A fascinating album of images reveal what Disneyland in California looked like in 1969, 14 years after the park first opened.
Larry Syverson, who was born in Texas but now lives in Virginia, took the colour images during a trip to the amusement park with his now wife, Judy.
He remembers the excursion fondly, recounting: ‘We spent 15 hours at the park and didn’t leave until the park closed at 1.00am. We rode 22 rides.’
A fascinating album of images reveal what Disneyland in California looked like in 1969, 14 years after the park first opened. Above, the castle in Fantasyland
Larry Syverson, who was born in Texas but now lives in Virginia, took the colour images during a trip to the amusement park with his now wife, Judy
Larry’s images show park-goers dressed in fashions from the day, with sunny blue skies inspiring a convivial atmosphere.
There are no mobile phones in site, with clunky cameras used for picture-taking instead.
Popular attractions, which still remain today, can be seen in Larry’s album, including It’s A Small World, the castle in Fantasyland and the original Submarine Voyage.
In one shot, Larry stands smiling in front of themed area Tomorrowland.
The original Submarine Voyage attraction, which has since been madeover and renamed Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Larry’s wife Judy (wearing pink on the left) can be seen strolling towards It’s A Small World, which remains a popular attraction
A view of the sky-high Astro Orbitor in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, with adverts for Goodyear and General Electric visible
In-between taking rides, the lovebirds stopped to refuel.
Indeed, one image shows Judy sitting outside at the French Market restaurant, with groups of people sitting around her.
Larry said when he visited Disneyland in August 1969, you purchased a ticket book as you entered as the all-you-can-ride policy didn’t begin until the early 1980s.
The keen traveller still has his original ticket book and other pamphlets from the park stamped with a 1957 date.
One brochure, from Tom Sawyer Island, tells passengers that ‘your adventure beings on a raft patterned after the log rafts of the Mississippi at the time of Mark Twain.
‘Rafts leave from Frontierland carrying you across the Rivers of America. Step ashore on Tom Sawyer Island… ready for exploration and fun!’
Larry told MailOnline Travel he was 20 years old when he visited Disneyland.
At the time, he was a geology student at the University of Oklahoma and had a summer job in Los Angeles with Union Oil of California. Judy, who was based in Oklahoma City, had flown out to see him.
A shot of the Matterhorn, modelled after the mountain in the Alps, with cable cars running through the structure
Larry said when he visited Disneyland in August 1969, you purchased a ticket book as you entered as the all-you-can-ride policy didn’t begin until the early 1980s
A ticket stub shows which rides Larry was allowed to go on for the amount he paid
Since their date to Disneyland the Syversons – who recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary – have racked up thousands of miles travelling, with trips all over America.
Larry says that his favourite vacation was in 1984, when he journeyed along the East Coast with his wife and four sons.
He mused: ‘We drove 5,626 miles and visited 27 states and seven major cities. We started from our home in Houston, Texas.
‘The family agrees, this was our favourite vacation. In fact, this vacation got us to move to Virginia in 1988.’
In May 2016, during a visit to Alaska, Larry fulfilled his dream of visiting all 50 U.S. states.
He says he hasn’t been back to Disneyland since that sunny day in 1969.
In one shot, Larry stands smiling in front of themed area Tomorrowland
A card shows which attractions Larry visited. The keen traveller still has the original pamphlets from his trip to the park, stamped with a 1957 date
One brochure, from Tom Sawyer Island, details what park-goers can expect to see
A detailed map for Tom Sawyer Island directs park-goers to the specific areas
A horse and carriage comes into view, with one park-goer whipping out his camera to take a shot
Larry visited the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. He says it is one of his ‘all time favourite movies’ and he always enjoys watching it with his grandchildren
A queue forms outside of the opera house, with crowds eager to catch a glimpse of what’s on
Judy checks out a colourful display of paper flowers at the shops in New Orleans Square
Larry said at the Enchanted Tiki Room, various items would make sounds to produce music
In-between taking rides, the lovebirds stopped to refuel. Indeed, one image shows Judy sitting outside at the French Market restaurant
Boats snake along on the Jungle Cruise where exotic animals can be heard
Larry says he hasn’t been back to Disneyland since that sunny day in 1969