Tag Archives: Disneyland Park

July 22, 1955 – The Tomorrowland Attraction Rocket to the Moon Opens in Disneyland

“Hello. Welcome to the moon.”

On July 22, 1955, the Tomorrowland attraction Rocket to the Moon opened in Disneyland. Originally sponsored by TWA from 1955 to 1961, the attraction was a huge draw to guests as space travel was still in its infancy. Guests would sit inside a pseudo rocket, staring at space through projections on the ceiling and the floor. When the United States finally went to the moon, the attraction began to look outdated, and was changed to Mission to Mars in 1975. However, when Tomorrowland was remodeled in 1966, the main rocket that stood as the icon for the attraction was destroyed.

June 16, 1956 – The Storybook Land Canal Boats Attraction Opens in Disneyland

“Cast off on a colorful canal boat for a ‘mini’ tour of fairytale destinations seen in classic Disney animated movies.”

On June 16, 1956, the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction opened in Disneyland’s Fantasyland. It was a revamped version of the Canal Boats of the World, which opened and closed in 1955. Guests board a 12-person boat and slowly pass by miniature scenes from classic Disney films, ranging from Snow White and the dwarves’ cottage, to the houses of the Three Little Pigs. The attraction was revamped in 1994 to include scenes from Aladdin and The Little Mermaid while removing Toad Hall. Scenes from the animated feature film Frozen have been added recently to the attraction, making it the first change since the 1994 addition. A version of this attraction is available in Disneyland Paris, known as Le Pays de Contes de Fées.

June 14, 1959 – The Matterhorn Bobsleds Attraction Opens in Disneyland

“Embark on a thrilling, high-speed run down the icy slopes of Switzerland’s most famous peak.”

On June 14, 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction opened in Disneyland as the park’s first thrill attraction. Part of the first Disneyland expansion, the attraction was based on the Disney live-action film Third Man on the Mountain as well as the Swiss mountain of the same name. It is also the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world, with its design becoming the standard for roller coasters around the world. Although it is 1/100^th of the actual size of its namesake, the use of forced perspective makes it appear much larger than it is. The attraction is also known for having a basketball court hidden inside, with popular lore stating that it was added to get past height restrictions within the city of Anaheim, although this myth has been disproved. Guests enter a six-person sled and slide through the icy caves of the mountain while trying to avoid the wrath of the Abominable Snowman. Guests can also pick one of two tracks for different views of Disneyland: the Fantasyland track, and the Tomorrowland track. Guests also have an opportunity to see mountain climbers on the side of the mountain, including very special appearances by Goofy and Mickey. Disneyland is the only Disney Park to have this attraction.