Macho Man at Disneyland, 1975

Although not released until 1978, the November 1975 gent with the open shirt was clearly an inspiration for the Village People’s hit song, “Macho Man.” It was no accident that the shirt was unbuttoned almost to the navel so that he could proudly show off his hairy cleavage and jewelry. 



Since this was 1975 though, you can clearly see that this could be a problem. “SECURITY!”



Was this Disneyland Security guard dispatched to tell Macho Man to button up? We will never know.



Meanwhile, over in Adventureland, attraction posters line the walkway.



Macho Man is about to enter the Enchanted Tiki Room. Maybe the birds there will appreciate his machismo.



At this time in Park history, GAF had taken over the Kodak sponsorship; Macho Man is standing near GAF Photo Trail spot #34.



I think he wanted a different kind of exposure.








Over at the Matterhorn, it looks like it’s getting some maintenance:



A closeup of the workers and scaffolding:



Last shot from this batch shows Macho Man in Tomorrowland. I’m sure he was on the way to Adventure Thru Inner Space to see if he could make out with another guest.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Back from the Dead, Part 1

This 1957 image of the entrance looks lost beyond hope, as it has faded to a red-tinged mess. Thanks to the miracle of Photoshop, it has been brought back from the dead:



Check out those attraction posters: Autopia, Frontierland, Astro Jets, Storybook Land, Art Corner, Tom Sawyer Island, 20k Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit, and the Disneyland Railroad.



The C.K. Holliday is waiting at the Main Street Train Station for the next Grand Circle Tour. In the image above, we see a lass running; could she be attempting to get to the train on time?



See more Disneyland entrance photos at my main website.

Telling Time in Tomorrowland

This wacky 15 foot high clock was what guests first saw as they entered Tomorrowland up until it got revamped in 1966. This clear as a bell Summer 1959 shot shows the iconic Clock of the World. I sure wish I knew what happened to it.

Seeing the detail of the moon art on the top of this clock makes me wonder even more. SURELY somebody has it.



If you thought you could peep into the windows of the Monsanto House of the Future, think again. The drapes are closed.



See more Disneyland Clock of the World photos at my main website.

Where's My Yacht?

Today’s post features two views of the Tomorrowland Yacht Bar at Disneyland circa 1957. A strange name for a refreshment stand at an amusement park, especially when the park doesn’t have a yacht and doesn’t serve any alcoholic beverages. Maybe Walt had a vision of the booze that would be served at Star Wars Land, making the Yacht Bar a true vision of the tomorrow!

Anybody want an original Astrojet attraction poster?



To be fair, there was a sort of lake/lagoon nearby where guests could take a cruise on a Motor Boat. So that's kind of like a yacht. Only smaller. Much smaller.



Looks like these 1957 shots were taken over the Christmas holiday, based on the decor strewn over the front of the Yacht Bar.



Would the star and garland pass muster today?



The Yacht Bar was open from 1957 until 1966. It did not survive the “New” Tomorrowland remodel.

See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Space Bar Vending

This 1955 image shows two guests checking out the flowers in Tomorrowland, with the Space Bar vending machines in the background. Nice to know that flowers will still exist in the future. Sandwiches, ice cream, soft drinks, pastry, and coffee are just the touch of a button away.



Here are some previously posted shots of the same area; this one from 1956 has the added bonus of the vintage attraction posters in the foreground:



Yup, people used these machines!



I think I would have preferred to order directly from the Space Bar itself!



See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Disneyland 1963 in BW

This series of negatives from 1963 yielded some very clear shots of Disneyland, beginning with this view of the entrance. Oh those vintage attraction posters are magical!



This lovely lady is about to mail a letter, bragging to her friends back home about what a wonderful time she is having at Disneyland...while they're not. Oh, that hurts.



Made in St. Louis. Wonder if these are the same lamps there today? Banner Iron Works closed in 1986; looks like most of the buildings belonging to it have been demolished.



Wish I could read that address!



This cast member is assisting the guest onto the Amazon Belle (just for you, Matthew!).



Posing with an Indian at the Indian Village.



That wobbly old bridge at Tom Sawyer's Island!



I believe that's a bit of Rainbow Ridge visible in the background!



More vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

The 49th State

This February 1964 image shows the Monsanto House of the Future in Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Like most of my photos, the fun is looking at the details, such as the plaque for the flag representing our 49th State, Alaska. And how about that Enchanted Tiki Room attraction poster! Or the guy who looks like he could be a Secret Service Man!



At first I thought this wad of cloth was a Christmas decoration.



Looking at the one next to it I realized it's just a folded flag, waiting to be unfurled.



More House of the Future photos at my main website.

The Omnibus

The Omnibus has always been a Daveland favorite, especially when I get to ride up top and get a birdseye view of Main Street as it cruises towards the castle. Here we begin with a few from October 27, 1956 image.



A closeup showing the miniature/edited attraction poster art on the side of the Omnibus:



An undated 1950s shot from the holidays.



The very simple Christmas decorations have such a cool vintage feel. Today's overblown decor could sometimes use a "less is more" philosophy makeover.



More Omnibus on Main Street shots at my main website.

Tomorrowland Details, May 1960

It's not "New" Tomorrowland, but what I see in this May 1960 image is still more exciting than what resides at Disneyland now. From just one image I get an abundance of cool details, starting with the Astrojets in the foreground (the Sirius on the left and I can't make out the name of the vehicle on the right) and a crowded Yacht Bar in the background:



Detailed view #2 shows a gleaming blue Monorail with a plethora of Skyway buckets floating overhead:



Last one for today shows a guest perusing the Grand Canyon Diorama and Columbia attraction posters:



Here they are "in person":





See more Daveland vintage & current Tomorrowland photos at my main website.