History@Disney

The Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary Resort as seen after the resort opened in 1971

Aerial view of Disney-MGM Studios after opening in 1989 and the “World’s Largest Hidden Mickey”.

Aerial view of construction of the Horizons pavilion at EPCOT Center.

Also, take note how long the line is for the Universe of Energy as well as the empty plot of land where the Living Seas pavilion would eventually go.

Aerial view of Fantasyland at Disneyland after the park opened in 1955.

Concept art for the atrium area (now known as the Grand Canyon Concourse) of the Contemporary Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Grand opening ceremony for Horizons (1983-1999) at EPCOT Center.

Scale model of the Load/Unload area for the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios (1989-2017)

Monsanto House of the Future as featured in Tomorrowland at Disneyland (1957-1967)

To me, you can’t get much more picturesque than this photograph of early Disneyland. You can really sense Walt’s optimism of the future and his passionate storytelling with the Matterhorn looming.

View down an empty Main Street USA at Disneyland.

It’s quite interesting to look at this clear shot of some of the storefront signage with all of the different corporate partners being promoted to the daily guests.

You can see companies such as Kodak, Sunkist, Hallmark, etc.

Construction of the Haunted Mansion as seen at Disneyland in 1963. The classic attraction would finally open 6 years later in 1969.

Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train was a slow moving attraction in A Bug’s Land at Disney’s California Adventure from 2002-2018

Concept art and ground level for World Showcase at the Walt Disney World Resort.

This version of World Showcase was to be located near the Transportation and Ticket Center and be connected to the rest of the resort via monorail.

Topping off ceremony during the construction of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT Center

Concept art of Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.

While this ultimately became a fairly accurate representation of the final product, how many details do you notice that might have differed from what was ultimately built?

Epcot entrance and Spaceship Earth as seen from 2000 - 2007.

Aerial view of construction of the Tomorrowland expansion in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort prior to opening in 1974.

Fort Wilderness Railroad pulling into a station at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds at the Walt Disney World Resort

Universe of Energy attraction signage along with Spaceship Earth and the Sorcerer Mickey Wand.

Dreamfinder and Figment in the Sensory “Rainbow” Tunnel within Imageworks at the Imagination Pavilion, Epcot Center.

Innoventions Plaza and Spaceship Earth in Future World at Epcot.

Discovery Bay concept art for the unbuilt land at Disneyland.

Early concept art for World Showcase which was proposed to be situated adjacent to the TTC.

Disney Quest as seen at Downtown Disney from 1998-2017.

Disney Quest was and indoor interactive theme park that operated in Walt Disney World as well as a short lived location in Chicago.

Concept art for the entrance to the Wonders of Life pavilion at EPCOT Center.

Publicity photo of the Magic Kingdom with a Swan Boat attraction ride vehicle in the foreground.

Not sure about you, but I really miss the green spaces and the park feeling of the hub at the Magic Kingdom.

Construction of the facade of the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Aerial view of the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village (now Disney Springs) as seen at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Do you happen to recognize any of the buildings in this picture and do you know what occupies them, today?

This new Sunshine Tree Terrace sign featuring Orange Bird debuted in 2012 shortly after re-introducing Orange Bird to the pavilion.

This sign only lasted for a few years before the pavilion switched locations with Aloha Isle Refreshments, home of the Dole Whip in 2015.

Construction at Epcot Center.

In this photo you see construction of the entire park with Spaceship Earth front and center.

On the left, you can see the Universe of Energy and World of Motion pavilions.

Look closely and you can see the famous Imagination turntable!

Disney’s California Adventure opened on February 8, 2001, as a bold experiment celebrating the Golden State. Over 25 years, the park has evolved through major reinvention, adding Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, and Avengers Campus.

Happy 25th, DCA 🎉🎉🎉