Today marks the last entry into this series featuring black and white images from when Disneyland was only a few months old.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride: back when Fantasyland dark rides featured Medieval Fair exteriors that were necessitated by time...and most importantly money.



Mr. Toad now resides in a more appropriate Tudor-style structure.



Peter Pan in September 1955:



and flashing forward to May 2011:



A wacky-over/double exposed shot of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship:



...and what it was replaced with:



Don't ask Dumbo for a Tuna Boat!

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The first photo of today is not from the March 1957 batch, but rather another 1957 set of images. Why is it here? Because I want to set the scene for you, faithful readers. Imagine boarding your 1957 Skyway bucket and soaring high over the park. Below you see a silver-suited spaceman from the future. And in image #2 (where we transition back to the March 1957 grouping), you float by the iconic Moonliner, sponsored by TWA.



Quickly passing through the Matterhorn into Fantasyland, we fly over the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant:



So close you can almost reach out and touch the Crow's Nest!



Once out of the Skyway Bucket, we leave the Fantasyland Skyway Station (shown here in this August 1958 image)...



and our March 1957 photographer begins to explore Fantasyland from the ground. It appears he wanted to hide behind the landscaping for this Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship shot:



And then wanted to get as close as possible to Monstro's eyeball in this Storybook Land shot, capturing the area that would soon be home to Skull Rock (note Cinderella's Castle towering in the background of Storybook Land):



So many details on Toad Hall! I love riding Storybook Land; sooooo much to observe.



To wrap up this series, I'm going to yank you back over to Frontierland with two shots of the Mighty Mark Twain:





Hope you enjoyed our journey through time to explore March 1957 at Disneyland!

Follow my Daveland updates on Twitter. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

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It may not be a significant day to you, but for this group of guests, it sure was a day of fun and smiles. In shot #1, this guest is so awed to be standing in front of Walt's personal Autopia car that he takes his hat off in respect. In the background, you can see the entrance to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea movie prop exhibit.

In shot #2, she doesn't give a hoot about cars and motors; she just wants to show off the still very young landscaping.



Over at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, you can almost reach out and grab this man’s guide book!



Last stop for today is one of the teepees in the Indian Village with Fort Wilderness in the background:



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

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A few of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship restaurant. Anyone know what this "free exhibit" was all about?



The parrot that hung out behind the ship in his gilded cage:



See more vintage Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant photos at my regular website.

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I know there are a few 70’s fans out there, so just for you, I am going to devote a few days to one of my least favorite decades. And I can say that, cause I was there for every year of that polyester era. Today we spend a little time in Fantasyland, starting off with a view of small world, currently undergoing a refurbishment, due to open in approximately one month. If you weren’t sure it was the 70’s, you’d know in shot #2 by the decidedly funky type-style choice for the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. Mr. Smee is visiting with us today.



For this cherished view of Skull Rock Cove, I promise not to lament again the passing of this area of Fantasyland. Not one word from me. I promise.



Before we leave Fantasyland, let’s take another look at the Matterhorn, taken from the Tomorrowland side.



Come back tomorrow and spend some time over in Frontierland, ya hear? See more vintage & current Fantasyland photos at my regular website.

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Rounding out the Matterhorn portion of this series are these three June 1959 views. Be sure to note the Monsanto House of the Future in shot #1.





See more vintage & current Matterhorn photos at my regular website. Meanwhile in media-land, “Sleeping Beauty,” the Platinum Edition, is being released today, and boy is it a beauty (pun intended)!









The section of extras on the Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama is not to be missed. Pick it up on Blu-ray at Amazon.com as well as regular DVD at Amazon.com.

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As promised, here are some colorful shots of the Matterhorn. These three were taken 10 days after opening, on June 24, 1959.





See more vintage & current Matterhorn photos at my regular website. Meanwhile in media-land, “Sleeping Beauty,” the Platinum Edition, is being released on 10/7, and boy is it a beauty (pun intended)!









The section of extras on the Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama is not to be missed. Pick it up on Blu-ray at Amazon.com as well as regular DVD at Amazon.com.

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A short visit to Fantasyland today, beginning with a group shot in front of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. At this point in time, Skull Rock was still but a glimmer in Walt’s eye. Stepping back a bit for shot #2, we also see Dumbo’s Flying Elephants and the Casey Junior Ticket Booth...oh yeah, and that thing overhead called the Skyway.



Last one for today is a little dark, but you can still kind of see the Disneyland Marching Band playing on the Carrousel; the little girl is mainly interested in her popcorn, but she does manage to turn and take a quick glimpse at the source of the music behind her.



That’s it for today. If you want to see more from this series, you’ll have to head over to my Jungle Cruise blog and see the eleven (yup, that’s right, double one) shots from this group’s adventure on the Nile: http://junglecruise55.blogspot.com. Six different blogs...I must be nuts. See more vintage & current Fantasyland. photos at my regular website.



“Sleeping Beauty,” the Platinum Edition, is about to hit the streets, and boy is it a beauty (pun intended)! The section of extras on the Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama is not to miss. Pick it up on Blu-ray at Amazon.com as well as regular DVD at Amazon.com.

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