Discoveryland

Disneyland’s opening day on July 17th, 1955, also known as Black Sunday, was marred by construction setbacks, overcrowding, food and beverage shortages, broken down rides, and television broadcast issues. It was a far cry from the Happiest Place on Earth mantra the park is now famous for.

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Born from a partnership between Disney and Frito-Lay, Casa de Fritos was a Mexican restaurant in Frontierland that prominently featured the Fritos mascot, the Frito Kid. Although the restaurant is long gone, the Frito Kid remains an intriguing part of Disneyland lore.

Where to find the Frito Kid’s former Disneyland locations:

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In 1977, Disneyland reimagined Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, which had originally opened in 1957. While guests still had the opportunity to go inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, the experience was much different due to the new nature of the diorama displays. In Part II of this two-part feature, we discuss the changes made to the walkthrough, as well as its sudden closures in 1992 and 2001 before again being completely redone in 2008.

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In 1955, Disneyland opened with the stunning Sleeping Beauty Castle as its most recognizable icon. The film would not open to audiences for another four years. In 1957, the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough was installed, giving guests the thrilling opportunity to go inside the castle and experience scenes from the upcoming film. In Part I of this two-part feature, we go behind the scenes to learn how the attraction came to be and break down the individual scenes and show elements of Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough.

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To tell the story of the construction of Disneyland, Little Golden Books released Walt Disney’s Little Man of Disneyland in 1955. A magical leprechaun named Patrick Begorra inhabits the orange grove where Disneyland will be built and must be convinced by Mickey Mouse and friends to approve its construction. 60 years later, Patrick’s hidden home in Disneyland was finally revealed.

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In the depths of Frontierland stood otherworldly Rainbow Caverns. A testament to the sheer creativity and innovation of WED Enterprises, Rainbow Caverns was the grand finale of both Rainbow Caverns Mine Train and Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland.

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Rainbow Caverns clip in Disneyland, U.S.A.

Mickey Mouse in Nature's Wonderland

Star Tours brought together the creative forces of Disney and George Lucas. It was the first appearance of Lucas' Star Wars franchise at Disneyland. Combining a hydraulic motion-based flight simulator with a film set shortly after Return of the Jedi, Star Tours sought to put guests in the middle of the Star Wars universe.

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Long before Starbucks existed on Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland guests flocked to the Maxwell House Coffee House, the Hills Bros. Coffee House and Coffee Garden, the Town Square Café, and the American Egg House. All of these restaurants, at one point or another, occupied the same location on Main Street.

Discoveryland is a Disneyland history podcast that focuses on a different extinct attraction, show, event, restaurant, or shop in each episode. Victoria B. is your Discoveryland guide on these adventures through yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy, analyzing the details behind the legendary components that make up Disneyland's vibrant history. Download the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, and Pinecast.

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VictoriasCantina

For decades, the Hatbox Ghost remained one of Disneyland's greatest mysteries. For a spectre that was absent from the attraction for essentially all of its history, it was a prominent and well-known character from The Haunted Mansion. In this episode, we explore the history of the Hatbox Ghost, separating fact from fiction, and discuss his recent return to this classic, timeless attraction.

Check out Disney History Institute's Hatbox Ghost revelation video on YouTube:

Discoveryland is a Disneyland history podcast that focuses on a different extinct attraction, show, event, restaurant, or shop in each episode. Victoria B. is your Discoveryland guide on these adventures through yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy, analyzing the details behind the legendary components that make up Disneyland's vibrant history.

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For many guests, a day at Disneyland is incomplete without fireworks. In 1958, Disneyland began this everlasting tradition with Fantasy in the Sky.

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