What Disney theme parks looked like the year you were born

Amanda KrauseJun 9, 2020, 22:45 IST

Magic Kingdom has changed drastically since it first opened in 1971.Disney Parks

Disney theme parks are constantly being renovated and built upon.
As a result, the company's worldwide locations probably look a lot different than they did the year you were born.
In the '50s, for example, Walt Disney could be seen walking around Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
And in the '90s visitors could experience a candy-pink castle at Florida's Disney World.

Chances are that Disney theme parks look a lot different today than they did the year you were born.

Not only are the parks constantly refurbished so that they look new, but new rides and attractions are installed almost every year. And while you can't go back in time to experience what the locations were once like, but you can look at photos from those times.

Here's what Disney theme parks around the world have looked like over the years.

1955: During its opening year, Disneyland was filled with knights on horses and classic characters.

A view of Disneyland's opening day on July 17, 1955. University of Southern California/Getty Images

1956 - 1959: Walt Disney was a fixture of the theme park.

Children from around the world crowd Walt Disney for autographs on November 15, 1956. Bettmann/Getty Images

1960 - 1966: It was common to see Disneyland employees, or cast members, scaling the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Two employees scale the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride at Disneyland in 1960. Ralph Crane/Getty Images

1967 - 1969: For the first time, parkgoers were able to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.

The ride looks almost exactly the same today. Ralph Crane/Getty Images

1970: At the start of the decade, Disneyland visitors could purchase fruit and flowers within the park.

A view of the Main Street Flower Mart in June 1970. Mirrorpix/Getty Images

1971: Julie Andrews helped open Disney World in Orlando, Florida, during a grand-opening celebration.

Julie Andrews performs at Magic Kingdom in October 1971. NBC/Getty Images

1972 - 1979: It's a Small World was extremely popular.

A crowd waits to ride It's a Small World in 1972. Jonathan Blair/Getty Images

1980 - 1984: Posing with balloons in front of Cinderella Castle was becoming a common practice.

Austrian singer Hannelore Auer poses with Mickey-shaped balloons on March 4, 1980. Peter Bischoff/Stringer/Getty Images

1985 - 1988: A Disneyland park opened in Tokyo, Japan, by the mid '80s.

Children eat popcorn at Tokyo Disneyland in January 1985. The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images

1989 - 1990: Famous Disney characters were helping to construct Disneyland Paris.

Chip, Dale, and Donald Duck help build Disneyland Paris on September 13, 1989. William Stevens/Getty Images

1991: By the early '90s, the theme park had started to take form.

The construction site of Disneyland Paris on March 1, 1991. Georges DeKeerle/Getty Images

1992 - 1995: Disneyland Paris was the place to be in the early '90s.

Parkgoers watch a parade at Disneyland Paris on April 12, 1992. Pool APESTEGUY/REGLAIN/STEVENS/Getty Images

1996 - 1998: Cinderella Castle was covered in pink paint, giant candles, and fake candy.

A view of Cinderella Castle in 1996. Chris O'meara/AP

1999 - 2000: Parkgoers celebrated the final year of the 20th century at Tokyo Disneyland.

A new-year celebration is held at Tokyo Disneyland on September 23, 1999. Kurita KAKU/Getty Images

2001 - 2004: You could visit Disneyland's California Adventure for the first time in 2001.

The Ferris wheel now features an image of Mickey Mouse's face rather than a sun. David McNew/Getty Images

2005 - 2007: Hong Kong opened the gates to its first Disney theme park.

"Toy Story" characters march through Hong Kong Disneyland in September 2005. AFP/Stringer/Getty Images

2008 - 2009: Disneyland Paris visitors were celebrating the park's 15th anniversary.

People walk through Disneyland Paris on April 4, 2008. Ian West - PA Images/Getty Images

2010 - 2011: Hong Kong Disneyland took parades to a new level around this time.

People gather to watch the Flights of Fantasy Parade on January 21, 2011. South China Morning Post/Getty Images

2012 - 2013: Toy Story Land became one of the most popular areas of Hong Kong Disneyland.

People walk through Toy Story Land at Hong Kong Disneyland on November 17, 2011. AFP/Stringer/Getty Images

2014 - 2015: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train became one of the most popular rides at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

"Snow White" characters celebrate the new ride at Disney World in May 2014. Handout/Getty Images

2016 - 2018: You could add Shanghai Disneyland to your bucket list for the first time.

Shanghai Disneyland visitors on June 11, 2016, five days before opening to the public. Marcio Machado/Getty Images

2019: Galaxy's Edge changed the game at Disney World and Disneyland.

"Star Wars" fans visit the Galaxy's Edge land in Orlando, Florida. Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort

2020: Disney theme parks temporarily closed for months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

People stand outside the closed Disneyland gates on March 14. David McNew/Getty Images

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