Legendary LIFE Magazine did several photographic report at Disneyland in the 1950's, and today we will have a look at the colour pictures. All pictures are coming from the great LIFE archives now available for all on the on line LIFE web site. Click on each to see them in big size.
Above and below, two pictures of the castle shoot by Allan Grant on opening day, July 1955. We know the famous picture of kids running out of the castle - although the one above is a different one - but what is interesting is the picture below with the kids going back inside the castle!
A picture of Main Street Station with the flowers forming design of Mickey Mouse's face, also in 1955.
Another picture by Allan Grant on opening day with children inside the Mad Hatter tea cups.
The two next pictures are beautiful shots of Mine train through Nature's wonderland. Pictures by Ralph Crane.
LIFE photographer Ralph Crane was also there when the Matterhorn opened. And these pictures are particularly interesting, not only because the were shoot from the top , but because in the background you can see Fantasyland attractions. Generally, with the pictures of the Matterhorn shoot from the top you see Tomorrowland with the Submarine Lagoon, etc...but not this time! Note: the first picture below was reversed - you could see it when you looked at the Alice in Wonderland ride who was on the right side instead to be on the left. The picture is now turned the right way!
Let's end with this other Ralph Crane picture of the Disneyland fireworks over the castle, beautiful shot like all the others!
All pictures: copyright LIFE Magazine.
