9 Eerily Dystopian Photos That Capture How Nightmarish Disneyland Used to Be

Over the course of its 70 years, many words have been used to describe Disneyland. The “Happiest Place on Earth” has been called “magical”, “iconic”, “legendary”, “revolutionary”,… and “creepy”?

It’s true! While the Anaheim theme park quite literally changed the world – jumpstarting both the Disney theme park empire as well as as the entire concept of modern theme parks in general — over the years there have been some weird, bizarre, and downright dystopian (“from a certain point of view” to quote a certain Jedi Master) things at the park as captured in this images.

Creepy Characters

If you polled Disneyland visitors about what the most famous experience one could have in the park is, many would likely answer “meeting Mickey Mouse and the rest of the characters” first (or second, behind waiting in lines), so it makes sense that costumed versions of Mickey and co. have been there from the beginning. Though not exactly how they look today…

Yeesh. Well, that was on early on. It’s not like these icons looked even creepier as time went on…

…. oh. OH. Well, suffice to say, Disney eventually settled on the character looks that millions know and love today.

“We’re Off to See the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Bras”

When Disneyland first opened, the available souvenirs were nothing like those we see today. Instead of branded mass-produced merchandise based on the company’s well-known IP, there were many unique items that fit (mostly) with the park’s lands, many of which were sold by third-party vendors. During the park’s opening year, Main Street, U.S.A. was home to the Hollywood-Maxwell’s Intimate Apparel Shop…AKA a lingerie store.

Yes, really.

Despite being tangentially set in Victorian times, the store also offered the “latest bras and petticoats of 1955.” The store would earn the nickname the “Wizard of Bras” thanks to a certifiably bizarre mechanical figure that called the store home.

The intimate apparel shop closed by 1956.

Lagoon Mermaids

During the mid-1960s, Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage lagoon featured live mermaids — AKA Cast Members decked out in clamshells (wonder if that was leftover inventory from the Wizard of Bras?) and mermaid tails — sitting on rocks in the water.

You know, the water is filled with large tracks and machinery for the Submarine Voyage attraction that would be deadly if one were to accidentally fall in the water. That, allegedly combined with inappropriate catcalls from some…rowdier guests, put an end to the mermaids by the close of the decade.

So Much Hot Tuna

During Disneyland’s early years, the park was home to the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. Sponsored by the titular company and housed in a to-scale replica of Captain Hook’s ship, this restaurant offered a menu of pretty much all tuna items. Not something we’d like to see today, but nothing dystopian about it, right?

Well, until you see the menu which featured items like Tuna Burgers — AKA heated tuna sandwiches, and Hot Tuna Pie, a recipe that included canned tuna, eggs, sliced mushrooms, parsley, tomato slices, American cheese, and a topping of instant mashed potatoes topped with cheese and tomato in a pie tin, which was baked until the potatoes were lightly browned.

I don’t know about you, but that much hot tuna, especially in the Southern California sun, sounds like it would at least smell dystopian.

Shout at the Devil

Let’s wrap with one of the more bizarre things that one can still see at Disneyland today: The Devil. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride has been a staple at Disneyland since opening day and has been long beloved by fans thanks to its somewhat edgy (for Disneyland) storyline, which culminates with a trip to hell and an encounter with several devils. Not quite typical Fantasyland.

These are just some of the bizarre elements that dot the history of the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Stay tuned to AllEars for more deep dives on the more obscure corners of Disney History.

I Can’t Be the ONLY Disney Adult Who Remembers This BIZARRE Parade from 1994

What’s your weirdest Disneyland memory? Let us know in the comments below.

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