The Grand Canyon Diorama at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is a cool and often missed attraction on the Disneyland Railroad ride. It shows a detailed, tiny version of the Grand Canyon, like the view you’d see from the South Rim.
The diorama opened on March 31, 1958, and was inspired by the famous nature film “Grand Canyon.” Walt Disney wanted it to be a memorable ending to the train ride so visitors could see the impressive canyon without leaving the park.
This diorama is super long—306 feet! It’s the longest diorama in the world. There is a massive painting in the background, created by the famous artist Delmer J. Yoakum. He also helped develop other popular Disneyland rides, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. The painting is quite large, measuring approximately 300 feet wide and 34 feet tall, and requires a significant amount of time and paint to complete.
When the train moves past the diorama, visitors can see different scenes like old Native American ruins, forests with deer, mountain lions, porcupines, wild turkeys, and even a thunderstorm. The ride concludes with a breathtaking sunset over the canyon, accompanied by rainbows and the sight of bighorn sheep. To make it even more magical, music is playing called the “Grand Canyon Suite,” which fits perfectly with the scenes.
A long time ago, the Disneyland Railroad was sponsored by the Santa Fe Railroad, which took people to the real Grand Canyon by train. This diorama effectively depicted what the canyon looked like, sparking excitement among visitors to experience the real place.
After seeing the Grand Canyon Diorama, visitors can explore the Primeval World, a part of the ride with moving dinosaur figures. This shows what the Grand Canyon area might have looked like millions of years ago, making the whole experience even more impressive.
To keep everything looking great, the diorama is kept at a cool 74 degrees. All the animals you see are real animals that were carefully preserved. It cost $375,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then. The painting was created on a specially smooth canvas to make the scenes appear realistic and continuous.
Although it’s not as popular as some other attractions, the Grand Canyon Diorama is a truly special part of Disneyland. It lets visitors of all ages enjoy the beauty and history of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
1313 Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
