Inspired by some recent activity on X (the platform formerly known as Prince, I mean Twitter), I have compiled a post of Disneyland menu displays from my collection.
Let’s start at the very beginning (“Sound of Music” reference intentional) with the Hills Brothers Coffee House in Town Square, just as you first enter Disneyland, circa August 1977. No prices featured, but the apple turnover might just draw me in.
Moving down Main Street, U.S.A., we encounter the Plaza Inn, July 1965:
Could you even get a few slices of roast beef for $1.35 anymore, let alone the roll and hot potato salad?
Two years later, April 1967:
Spaghetti Italienne has been added to the lineup. This guest’s lei just does not fit in.
Interesting that the fried chicken, which it is known for today, is not part of this menu yet.
Across the way is the Plaza Pavilion, June 1964
Spaghetti Italienne is also featured here, too. Is “Italienne” really necessary in the title?
Plaza Pavilion, August 1966
By this time, “Italienne” has transitioned to “Italian.” Not quite as fancy. And instead of savory sauce, it’s meat sauce.
The Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe took over this location in January 2012. This February 2012 shot does not delve into pricing.
Over in Adventureland, the Tahitian Terrace simply posted the menu for guests, as you can see in this 1960s image:
The menu:
Before New Orleans Square, there was New Orleans Street. Here’s the Silver Banjo, 1959:
Look at all you get for $1.50! Fish’n Chips with the famous Silver Banjo BBQ sauce (or tartar, your choice!), cole slaw, lemon slice, roll, butter, and beverage. Wow! Using an inflation calculator, that would be the equivalent of roughly $16. Good luck finding all of that for just $16 in a Disney Park today!
The Silver Banjo was run by actor Don DeFore (“Hazel”), shown here with his brother Vern (the restaurant’s manager), 1959:
A contemporary shot of the sign!
Taking a step back in this February 1959 shot, you can see that the Silver Banjo was right next door to Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen:
A closeup of the Silver Banjo’s wooden sign:
Aunt Jemima’s became the Riverbelle Terrace. Here’s the menu, circa January 1977:
This April 1977 image provides a better look at the lower half:
By September 2008, the prices disappeared, as did the large variety of choices:
Still just breakfast as of May 2011:
By August 2012, we get a look at a lunch menu:
The Blue Bayou was the signature restaurant of New Orleans Square. Here’s what was being served in August 1976:
Same menu as year later, April 1977:
Different holder, different menu items, January 2011. At least the Monte Cristo is holding on!
Nearby is Café Orleans, from Summer 2006:
Casa de Fritos was a popular spot in Frontierland. The Gonzalez Trio serenaded hungry patrons, January 1966
A closeup of the menu:
Casa de Fritos, 1981/82
Prices were still featured outside the restaurant!
Next to the Golden Horseshoe Saloon is the Stage Door Café, May 2015:
The perfect place for a quick fast-food meal.
The Harbour Galley, May 2011. Prices to be discovered once you place your order! All part of the magical experience at Disneyland these days.
Critter Country had the Hungry Bear Restaurant, as seen in this May 2011 menu board. Prices are necessary on this one, since it’s where you actually place your order.
The sign in front of the entrance is a different story. Lure the guests in with the food and cute animals, but don’t scare them with the prices! August 2007:
Over in Fantasyland the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant, 1955:
A grainy closeup of the sign:
An interior shot, January 1968
By the time of this June 1982 image, the restaurant was retitled Captain Hook's Galley, and the prices were gonzo.
One of the Fantasyland concession stands, 1950s:
Over in Tomorrowland, the concession stand was titled Space Bar, as seen in this 1950s image:
Flash forward to May 2011, where you can get a meal at Flight Command Cuisine:
Hungry? I know I am! See more Disneyland photos at my main website.
1 comment:
Another great series of images. (They almost made me hungry...)
I notice in the 1st image of the Blue Bayou menu, the hours seem to be restricted to just one hour. (I suspect, judging from the next image, someone changed the '11' to a '12', but failed to switch-out the PM to AM).
In both the Fan 2 [Fantasyland - Character Foods] and Space Bar locations (both operated by UPT Concessions) we can see they offered BOTH Coca-Cola & Pepsi-Cola - a 'feature' that would remain until the beverage concession contract changed due to the opening of EPCOT, in 1982, when Pepsi was finally given the heave-ho.
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