Friday, October 01, 2010

1500th Post - It’s A Celebration, Pt. 1: Main Street U.S.A.



If you’d asked 5 years ago if I thought I’d be blogging almost daily about Disneyland, I think I would have said you were crazy. Now, over 4 years since my first post of 1500, I think it’s safe to say that I’M the certifiable one. Be that as it may, I am going to do a little celebration with a “Best of” selection of some of my favorite images from each section of the park. Today will be a tribute to Disneyland’s entrance and Main Street U.S.A.

The vintage silk-screend attraction posters are some of my favorite things about early Disneyland. These are all of the ones I have representing Main Street and The Disneyland Railroad. The clean, colorful, eye-popping designs were the perfect welcome mat to Walt Disney’s family fun park.





The Red Wagon Inn was the original name of the restaurant that eventually became the Plaza Inn:



This is probably one of my favorite images; it has the famous entrance signage was well as the tails of a number of classic vintage automobiles.



These fella’s operating the tram are taking things at a very leisurely pace; this vehicle looks like it belongs on a farm, not at an amusement park!



This happy “accident” of an image shows how fortunate a guest was to be able to capture Walt himself in the middle of congratulating a little boy for being the 10th million passenger on the Disneyland Railroad.



Part of the large draw for Disneyland is that it is a place that all generations can enjoy together; here in this early Main Street Train Station image we can see grandma, mom, and daughter together getting ready to board the train.



I’m not crazy about strollers, but I sure love to see happy little children enjoying the wonder and magic of Disneyland. How about this joyous vintage view?



Before the internet, guests had to rely on other methods to obtain their gossip and dish.



Is my shift over yet? The Wild West meets Main Street in this image:



This boy is proudly displaying his souvenir guide; not a mega-expensive video game or super computer, but a printed-on-paper representation of his day at the park. Ah, whatever happened to the simple joys of life?



Looking as fresh as when it was taken over 40 years ago, this image shows a young boy enjoying a cold beverage:



MAIN STREET TODAY: Main Street U.S.A. is still a vibrant street of yesteryear. Guests traverse through its vintage exteriors for souvenirs, delectable homemade treats, Disneyland collectibles, old-time Mickey Mouse cartoons, sleight of hand displays, and to listen to ol’ Abe Lincoln himself.



Although the shops are not as diverse as they were on opening day, Main Street still packs ’em in. It is also the opening corridor for the top-notch entertainment that guests experience throughout the park. On Main Street, you can catch The Dapper Dans Barbershop Quartet, witness a variety of spectacular parades throughout the year, or have a memorable interaction with one of your favorite Disney characters.



Old-time vehicles take enthusiastic guests from Main Street up to the castle every day, allowing weary feet to have a short respite.



Yes, Main Street U.S.A. is still alive and well. As the saying goes, “What an entrance!”

More celebrating to come! View more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

21 comments:

TokyoMagic! said...

Congratulations on your 1500th post, Dave! I discovered your blog a little over 2 years ago, and I've been a huge fan ever since. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you spend just to share with the rest of us!

Snow White Archive said...

I just recently passed 150 posts and thought that was a bit of an accomplishment because of how much work it was. But 1500th! Congrats Dave. Your blog is not only enjoyable because of the "magical" pics, but it's also due to the wonderful spirit of your writing. Keep up the great work.

By the way, you're right, the images in this post really are stunning...a "best of" for sure.

The Viewliner Limited said...

Congratulations Dave. 1500 posts, what an accomplishment. All is very much appreciated.

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

Good gosh - this post is extremely well done, reads like a book I can't put down!

1500 posts - WOW!!!!! You've become a household word here, whenever we have an odd DL question its off to Daveland to find the facts & photos! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. from a "certifiable one" to another - contrats!

Anonymous said...

1500 posts?!!? That's amazing! Congrats!! I thought I was pretty cool when I recently reached 300! LOLOL!

Thufer said...

Amazing job. I have enjoyed so much and have such appreciation for your efforts. Thank you and 'PLEASE' continue. You bring joy and happiness daily for fond memories of what is truly....The Happiest Place on Earth.

Oh yummmm....posters, yummmmmmy!

Connie Moreno said...

OK, before I go past the first poster, I must CONGRATULATE you! Not only is that quite an achievement but you also need to know that what you do brings joy to other people. I am totally serious. Your blog is one of the first I started to follow. I start my day, every day, by checking your blog! THANK YOU for all the work that you put into it.

Now, I'm gonna go back and continue reading your blog...and don't be surprised if I post again!

Connie Moreno said...

OH...MY...GAWD!!!! This literally brought tears to my eyes!!! I don't know which photo is my favorite - they are all FANTASTIC! Maybe the one with the little boy showing off his Disneyland guidebook??? MAN! I want that for my desktop background!

Unknown said...

What else is there to say, but:

DAVELAND ROCKS!!!!

Heidi Ann said...

CONGRATULATIONS on your posting milestone!!
Those posters are SO beyond fabulous! And I love all of the pictures you share with us. Keep up the great work, because your Disneyland blog is wonderful.
And thank you for writing it.

Major Pepperidge said...

Many congrats on 1500 posts of some of the most amazing vintage Disneyland photos ever. Great job on those posters too, I do love those.

I'm sorry, but I have to say it (since nobody else has yet)... "Here's to another 1500"!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!


Eric

G said...

When I visit your blog I always perk up. You put a smile on many faces every day. Hugs

Daveland said...

Connie - I was going for the jugular with this one - glad I got the waterworks going! Major...did you hear my groan about the next 1500? Thanks to the rest of you for continuing to stop by and leave a friendly comment almost daily!

SKY PRINCESS said...

Congratulations on your 1500th post Dave. Your blog is a treasure that always brings back happy memories.

SundayNight said...

The Daveland blog: Always good, always interesting. Thanks for sharing your wonderful images with us.

stu29573 said...

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Your posts are always entertaining, Disney related or not!

Kyle said...

Hey Dave! Congratulations on achieving 1500 posts; that is truly a milestone!! I have no idea how you do it every day, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Your dedication & efforts are truly to be commended! As others have already pointed out, I read your blog on an almost daily basis & it always brings joy to my day. I may not leave a comment as often as I'd like to but believe me, what you share with everyone each day is truly inspiring and a lot of fun. So please keep the awesome pics & info coming! At the very least, I say that you deserve a great meal(and a little champagne, perhaps)as a reward for your achievements. I'd love to offer to pay but my funds are rather low at the moment. Sorry!! Thanks again, Dave! Take care.

Daveland said...

Kyle - When you win the lottery, I'll take you up on your dinner and champagne offer! In the meantime, thanks for the kind words!

jedblau said...

Dave -- Congrats on your terrifc achievement and your service to us all!

outsidetheberm said...

It's been said before, but the monumental amount of work some of you guys do on a daily basis is astounding.

Though checking in on a daily basis isn't always possible, your efforts are always appreciated - and make for a nice discovery!

Thank you, Dave.