Disneyland Resort has changed significantly since Walt Disney opened the Park in 1955.
Credit: Disney
Between new and reimagined attractions and expansions, new IPs joining the Park, and several shops and services shifting over the years, Guests can always find something new and exciting at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.
Albert (@alzatti) recently posted a video on TikTok giving a great example of this change and progress by sharing a bit of Disney history with his viewers. In the video, he mentions that Disneyland used to have a Bank of America location when the Park opened, which was located in the Disneyana Gift Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.
Credit: ITM
Albert takes his viewers into the store, where they can see the original teller booth with some minor modifications for usability and the original Bank of America safe, which can still be seen intact, though holding a much different treasure now. A picture of Walt Disney himself can be seen inside the vault in a golden frame; however, when trying to get a closer look at it, an alarm was triggered within the store. Cast Members in the video assured Albert everything was alright, but the loud alarm surely gave everyone in the store a good scare.
The official D23 website provides the following information regarding this branch and the relationship Walt Disney had with the Bank of America during the initial years of the Walt Disney Company:
Bank of America The bank operated a branch on Main Street at Disneyland from July 17, 1955 to July 28, 1993. One of the longest-running participants at Disneyland, it was one of the only banks to have regular Sunday and holiday hours. It also sponsored “it’s a small world” from 1966 to 1992. In the 1930s, Walt Disney depended on the Bank of America for funding, and it was Joe Rosenberg of the bank who was persuaded to come up with the money needed to finish Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Currently, Disneyland Resort provides Guests with several ATMs operated by Chase and located throughout the property, as well as basic banking services like foreign currency exchanges, which are provided at City Hall in Disneyland Park and the Guest Relations Lobby in Disney California Adventure Park.
Credit: Screenshot via Annual Shareholders Meeting
At Disneyland, there is so much for Guests to enjoy! Now that the mask mandate has dropped for fully vaccinated Guests, Guests can enter buildings without a face covering if they so choose. Walking up to Sleeping Beauty Castle is always a dream, especially when you get to go inside and relive the story of Aurora and Maleficent. Riding classics like “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, The Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain, and more will have you feeling the magic and craving a churro! Toontown is currently gearing up for a massive change which will be revealed in 2023 with the reopening of the land and the debut of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Plus, now at Disneyland, Guests can enjoy Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for some blue milk or green milk and ride Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run.
Credit: Disney
Plus, there is so much to see and do at Disney California Adventure Park! Guests can enjoy Buena Vista Street as they walk the roads Walt had in Hollywood, enjoy a hand-dipped corn dog at Award Wieners, Head to Cars Land to enjoy the neon signage and Radiator Springs Racers, check out the new Marvel-themed land in Avengers Campus, where they can meet Spider-Man, Loki, Ant-Man, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, and so many more characters. And of course, you have to ride WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: MISSION BREAKOUT. Rock on the Silly Symphony Swings as well, and catch Jack-Jack on Incredicoaster! The list of rides and attractions never ends!
Credit: Disney
Did you know about this piece of Disney history still being at the Park? Let us know in the comments below!
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney District. Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!
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Credit: Disney
