster, test track, the ride near the test track where you went in and sat in what looked like a cockpit of a spaceship and it told certianj people to push certian buttons (felt so real! or i would assume thats what it would really be like lol) and last but not least the one where you were flying and you were in front of a huge sceen and you went over a city and an orange grove and you could actually smell the oranges and stuff. funny story actually, when i went the first time i dont know how i enjoyed myself, i wouldnt get on any of the rides and the 2 i was most afraid of the first time, are now my favorites (space mountain and tower of terror) i remember screaming and criyng going walking around every corner standing in line for tower of terror. reading all of these comments have brought up alot of memmories... cant wait to go back... oh and ps i too love the carousel of progress... even when i was really little
ALLIEN
February 7th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I went to WDW a couple of times in the 70's, and returned in 2002, was dissapointing, now it's like a open mall, everything extra-expensive and a few rides, and also incredible over crowded, the management should reduce the amount of people allowed.
Leaving at night with small children is a nightmare.
Doing over 1 hour lines for a few minutes ride is not fun at all.
I agree with the who complained about Disney being public, it's all about anual increase in profit.
My memories as a child were great, but my children's were not.
Miss1928
February 7th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I haven't been to Disneyland in at least 5 years. When we were there the Tikki Room was closed. They assured me that it was "Just closed for renovation." but that they weren't going to take it away.

Does anyone know if it is still there. The Tikki Room was the Best. #...all the birds sing words and the flowers croon, in the Tikki Tikki Tikki Tikki Tikki Room!#

It was my favorite as a toddler, still loved it as a preteen and in college.

I'm also a fan of Mr. Toad, but then, who isn't?
Bob M.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Another memory that came to me last night was the time I was twelve, and a movie was being made at DL called "Forty Pounds of Trouble with Tony Curtis. They were filming a scene on the Monorail which required many takes, an in between Mr. Curtis was riding around and around in one car, sort of hiding because his celebrity would have caused problems on the platform until they were ready to shoot. So, one time around, because they were pressed for room, they let my mom and her friend ride one time with him. So here they were,riding in a Monorail section alone with Tony Curtis. I asked her later what they talked about, and my mom said she asked him how he was feeling that day, and he replied "very tired." After so many round trips,I bet he was!
alohagirl612
February 9th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I was born in 1990. Haha but I still remember the aerial tramway over disneyland. it was my favorite as I remember I got to look over the whole park. but i think they closed it in '94. Also I remember Rocket Rods which i think was around 2002 but I could be wrong. I actually think that was the shortest ride, as I don't think it was there over a year.
scooter123
February 13th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Reading all the comments brings back a lot of memories of Disneyland when I was a kid. We use to go all the time, due to it being my grandparents favorite place. And since they lived right down the road, every time we went and visited we would go to Disneyland. My first real memory was on the Matterhorn. My mom was sitting in the backseat holding on to my brother and mines shirt collar.. My grandmother also lost her wig on the Pirates of the Caribbean going down that schute were you pick up a little bit of speed.
I am taking my family there in July, First time for my son, who is 19. Although we have been to Disney World twice. There's nothing like going to the place were it all began.. Fun times
JJ
February 17th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I remember America Sings when I was a teen!! I loved it! Disney needs a few more parks....they are so crowded now.
DisneyTeen
February 21st, 2009 at 6:47 pm
SO im 15 and my family and my gramparents are going to disney land in 2 weeks and im UBER excited!!!! my mom was telling me that she used too love that singing bear thing in DL but now it is coverd by Pooh bear which i agree is EXTREMELY Lame!!! also i really wish i was around when DL 1st opened so I can see all this cool rides u guys are talkin bout
Jayce Cruel
March 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I definitely remember the people mover ride- I thought that was one of the coolest rides ever (I loved the Tron reference in the ride...Tron was my favorite movie at the time).

I also remember the journey to innerspace. I remember being so scared that the machine actually shrunk people to where they went into the microscope. I also remember nearly crapping my pants when I entered through the rainbow-lighted entrance to the ride, and how I faced my fear by going on that ride. It's one of my earliest childhood memories (I was 4 at the time)

I also remember captain EO. We used to have a saying when we saw that "movie": "I'm Captain EO, with major B.O.!!!" (while waving our arms up to show our armpits).

And I remember "America Sings!" I remember how the "show" used to be in a big cylinder-like area. As each portion of the "show" ended, either the stage or the seats themselves moved to the next portion of the "show". I thought that was pretty impressive.

One more thing- if you ever get to (it only happens if there is a problem), try riding Space Mountain with the lights on- it's just as trippy, and you get to see how cramped the coaster actually is, turning and twisting around itself- definitely cool
disfreek
April 17th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
The tikki room is still at Disneyland. Its a great place to sit on a hot day.

I so remember "america sings" it was where innovations is now.

I also remember the "sky tram" being the make-out ride in high school along with "pirates". Someone said they miss Alice in wonderland. Its still at Disneyland, it wasn't taken down.

They just closed "disneyland: the first 50 years". It was where "Great moments with Mr. Lincoln" used to be.
I also loved "The People Mover" it was a great ride. The track is still up maybe they can bring it back but better. Heaven knows the rocket rods never worked.

Does anyone remember the live bands and the dancing in the 80's. It was where the princess fair is now. Good times!
Jaycatt
September 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I think Innerspace is one I remember from when I went as a little kid (born in '71). They had these circular tubed screens you'd pass through, with almost 360 images, making the car you were in seem like it was going fast, or slow, or rotating. I remember leaning over the car to see what was really going on and noticed the edge of the screen. Can't remember what was happening on the screens themselves, but I'm pretty sure Innerspace must have been the ride. One of the only memories I remember from my first trip to Disneyland!
Allizon
September 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Actually Captain EO should be returning to Disneyland sometime in January for a limited run and another flying saucer-like ride is part of the plans for the new Carsland that they are building in Disney's California Adventure (not exactly Disneyland, but still next door).

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