Walt Disney’s Disneyland U.S.A.

A bird’s eye view of Disneyland just three years after the park first opened.

After visiting amusement parks with his daughter, Walt Disney had an idea for an attraction adjacent to his movie studios in Burbank to entertain visiting fans. He soon realized that the proposed site was too small, and instead bought 160 acres of land near Anaheim, California in 1953. Just two years later, Disneyland opened to international press and acclaim.

This map shows the park only a few years after first opening, with pictorial representations of the five main areas; Main Street, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Adventureland. Holidayland, seen on the left and considered by some enthusiasts to be the “lost” land, had separate admission and was the only place beer could be purchased on park grounds. It closed in 1961 and was replaced by New Orleans Square. The Disneyland Hotel can be seen in the lower left and is accessible by a tram, as the signature monorail would not be unveiled until 1959. Many other attractions in and around the park have been updated or replaced, providing an interesting and nostalgic look at the world famous Disneyland.