Most photos of the front of Disneyland are, understandably, taken from the outside looking in because it’s so lovely to look at. So I was pleased to find this one taken from the inside looking out. That’s the Disneyland railway station at the Main Gate and past it the vast parking lot. And beyond the parking lot is what looks to be the orange groves that used to blanket Anaheim. These days, that land is now the California Adventure theme park, and Disneyland visitors now park in a hug multi-level structure where the daily fee is $30(!) Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, so what we’re looking at is opening day. My guess is that the photo was taken on top of the building where the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” attraction now is (but wasn’t installed until 1965.)
I sent this image to file and opened it so I could magnify it. I looked at the cars in the parking lot and the newest car I could find was a ’55 Buick. Also, the south parking lot expansion area is still dirt, so I would think the date to be sometime after opening day in July 1955.
That picture’s original caption from the Orange County Register was: “View of Main Street train depot at Disneyland on July 17, 1955. Note the park’s original location for the parking lot was immediately adjacent to the park’s entrance. A large multi-level parking structure now accomodates guests. It was there from 1955 until it closed permanently, in January of 1998.”
Thanks, David! I’ll update the post accordingly.