Brad Abbott

And namesake of Disneyland’s Ruggles China & Glass Shop.

I bought one of those Screamin’ cars back then.

Thanks! It was fun digging out the literal shoebox of photos. Not an experience you can really have today with everything being digital.

Overall, a great way to spend a birthday. Happy 25th DCA!

A waving fortune cookie was also quite unexpected!

I do not have a walking Golden Gate Bridge on my DCA bingo card.

We watched the Euereka! Parade from a seat at the Golden Vine Winery

First “ride” on California Screamin’

Just another day in Paradise!

Although we’ve been married over 20 years now, @kateabbott.bsky.social and I were still dating on our first visit.

Obligatory view from the Sun Wheel, including Golden Dreams and Soarin’ over California.

Dinosaur Jack’s Sunglass Shack!

One thing DCA initially lacked was trees, especially side, but you would never know from this view of Grizzly River Run.

A more completed park entrance. I have to admit, I did not initially get that it was supposed to represent a postcard.

My first visit to DCA was in June 2021, which also just happened to be the week of my 21st birthday.

Construction of Paradise Pier from a trip on the Monorail.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Disney’s California Adventure, I thought I’d look back at my first views of the park, including the prior year, through a gap in the esplanade construction fence.

Frito Kid.

Coke and Pepsi

I missed out when it was first released, but was lucky enough to get a copy from Paul when he was selling some back stock on the DHI page. Definitely a great resource!

Cover of an early 1960s guidebook for Nara Dreamland in Japan.

Cover of 1962 souvenir guidebook for Disneyland.

Wouldn't you love to visit the Disneyland knockoff, Nara Dreamland, in its prime? Thanks to an early 1960s souvenir guidebook, we'll do just that! Here's a comparison with Disneyland's 1962 edition.

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What I wouldn’t give to have this map in my office! From the amazing #Disneyland #book by @cdylanm.bsky.social

Words are insufficient for me to summarize the extraordinary life of the brilliant Eddie Sotto, even after a day of writing notices of varying lengths. Although I knew this day was approaching, I still don’t know where to begin. Eddie had been signaling it to me in the most paradoxical, “Eddie” way…

Remembering Eddie Sotto (1958-2025) Herb Ryman and Eddie Sotto at Walt Disney Imagineering, 1988 It was with both great shock and intense sadness that I learned today of the passing of design great Eddie Sotto. Eddie was a former Ima…

Remembering Eddie Sotto progresscityusa.com/2025/12/18/r...

Here’s one of my favorite park photos, taken from Tom Sawyer Island in the mid 60s. The details captured are amazing. Zoom into Mark Twain. Look at all those guests enjoying such a simple, serene pleasure. Zoom into the treehouse. More guests who had no idea they just became part of an iconic photo.

Happy 70th Disneyland!

I’ve got my own pick of Donald somewhere, haven’t thought of this one in awhile.

Yes, current digital and 1995 digital are not quite the same.

I believe that’s where @kateabbott.bsky.social got it back when the ride first opened.