The Disneyland Story

My mother and Disneyland both entered this world in 1955 and I’m very thankful for both. In 1954, Walt Disney’s Disneyland began airing on October 27th, 1954 on ABC television. This new show (in later years the show changed names to such titles as Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color) obviously began as a focus to highlight and bring attention to Disneyland.

Each episode brought viewers to a cliche but true “magical new world.” Walt’s voice immediately made you feel like he was a part of the family even while talking about such things as the different lands inside the park.

For the first time, the public knew of “Frontierland: tall tales and true from the legendary past. Tomorrowland: promise of things to come. Adventureland: the wonderful world of nature’s own realm. Fantasyland” the happiest kingdom of them all.” Wow.

Imagine hearing those words for the first time and not understanding how truly amazing these places would be. At least for us Disney fans.

Along with those descriptions, viewers got to see aerial shots of the Disney Studios and sneak peeks into the park as it was being built. Even more so, episodes of the show would detail life inside one of the four themed lands. For example, Davy Crockett showed us life as it would be in Frontierland. Likewise, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea would be an episode’s dive into Adventureland. For Fantasyland, we would get cartoons or documentaries about the making of one. For Tomorrowland, the episode might show innovations in science and technology and discuss possible breakthroughs for the future.

The Disneyland Story accomplished several goals. It helped provide funding for Disneyland to be completed. It stirred up excitement for people to visit the park when it opened the next year. And it gave ABC a strong show and an increase in viewers.

For me, I never went to a Disney park until 1980 and I didn’t get to Disneyland until 2015. Even if Walt Disney and I never walked the earth at the same time, he has meant a lot to me through his entertainment and more importantly his vision.

I hope Disney Plus doesn’t forget that and we have The Disneyland Story and other classics included on day one.

I hope you have enjoyed this first edition of Vault Disney Plus. Keep checking the website as we add more editions to this column every week!