1958a Map

Discussion

As the first map large-scale, poster-sized map published for sale in Disneyland park, this was used as a marketing tool to build interest in attending this new thing called a "theme park." A large number of these were sold both in the park and through a promotional offer with Sunkist Orange Juice, a sponsor in the park. It is interesting to note that Disneyland was built on what was once large groves of orange trees, so the sponsorship of Sunkist seems appropriate.

One would think that this map would be the least common, or difficult to find, but that does not appear to be the case. The second map, designated “1958b,” seems to be most difficult to find, but that may in fact be an artifact of sellers and buyers being unable to distinguish between the 1958b and the 1958c maps, which are very similar. See those maps for information on how to differentiate them.

Points of Interest

• Walt Disney had infinite confidence in his new park and unapologetically included future attractions and "lands" as if they were just around the corner. Examples of attractions that made it are: the Submarine Voyage, New Orleans Square, and the Haunted Mansion. Note that on this map New Orleans Square was in fact a square instead of the eventual streets and alleys, and that the Haunted Mansion is located across from where it would eventually appear. Attractions that did not make it, at least at Disneyland, were: Edison Square, Liberty Street, Adventures in Science, the Wax Museum, and the Thieves Market, although components of Edison Square and Liberty Street found their way into Library Square at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.
• Holidayland was a real bust. Not every idea that Walt Disney had was a winner. Walt was convinced that a circus attraction would be well received. Fortunately his imagineers couldn't find room for it within the park itself and it was placed outside the berm surrounding Disneyland park. Ultimately, no one wanted to visit a tacky circus outside the park when the attractions inside were so compelling. Holidayland had a brief life, disappearing completely and without a trace. This area today is occupied by the show buildings for the Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain, as well as other backstage facilities.
• The Disneyland Hotel, although located directly across from Disneyland itself, was not owned by The Walt Disney Company. The Wrather Company was contracted to provide the hotel and it wasn't until 1988 that Disney purchased the hotel and began the expansion that currently has three Disney owned hotels on the property. Notice that prior to the construction of the monorail from the park to the hotel, guests were transported to the park in trams. You really show your age when you remember riding the trams which had you facing outward without anything to prevent you from falling out.
• Short-lived attractions. In addition to the Viewliner which made way for the Monorail, this map shows the Junior Autopia, all attractions that disappeared by the next release of the map. Slightly longer lived was the Midget Autopia, next to the Storybook Land Canal Boats. The Midget Autopia disappeared on the 1966 map to make room for It’s a Small World.
• The Parking Lot as an Attraction. Although the park had only 22 attractions available on opening day in 1955, it is amusing to see that a 100 acre parking lot is worth mentioning on the bottom of the map. Did Walt pave over the Hundred Acre Wood?