In honor of National Retro Day on February 27, we wanted to take a stroll down memory lane. Let’s take a look at some opening day rides as they were then and now and say “hello” to some bygone, but never forgotten, attractions.
Retro Look at Disney
Opening Day Attractions Then and Now
Disneyland – July 17, 1955
Walt Disney points to different areas of Disneyland on an aerial map.
Autopia
Imagineer Bob Gurr was the creator of the original Disneyland Autopia cars when the attraction opened on the park’s opening day.
Those original cars were known as the Mark I cars, and that naming continued with new cars until 1999, when the Mark VIIIs were introduced.
Disneyland announced in 2024 that it would replace the gas cars with electric ones by 2026.
Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad (Now – Disneyland RailroaD)
Inspired by the Carolwood Pacific Wailroad miniature in his own backyard, Walt Disney wanted a train that went around his Disneyland Park as well.
On Disneyland’s opening day, Walt Disney himself drove the Disneyland Railroad’s No. 2 locomotive.
Guests can still ride along the railroad to this day aboard one of five trains: C.K. Holliday, E.P. Ripley, Ernest Marsh, Fred Gurley, or Ward Kimball. Each was named for an important figure in American train history, except for Disney animator Kimball.
Jungle River Cruise (Now – Jungle Cruise)
Although the ride has several animal animatronics, Walt Disney’s original idea was to use real animals.
Skippers originally had more serious scripts; the jokey schtick of the ride was added later.
There are a dozen boats in operation at this attraction. Some of their names are: Amazon Belle, Ganges Gal, Irrawaddy Woman, Nile Princess, Suwannee Lady, and Yangtze Lotus.
Mad Tea Party
When Disneyland first opened, the Mad Tea Party was located behind King Arthur Carrousel. However, by 1983, the entire attraction was relocated near the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
In its first two years, the tea cups also didn’t have a braking system, so guests could spin as fast as they wanted to (or could).
Mad Tea Party and its dizzying floor pattern are still quite similar to their original iteration.
King Arthur Carrousel
Built in 1922, the carousel was built by William Dentzel and originally installed at Sunnyside Beach Park. After its closure in 1955, it was relocated to Disneyland.
Walt Disney’s favorite horse on this carousel is Jingles—named as such for the bells hanging from her collar.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
The original version of Mr. Toad’s shifted in 1983 from its original 1955 variation. A few of the changes included the entrance redesign from a Medieval tent to the entrance of Toad Hall, new ride vehicles, and additional scenes.
The original 1900s roadster vehicles were smaller than the ones introduced with the 1983 refurbishment.
Mr. Toad’s ride vehicles still have one striking similarity to the old ones, however—they’re named after characters from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad: Mr. Toad, Toady, Ratty, Moley, MacBadger, Cyril, Winky, or Weasel.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Similar to Mr. Toad’s, Peter Pan’s Flight was also originally housed in a Medieval tent and fully refurbished in 1983. In the original ride, guests were supposed to fly through the attraction as if they were Peter.
The revamped ride added Peter into scenes so guests could see him, but the name (a nod to the attraction’s original intent) remained the same.
Snow White and her Adventures (now – Enchanted Wish)
This attraction has had three names in its lifetime: Snow White and Her Adventures from 1955 to 1982, Snow White’s Scary Adventures from 1983 to 2020, and now Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.
Just as with Peter Pan’s Flight, this ride is also meant to put guests in the main character’s shoes and experience it through their eyes. But that confused guests who wanted to know why they didn’t see Snow White in the attraction.
The updated version, known as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, is considered less scary than its predecessors.
Here is our video of the ride before it changed to Snow White’s Enchanted Wish:
Canal Boats of the World (Now – Storybook Land Canal Boats)
Originally known as Canal Boats of the World, this boat attraction was meant to bring guests through sequences of famous world sites. The ride never really made it that far, however, and focuses instead on miniaturized scenes from Disney stories.
The attraction reopened after a three-month refurbishment in November 2025 with a new scene from Tangled.
Walt Disney World – October 1, 1971
The Country Bear Jamboree (Now – Country bear musical jamboree)
This opening day attraction at Walt Disney World was originally intended for Disney’s Mineral King Ski Resort prior to Walt Disney’s death.
Instead, the show opened at Disney World with sponsors Pepsi and Frito-Lay, which sponsored the show until 1981. Allauded composer George Bruns wrote the original music. He composed for many Disney films between the 1950s and 70s including Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, and The Aristocats, among others.
The refurbished iteration of this attraction, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, opened on July 17, 2024. This new version has the bears covering beloved Disney tunes.
Watch our full video of the new show below:
Dumbo the flying elephant
On opening day, the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride at Disney World didn’t have Timothy Mouse in the center or hats on the Dumbo. Those were both added in 1972.
When Mickey’s Toontown Fair changed over to Storybook Circus in 2012, the Dumbo ride received new water features in addition to the new interactive queue.
The Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents stemmed from an idea Walt Disney had in 1957 to expand Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. to highlight Colonial America. Although Liberty Street never happened, the animatronic Presidents did take the stage when Disney World opened.
The 36 original presidents were sculpted by Blaine Gibson, who also worked on Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, as well as the Partners Statue of Walt Disney and Mickey. Presidents were arranged by stature around the stage.
Blaine continued sculpting the presidents up through George W. Bush in 2001, and the show is updated with each new president.
Haunted Mansion
The Disney World version of The Haunted Mansion is slightly longer than the original one at Disneyland. Paul Frees returned to be the voice of the Ghost Host.
Because of fewer space constrictions than at Disneyland, the building is also larger and more elaborate than its original counterpart.
The interactive queue section was added to the attraction in 2011. This included tombstones dedicated to Disney Imagineers and other creepy Easter eggs, such as the pipe organ created by Ravenscroft, named for Thurl Ravenscroft, the lead singer of the “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” who was also known for “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
The Hatbox Ghost, an original character from the Disneyland version, was finally added to the Disney World version of the ride in November 2023.
“it’s a small world”
When the Disney World version of “it’s a small world” opened in 19711, it had 600 costumed figures in it. It is smaller in scale than the one at Disneyland and has had minor changes in the park’s first few decades.
“it’s a small world” closed for refurbishment in 2004 and in 2005 opened with a new entrance area, refurbished exterior, and a new sound system. The facade was then repainted in 2021 for the 50th anniversary of Magic Kingdom.
Jungle Cruise
Like the Disneyland version, the Jungle Cruise at Disney World also takes place with The Jungle Navigation Co. The fictional tour company brings guests through the jungle to see several sites, including the World Famous Back Side of Water.
This attraction also has a nearby companion restaurant, the Skipper Canteen, which opened in 2015.
Mad Tea Party
The original iteration of the Mad Tea Party did not have a roof. A roof and the teapot at the center of the cups were both added in 1973.
Other than those bigger changes, the ride is much of the same as it was when it opened.
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Originally known as Cinderella’s Golden Carousel when it was built in 1917 for Detroit Palace Garden Park and moved to Maplewood Olympic Park, the carousel eventually landed at Disney World.
Each horse on the carousel has a unique design, and Cinderella’s Horse is believed to be the one with a golden bow on its tail.
Grand Prix Raceway (Now – Tomorrowland Speedway)
Originally known as Grand Prix Raceway, this attraction was sponsored by Goodyear and was created as an international car race. It then became known as Tomorrowland Indy Speedway in 1994 and just Tomorrowland Speedway in 2008.
Since the attraction opened, due to various theme park builds and adjustments, the track has shortened from 3,118 feet to somewhere around 2,119 feet in length.
Although the ride lives in Tomorrowland, the cars aren’t really meant to look futuristic.
Tropical Serenade (Now – Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room)
This attraction has also had several names since it opened in 1971. Although it was released as a replica of the version at Disneyland, it was first known as Tropical Serenade until 1993, when it was renamed The Enchanted Tiki Birds.
In 1998, the attraction became The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) when Iago and Zazu animatronics were added to the show.
In 2011, the Iago animatronic was damaged by a fire, which was the end of the attraction’s Under New Management phase.
By 2011, the show reopened as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, which remains its name today.
Walt Disney World Railroad
Resorted steam locomotives at Disney World are fashioned after trains from the 1880s, including their diamond smokestacks and square headlamps.
When the park first opened, guests needed a special D ticket to ride the train, though that was discontinued in 1982.
As of writing, there are three operating stations for the WDWRR: Main Street, U.S.A. Station, Frontierland Station, and Fantasyland Station.
Vintage Attractions That Are Still Operating
Disneyland
Alice in Wonderland – June 14, 1958
The ride was created in part by Imagineer and Disney artist Claude Coates, who was the chief art director of Alice in Wonderland, as well as Disney artist Mary Blair, who provided concept art for the film.
As you can see in the previous photo, the original version of this ride involved guests riding along a winding vine track. That track remained until a 2014 refurbishment, when it was adjusted to have wider ramps and permanent railings.
Disneyland Alweg Monorail System (now – Disneyland Monorail) – June 14, 1959
When it first opened in 1959, the then-Disneyland Alweg Monorail just did a loop around Disneyland. But by 1961, the monorail also visited the Disneyland Hotel.
The original vehicles were Mark I trains based on concepts from Alweg.
The Mark V trains used from 1987 to 2008, seen above, were designed by Walt Disney Imagineering.
The current Mark VII trains used from 2008 to the present day come in red, blue, and orange.
Dumbo the flying elephant – August 16, 1955
The opening of the Dumbo ride missed the park’s opening day by a month. When it first premiered, the ride didn’t have Timothy Mouse in the center until 1957.
Originally, the Dumbo ride vehicles had ears that were supposed to flap; however, they didn’t work despite an appearance in the opening to the first season of Mickey Mouse Club.
In the years since opening, the ride has had a few thematic changes, such as the Dumbos being painted gold for the Disneyland 50th anniversary in 2005.
The Haunted Mansion – August 9, 1969
Despite the 1961 handbills that indicated The Haunted Mansion would open in 1963, the ride did not open until 1969.
Designers Marc Davis and Claude Coats originally could not agree on whether to make the attraction spooky or funny. X Atencio helped usher in both ideas to allow the ride to be both ominous and silly.
The seasonal Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay first began in October 2001, tying The Nightmare Before Christmas in with the mansion.
The Hatbox Ghost was an original character when the ride opened, though he was quickly removed because the head in the box illusion didn’t work as they wanted. He was finally returned to the ride on April 10, 2015.
“it’s a small world” – May 28, 1966
“it’s a small world” was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair as Children of the World. Mary Blair gave the ride its signature look and worked with Marc Davis, who choreographed the animatronics dances.
For the ride, Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman (The Sherman Brothers) wrote “It’s a Small World (After All),” which became one of their best-known songs.
The exterior of the ride has changed several times since it opened. This attraction was even pastel in 1993, but in 2002 it returned to its original white and gold look from 1966.
Matterhorn Bobsleds – June 14, 1959
Matterhorn Bobsleds was inspired by the 1959 film Third Man on the Mountain as well as Rutschebanen, one of the oldest rollercoasters, at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. That coaster first opened in 1914.
Walt Disney wanted a toboggan ride that took place on Matterhorn, a mountain in the Alps, which is how the Matterhorn Bobsleds was born.
When the Skyway was operational, it would travel through the mountain that housed Matterhorn Bobsleds. And the original animatronic Abominable Snowman figures added in 1978 remained in the ride until 2015. One is now part of the Collector’s artifacts at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!
Walt Disney World
Pirates of the Caribbean – December 17, 1973
When the original Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland in 1967, it was the last ride overseen by Walt Disney before his death. The Disney World version includes the iconic “A Pirate’s Life for Me” by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio.
The ride stayed very much the same before the addition of Captain Jack Sparrow from the film franchise inspired by the attraction(s). Sparrow was added in 2006.
A few scenes have been adjusted since the opening, though the most obvious change is the addition of Redd, the redheaded female pirate. She was added in 2018 when the auction was shifted away from selling women.
Space Mountain – January 15, 1975
While the first notion of Space Mountain was for Disneyland, there simply wasn’t enough space for it, which is how it wound up at Disney World.
Space Mountain was originally sponsored by RCA, which meant guests saw a post-show centering on new technology they could purchase. Nipper, the RCA mascot, was on the ride listening to a gramophone until 1993, when sponsorship ended, but he is referenced as a robot dog.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – January 15, 1975
Like “it’s a small world,” Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was also created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. After the fair, it was brought to Disneyland from 1967 to 1973, but it ultimately found a permanent home at Disney World.
The Sherman Brothers also wrote the theme for the attraction which has been updated five times since it premiered at the fair. It was updated in 1967, 1975, 1981, 1985, and 1994.
General Electric originally sponsored the attraction, but after their sponsorship expired in 1985 the references to GE were removed.
Attractions We Still Miss
Disneyland
PeopleMover – July 2, 1967 – August 21, 1995
Like Disney World, Disneyland also used to have a PeopleMover. It opened in 1967 and closed in 1995. It was replaced by Rocket Rods, but that attraction only ran from 1998 to 2000. Some of its remnants, like some elevated track, can still be seen around Tomorrowland.
Skyway – June 23, 1956 – November 9, 1994
When the Skyway first opened in 1956, it was the first Von Roll Type 101 aerial ropeway in the country. It was brought over from Switzerland.
During operation, the Skyway went through the Matterhorn and carried guests between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
Walt Disney World
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade – October 1, 1971 – June 23, 2024
Similar to the arcade at Disneyland, the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade was an opening day attraction at Disney World. When the park first opened, the guns shot lead pellets, but they were upgraded to infrared light rifles in 1982. For nearly the entire run of the attraction, it required payment to play, though the payment was removed from September 2021 until it closed in 2024.
Liberty Belle Riverboat – May 20, 1973 – July 7, 2025
Originally known as the Richard F. Irvine, the Liberty Belle was a steam-powered riverboat at Rivers of America in the Liberty Square area of Magic Kingdom. After the boat’s refurbishment in 1996, it became known as the Liberty Belle. The Admiral Joe Fowler riverboat was also in service at Rivers of America from October 2, 1971, until late 1980, when it was destroyed. The ship was dropped from a crane while being lifted into dry dock for refurbishment.
Magic Kingdom Skyway – October 1, 1971 – November 10, 1999
The Skyway was an opening day attraction that remained in use until 1999. The bottom half of the Tomorrowland station remains in use today as a bathroom.
Are there any retro Disneyland or Disney World attractions you miss? Let us know on social media!
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