Downtown Disney Car Show, circa 2008

In June 2008, Downtown Disney had a display of vintage autos, including this little Red Corvette (did it belong to Prince?).



Notice the Black Book in the windshield; perhaps it was the one used on the cover.



A yellow Pontiac GTO:



The GTO was the one that popularized muscle cars back in the 1960s.



This Chevy Camaro was the Official Pace Car for the 1969 Indianapolis 500:







How appropriate to have “Tigger” at Downtown Disney.



When I saw Tigger, he was at the Plaza Inn:



Back in June 1966, classic cars were parked right at the entrance:



See more Anaheim Downtown Disney photos at my main website.

1960s Tomorrowland Gems

A trio of July 1960 Disneyland images give some rare views into the original Tomorrowland. First, we see the mighty Kaiser Aluminum Telescope in the background; I sure would love to see the footage on the camera belonging to the guest in the foreground! Kaiser Aluminum wanted out almost 3 years before their 5 year contract had expired because they felt that the Disneyland TV show had competing sponsors on it. With some persuasion from Walt Disney himself, this exhibit stayed on until July 1960, making this one of the final images ever taken here.



A slightly out of focus but still color shot of the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry exhibit:



It’s hard to believe, but yes…there was an exhibit about bathrooms in Tomorrowland. Welcome to the Crane Bathroom of Tomorrow! I see a DIY project in the making for all you vintage Disneyland geeks out there.



This set had a fourth image, taken near the Plaza Inn off Central Plaza, showing Teddy and Kenny, the Disneyland shoeshine boys. This is now my earliest image of the duo.



See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Twiggy in Color!

Years ago I scored a number of vintage black and white negatives from supermodel Twiggy's April 1967 visit to Disneyland. Recently, I acquired a few color slides documenting the same trip. This first shot appears to be in Adventureland. Twiggy is surrounded by her entourage, including boyfriend Justin de Villeneuve.



Judging by the expression on her face, I would say that the Pack Mules were not a favorite.



This shot of her with Goofy is one of the few that shows her out and out laughing. What a shame it's so blurred!



The life of a supermodel: staring at an empty plate at the Plaza Inn.



SOOOOO hungry.



I guess she was allowed some popcorn. Here she is devouring a box aboard the Columbia.



See more Twiggy at Disneyland photos at my main website.

Monkey See Monday

This 1956 image shows an organ grinder and his monkey in the Central Plaza area of Disneyland. Imagine..."live" animals at Disneyland doing things that might be unscripted. A closeup of the organ shows the name Molinari & Sons, New York.



Here's a previously posted shot of the same guy, also from 1956:



More Disneyland Central Plaza at my main website.

Gone Fishing

I have added a "new" vintage cutout to my collection. Located near the Plaza Inn during the 1950s, guests of Disneyland could poke their heads through the holes and create their own photographic souvenirs. Here are some of the other previously posted ones that guests could choose from:











More Central Plaza images at my main website.

Julie Reihm: Modeling the Model

For Disneyland's 10th Anniversary, Walt recruited Julie Reihm as his sidekick for a January 1965 episode of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color." Here, Walt tells the dark-haired Disneyland Ambassador (the very first one) about the Plaza Inn Restaurant, which was in the process of being remodeled from its original incarnation, The Red Wagon Inn.

The master storyteller also showed off his upcoming projects including it's a small world, New Orleans Square (visible in the above photo in the painting behind Reihm), Pirates of the Caribbean…



and the Haunted Mansion.

Below, Imagineer John Hench, the one in charge of the Red Wagon Inn remodel, takes a gander at the same model with Walt.



Reihm came back to the Plaza Inn to cut the cake for the Tencennial Press Party on July 18, 1965:



See more Daveland Disneyland Plaza Inn photos at my main website.

Mickey's Halloween Party, Pt. 1

It was a little weird being back at Disneyland after a 6 month absence. Hard to believe it has been that long since my last visit, but also kind of nice to have a little bit of a break. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Anastasia B. & I decided to go in costume this year for Mickey's Halloween Party. She chose a sassy Queen of Hearts, and I picked 1966 Robin. Just one of those things on my bucket list.



Neither one of us had eaten lunch that day, so the first order of business was a fried chicken dinner at the Plaza Inn. We were not disappointed by the golden fried goodness that was heaped upon the plate. We skipped dessert though, knowing there would be other sugar-laden treats throughout the night.



The Plaza Inn looked great; still a dining favorite at the Park.



Have you ever noticed the initials in the valance?







Our first attraction was Buzz Lightyear. Although I rarely beat AB's score, I still have fun riding it.



I am typically too busy attempting to score points to take photos.



My somewhat lame score.



Note the concentration.



Outside, the Monsters University Dance Party was rocking' Tomorrowland.





The Subs were back in action, although we decided not to ride them.



The lagoon sure looks great at night.



Across the way the Matterhorn looked beautiful, too. It's all about the lighting!



Come back tomorrow for some Dark Ride fun!

See more Daveland Disneyland Halloween photos at my main website.