It is not surprising that the Disney films of the 1950s are well represented in the parks. After all, Disneyland opened in 1955.
The original Disneyland television anthology was organized into four distinct segments: Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The programming showcased each week—both newly created content as well as films from the vast Disney vault—fit nicely into each of these categories. Many of the 1950s-era references were incorporated into the design of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as well.
A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes – Cinderella (1950)
Roy Disney often referred to 1950 as a “Cinderella year” for Walt Disney Productions. After the difficult war years, Walt was ready to take another gamble. As he did many times in his career, Walt placed all his bets on one project—a project he believed in—to keep his company afloat. That project was Cinderella.
In this triumphant return to feature-length animated films, Walt and his artists charmed critics and audiences alike with their fresh retelling of the Charles Perrault fairy tale classic. Imagineers turned to this film for the inspiration for the castle at the Florida park. In Herb Ryman's wonderfully rendered inspirational painting, the French chateau influenced architecture and the grandeur of Cinderella Castle are evident.
Turrets, towers, gold-leaf finials, gargoyles, arches, and stained-glass windows enhance this much-loved landmark. Cinderella Castle was built on a grand scale that surpasses that of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. The detailed Dorothea Redmond mosaic in the castle's entryway, the charming interior shop, and the appropriately impressive banquet hall add to the castle's enduring charm. La Fontaine de Cendrillon, located just outside the castle proper, is a lovingly created tribute to the 1950 film heroine.
Through the magic of instant landscaping, mature trees surrounded the castle on opening day. The original trees located in the Central Plaza hub—planted before the castle construction was even complete—separated the castle from Main Street U.S.A. Sadly, too many of these trees have been removed. The loss of the mature trees in the hub diminishes the other-worldliness of this beautiful landmark. Hopefully, larger trees (complete with twinkling lights) will be restored in the not-too-distant future.
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest – Treasure Island (1950)
The long tradition of pirate-related films began here and extends to the parks. Sharp-eyed guests spot many Treasure Island influences in the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, from costuming to character design. In some ways, even the tone of this attraction reflects that of the Robert Louis Stevenson story. Like Long John Silver, a complicated combination of rapscallion and hero, the plundering, marauding Caribbean pirates teeter precariously between lovable scoundrels and fearful criminals.
Another long lost Treasure Island reference was the original incarnation of Discovery Island. The island welcomed guests from 1974 to 1976 before an extensive renovation and reincarnation as Discovery Island.
After this I should think nothing of falling down stairs – Alice in Wonderland (1951)
The Disney version of the Lewis Carroll classic inspired the famous Mad Tea Party attraction at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The spinning teacups have become an iconic image of the Magic Kingdom experience. Alice and friends also appear regularly in parades and throughout the property for meet and greets.
Here age relives fond memories of the past – Historical romance
While there are no direct references to the Disney films produced in England during the 1950s, there is a sense of British history that pervades the United Kingdom Pavilion at EPCOT Center's World Showcase. It is not difficult to image the worlds of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), The Sword and the Rose (1953), or Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue (1954) when visiting the shop patterned after Sir Walter Scott's manor home.
Think of a Wonderful Thought – Peter Pan (1953)
There is, perhaps, no other attraction at Walt Disney World that is quite as beloved by young and old as Peter Pan's Flight. From the soundtrack to the charming vignettes from the film, this classic is as popular as ever. It captures the whimsy of the film plus lets guests participate in the experience of flying. Here's hoping that the Magic Kingdom's version of this timeless story gets some special attention soon; it would be wonderful if some of the more sophisticated effects found in the Anaheim and Paris incarnations were incorporated into the Magic Kingdom version as well.
True Life Adventures – The Jungle Cruise
Disney's acclaimed True Life Adventure films are best represented in Adventureland's famous Jungle Cruise. While there are no direct references to The Living Desert (1953), The Vanishing Prairie (1954), The Secrets of Life (1956), Perri (1957), White Wilderness (1958), or Jungle Cat (1959), some of the tableaus presented in the Jungle Cruise resemble scenes found in The African Lion (1955). Some aspects of this attraction were also inspired by the non-Disney film The African Queen. Obviously, the humorous pun-filled narration varies greatly from the films that may have inspired it.
A Journey Through Liquid Space – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
The Fantasyland favorite, 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea (1971 to 1994), is probably the most-missed attraction at Walt Disney World. There are entire websites devoted to this classic attraction and with good reason. It was a very popular attraction and one of the park's icons. Nearly every promotional piece from Walt Disney World's early years featured an image of the Nautilus plying the waters of Fantasyland. While even the attraction's most ardent fans would have to conceded that some of the special effects were less than stellar, with just a little it of imagination, it was easy to willingly suspend our collective disbelief and surrender to the excitement and thrill of sailing with Captain Nemo. Much of this was due to the incredibly detailed appearance of the submarines themselves, the atmospheric musical soundtrack, those teetering columns, and that graveyard of sunken ships.
The Magic Kingdom's version of this attraction is gone forever, but it does live on, in slightly different form, at Disneyland Paris. The full-scale Nautilus, located in front of the wonderfully rendered Space Mountain (originally named De la Terre a la Lune), is an amazingly detailed walk-through attraction that thrills 20,000 Leagues fans and warms their hearts.
“The ideals, dreams and hard facts that have created America” – American history
Disneyland was created in the 1950s when Westerns were among the most popular television series and motion pictures. Much of Disney's 1950 output fell under the Western banner, and many of his best television programs were set in America's past. Showcasing Disney's love of American history were The Littlest Outlaw (1955), The Great Locomotive Chase (1956), Westward Ho, the Wagons! (1956), The Light in the Forest (1958), and Tonka (1958). There are no direct references to these adventures, but there are plenty from Disney's other films of this era.
Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955) and Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956) inspired the Mike Fink Keel Boats that once traversed the Rivers of America. The boat dock is still located in Liberty Square near the entrance to the Haunted Mansion. Music from the Davy Crockett films is also featured instrumentally throughout Frontierland and vocally in the original version of the Country Bear Jamboree. Johnny Tremain, a 1957 drama based on the Esther Forbes novel, is honored with two references in Liberty Square. The beautiful Liberty Tree, with its 13 lanterns, is taken directly from this story. Sharp-eyed guests could also note that Johnny Tremain himself is named as the proprietor of the Silversmith Shop. (Sadly, this little corner of the world has been converted to a Christmas shop and no longer features silver and pewter. Fortunately, Mr. Tremain's name remains.) The Liberty Tree Tavern, one of the Magic Kingdom's true gems, retains the detailed look and feel that Walt and his filmmakers first created in this well-regarded film.
Zorro (1957) and Texas John Slaughter (1958) were two of Disney's most popular western-themed television series. Zorro's theme song, and some of his personal belongings as well, are to be found at Pecos Bill Café. “Texas” John Slaughter is named as the Trail Boss of the Frontier Trading Post. It's a credit to Disney that even after the very recent renovations in Frontierland, this historical reference (lost on most guests) remains.
Bella Notte – Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Tony's Town Square Restaurant, located on Main Street U.S.A., lovingly evokes the Victorian charm of the classic Disney film and is filled to the brim with little details and nods to the beloved story of Lady and her Tramp. Much of Main Street captures the optimism and charm of that long-ago time in a comforting and reassuring manner that illustrates what Disney does best. Guests respond to the atmosphere of Main Street almost unconsciously. On your next visit, take a little time to sit on a Main Street bench and notice the elaborate woodwork, the marvelous color palate, the flowers, and the flags.
Only at Disneyland – 1959 films
Interestingly enough, three of Walt's best films—Sleeping Beauty, Third Man on the Mountain, and Darby O'Gill and the Little People—have no Walt Disney World references. All three are, however, were featured at Disneyland. Princess Aurora has her own castle at Disneyland, complete with a charming little walk-through attraction. The Matterhorn Bobsleds were inspired by Walt's visit to Switzerland during the filming of Third Man on the Mountain. While there is no Darby O'Gill attraction, the overture from this wonderful film can be heard in the queue for the Storybook Land Canal Boats in Fantasyland.
Honoring the past
It is true that Disney parks are not museums. Nonetheless, it is reassuring that in a country that seems to place so little value on its cultural past, there are concerted efforts on the part of Disney Imagineers to acknowledge the rich legacy of the Walt Disney Studios. By finding inspiration in the stories and artwork from the past, by honoring the work that came before them, and by respecting the intelligence of their guests, present Disney designers create a sense of continuity as they add their own unique vision to the ever-evolving story of Walt Disney World.
Note: Disney's first live-action comedy, The Shaggy Dog (1959), is the only 1950s film that seems to have no presence in the parks. Any ideas?
Tom Richards is a life-long admirer of Walt Disney, something of a Disney historian, and a free-lance writer. His Disney interests include—but are not limited to—Walt Disney World, classic Disney animation, live-action films made during Walt's lifetime, and Disney-related music and art.
