One of Walt Disney’s many challenges in building Disneyland was taking an orange grove and landscaping themed lands in a way that made it appear like they’ve been there for a long time. The man in charge of that unenviable task was Disney Legend Bill Evans.
Did you know that when Disneyland first opened there was a pharmacy on Main Street? That’s right, Upjohn Pharmacy was located at the end of Main Street near the Penny Arcade.
Before he could show off Disneyland to his guests Walt Disney loved to entertain them on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad in his backyard. When Walt and his wife Lillian were looking to buy some land to build a house, some space for a railroad was one of Walt’s top priorities.
Disney artist Bruce Bushman drew these Casey Jr. Circus Train concept art pieces in 1954. At the time, Bushman - who was a longtime studio employee specializing in art direction - was tasked with developing attraction concepts based off of Disney’s film catalogue.
Here is an early Disneyland plot plan drawn by Disney Legend Marvin Davis.
Disney Legend Harriet Burns is famous for being the first female Imagineer and the tremendous style she brought to the many attractions she worked on.
These photos show Walt Disney and Disney Legend John Hench reviewing early layout designs for Disneyland.
The original Jungle Cruise concept was drawn up Disney Legend Harper Goff as seen in this artwork.
In the photo below, Disney Legend Ken Anderson and artist Ralph Hulett are working on the design for Peter Pan’s Flight, highlighting two themes that run throughout the building of Disneyland.
Walt Disney often appeared on his ABC Disneyland television show displaying models, like this one of the Mark Twain steamboat, as a way to give viewers a glimpse of what he was building.
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