Today at Disneyland: Drawing Disneyland: The Early Years

I had a wonderful time at Disneyland today, including my first look at the Matterhorn since the new Abominable Snowman was unveiled. The more mobile figure is a definite upgrade to one of my favorite rides at the park.

I especially enjoyed visiting the new Disney Gallery exhibit, Drawing Disneyland: The Early Years.

The exhibit celebrates the work of five studio artists who played major roles in designing Disneyland: Harper Goff (Adventureland), Sam McKim (Frontierland), John Hench (Tomorrowland), Bill Martin (Fantasyland), and Harry Johnson (Main Street, U.S.A.).

Here's part of the tribute to Sam McKim, a very successful child actor turned Disney artist:

Sam's design of the Golden Horseshoe saloon, which was also on display five years ago in a 55th anniversary exhibit, was inspired by the set design for the Doris Day film CALAMITY JANE (1953):

Two different looks at Fort Wilderness on Tom Sawyer Island:

This was my favorite thing in the exhibit, a design of the Casa de Fritos restaurant in Frontierland. I worked at Casa de Fritos (later called Casa Mexicana) when I was in college, and it's where I met my husband:

I loved these layouts for the Peter Pan (top) and Alice in Wonderland (bottom) rides by Bill Martin:

And here's an exterior of Peter Pan's Flight:

A John Hench design for Tomorrowland:

Harper Goff's sketches of the Jungle Cruise ride in Adventureland:

And one of Harry Johnson's designs for a shop on Main Street, U.S.A.:

There's much, much more to see in this wonderful exhibit, which I highly recommend visiting.

For more on Drawing Disneyland: The Early Years, please visit the photo post at Dateline Disneyland.