2. Monsanto Hall of Chemistry

To appreciate the wonders of the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry (one of Tomorrowland's original attractions at Disneyland), we need only read these quotes from a 1955 advert in the LA Times (courtesy of Yesterland):

Monsanto, in Tomorrowland, shows you the romance of chemistry, how chemically-made products benefit your life, how they can make a new and startling world tomorrow. Your food, clothing, housing, health, and transportation all depend on chemistry … and the future holds some exciting, wonderful things in store for you.

Upon entering Monsanto’s Hall of Chemistry, you will see the CHEMATRON...huge shining tubes of the eight basic materials found in nature, from which countless chemicals and plastics can be made. One of these is salt, another coal; another water: but from those eight common substances come almost 500 different Monsanto chemicals and plastics. And you’ll see how these promise to build a new and easier way of life your you, your children, and generations to come.

COAL! Did you know that from coal it is possible to make over a quarter of a million substances? From plastics to perfumes, from drugs to disinfectants—hundreds of things you use today … and will tomorrow … are derived—chemically—from coal.And thousands more will be found tomorrow. See what Chemistry in Tomorrowland has in store for you.

Who could resist?

1. The characters

When Disneyland opened in 1955, it was in many ways very similar to its current incarnation. Indeed, many of the rides that opened that day are still in place. One aspect, though, was very primitive when compared to today's park: the walkabout characters.

Here's Mickey on the opening day of Disneyland in 1955:

Image: Disney

And here he is again at the debut of the Alice in Wonderland attraction in 1958:

Image: Disney

Now, of course, Mickey looks much more like his cartoon self, and can even talk when he meets-and-greets guests at the Magic Kingdom.