Voyeurism, the Disney Way!

“Take a peek!”

With those words, 1957 Disneyland guests were invited to get a tantalizing glimpse of International Street. This amazing project would have been a precursor to EPCOT. For a better view, all you had to do was “Turn knob to fit eye.” Sounds like a torture advice to me! But hey, how about that vintage Mickey Mouse balloon?!?



As a frame of reference, here’s a previously posted shot of Disneyland Town Square from 1956...before the deadline got pushed!





Sadly, this street was not to be, as construction never began on the project.

See more Disneyland Town Square photos at my main website.

59 Years Ago Yesterday: Campfire Girls

After a few heavy posts, I'll go a bit lighter today with an image from the USC Digital Library featuring the Los Angeles Area Camp Fire Girls from Alhambra District, July 30, 1955. The publicity caption reads:

Los Angeles Area Camp Fire Girls from the Alhambra District pause on the bridge in front of the Fairy Castle at Disneyland. Left to right: Sandra Ayers; Linda Webb; Sandra Smith; and Brenda Lewis, were among 200 girls given the day at Disneyland by the Camp Fire Girls for selling the most candy mints in the Camp Fire Girls' candy sale.

Have to zoom in for a closer look at the balloon, which features what appears to be a seal, balancing something on his nose. It almost looks like the Adventureland logo seen on The Wonderful World of Disney.



See more vintage Disneyland photos on my main website.

Balloons for sale

Few guests escape Disneyland without some kind of a souvenir purchase; it's the type of place that makes you want to take a piece of it home with you to remember your magical day. Balloons have been around since the beginning, and at least for a short time, make a colorful and festive remembrance of the park. This August 1962 image was taken in front of the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry in Tomorrowland. This balloon seller must be having a good day; his coin pocket is bulging full of change and his bouquet of balloons is looking sparse.



In this twilight December 1964 shot, the balloon vendor appears to be ready to finish his day.



Checking his pocket watch to see if his shift is over?



This July 1965 vendor seems a bit fresher, starting his day off crossing under the train bridge into Town Square.



Avoiding the paparazzi, this March 1975 seller looks as if he might be cold (why else would he wear a heavy coat like that in sunny Socal?).



Even balloons have gone high-tech at the park, with a Mickey head inside of another balloon.



What's your favorite souvenir at Disneyland?

See more vintage & current Disneyland Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.

Trip Report Pt. 6: Various Disneyland

With all the DCA news, Disneyland has gotten the shaft, so the remaining posts of this series will focus (literally!) on the original park.

With the bright reflections in the pavement, how could you avoid purchasing one of these festive balloons, especially with the balloon seller smilingly taunting us to do so?





I had never noticed these cool little window displays at the Coke Corner before. The glowing red at night demanded that I pay attention.





Meanwhile, the Carnation Cafe is back open for business; I look forward to trying it out!





With Jolly Holiday filling the void, I seriously doubt that Blue Ribbon will be missed.









An interior shot, with some awesome light fixtures!



A daytime view:



At The Opera House, The Voices of Liberty have joined the Mr. Lincoln show. Again, time did not permit me to see them, as their performing times are limited. Another one for "the list"!







The main characters were out in abundance:







The Dapper Dans are an integral part of the Main Street U.S.A. experience:





The Indian Penny at the top of the Penny Arcade is a detail that's best visible from the Omnibus:



A view into the Arcade from the Omnibus:



Construction continues on at the former Carnation Plaza Gardens area:







A favorite little stretch of Frontierland:



along with two other views of this area that sees little traffic early in the day:





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

More Christmas in July, Circa December 1964

Welcome to Disneyland; want a balloon? Makes me think of the old "Laugh-In" joke, "Want a Walnetto?" But I digress. Looks like it's getting late in the day, and there's a swarm of guests at the souvenir stand, looking for just the perfect gift to take home to those poor saps that couldn't make the trek to Disneyland. The balloon seller appears to be anxiously checking his watch; is his shift over yet?



Nothing says Christmas like a big gaudy star on top of the Matterhorn. The way the photo was shot, it almost looks like a big mound of meringue on the Monsanto House of the Future.



How about a parade? If that doesn't make you start counting the days til Christmas, I don't know what will.



A group of lovely young lasses in kilts:



Followed by some cherubic military figures (note the faces of the poor cast members inside, sweating their asses off!). I do believe these figures were the inspiration for "Chucky"!



I can't believe the Spaceman and Spacegirl didn't adorn their outfits with tinsel or at least a few strands of garland. Bah humbug.



I normally get bored with Castle shots, but I love how the ornamentation of the Main Street vehicle provides an interesting frame to this photo.



Thanks to the Skyway, the last two shots are some fine ones, beginning with an overhead of the Tomorrowland Monorail Station:



And wrapping up this set with a view of the Autopia:



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Main Street U.S.A. photos at my main website.