Today's post focuses solely on the Adventureland Bazaar; one of the few stores that has kept the same name over Disneyland's entire history. Unlike "Dragnet," only the merchandise has been changed to protect the innocent...not the name.
The recently acquired addition to my collection shows the entrance to the shop...
and when properly adjusted, shows a decent view of the unique wears that one could find here circa August 22, 1955:
Two more vintage 1950's views for you to see:
And a few contemporary shots:
Sadly, rather than exotic treasures, the majority of items for sale here today are mounds of plush and other somewhat cheap souvenirs that serve to further push the Disney brand:
Still, the shop does look magical at night!
See more vintage & current Adventureland photos on my Adventureland web pages.
I agree, back when I was a child, I actually preferred 'mulling around time' waiting on mom and dad in the advendureland shopping complex known as the Adventureland Bazaar than to any other area of the park. (Even Main Street) For this young man, the things which caught the eye and the imagination in this store was just 'real' exciting. I even loved the Guamanian store.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff!
Great post! I love that last photo. While most of the merchandise is generic, once in a while you do find something interesting there.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see old photos of the Bazaar, I try to imagine what wonderful stuff was for sale inside!
ReplyDeleteLove that the name has not changed! Not so much in love with the current merchandise however... They do have decent stuffed monkey's that my dogs like to chew, but that's about it. Where's a good rubber snake or spear when you need it!
ReplyDeleteGreat interior closeup - WOW!
Awesome post!
One of my perennial favorite stores.
ReplyDeleteThe theming of this whole block is some of the best in the park in it's subtle gradations and broad content.
If you told us you would produce a facade that would blend from American Old West through South America via the Pacific Rim, heading through South Asia and Australia, up through East Africa and back around to New Orleans all in about 300 feet, we would say you were certifiable and it would be a mess.
But these guys not only pulled it off, it's plausible, and doesn't look like a casino.
Not repeatable today.
Once, the merchandise followed the facades, although I suspect that today the mix would seem to modern shoppers a lot like Cost Plus.
JG