Down By The Riverside, 1950s

Today, let’s enjoy a leisurely visit to the Dock area of the Rivers of America at Disneyland. The first image is from December 1959. I had to zoom into the boxes to see if I could see any fun inside jokes; none of these names register with me. Notice the El Zocalo sign behind the two guests.



This October 1960 shot seems to be the best shot I have of the El Zocalo sign; still difficult to read. Another bucket list item for my collection!



Here, guests sit inside the bandstand that was once located on the banks of the Rivers of America. This undated view is from the 1950s. The paper hat on the right indicates it’s from the early years, and since Tom Sawyer Island has been built out, we know it’s after June 1956.



An overhead view of the bandstand, September 1958. Because of the angle, it was probably taken from the second story of the Chicken Plantation Restaurant.



This May 1958 image shows the location of the bandstand and the restaurant:



This undated view of Frontierland was most likely taken from the Mark Twain:



It has to be 1950s because the Matterhorn has not been built yet.



The same view from a higher/farther vantage point, most likely the tree house on Tom Sawyer Island. Undated but probably from the 1960s. Because of the round shape of the Skyway buckets, we know it’s at least pre-1965.



The El Zocalo and Casa de Fritos area of Frontierland is visible below:



Enjoy your weekend, whether you spend it on the river or not!

See more Disneyland Rivers of America photos at my main website.

The Frito Kid

There are very few vintage Disneyland images that cause this jaded guy to get excited anymore, but this one was an exception! I was VERY happy to add a shot of the Frito Kid vending machine at the Casa de Fritos restaurant in Frontierland. Originally located on New Orleans Street, the Kid moved to the location shown here in 1957. The Gonzalez Trio are entertaining guests in front of the entrance.



This is almost like an advertisement: the little boy eating a bag of Fritos outside the restaurant while he enjoys the Gonzalez Trio.



While I do know that the Frito Kid moved to this location in 1957, I don’t know what happened to him. Anyone?

See more Disneyland Casa de Fritos photos at my main website.

The Evolution of Disneyland’s Frontierland

From the top of Disneyland’s Mark Twain Riverboat, one can get a great overview of Frontierland. Today’s post shows a few vintage views of the evolution of this area. While this image is undated, thanks to the lack of the Matterhorn on the horizon, we know it’s at least pre-1959. Zooming in, we can see the ticket booth for the The Rainbow Caverns Mine Train; this shot is most likely between 1956 and 1958.

Panning to the right for details you can see the tarps covering the Zocalo Market area:

At the far right, the Moonliner in Tomorrowland looks strangely out of place with the Frontierland Shooting Gallery in the foreground.

Another undated 1950’s shot that would appear, based on the tree growth, to be from the same time period:

The original round Skyway bucket design can be seen floating in the background:

This March 1958 shot was probably taken from the Treehouse on Tom Sawyer Island:

Still no Matterhorn at this point in Disneyland history:

By June 1959, the Matterhorn was almost complete:

A great overview detail of Rainbow Ridge:

And if you zoom in juuuuuuuust a bit closer you can see the scaffolding on the still unfinished Matterhorn:

Our June 1961 photographer didn’t care about the panorama, but instead chose to focus on the dock area itself:

The little pavilion where the Gonzales Trio performed is now visible:

That beautiful sign for El Zocalo...if only the photographer had a better zoom lens!

Moving ahead to September 1963:

Colorful thatched “umbrellas” now adorn the Casa de Fritos restaurant:

June 1965:

A Tour Guide can be seen at left, and it would also appear that the photographer captured the Gonzales Trio mid-performance:

The last one for today hails from September 1969:

The Pavilion is no longer in site:

But a little refreshment stand is visible:

This 1978 publicity shot let’s us know it was for Hot Burritos for only 35¢:

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

Taste the Rainbow

Put a little wiggle in your day with this FauxD© shot of a ha-cha-cha gal relaxing at the Casa de Fritos restaurant, circa 1960’s. I wonder how long before that hibiscus flower in her hand ended up in her hairdo? The bright rainbow colored thatched umbrellas seemed to only last during the 1960s. Here’s one from February 1960:

June 1961:

 

1964 or 1965:

 

January 1966 with the Gonzalez Trio:

 

In this July 1974 shot, you can tell by the silver rod that the thatched umbrellas were no more.

 

Based on this 1980’s photo, thatch was out, and fringe was in:

See more Casa de Fritos photos at my main website.

Munchies on a Monday

What better to take care of the munchies than a bag of delicious Fritos Corn Chips? When the Casa de Fritos reigned supreme at Disneyland, you could have received free samples from the lovely lady in this August 1962 shot.

At this popular restaurant, you could have had the Frito Chile Pie (a bag of corn chips sliced open and topped with chile and melted cheese) or the “Ta-cup” (ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and sauce in a fried corn dough cup). Yum.



This previously posted shot from May 1962 appears to be the same woman.



I can’t tell if this August 1967 image shows the same lady, but she looks darn similar.



See more Disneyland Casa de Fritos photos at my main website.

Hump Day on Tom Sawyer Island

It's Wednesday, and you've hit hump day, that marvelous day when you're half-way through the work week and the weekend is quickly approaching! Here's an October 1959 view of the Tree House on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland. The next undated image is most likely from 1956/1957.



And this is how I know...Case de Fritos is still in its original location on New Orleans Street:



This black and white image of TSI yields a few interesting detail shots:



Some fishing action:



and the tent for Holidayland:



This December 1959 image shows guests waiting for a raft so that they can return to the "mainland":



A detailed view:



Hope you enjoy your Hump Day!

See more Disneyland Tom Sawyer Island photos at my main website.