Hello and welcome once again to my inescapable series Thoughts While Watching, where we watch old Disney media with new eyes. And can you think of any more appropriate entry for December than the Wonderful World of Disney episode “Disneyland Around the Seasons”?
This 1966 time capsule captures exactly what you’re craving this time of year: vintage footage of Disneyland, guided by your Uncle Walt and with a holiday twist. While the first half of the program focuses on the accomplishments of the preceding year – including the openings of it’s a small world and New Orleans Square – we end with the Christmas parade and Candlelight Processional in all their vintage glory.
“Disneyland Around the Seasons” also marks Walt’s final Wonderful World of Color episode. In fact, it first aired a mere three days after he died, adding a poignant layer to his closing words about Disneyland’s future. Today, December 5, is Walt’s birthday, and I can think of no more fitting way to celebrate.
So now you HAVE to watch it, obviously – but how you do that is up to you. I’ve embedded a quite good-quality YouTube video below, or you can find it on Disney+ if you’re a subscriber. Either way, put on your Santa hat and maybe cut yourself a slice of birthday cake too… and then press play!
21 THOUGHTS I HAD WHILE WATCHING DISNEYLAND AROUND THE SEASONS (1966)
1. I find the retro weirdness of early Disneyland equal parts charming and hilarious. Do you think Spaceman With Rocket Pack was on the park map?
2. Hear me out: Imagineering dark ride.
3. I’m just not sure Walt would love paving over the Rivers of America. YES I KNOW THE QUOTE ABOUT HOW IT’S NOT A MUSEUM
4. How much do you think one of the small world scale models would cost you today? My guess is all the money there is.
5. I keep thinking that the soundtrack is SO vintage Disneyland, but I guess at the time it was just, y’know, music.
6. Okay, who wants to go in on a runDisney race costume as the small world opening ceremony children from all the nations of the world? It’ll have to be a lot of us.
7. LepreCONS?
8. Oh, Mr. Lincoln. Would that your brilliant speeches were less relevant today.
9. I want a job as Balcony Waving Cast Member.
10. Also I would like a baby triceratops for Christmas.
11. This is a missed opportunity to fire up Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” Modern day Disney corporate would never miss this chance at synergy!
12. Old school Disneyland Christmas parade? Yes please!!!
13. Wait, did that sign say Happy Holiday, singular?
14. Is Winnie the Pooh’s favorite honey tree a refugee from the forests of Oz?
15. Forget my small world idea – who wants to do a runDisney group costume of elephants doing handstands?
16. If you crossed Julie Andrews with Barbra Streisand you would get this Mary Poppins face character.
17. I do love it when Goofy is bad at things.
18. See? A little “Rite of Spring” would have fit in perfectly with this Fantasia segment!
19. These reindeer costumes look exactly the same as in the current parade, which is impressive when you consider the Mickey costume looks like a product of Disney’s collaboration with Dali.
20. Vintage Candlelight Processional! I forgot that started so early in Disneyland’s history!
21. Goodbye Uncle Walt. Thanks for everything.
IN CONCLUSION
What would Walt do? Unknown! It must forever remain a mystery. But it’s good that we have all this old Disneyland footage to remind us of what he did do. I think it’s really something. Happy Birthday to Uncle Walt, and Merry Christmas et al to you. And if you’re reading this blog post off season, Merry Christmas anyway. As Walt just reminded us, every day’s a holiday at Disneyland!
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