Saturday, August 18, 2007

View of Disneyland From the Disneyland Hotel

Going through some photographs I purchased a year ago, I came across this nice aeriel view of Disneyland taken from the Disneyland Hotel. I do not believe this was taken from one of the towers, but from a flying helicopter over the Disneyland Hotel. However, I could be mistaken. I believe the image is late 1964 or early 1965. Construction can be seen in New Orleans Square and also behind the Haunted Mansion. Over in Fantasyland construction is taking place for It's A Small World. In the lower right corner is a nice overhead look at the Disneyland Hotel Miniature Golf Course. I am sure there is more in this image, class please discuss.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think this was taken from higher up than one of the towers, if you use what I think is The Grand Hotel as reference... Could be wrong. Great photo!

Jim Moore said...

Anonymous is right. This photograph was probably taken from a helicopter. The height, angle, and reference points on the ground, places the photographer high over the west end of the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and the Pinocchio Parking Lot.

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

WOW, Neat photo, LOTS going on there! Lets see, looks like the train tracks are or have just been relocated more north for the Small World addition, you can really see how much land the gained when they moved the tracks! What happened to the old tunnell near the west end of Fantasty Land, is it still there? Also, looks like the Grand Canyon/Primeval World diorama is being built! I LOVE THIS PHOTO - THANKS!

Tim

Anonymous said...

Agree with the above. We're far too high in this shot to be taken from a nearby structure. It's clearly from an airplane or helicopter. That train tunnel is still there. Great photo! Thanks!

Major Pepperidge said...

Can't get enough of those aerial views...thanks for the large jpeg so that we can look for at all the fun details!

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

Wow, I went on "Live Search" (much better than Google Earth) and you are right anony. that old tunnel is still there!!!!!

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pn1s25555spy&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6773020&encType=1

Tim

walterworld said...

Since the NY World's Fair didn't close until September, 1965, this shot could not be from 1964. The buildings in New Orleans Square are being framed and this area opened in July, 1966. Small World opened that summer as well. Based on this, I'd say this picture was taken sometime between November '65 and January '66.

Thanks for the aerial view---these are my favorites always.

Anonymous said...

Gotta agree with Walterworld, definitely late 1965. Also definitely from an aircraft. The Disneyland Hotel had no 75 story tall buildings, and anyway, teh picvture was taken from north of the hotel. It's north of the minature golfcourse, and THAT was north of the hotel.

Also, from the light, it's LATE in the day, nearly Sunset.

Of course the Grand Canyon Diorama was already long open, but the building addition for the Primeval World would have been under contruction, as the dinosaurs would be tramping west from the NY World's Fair, which would have just closed in October, 1965, along with the Small World horror dolls (I hate Small World) about then. Interestingly, there is no sign of construction for the Carousel of Progress, which would also travel west from the fair.

GREAT photo! Thanks!

Daveland said...

This is the exact same shot that I have a neg for, marked February 22, 1966. It really is an amazing view; so much going on to see.

Merlinsguy said...

Am I crazy to think this photo is much earlier? First, the undeveloped land at the top (East?) of the photo. There is no Melodyland theatre (unless it's just edged out of the frame). And why is the legend, Matterhorn, 1959? A mistake? The warehouses in the lower portion of the photo are identical to those in 1959 (I worked in them in that exact year).

Anonymous said...

No, Merlinsguy, you are not crazy- just a little wacky. All construction on this photo indicates it's early 1966. And the legend Matterhorn1959 is our kind blog hosts name. We'll chock this one up to just not enough rest, okay my friend?

Merlinsguy said...

Plus, I'm whacked out on cough medicine.

kurtisaurus said...

Wow, that shot is gorgeous. I haven't seen this angle before in any of the aerial shots. Thanks so much for the hi-res scan!

William Kelley said...

Hey all, I know I'm a little late to this party, but just wanted to say great shot!

And for those of you discussing the train tunnel, I thought you might like this shot of the tunnel during construction of Splash Mountain.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojave33/150111342/in/set-72057594140554299/

Anonymous said...

Melodyland (Where I acted in a show in 1968) would be just off the right hand side of the picture. I think the date Dave gives, 2-22-66, is right on the nose.