Robbins BarstowDisneyland Dream (1956)

In July 1956, the five-member Barstow family of Wethersfield, Connecticut, won a free trip to newly-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in a nationwide contest. This 30-minute amateur documentary film tells the fabulous story of their fun-filled, dream-come-true, family travel adventure, filmed on the scene at Walt Disney's "Magic Kingdom" by Robbins Barstow.

This item is part of the collection: Home Movies

Producer: Robbins Barstow
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: home movie; Barstow Travel Adventure
Contact Information: RobbinsB@aol.com

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Reviewer: Antonio_NYC - - April 25, 2008
Subject: Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Had I the ability to internet you a chicken dinner sir, I gladly would. Your film is the tops!

Reviewer: Rick Farmiloe - - April 25, 2008
Subject: Fascinating and Historical

This is one of the coolest home movies I've ever seen. Mr. Barstow really makes the most out of his trip to Disneyland 50 years ago with his family. Great opportunity to see Disneyland and Southern California as it was back then. He even employs some fun camera tricks to add to the entertainment value. NOT to be missed!! Makes me hunger for more Adventures of the Barstows!!

Reviewer: LugosiRules - - April 21, 2008
Subject: Great memories!

Excellent "home movie". This is probably one of the best I've seen on this site. Disneyland is for all who are young at heart!

Reviewer: daybird2 - - April 17, 2008
Subject: Best Thing Yet

This is about the best thing I have watched on the internet. Talk about memories... it sure brought them back for me! Walt Disney himself could not have narrated this any better. I felt like I was right there enjoying this vacation with the family on the film. Great work!

Reviewer: mharpASU - - April 14, 2008
Subject: Interesting, sweet, and creative

Amazing footage that is very entertaining. Mr Barstow's humor and reflection make this one of the most interesting home movies I have seen. Some of the footage was shot so well it could have come right out of the Disney archives. Would make an interesting piece for a reflection on pop culture and the American experience of the past 50 years. Would be interesting to learn more about this typical American family.

Reviewer: Beth Gilligan - - January 18, 2008
Subject: Absolutely wonderful!

This is an absolute gem of a movie - it captures the era beautifully and brilliantly conveys the excitement surrounding the opening of Disneyland.

Reviewer: rgarrey - - November 15, 2007
Subject: DisneyLand Dream

After viewing "Tarzan and the Rocky Gorge", I couldn't wait for the next Barstow video. Well I watched the Disneyland Dream and I wasn't disappointed. What a fabulous piece of American history. The great video footage matched with the modern narration gives us a look into a bygone day from the perspective of the average family. I felt like I was there with the Barstows on their West Coast Adventure. I give it "Two Thumbs Up"!

Reviewer: NotHerbert - - November 12, 2007
Subject: Slice of Americana

This is a wonderful slice of '50s Americana, especially for anyone who has traveled as a family or BEEN to Disneyland (in many ways, it's the same place today, only with more lights!). A must watch.

Reviewer: Robbins Barstow - - November 9, 2007
Subject: Disneyland Dream

Highly entertaining, personal account of what it was like for families to visit Walt Disney's "Magic Kingdom" half a century ago when it first opened in Anaheim, California. In today's world, it's good to remember what made it then "the happiest place on earth."