Which time period represents "peak" Disneyland to you?

[Okee68]

I would personally have to go with the period from 1969 to 1973; the opening of The Haunted Mansion to the closure of Carousel of Progress. The park during this time was the most developed it ever got to be while all of the original Walt-era attractions were still intact—all of the non-filler ones, at least. I would say this period marked the first time the park was in a "complete" state, so to speak, and the park's original character and feel were still entirely in place.

1984-1985 is an honorable mention; This was the brief time between the reopening of Alice in Wonderland, which marked the completion of New Fantasyland, and the opening of Videopolis, as inconsequential as it may seem. To me, this period represents another very "complete" iteration of Disneyland, with Fantasyland finally having been transformed into something that resembled Walt's original vision of it, but before the arrival of the park's very first Eisnerism in the form of Videopolis. While Videopolis wasn't necessarily making the park any worse on its own, it very much represented a shift away from that relatively timeless Walt-era character that the company seemingly made an attempt to retain between Walt's death and the beginning of the Eisner era.

However, even though the park during the 1984-1985 period was in a very classic and unspoiled state, my unrelenting purist sensibilities strongarm me into preferring Carousel of Progress and Nature's Wonderland over America Sings and Big Thunder Mountain.

 

[Consumer]

The answer is 1995.

 

[Basketbuddy101]

The answer is 1995.

I would second this, specifically the period between March and August, or after Indy opened and before the People Mover closed. You could say the arrangement of old and unspoiled classics like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and the original Submarine Voyage, along with new classics like Star Tours, Splash, Fantasmic, and Indy, represents the pinnacle of the original Magic Kingdom. Almost everything, save for a few enhancements like the Fantasyland dark ride upgrades, that came afterward was a regression in some way, shape, or form: Tomorrowland 1998, Pirates alterations, it's a small world Disney character implementations, removal of the Country Bear Jamboree, the building of Galaxy's Edge instead of Discovery Bay, and yes, Splash Mountain's removal, I would consider Imagineering malpractice with regards to Walt's park.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I’ve only been going since 2013 so for me it’s probably 2016. I’d happily take any year between 2013 to 2019 DL over what we have now though, primarily because of G+ and reservations.

 

[CaptinEO]

I'd argue 1995 based on the attraction list. I probably was there in 95 but not old enough to remember anything.

For post 1995 I'd say 2015 was a great year with the 60th ride redos and California Adventure feeling like a great park with a lot of promise.

 

[mickEblu]

If we’re going purely on attraction roster then I’d say 1995 but all things considered I’d probably say some point between 1972 - 1979. You have much lower crowds. I imagine the park still very much feels like Walt’s park. The trees and foliage have matured. You have the best iteration of Tomorrowland that’s still fairly new. You have POTC, HM, IASW and CBJ. If you go with 79 then you have 3 of the 4 mountains. If you go early to mid 70s you have Natures Wonderland instead of Thunder Mountain.

Of course if you go with 79 then you say well why not 83 for new Fantasyland and if you say 83 then why not 89 so you have Splash and Star Tours too. That’s when you have to weigh out the charm, crowds, the fresher TL 67 and factors I mentioned above to see if they are more valuable than the newer attractions. I wasn’t born until and 82 and my earliest memories are from the late 80s so the best period really could be anywhere from 1969 -1995.

So I’ll ask some of our more seasoned DL vets here like @TP2000 and @Rich T what do you guys think? Am I onto something with somewhere between 1972 and 1979 being peak DL? Or do you go with the mid 60s to early 70s for even more classic DL? Or perhaps the 80s if you think new Fantasyland- Splash 89 takes it over the top with just enough classic DL atmosphere left? Or is it 1995?

 

[mickEblu]

I would personally have to go with the period from 1969 to 1973; the opening of The Haunted Mansion to the closure of Carousel of Progress. The park during this time was the most developed it ever got to be while all of the original Walt-era attractions were still intact—all of the non-filler ones, at least. I would say this period marked the first time the park was in a "complete" state, so to speak, and the park's original character and feel were still entirely in place.

1984-1985 is an honorable mention; This was the brief time between the reopening of Alice in Wonderland, which marked the completion of New Fantasyland, and the opening of Videopolis, as inconsequential as it may seem. To me, this period represents another very "complete" iteration of Disneyland, with Fantasyland finally having been transformed into something that resembled Walt's original vision of it, but before the arrival of the park's very first Eisnerism in the form of Videopolis. While Videopolis wasn't necessarily making the park any worse on its own, it very much represented a shift away from that relatively timeless Walt-era character that the company seemingly made an attempt to retain between Walt's death and the beginning of the Eisner era.

However, even though the park during the 1984-1985 period was in a very classic and unspoiled state, my unrelenting purist sensibilities strongarm me into preferring Carousel of Progress and Nature's Wonderland over America Sings and Big Thunder Mountain.

Interesting. I posted my thoughts before reading your post. Seems like we’re on the same page. My issue with going with 84 is that if you bump it 5 years to 89 you get Star Tours and Splash. But then again crowds are likely increasing, less of Walt is being felt, TL is starting to lose it’s luster etc.

 

[Consumer]

Disneyland really has had several peaks throughout its history, some higher than others. 1960 (Nature's Wonderland, Matterhorn, Subs, Monorail) was the first peak, followed by 1969 (New Tomorrowland, Pirates, Mansion), then another came in 1979 (Big Thunder, Space), then 1995 (for aforementioned reasons), then 2015 (for aforementioned reasons).

It would be fun to see a timeline of every Disneyland addition and subtraction over the years.

 

[shambolicdefending]

For the majority of people, their answer to this question will be whenever they personally "came of age" as a fan of the parks.

Kids growing up today will point to the late teens and early 20s as Disneyland's "peak," and complain about all the ways 2050s Disney management has betrayed them.

 

[SuddenStorm]

The answer is 1995.

Yep, the few months between Indy opening and before the Peoplemover closed.

 

[Phroobar]

For the majority of people, their answer to this question will be whenever they personally "came of age" as a fan of the parks.

What do you mean "came of age"? Do you mean that one time in the waterfall grotto at the Disneyland hotel. No one ever came in there. Best make out place ever.

Or ducking down in the sky way buckets? or that one area under castle rock in the caves....

 

[Consumer]

For the majority of people, their answer to this question will be whenever they personally "came of age" as a fan of the parks.

Kids growing up today will point to the late teens and early 20s as Disneyland's "peak," and complain about all the ways 2050s Disney management has betrayed them.

I wasn't even alive in '95 so I don't think this argument holds.

 

[mickEblu]

I wasn't even alive in '95 so I don't think this argument holds.

At least not for those of us around here who are more knowledgeable.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I wasn't even alive in '95 so I don't think this argument holds.

Yep- though for us it stems from 'We love Disneyland Park' and 'The modern era of Disneyland Park was stronger in '95 than it is today' because it predates the Pressler era cuts and the modern era Galaxy's Edge/no Splash/bad Fantasmic/no more Disney Look

 

[mickEblu]

Yep, the few months between Indy opening and before the Peoplemover closed.

Hmmm. I dunno. I was 12 going on 13 in 95 and if I recall correctly Tomorrowland was in rough shape and the skyway had been gone for a few years. Also, it was already starting to get pretty crowded. This could be becasue im distinctly remembering being there after Indy opened as well as an 8th grade grad nite (day) trip being pretty crowded. With that said I believe you still had an actual off season or could count on most weekdays being pretty decent. I guess it comes down to how much you value Indy’s place in the park. The fact that I was there allows me to have at least have half the experience/ data to compare what the park was like in 95 vs what i think the park may have been like in the 70s or even what I vaguely remember from the 80s.

I think a case can also be made for a few different points from 69 to 95 but I would really need to know what the crowds and atmosphere was like. I was only 7 in 89 so not really old enough to make that call but I do remember weekdays being very pleasant.

What we know for sure. Peak Disneyland is not anytime from 1955 to 1968 or 1996 to 2024. Although one could argue Walt being alive should be a part of “peak Disneyland.” Imagine just bumping into him on one of your trips.

 

[shambolicdefending]

I wasn't even alive in '95 so I don't think this argument holds.

Trust me, it holds. It even holds to a large degree on WDWM, even though posters here are not close to representing mainstream parks fans.

 

[TP2000]

If we’re going purely on attraction roster then I’d say 1995 but all things considered I’d probably say some point between 1972 - 1979. You have much lower crowds. I imagine the park still very much feels like Walt’s park. The trees and foliage have matured. You have the best iteration of Tomorrowland that’s still fairly new. You have POTC, HM, IASW and CBJ. If you go with 79 then you have 3 of the 4 mountains. If you go early to mid 70s you have Natures Wonderland instead of Thunder Mountain.

Of course if you go with 79 then you say well why not 83 for new Fantasyland and if you say 83 then why not 89 so you have Splash and Star Tours too. That’s when you have to weigh out the charm, crowds, the fresher TL 67 and factors I mentioned above to see if they are more valuable than the newer attractions. I wasn’t born until and 82 and my earliest memories are from the late 80s so the best period really could be anywhere from 1969 -1995.

So I’ll ask some of our more seasoned DL vets here like @TP2000 and @Rich T what do you guys think? Am I onto something with somewhere between 1972 and 1979 being peak DL? Or do you go with the mid 60s to early 70s for even more classic DL? Or perhaps the 80s if you think new Fantasyland- Splash 89 takes it over the top with just enough classic DL atmosphere left? Or is it 1995?

Well, heck. That post had so many good points it has me doubting my own original opinion; that Disneyland's peak was 1969 with Haunted Mansion and a still-fresh New Tomorrowland and It's A Small World.

If someone asks nicely, I can stretch it to '72 to include Bear Country and the Country Bear Jamboree.

But I could also agree that the Disco Era was great for the parkwide mountain range and the updated Tomorrowland with America Sings, and the Space Stage playing a weird mix of cover bands and some legitimate pop stars of the late 70's.

What's apparent to me now though is that the 2020's are certainly not a Disneyland peak. Whatever this current era is, let's just hope the next era gets better instead of seeing further decline.

 

[Phroobar]

The best year was 1980. We had the new Space Mountain and new Big Thunder. America Sings was also still new and the Country Bears were still around. Skyway was still around. You could stretch it to when Splash Mountain opened too. 1995 was also great because annual passes were $99 with no blackouts. The place wasn't crowded because it wasn't internet hip.

Basically 1998 - 2024 is the Disneyland dark ages.

 

[Rich T]

…So I’ll ask some of our more seasoned DL vets here like @TP2000 and @Rich T what do you guys think? Am I onto something with somewhere between 1972 and 1979 being peak DL? Or do you go with the mid 60s to early 70s for even more classic DL? Or perhaps the 80s if you think new Fantasyland- Splash 89 takes it over the top with just enough classic DL atmosphere left? Or is it 1995?

After thinking it over, for me it comes down to… What was the first major change that I’d be fine without… even if I liked it?

I’m gonna say 1991 was Disneyland’s peak for me. Before Fantasmic opened. As much as I like the show, I personally think it did more harm to the park than good, and—like a Pandora’s box opening—ushered in the move toward upcharges, catering to the wealthy, reservations, and (the saddest change of all) the move to eliminate quiet, lovely, peaceful areas of the park. Frontierland and New Orleans Square used to be stunningly beautiful, uncrowded places at night where it was very easy to really feel like—just for a few moments—you had traveled to another time and place a million miles and a hundred years from Anaheim

The show even ruined the daytime atmosphere as dozens upon dozens of locals would show up every day to reserve their Fantasmic spot by spreading their picnic blankets on the ground at the riverside starting in the early afternoon. No thank you.

As much as I miss Nature’s Wonderland and Innerspace, I wouldn’t give up Big Thunder and Star Tours, both of which were wonderful and truly necessary changes to add a bit more thrill to Disneyland.

And in 1991 we still had the Bears, Skyway, the original Autopia, the Subs, People mover… Comfortable bobsleds… Pirates in all its original glory… River Belle pancakes…

No Indy or Toontown, unfortunately, but the rope drop routine was reliable and amazing (Star Tours, Space Mtn., Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Big Thunder… pancakes.)

 

[mickEblu]

After thinking it over, for me it comes down to… What was the first major change that I’d be fine without… even if I liked it?

I’m gonna say 1991 was Disneyland’s peak for me. Before Fantasmic opened. As much as I like the show, I personally think it did more harm to the park than good, and—like a Pandora’s box opening—ushered in the move toward upcharges, catering to the wealthy, reservations, and (the saddest change of all) the move to eliminate quiet, lovely, peaceful areas of the park. Frontierland and New Orleans Square used to be stunningly beautiful, uncrowded places at night where it was very easy to really feel like—just for a few moments—you had traveled to another time and place a million miles and a hundred years from Anaheim

The show even ruined the daytime atmosphere as dozens upon dozens of locals would show up every day to reserve their Fantasmic spot by spreading their picnic blankets on the ground at the riverside starting in the early afternoon. No thank you.

As much as I miss Nature’s Wonderland and Innerspace, I wouldn’t give up Big Thunder and Star Tours, both of which were wonderful and truly necessary changes to add a bit more thrill to Disneyland.

And in 1991 we still had the Bears, Skyway, the original Autopia, the Subs, People mover… Comfortable bobsleds… Pirates in all its original glory… River Belle pancakes…

No Indy or Toontown, unfortunately, but the rope drop routine was reliable and amazing (Star Tours, Space Mtn., Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Big Thunder… pancakes.)

Interesting. When this question was asked a few years ago 1991 was my answer but today I’m not as sure. You visited Disneyland in the 60s and 70s right? How would you compare the atmosphere, crowds, and customer service from the mid 60s/70’s to the 80’s/ early 90s?