Two Tars in Tomorrowland

This August 1958 image shows two sailor on leave, enjoying a day in the Park, possibly heading to see the Circarama exhibit. Guest stood in the center of a huge room with a 360 degree screen surrounding them. Through the miracle of Circarama, they could get views of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. As always, I have to wonder where the pictures are today that the sailor on the left shot with the camera hanging around his neck.

Note the signage, too, promoting the Tomorrowland exhibits in alternating colors of red and yellow: Circarama (sponsored by American Motors), Satellite-View of America, The World Beneath Us (sponsored by Richfield), Color Gallery (sponsored by Dutch Boy), and The Art Corner.

Here’s a previously posted shot from February 1959 showing the Satellite - View of America exhibit:

Note the K-7 Spaceman sitting in the ticket booth:

See more vintage Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Kids Not Included

We've all see vintage photos of the cut-outs that were once located in Central Plaza at Disneyland. Today's shot features a classic image of a guest posing with Donald Duck. What I've never seen before is the sign in the lower right frame of the photo that states: "FREE Use your own camera and kids. Compliments of the Art Corner at Disneyland."



The other shot from this batch shows the Captain Nemo cutout:



More Disneyland vintage cutout fun at my main website.

"Art" at Disneyland

"Art" lovers needed to look no further than Main Street, U.S.A. to find unique pieces to decorate their abodes. In the early years, original Disney cels could be purchased near the Plaza Inn, as you can see in this unfortunate beginning of the roll wacky exposure. The gent in the Stetson seems to be admiring little Alice.



Those not wanting to go quite as "high brow" as a Disney animated cel could create their own art, thanks to these colorful cutouts that were in the same area:



By the time this September 1960 color-shifted photo was taken, the art had moved to East Center Street.



Granted, the detail when zooming in is not that great, but these interpretations on canvas of the Castle and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship appear somewhat amateurish.



If you're wondering how I could tell the previous shot was from East Center Street, just compare the buildings at the top of the photo with this shot of the Art Festival:



It would truly make my day to discover that this wacky pirate painting still exists:



"Live" artists were also on hand to do portraits for guests, as seen in this September 1964 photo:



If "art" wasn't your thing, you could always walk across the way to West Center Street and pick up some plastic flowers.



Nothing but "class" on Main Street!

See more vintage & current Disneyland East Center Street photos on my main website.

Indians and Goofy Mystery

Welcome to Disneyland's Indian Village. Leave it to Walt to find a use for set pieces from the movie, "Westward Ho The Wagons"! The guy was a genius. Over in Tomorrowland, the "20k Leagues Under the Sea" sets also provided a diversion for guests for many years while Walt attempted to build up the coffers so that he could afford to build something a little more mind-blowing.



Still, the Indian Village was a fun place for guests of all ages to stroll through. This Native American appears to be using different colored sands to create the symbols that you see in the photo:



Zooming in for a closer look at what he is doing, as well as to see his turquoise bracelet.



I love seeing photos of the Ceremonial Dance Circle; guests of all ages appear to be having a great time while learning about another culture.



All of today's photos are from the 1950's.

In other vintage Disneyland news, a Daveland reader recently sent me these images of a Goofy cel that he has from the Art Corner:

My mom and I recently discovered an old Disney Animation Cel of "Goofy" in some of my late Grandmother's photo albums. (photos attached) My Mom remembers they drove to Disneyland from Kentucky back in the late 50's and my Grandfather must have purchased it there at the Art Corner.



Anyone out there able to identify what movie/short this might have been from?



See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos on my Indian Village web page.

Disneyland, July 1966

How about a low-key series from the Summer of '66, where the psychedelic Alice in Wonderland attraction seems very appropriate. Who knows what strange "trips" are inside the cave that this particular caterpillar vehicle is about to enter.

The Skyway buckets have gone from round to square...literally. I will always be a fan of the original design.



Our Summer of '66 photographer attempted to get a few underwater shots on his trip through liquid space.





In Tomorrowland, the Flight Circle (visible at left) is about to close for good (sigh).



I'm sure this little Ice Cream Cart did a booming biz during the hot summer months.



Not much happening on the Monorail track in this shot, but the Autopia appears to be plenty busy.



Guests are enjoying the recently opened it's a small world attraction.



This group of guests had no idea what they were signing up for when they got on the canoe; who wants to paddle a canoe in the hot sun?



For all you younguns, that's Cascade Peak soaring above the Rivers of America on the left.



Don't bother looking for it today; it was a victim of budget slashing back in 1998.

See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland photo web pages.

Black and White Gems from Bud Hurlbutt

These black and white beauties were listed as being from the estate of Knott's attraction mastermind, Bud Hurlbut. I can only assume (and hope) that he shot these as well. It would make sense since all of these shots are of transportation at Disneyland.

The first two images show the Horse-Drawn Streetcar; it would appear that Bud followed it up Main Street...



all the way to Central Plaza. You can see the Art Corner tents in the background of this view, which would mean these were most likely taken during the first year of the park's operation.



The rest of these show Bud's fascination with The Mark Twain.



There's something hypnotic about that Paddlewheel!





Notice in the Pre-Columbia days, the dock had the name of "Disneyland Steamship Co."





Early dock shots show a number of prop boxes; I am assuming (once again) that the names on these were significant. Any knowledgeable takers out there care to elaborate?





See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my main website.

TPE: Strollers, Edison Square, and Cutout Fun

Oh what a day...I knew there was a reason to love my time machine. Only 6 designated spots for strollers. THIS is the time to visit Disneyland!



In this 1980's sign, they forgot the part about "for the comfort of other guests."



As the fire engine zips down Main Street, it is possible to see a glimpse of a red striped tent on East Plaza Street.



When the park opened, this area was the original Art Corner.



Naturally, on my dream day at Disneyland, I'd snatch up a bunch of these cels to take home with me to the present and be RICH I tell you...RICH!



Later when the Art Corner moved, this area became the display for Edison Square, the never constructed section of Disneyland that was to be located behind Main Street.



Here's the map you could have seen. So many interesting things that didn't get built or were changed along the way:



Let's all thank the photographer who snapped these photos, shall we? See his reflection on the left?



I'll close out the post with a plethora of cutout fun. Pick your fave to pose with!























See more vintage & current Disneyland Central Plaza photos on my Central Plaza web page.



Meanwhile, on the red carpet at the Oscars...Miss Piggy is wearing a dress by Zac Posen, jewelry from Fred Leighton, shoes by Christian Louboutin, handbag from and hair styled by Kim Kimble. Kermit is wearing a tux from Brooks Brothers



For more on Miss Piggy's jewels:

1940s amethyst and diamond ring in gold (70.0 carats) --lavender is her signature color after all
1950s diamond and platinum swirl necklace (55 carats) with matching swirl bracelet (40 carats)



Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble (Beyonce, Shakira, Kerry Washington) put the finishing touches on Miss Piggy by adding a diamond and platinum headband (approx. 10 carats) and 1040s clip in the back.