Hobbyland was a Tomorrowland attraction at Disneyland from September 4, 1955, to 1966, designed as a walk-through area south of the Flight Circle. It featured plywood booths under fiberglass awnings, offering model kits of dinosaurs, skeletons, cars, and planes, along with a small pool for model ship races. The area provided hands-on activities and merchandise, complementing the nearby Flight Circle’s live demonstrations, but closed in 1966 as Tomorrowland shifted to more futuristic themes.
Here are 10 fun facts about Hobbyland (1955–1966) at Disneyland:
- Central Hub Location: Hobbyland occupied a 1,031-square-foot area at the heart of Tomorrowland, strategically placed near the Flight Circle to draw guests exploring the land’s futuristic offerings.
- Model Kit Focus: The attraction’s booths showcased detailed model kits, including prehistoric dinosaurs, human skeletons, race cars, and airplanes, appealing to hobbyists of all ages.
- Interactive Pool: A shallow pool hosted periodic model ship races, where guests could watch miniature boats compete, adding a dynamic element to the otherwise static displays.
- Fiberglass Awnings: The booths were sheltered by colorful fiberglass awnings, a modern material in the 1950s, giving Hobbyland a sleek, futuristic aesthetic consistent with Tomorrowland’s theme.
- Free Exploration: Unlike ticketed attractions, Hobbyland was free to enter, allowing guests to browse booths and engage in activities at their own pace between Flight Circle shows.
- Watchtower Oversight: A small watchtower allowed cast members to monitor the area, occasionally demonstrating model airplanes that circled above the pool, tying into the Flight Circle’s theme.
- Merchandise Tie-Ins: Booths sold model kits and related hobby supplies, letting guests purchase items like those displayed, encouraging them to take the hobby home.
- Family-Friendly Activities: Some booths offered hands-on crafting or building activities, designed to engage both children and adults in the creative process of model-making.
- Seasonal Model Club Events: Starting in December 1955, Hobbyland hosted model clubs, with hobbyists demonstrating custom-built planes and boats, sometimes themed for holidays like Christmas.
- Closure for Tomorrowland Redesign: Hobbyland closed in 1966 as part of Tomorrowland’s 1967 overhaul, with its space repurposed for more advanced attractions like the PeopleMover, reflecting a shift away from hobbyist displays.
