New Orleans vs. New Orleans Square, Pt. 3

Welcome to New Orleans Square! To experience the attractions here, it’s best to board the train at the Main Street Train Station and head to the first stop, which is Frontierland/New Orleans Square. As you approach the station, you know you’re in the right place as you see the decor from the Mardi Gras Supply Company. This is one of my favorite stations at Disneyland, as the detailing is rich.



Tired? You can always hang out and relax at Magnolia Park while the kiddies run wild.



Into history? Take a moment to read the plaque purporting this to be the anchor from a pirate ship commanded by Jean Lafitte.



Want to know your future? Consult with Fortune Red:

Japanese Dancers at Magnolia Park

These Japanese dancers from December 1961 are performing at the Magnolia Park bandstand, located approximately where the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse would be built in less than a year.



These are the most "recent" shots in my collection before the bandstand was removed from the park and shipped off to Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar.



I had to zoom in for a closeup of the outfits.





More vintage Magnolia Park photos my main website.

Mystery Solved and The Bandstand

Today's image shows the traveling bandstand, which began its life in Town Square, moved to Central Plaza when the park opened, transitioned to Adventureland/Magnolia Park shortly thereafter, and eventually got booted out of the park. Today it resides at an Orange County nursery. Zooming in, it appears that the conductor is Vesey Walker.



The mystery of the date of the photo from the other day has been solved!



Thanks to fellow blogger David at Gorillas Don't Blog, we now have a matching image of a guidebook from 1958:



David even went the extra mile to flip and desaturate the image to show that it's a perfect match.



More vintage (and current) Disneyland photos at my main website.

Christmas in November

I typically don't want to hear anything about Christmas until after the turkey has been consumed, yet it is difficult to avoid it when all of retail is shoving it down your throat. Last week during a photo shoot, I heard a homeless man singing Christmas Carols. So…I give up. Today's image shows the Christmas Bowl which was originally held at the Bandstand in Magnolia Park, which was approximately located where Indiana Jones Adventure stands today. The slide is marked "55," but to my knowledge the bandstand wasn't moved to Adventureland until Summer of 56. Yet another mystery that someone more knowledgeable than me can answer. The writing also states "Presidential Choir."



Two more previously posted Christmas Bowl shots which appear to be from the same year since the garland is an identical match:





More Magnolia Park at my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

60th Anniversary Trip, Pt. 12

It's time for New Orleans Square at Night! The Magnolia Park area is one of the most beautiful quiet spots in the park; a lovely place to sit, relax, and watch the peeps going by.

A few interior shots of Cafe Orleans after the doors have closed.





Let's get a closer look at that copper coffee urn, shall we?



Quite a history!



I am a nut for signage, but even more so at night when it is all lit up!





An interior shot of the Blue Bayou Restaurant lobby:



Time to shift over to Adventureland for more nighttime magic.



Hopefully you've all experienced the joy of Shrunken Ned in the Adventureland Bazaar:







This underused area was once the vibrant Tahitian Terrace:



I spent some time in the Tiki Room courtyard getting these gems of the animated Tiki statues, starting with Koro:



Pele:



Pele mad:



and Maui:



Tomorrow, we'll spend some time in Fantasyland!



More Disneyland night (and day) photos at my main website.

April at Disneyland, Pt. 2

Welcome to New Orleans Square, one of my favorite areas of Disneyland. If you head to there right after opening, you have a very good chance of getting some nice photos before the crowds overtake the park.



Always take the time to look above; each balcony has a plethora of props and other cool details just waiting to be noticed.



The nice banners like this help alleviate the "pain" of the Club 33 construction that has overtaken so much of New Orleans Square.



The Popcorn Cart near Magnolia Park wasn't quite ready for business.



It was pointed out to me that the benches have been removed from Magnolia Park. What's a park without benches?



Here's a genuine FauxD© shot of Magnolia Park; you can almost hear the water cascading from the fountain.



This ginormous Easter "egg" was placed in the fountain, just waiting to be noticed.



And until my next Disneyland Trip Report post, I'll leave you at the gate of the Haunted Mansion:



See more vintage & current Daveland Disneyland New Orleans Square photos on my main website.