EarzUp! and Holidayland

The gang at EarzUp! kindly invited me back to ramble on and on during their recent podcast. This time, they requested the topic be Holidayland. Never heard of it? Probably because it was one of those very short-lived areas of Disneyland, lasting from June 1957–Fall 1961. Here are the photos that were shared during the youTube version of the podcast. The first is most likely from 1959/1960, showing the entrance to Holidayland, which plugs both the Matterhorn and Submarine Voyage attractions.



For an idea of where Holidayland was located, you can see the tent in the background of this 1958 image. Basically, behind where the Haunted Mansion would be built:



In my collection are a number of March 1957 images featuring Dick Simmons, in character as Sergeant Preston from the Yukon. He played this role from 1955-1958 on CBS Television. Since it was a Wrather Production, I am guessing that’s why he was at Disneyland, part of the Ken-L-Ration Dog Show/Contest. (Jack) Wrather was the owner of the original Disneyland Hotel.



Note the Holidayland playground equipment in the background, themed as a wagon and fort/castle:



A closeup of Simmons as Sgt. Preston:



In 1988, the Disneyland Hotel featured the Yukon Follies, which also had Sgt. Yukon. This character just was not going away.



Back to 1957…where guests could register their dogs:





Simmons getting close to two of the contestants:



Note the Mouse Ears on this dog:



It would appear that this lady’s duty was to type up the names of those entering on official Ken-L-Ration stationery. Was white-out invented back in 1957?



The entrance tent in the background:



The Holidayland Ball field, being used for the Ken-L-Ration contest:



The little booth on the left looks like it was borrowed from Fantasyland:



The Prettiest Dog was being picked at this time; note the scale on the table in the back:



Everyone seems to be wearing a visor, and yet the bleachers have zero cover to protect guests from the sun:





The next few shots are from the USC Digital Archives, showing the June 13, 1958 “Salute to Youth” program at Disneyland. Walt Disney and Art Linkletter are surrounded by Peter Eltgroth (St. Robert Bellarmine High School), Sandra York (Bell Gardens), Shirley Rose (Milliken High School), and Kip Eder (John Muir High School). The caption for the photo reads: Outstanding high school seniors and educators from Los Angeles and Orange County gathered at Disneyland Friday (June 13) for a 'Salute to Youth' program, honoring the achievements of the youth of Southern California.



The students are pictured above with Walt Disney and Master of Ceremonies Art Linkletter. Zooming in for a better look at Walt and his script:



Sandra and her perfect hair; note the guest badge she is wearing:



A group shot of the outstanding high school students and educators:





These June 1960 images show the Shriners enjoying a visit to Holidayland:









That Fez is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship:



Note the Disneyland postcards for sale:



This Shriner wife is enjoying (we hope) a picnic meal at Holidayland:



How about that vintage Disneyland paper cup?



Once again, more attraction posters, this time for the Monorail, the Columbia, The Grand Canyon Diorama, and the Jungle Cruise:



Our 1960 Shriner made his way into the park:





Want to see the youTube version of the EarzUp! Podcast? Here you go:



See more Disneyland Holidayland photos at my main website.