4 (Mostly) Obscure Storybook Land Stories
Many people overlook this unassuming little ride in Disneyland, but it’s one of the most significant attractions in Disney history. It’s origins are from an early concept for Disneyland called Disneylandia that would have featured miniature scenes set in train cars that would travel from city to city (kind of like a circus). The plans for that fell through, so Walt started rethinking the idea, which became Mickey Mouse Park across from the studio and then eventually Disneyland when they realized they needed more space for all their ideas. All of the versions of early Disneyland concepts had the idea of miniatures or a canal ride (or both). And, of course, Walt had a love of miniatures, which is why “Lilliputian Land” was a must for Disneyland (though that concept looked a little different than what we have today).
One of my other favorites stories from the construction of Storybook Land Canal Boats is when landscaper Joe Delphin and the crew were moving rocks for the newer version of this attraction (it started as Canal Boats of the World, but it was nicknamed it the Mud Bank Ride because none of the miniatures had been developed yet). They were using one of the canal boats to move a particularly large boulder and the boat sank “like it has been torpedoed.” Joe and his team scrambled to unsink the boat before the “big bosses” noticed. 😂
I wish more people took the time to look closer at the depth of detail, history, and story in this ride. It’s a masterpiece of Imagineering wrapped in the peaceful package of beauty and the memory of a dream that grew bigger over time. There’s nothing small about it, really. It carries the heartbeat of Disneyland 💜
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