What Disney Parks Looked Like Through the Decades
Updated: Nov. 27, 2023
The Disney parks have changed a lot over the years, but the magical memories remain. Here's what The Happiest Place on Earth looked like between 1955 and 2020.
1955
Disneyland opened its doors to the public on July 17, 1955. Ever since, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle has welcomed kids (and kids at heart) into Fantasyland. Hungry? Check out our Disney Parks copycat recipes.
1962
Oooh boy! A good samaritan steps in to lend a helping hand when Goofy’s shoe came untied at Disneyland.
1963
Characters from some of Disney’s early films—like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and the mischievous “Honest John” from Pinocchio—entertain visitors in Fantasyland. These tasty eats are inspired by your favorite Disney films.
1968
Pluto catches a ride on Disneyland’s “People Mover” attraction—an innovative transportation ride that gave guests an overhead view of Tomorrowland.
1970
One of the most iconic rides at Disneyland, the Matterhorn coaster opened in 1959—and it still runs today! Back in the ’70s, guests could travel through the mountain, too, as part of the Skyway ride.
1975
Disney World opened in Florida on October 1, 1971. A trio of siblings spends some quality time together just a few years after that inaugural date.
1980
In addition to rides, the Disney parks are known for their high-quality entertainment. Here, a group of performers sing and dance for a crowd gathered outside of Cinderella’s castle. (Which is also where you can catch Disney’s jaw-dropping fireworks displays.)
1982
The Disney parks are enjoyed by all ages—even college students! This group exploring EPCOT was part of the Boston College football team in town for the Tangerine Bowl.
1986
One of the most beloved events in Disney history, the Main Street Electrical Parade ran in Magic Kingdom between 1977 and 1991. The parade was officially retired at Disney World in 2016.
1993
Even royalty visits the happiest place on Earth. The young boy on the left is Prince Harry—enjoying a thrilling ride on Splash Mountain.
1996
Time certainly flies! Cinderella’s Castle got a sweet makeover to help celebrate Magic Kingdom’s 25th anniversary.
1999
‘Tis the season for a little magic. Mere days after Halloween, Disneyland transforms into a holiday wonderland.
2001
Disneyland’s sister park, California Adventure, made its debut on February 8, 2001. Since then, the park has undergone several transformations—including a rebranding of the Sun Wheel seen here to Mickey’s Fun Wheel in 2009.
2005
Disneyland celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005—and the “Partners” statue depicting a hand-in-hand Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse remains a popular photo spot for park guests. Another park favorite? Dole Whip.
2007
One of the original Disneyland attractions, Submarine Voyage, reopened to the public after nine years of refurbishment. It was rebranded with a Finding Nemo spin.
2012
No, this isn’t Africa. It’s Disney World’s Animal Kingdom park, which opened on April 22, 1998. Its goal is to help guests learn about and better appreciate all kinds of animals—like the rhinos seen here.
2015
After acquiring the rights to Star Wars just a few years earlier, Disney began integrating the beloved films into park experiences, like the Hyperspace Mountain attraction seen here. (In 2019, the brand would go a step further and introduce Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge worlds at both Disneyland and Disney World.)
2017
A new attraction based on James Cameron’s Avatar film was introduced at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in May 2017. The Na’vi River Journey ride, seen here, takes guests through the enchanting world of Pandora.
2020
Disneyland temporarily closed its doors to the public in March, 2020 due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. parks are expected to reopen in July.
Originally Published: June 18, 2020
