These are Original Rides Number 7 & 8 : And where I worked.

I have been updating the site with some of the original 11 rides that were open at Disney on Day 1 and are still operating (LINK). I previously posted about 1 - 6. These are rides 7 and 8. I also posted about where I worked.

AUTOPIA

MERVYN PENROSE RANDS/GETTY IMAGES

Autopia was one of Disneyland's most unique attractions back in 1955. This model freeway encouraged kids to get behind the wheel of 5/8-scale cars and zip freely around a track (despite them being too young for a driver's license in the real world). The vehicles were designed by Bob Gurr, who helped make the mid-1950s Lincoln Continental, and they were powered by 7.5-horsepower Mustang motorcycle engines. The max possible speed was capped at 11 mph, but that didn’t stop reckless drivers from getting into fender benders. It's been renovated several times since its debut.

When Chevrolet sponsored Autopia (the Fantasyland one)

There ultimately were two autopias, one in Fantasyland and one in Tomorrowland.

Now that Honda sponsors autopia.

MARK TWAIN STEAMBOAT

MERVYN PENROSE RANDS/GETTY IMAGES

Mark Twain was a personal hero of Walt Disney’s, so Disney came up with this attraction as an homage to the writer’s early career as a riverboat pilot. Originally called Mark Twain Steamboat, it was the first functional riverboat built in the country in five decades when the park opened in 1955. Guests were eager to ride the attraction on opening day—so eager that they packed it past maximum capacity and caused it to sink. Fortunately, that didn’t spell the end of the ride. It continues to take guests around Frontierland today under the name Mark Twain Riverboat.

Mark Twain now, it has barely changed, but it doesn't run very much anymore.

The Character Shop (Mine)

 In 1977 the Character Shop was a primo job for me. I was a "breaker" which meant all I did was give breaks to others. I did, however, take in a new record (until that time) for one register on a shift (I and another girl employee). You would not believe how many Winnie The Poo graduation animal was super popular. We rang up $36,000, nearly $20 at a time.

I because I gave breaks, and at 9:00 I often was sent to line duty at the Electrical Light Parade.

The Character Shop was very "mod" when it was established in the 1960s, but nearing the end of it's life in 1977. A few years later it was turned into Star Wars Space Depot when Star Tours opened next door (when I worked at Disney, Monsanto's Miracle for Molecules).

Right down to the Grad Night 1977 label.

 

I actually attended Grad Night (as a date or grad) in 1974, 1975 and 1976. And then I worked then in 1977. There are many many grad nights per year.

Many of these images are from "Yesterdayland.com" a site dedicated to all the rides Disney has closed over the years.