When Disneyland opened in California in 1955 after years of design from Walt Disney, LIFE magazine proclaimed it “the stuff children’s dreams are made on.”
Six years later both the park and the dreamers had grown up enough that Disneyland decided to host an event aimed at kids who might be outgrowing their mouse ears: an all-night prom.
The details of the evening are scant because the photos, taken by staff photographers Ralph Crane, J.R. Eyerman and Grey Villet, never ran in the magazine. But one thing is clear: the kids had a blast. With the spinning teacups, water rides, a big band, and romance in the air (and on display for some of the couples, especially on the carousel) all the elements were there for a magical night in the magic kingdom.
Take a look and see for yourself. And if you want to read more about the creation of Disneyland, please consider LIFE’s special tribute issue Inside Disney Parks: The Happiest Place on Earth.
Students walking inside Disneyland during their all-prom-night, United States, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
People attending the all-night prom at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, June 1961
J.R. Eyerman/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
People attending the all-night prom at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, June 1961.
J.R. Eyerman/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Students getting their prom pictures during All Night Prom at Disneyland – Photographs of an all-night high school prom held at Disney Land
People riding the carousel during all night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night high school prom held at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all night high school prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night high school prom held at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
People riding a gondola boat during an all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Students participating in a high school all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
J.R. Eyerman/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night high school prom held at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Band playing at an all-night prom at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, June 1961.
J.R. Eyerman/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night high school prom held at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Teenage boys sit at cafe tables outside of Tomorrowland during an all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
An all-night prom at Disneyland, 1961.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
