Disneyland Comin' at Ya! Summer 1955, Pt. 1

I was very excited to acquire this group of 3D (presented here in Genuine FauxD©) slides showing Disneyland during its first year. The red white and blue bunting tells me these were taken during the first few months of operation. Look at the landscaping around the Mickey floral - positively barren! The first image shows the left and ride sides layered; the image below is a digital composite of the two, which provides slightly more information on both sides, including the slightly disheveled lady on the right.



The main subjects of our year one series can be seen standing in Town Square, waving to the photographer standing on the steps of the Main Street Train Station:



The panoramic view:



Zooming in, you can see that there’s still a crane near the Sleeping Beauty Castle turrets:



How about that non-themed trashcan that just says, “TRASH.” At this stage, the uniforms of the Disneyland Band were navy.



Our guests are standing in front of the Plaza Apartments just on the edge of Main Street/Central Plaza, with the Red Wagon Inn in the background. A Keystone Kop poses with them for good measure.



The panoramic view removes one of the obstructions from what I “assume” is a Main Street vehicle.



Last one for today shows our guests with their backs to Main Street:



A surrey and the Horse-Drawn Streetcar co-exist!



You can just barely see the Disneyland brochure in this gal’s hands in this detailed view:



Most likely this is what we see in the photo:

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

Vintage Disneyland Quickie

As I was going through these 3 consecutive vintage shots of Disneyland, I noticed that they could be layered into a quick animated gif, giving us a few seconds of life on Main Street, U.S.A. circa 1956. First we have the Horse-Drawn Streetcar, followed by the red Horseless carriage…



and another red Horseless carriage shot as it approaches the Plaza Apartments (wonder what rent would be for those today?):



Combined and layered in Photoshop, we have as the French say, Voilà!



See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Journey Down Main Street, U.S.A. 1956

Join me as we stroll down Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A. circa 1956. Our first image shows the Main Street Cinema. Zooming in, it would seem that back in the day there was a real person working inside the Cinema's ticket booth, versus Tilly the “dummy” that's there now.



This one appears to have been shot while our National Anthem was being played.



A tighter crop of the same shot, taken in front of the Gibson Greeting Card Shop.



You can almost smell the popcorn roasting in this little cart outside the Gibson Shop.



A closeup of the little mechanical clown doing all the work:



At the end of Main Street, Vesey Walker leads the Disneyland Band towards Central Plaza.



Zooming in, we can see a Circus Wagon from the former Mickey Mouse Club Circus, now being operated by Professor George J. Keller.



A Surrey takes guests around the Plaza.



I drop you off at the Sleeping Beauty Castle:



A closeup of the driver of the newfangled horseless carriage:



...and a sign that has seen better days:



See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

2000th Post Extravaganza: Apartments and Insurance on Main Street

This January 1966 photo gives a nice view of the sections of Main Street that we have visited over the last few posts.

Need a place to live? How about the Plaza Apartments on Main Street? This corner shop started life as a faux Apartment building. I can only guess that Walt didn't have enough sponsors on day one; this was rectified August 1956 when the INA Carefree Corner moved in and replaced the Plaza Apartments.



Faux or not, I would have loved to have lived here! I'd probably eat at the Red Wagon Inn every day.



In this March 1959 photo, you can see that INA has taken residence. I have no idea what parade this was, but it sure looks wacky! Apparently the opening day parade wasn't the only time that Autopia cars were driven down Main Street.



Another view of the INA Carefree Corner, which I am guessing was taken from the Red Wagon Inn patio.



Most likely, there are a number of readers who have no idea what the Carefree Corner was (especially since it closed in 1985, with a brief reprieve from 1988–1994). Guests who dropped by could sign a guestbook (there was one for each state) inside of this information center. Friendly service by cast members wearing appropriate Main Street garb included a souvenir gift, directions to Disneyland attractions, as well as travel & reservation assistance. INA (Insurance Company of North America) sponsored The Carefree Corner from 1956 to 1974.



Zooming in, you can see the patriotic summer bunting as well as directional signage for First Aid, East Plaza Street, Lost Children, and the Baby Station. On the left of this detailed view, you can see signage for the Ruggles China & Glass Shop.



Just a few more views of this beloved corner:



Brer Bear! What a treat for these October 1969 guests.



See more vintage & current Disneyland East Main Street U.S.A. photos on my East Main Street web page.

Then & Now: Main Street Pt. 2

The Puffin Bake Shop in Main Street was located to the left of the Penny Arcade on the West Side of the Street, lasting from 1955 until 1960. Today, this area is The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (See Patrick...I knew these photos would come in handy!). Structure/ornamentation-wise, these façades have seen few changes in 50 years.





This vintage photo shows Wonderland Music,



And here’s a closeup of the shop window:



Here’s one of the same area in August 1986:



And how it looks today in its Chester Drawer’s incarnation:



As a bonus for today, here’s a closeup of the Plaza Apartments shot from yesterday showing the window:



See more vintage & current Main Street photos at my regular website.

Then & Now: Main Street

At the end of Main Street’s west side, Cole of California used to sell their swimwear...but obviously not much of it, as their occupancy on Main Street was shortlived. Today, this area is difficult to see and photograph due to the growth of nearby trees and the archway that was added many years later.



The upper part of this building is still recognizable, but the lower portion has been opened up and is now used as part of the Penny Arcade and seating for Coke Corner.



On the opposite side of Main Street, life began as the Plaza Apartments for this corner piece of prime real estate:



One of the most famous tenants of this building was the INA Carefree Corner; as you all know, Insurance always takes your cares away...as well as your hard-earned cash.



Today, Kodak inhabits this area selling their products as well as being the pickup spot for most Disney photos taken at the park.



See more vintage & current Main Street photos at my regular website.