Tag Archives: Closed

June 16, 1957 – The Short-Lived Disneyland Area Holidayland Opens

“I had the honor, or dishonor, of being the only manager of a land at Disneyland that failed.” – Disney Legend and Disneyland Opening Day Manager Milt Albright

On June 16, 1957, the short-lived area of Disneyland known as Holidayland opened. Walt wanted to make use of the tent that once housed the Mickey Mouse Circus, and decided to create an area for corporate events, including picnics. Guests could then enter the main park through a special entrance. The area had very little appeal, as it lacked any Disney “flavor,” and had several other problems. The area closed in 1961, and is now occupied by New Orleans Square.

June 12, 1957 – The Monsanto House of the Future Attraction Opens in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland

“The Home of the Future was always a great one. You’d go in and see all the things that you wondered why you didn’t have them in your home.” – Dick Cook, Former Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios

On June 12, 1957, the Monsanto House of the Future attraction opened in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Like many attractions at this time, it was meant to be a view of the future; it was built with plastic, and featured many appliances and furniture pieces that were uncommon in homes at the time. In 1967, like many pieces of Tomorrowland, the house began to look dated thanks to advances in technology at the time, and was scheduled to be torn down. However, the house was so well built that it wasn’t able to be destroyed in the regular fashion, as the wrecking ball just bounced off the house; crews had to take the place apart piece by piece. The home was completely demolished by December of 1967.

February 19, 1956 – Keller’s Jungle Killers Performs at Disneyland

“George J. Keller…demonstrates for the first time the unarmed subjugation of a group of African lions, tigers, leopards, mountain lions, jaguars, black panthers, and a cheetah.”

On February 19, 1956, the circus attraction Keller’s Jungle Killers performed in the short-lived Holidayland area of Disneyland. Occupying the circus tent that once housed the Mickey Mouse Club Circus, the attraction was hosted by George Keller, a former artist and teacher at the Bloomsburg State Normal School, who left education in the early ’50s to perform with his animals full time. These “jungle killers” included lions, tigers, and leopards. The attraction lasted until September 7, 1956.