The Disney Company has
traditionally used large format maps and models during the development phase of
each of its theme parks. In fact, Walt Disney had the map shown here at the
right drawn in order to gain financing for the project. It only makes sense
that at some point Disneyland would release large maps, not for guests to
navigate the park, but to be taken home and hung on many a child's bedroom
wall.
The original map sold in the park measures 36 inches by 24 inches and was
drawn by one of the original imagineers of the Park, Sam McKim. The map was
released in 1958, three years after the park opened, and was followed quickly
by two more maps, also copyrighted 1958. The series of maps presented here
show how the park has evolved over time. They show how sponsors have come and
gone, in fact, some do not even exist as companies at this time! You can also
see the fortunes and acquisitions of the company through the quality,
frequency, and content of the maps. Lastly, the differences between many of
these maps are very subtle. Often buyers and sellers on eBay will not
necessarily understand exactly which map is being made available on auction.
After the two 1964 maps, the maps were changed dramatically, using a less
detailed style. The maps are characterized by a blue border and were published
from 1966 through 1976. At this point the overall format of the maps changed
again to a brown bordered map, published from 1978 through 1989. Most recently,
the Disney Company has published maps in the original tradition and detail
found in the Sam McKim maps of 1958. The artist behind these maps is Nina Rae
Vaughn and they contain the full detail and color depth found in the originals.
There have been only three official releases of this map, the most recent in
2001. With Disneyland's 50th anniversary this year, there is hope that a new
version will be released.
There are a number of books, articles, and videos that
explore the history
and making of Disneyland. The list will grow and never end, but here are a
few worth looking at. Many of these are still available from
Amazon or other vendors. Some of these
are out of print and become available occasionally at
eBay or other used book sellers. I hope
this list provides a starting point for your own enjoyment of the history
of Disneyland.
Adventure Through Inner Space virtual
ride-thru. (2004, [DVD]). ATIS.
This work of love
recreates the long-lost "Adventure Through Inner Space" attraction
in the Tomorrowland section of Disneyland. From the queue prior to the ride
vehicles, through the ride itself, and the post-show queue spiral fountain,
this computer generated video recreates the entire experience.
Walt Disney Treasures: Tomorrowland, Disney
in space and beyond. (2004, [DVD]). Walt Disney Company.
DVD
published by the Walt Disney Company consisting of early television broadcasts
of the ABC production "Disneyland." This set includes four shows
related to the Tomorrowland section of Disneyland.
Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland, USA;
special historical broadcasts. (2003, [DVD]). Walt Disney Company.
Prior to the completion and opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, the
Disney Company used its weekly show on ABC to advertise and build interest in
the new theme park. This DVD released by Disney provides four of these
programs, including the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland itself.
One day at Disney(1999).
Lefkon W. (Ed.). New York: Hyperion.
This coffee table photograph book
provides a vision of each of Disney's theme parks. The editors write:
"One Day at Disney is a photo album of [all]
four [Magic Kingdom] parks, with images taken over a 24-hour period by sixteen
creative photographers."
Bright, R. (1987). Disneyland: inside
story. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated.
Information from
the early development and history of Disneyland.
Gordon, B., & Mumford, D. (2000).
Disneyland, the nickel tour (Second ed.). Santa
Clarita, CA: Disney Enterprises.
This volume presents every Disneyland
postcard from 1954, before the park opened, to 2000, the year the book was
published. The reader can view the history of this American icon through these
images and the accompanying descriptions.
Hench, J., & Van Pelt, P. (2003).
Designing Disney : imagineering and the art of the
show (1st ed.). New York: Disney Editions.
Designing Disney shows the behind-the-scenes work that goes
into creating a Disney theme park, from the early sketches to the full
mock-up of the park.
Janzen, J. E., & Janzenn, L. J. (1994), Disneyland souvenir
maps 1958-1965. The "E" Ticket, (18)4.
This article is one of the only sources dedicated specifically to the
large poster-sized Disneyland maps.
Kilpatrick, M., & Thie, C. (2002).
Disney's early years through the eye of a
photographer. Riverside, CA: Ape Pen Publishing Company.
This
volume, along with its companions, includes photographs taken by M. Kilpatrick
during the construction and early years of Disneyland.
Kilpatrick, M., & Thie, C. (2002).
A photographer's life with Disney under
construction. Riverside, CA: Ape Pen Publishing Company.
This
volume, along with its companions, includes photographs taken by M. Kilpatrick
during the construction and early years of Disneyland.
Mosley, L. (1992). Disney's world:
a biography. Lanham, MD: Scarborough House.
Every biography of Walt Disney must include his work on Disneyland.
This biography is very readable and recently published.
Smith, D., & Clark, S. (1999, 2002).
Disney: The First Hundred Years. New York: Disney
Editions.
In Disney: The First Hundred Years, Dave Smith, chief archivist
of the Walt Disney Archives, and Steven Clark, Disney writer and publicist,
explore the Disney story--the story of a man, a family, and a company.
Surrell, J. (2003). The Haunted Mansion:
from the Magic Kingdom to the movie. New York: Disney Editions.
From the original inception of the Haunted Mansion to the recent movie
retelling of the story, the author provides a behind-the-scenes look into the
imagineering process of the iconic attraction found at each incarnation of the
original Disneyland around the world.
Thie, C. (2003). Disneyland... the
beginning. Riverside, CA: Ape Pen Publishing Company.
This
volume, along with its companions, includes photographs taken by M. Kilpatrick
during the construction and early years of Disneyland.
Thie, C., & Kilpatrick, M. (2002).
Disney years seen through a photographer's
lens. Riverside, CA: Ape Pen Publishing Company.
This volume,
along with its companions, includes photographs taken by M. Kilpatrick during
the construction and early years of Disneyland.
Tieman, R. (2003). Raker B. (Ed.), The
Disney Treasures. New York: Disney Editions.
Trahan, K. (2004). Disneyland detective:
an independent guide to discovering Disney's legend, lore, and
magic!. Mission Viejo, CA: PermaGrin Publishing, Inc.
Yee, K., & Schultz, J. (2005). 101
things you never knew about Disneyland: an unauthorized look at the little
touches and inside jokes. Orlando, FL: Zauberreich Press.
Yee, K., & Schultz, J. (2003). Magic
quizdom: Disneylandia minutiae semper absurda. Orlando, FL: Zauberreich
Press.
