The History Behind Disneyland's Time Castle

    In July of 1995 as a way to celebrate Disneyland’s 40th Anniversary it was decided that a time capsule would be buried somewhere in Disneyland. However this time capsule would be shaped like the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, so a “time castle” if you will. There were three locations that were discussed before the final location was selected. The first location was in front of the floral Mickey in front of Main Street’s City Hall however eventually it was decided to bury it in front of the castle. A plaque was installed with the inscriptions, “"Time Castle” containing memories, messages and milestones, lies beneath this spot. The Disneyland Time Castle is dedicated to the children of the 21st century, who may unlock its contents on the 80th Anniversary of Disneyland: July 17, 2035.”

    An estimated 3,000 cast members attended the event. Among those attending the ceremony were Disneyland ambassadors, Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, and other executives. The concrete vault that would house the “time castle” was 8 sq ft and 8ft deep. On July 17th, as part of a press event, the crane lowered the capsule. However the contents were removed the next day and were taken to Ontario, California were they were then placed in a “stainless steel box, vacuumed sealed and charged with argon gas and then welded shut” (Korkis, 2017). The box is 3ft wide and 30 inches and weighs around 1,000lbs. A black plate was placed on the box which reads, “Disneyland 1995/2035”. The original lid to the vault which was made of cobblestone was removed and replaced with locking pavers. The “original” time capsule was displayed at the exit of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, however it is displayed as a “replica”. The time capsule had many items inside it. The following is a list of the items that were included in the “time castle.” 

Items in the time castle: 

• “40 Years of Adventure” Disneyland cast member name tag with the name “Mickey”; photo of Disneyland ambassador team; Inside Disneyland Today Brochure for July 17, 1995; 40th anniversary Commemorative passport; Indiana Jones Adventure opening day memorabilia; set of 40th anniversary Cloisonne pins; current pay stub for Mickey Mouse; Disneyland marathon memorabilia
  
  

•  Disneyland Line newsletter for the week of July 17th 1995; Aerial photo of Disneyland Resort and surrounding area; ticket  media package (one of each type of passport dated 7/17/1995; set of 40th anniversary Trading cards; picture of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse taking last ride on Skyway; set of press releases from 1995; set of parking decals; 1995 Disneyland dollars; cast photo taken that morning and cast signature book; photos of costume documentation; 40th anniversary Latex Mylar balloon;
  
  

• Grooming guidelines; gold spirit pin, silver spirit pin, silver spirit pin with sapphire; DREAM pin from Disneyland Hotel; calendar of 1995 events; 1995 financial statement; operations sheets for July 17, 1995;  Laser Disc recap of 1995 events including shows and parades and a brand-new Laser Disc player;
  
  

• Signature scroll with thoughts on the past, present, and future of Disneyland, with signatures: Michael D. Eisner, Roy E. Disney, Judson C. Green, Marty Sklar, John Hench, Richard Nunis, Paul Pressler, Ray Van De Warker, Bob Penfield;
  
  

• Ring made by Leonard Russo, Disneyland Decorating Arts Group, with 40th anniversary, Logo, including 8 diamonds representing the 80th anniversary, when the time castle is opened in 2035, 40th anniversary street banner from Harbor Boulevard; Walt Disney company telephone directory, 6/95; Mickey scarf designed by John Hench, Lion King celebration costume rendering; Grad Nite ‘95 memorabilia; Disneyland and Disneyland Hotel restaurant menus; catalog from Disneyland convention; sampling of 40 years of Adventures merchandise;
  
  

• Current Walt Disney Company annual report; VoluntEar pins; the Spirit of Pocahontas state show rendering; original Disneyland cast member name tag (1995); Golden Ears name tag pin; 40th anniversary Stationery birthday hat; cast button for July 17, 1995;
  
  

•  List of cast members who submitted ideas for the Time Castle; Disney Magazine; Copies of Los Angeles Times 7/17/95 and 7/18/95; Orange County Register 7/16/95, 7/17/95, and 7/18/95, Disneyland Hotel convention sales brochure; 1995 Disneyland media fact book; radio from Disneyland Security; 40th anniversary Silver Coin; 1995 Disneyland Park map; 40th anniversary Crystal plate; “Walt’s Magic Kingdom'' commemorative Disney animation artwork; “Behind-the-Scenes” Disneyland passport. 

Bibliography: 

Korkis, Jim. Secret Stories of Disneyland. Theme Park Press. 2017.

Anazalone, Frank. April 6, 2005. Mouse Planet. Accessed January 14, 2022.              https://www.mouseplanet.com/7224/Looking_Back_at_40. 

All Ears. Accessed January 14, 2022. https://allears.net/disneyland/dlr-planning/sleeping-beauty-        castle-fantasyland-disneyland/