Step right up, fellow Disney enthusiasts, as we embark on a whimsical journey through the archives of nostalgia! Disney Parks have captured some truly bizarre moments in time. From curious attractions that never quite made the cut, to unexpected encounters with beloved mascots, these weird photos offer a glimpse into the quirky side of Disney history. Let’s explore some of the offbeat, the forgotten, and the downright strange snapshots that reveal a different layer of magic at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Highway Pirates
The year is 1966. Imagine driving along the 5 in Los Angeles, only for several pirate animatronics to be riding alongside you in a TRUCK BED. Keep in mind, this was before Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland in 1967, as they were on their way to Anaheim for installation, so people had to be wondering what was going on!
Ho, Ho, WHOAH
Fast forward to 1992, where a log filled with Mickey & the gang in their Christmas garb celebrate the newly-opened Splash Mountain. It’s not every day you see several costumed characters aboard a “you may get wet” attraction, let alone wearing their holiday best!
Grand & Miraculous
This may be the most anxiety-inducing photos in this feature. Construction workers are seen taking a “break” atop the now-iconic Spaceship Earth at EPCOT in 1981. From John W. McDougall Co: “[We] fabricated all of the Alucobond ACM panels that make up the outside ‘skin’ of the geodesic dome. Even after all these years, it’s still one of our most iconic jobs to date.”
Now fast forward to 1989, when Mickey himself stood atop the big ball for a promotional video for EPCOT Center:
Colorful Barefoot Ghosts?!
To round out today’s wacky feature, let’s finish with something you can technically see today. This is just a little behind the scenes look at the ballroom dancers inside of the Haunted Mansion. I love knowing how colorful these figures are dressed behind that ethereal veil of the Pepper’s Ghost effect, and the fact that they’re dancing barefoot! Next time you’re in your Doom Buggy, imagine these pastel-hued dancers endlessly spinning beneath you.
That’s all for today, but let’s do this again sometime?
