The first Disneyland map sells for £555k

When you go to a theme park (we all do, don’t deny it!) do you keep the guide map?

Someone obviously does, because an original map of the first Disneyland park has just sold for over £550,000 at auction in California.

The map was drawn in 1953, when Walt Disney used it to try and secure funding for the venture after his own studio refused to cough up. The drawing was given to an employee, and wasn’t seen again by the public for another 60 years. It was annotated by Mr Disney himself.

“After some pretty exciting bidding the map sold for $708,000, making it the most expensive Disneyland map ever sold,” said Mark Eaton of auctioneers Van Eaton Galleries in Los Angeles. “We are beyond thrilled that the map will continue to be appreciated and cherished.”

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California was the first Disney park, and since opening over 60 years ago has welcomed some 650 million visitors.

The map looks a bit different these days:

It’s not as nice, but it is cheaper.