Walt Disney and the Disney Characters at Disneyland Park

George Savvas

by , Director, Public Relations, Disneyland Resort

Continuing our look at rare photos of Walt Disney with the Disney characters at Disneyland park, today’s picture appears to be a “behind the scenes” outtake of Walt taken during a 1965 photo shoot at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Walt Disney at Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in 1965

This picture is so fun and colorful, it’s hard to believe it was taken nearly a half century ago.

Check back soon for more photography of Walt and the Disney characters!

Comments

  • I love Walt Disney ever since I was a little girl and I still do. I would anything to go back to Disneyland again and have fun again! Disneyland will always be my favorite place on earth! I’m planning on working there after college!

  • A picture from this session was used as the cover for the very first issue of Disney News way back when.

    Also note the color scheme of the castle in Walt’s time – so different from today! It’d be cool to see that come back.

  • They all seem to be looking downward, I wonder at what?

  • Love the vintage photos, and Walt in the picture is priceless

  • Michael– I believe that The Mad Hatter became a face character in the early/mid ’90s.

    This is a great photo. I love seeing rare photos of Walt in Disneyland. Especially in color!

  • and look how LARGE the pig is compared to today’s standard costume!

  • Absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to see more of these photos of Walt. Thank you for sharing them with us.

  • Michael – Many characters got upgrades during the big push for entertainment in the late 80’s/early 90’s, so it would’ve been recently. (He’s much better as a “live” character.)
    Think there was also a suit character of the March Hare in Walt’s day, but he hasn’t been seen since, and the Walrus and the Carpenter were banished to the parades.

  • I never knew the Mad Hatter was a costumed character before, when did he become a face character?

  • I love Walt…so wish I could go back in time and meet him.

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