Sunday is for Pancakes!

As a child, Sundays were my favorite day when it came to breakfast. Mom always made pancakes (sometimes she would do waffles or French toast for variety). As you can see by the look on my face, I was pretty happy with the pancakes!

At Disneyland, in 1957 they held their first Western National Pancake race. Look at #3 giving it her all as she is about to cross the finish line!



The background on this event can be found at the Seattle Times online:

Women in matching checkered aprons, headscarves and a rainbow of running shoes limbered up Tuesday as they prepared for the centuries-old pancake race in this English country town. At the word “Go” they sprinted through the streets, trying not to drop their pancakes as they roughly traced the path taken by a harried housewife in 1445, who legend has it heard the church bells signaling the Shrove Tuesday service and raced off with her skillet. The tradition has been repeated over the centuries — not only in Olney but across England and even in the United States, where the Kansas town of Liberal copied the idea and has been trying to outrun their friendly British rivals for 75 years. The race is held the day before the start of Lent, the Christian period of repentance and sacrifice before Easter. Celebrated as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in other parts of the world, the name Shrove Tuesday derives from the English word meaning to seek forgiveness or be granted absolution. Runners must flip the pancake at the start and finish. The 415-yard (380-meter) sprint itself may be a form of penance ahead of Lent.

Because Disneyland had an Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen restaurant, naturally Aunt Jemima participated in the parade/event herself:



This image from November 1962 shows Aunt Jemima leading the parade with Minnie and Mickey Mouse:



In the back you can see two of the Three Little pigs with a sign behind them:



Pluto is carrying the sign announcing the 6th annual Western National Pancake Races with Goofy lagging behind. Unfortunately, I do not have any shots of the actual race from 1962.



At Disneyland, Riverbelle Terrace (the former Aunt Jemima’s) was the usual place to get pancakes when at the Park:



For a more upscale experience, you could have these at Steakhouse 55:



For variety, Storytellers Cafe provided Mickey waffles:



It looks like Pluto liked waffles as much as I did!



Is your griddle out now?

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

New Orleans at Disneyland

When Disneyland first opened, New Orleans Square was not part of the footprint. Instead, the fabled city in Louisiana got a street: New Orleans Street on the border of Frontierland and Adventureland. This lady and her son are sitting on the patio of New Orleans Street, circa 1955. The Casa de Fritos restaurant was located here briefly from August 1955 until July 1957 when it moved over to Frontierland.



This is the same row of buildings as it looked in October 2010. Obviously there were some changes over the years and the lovely half-circle window was lost with the expansion.



This shot from February 1956 shows a little girl in her Mousketeer hat sitting in the same area, outside the Aunt Jemima restaurant:



This July 1966 image shows the construction of New Orleans Square:



A detailed view of the ornate grillework on the balcony:



Because nothing at Disneyland is subtle anymore, a bit of gold paint shows that the grillework includes the initials for Walt and his brother Roy.



The last image for today shows the Court of Angels, July 1976;



Today, only guests of Club 33 have access to this area. Once again, subtlety at Disneyland has flown the coup:



See more Disneyland New Orleans Square photos at my main website.

Vintage Menu Displays at Disneyland

Inspired by some recent activity on X (the platform formerly known as Prince, I mean Twitter), I have compiled a post of Disneyland menu displays from my collection.

Let’s start at the very beginning (“Sound of Music” reference intentional) with the Hills Brothers Coffee House in Town Square, just as you first enter Disneyland, circa August 1977. No prices featured, but the apple turnover might just draw me in.



Moving down Main Street, U.S.A., we encounter the Plaza Inn, July 1965:



Could you even get a few slices of roast beef for $1.35 anymore, let alone the roll and hot potato salad?



Two years later, April 1967:



Spaghetti Italienne has been added to the lineup. This guest’s lei just does not fit in.



Interesting that the fried chicken, which it is known for today, is not part of this menu yet.



Across the way is the Plaza Pavilion, June 1964



Spaghetti Italienne is also featured here, too. Is “Italienne” really necessary in the title?



Plaza Pavilion, August 1966



By this time, “Italienne” has transitioned to “Italian.” Not quite as fancy. And instead of savory sauce, it’s meat sauce.





The Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe took over this location in January 2012. This February 2012 shot does not delve into pricing.



Over in Adventureland, the Tahitian Terrace simply posted the menu for guests, as you can see in this 1960s image:



The menu:



Before New Orleans Square, there was New Orleans Street. Here’s the Silver Banjo, 1959:



Look at all you get for $1.50! Fish’n Chips with the famous Silver Banjo BBQ sauce (or tartar, your choice!), cole slaw, lemon slice, roll, butter, and beverage. Wow! Using an inflation calculator, that would be the equivalent of roughly $16. Good luck finding all of that for just $16 in a Disney Park today!



The Silver Banjo was run by actor Don DeFore (“Hazel”), shown here with his brother Vern (the restaurant’s manager), 1959:



A contemporary shot of the sign!



Taking a step back in this February 1959 shot, you can see that the Silver Banjo was right next door to Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen:



A closeup of the Silver Banjo’s wooden sign:



Aunt Jemima’s became the Riverbelle Terrace. Here’s the menu, circa January 1977:



This April 1977 image provides a better look at the lower half:



By September 2008, the prices disappeared, as did the large variety of choices:



Still just breakfast as of May 2011:



By August 2012, we get a look at a lunch menu:





The Blue Bayou was the signature restaurant of New Orleans Square. Here’s what was being served in August 1976:



Same menu as year later, April 1977:



Different holder, different menu items, January 2011. At least the Monte Cristo is holding on!



Nearby is Café Orleans, from Summer 2006:



Casa de Fritos was a popular spot in Frontierland. The Gonzalez Trio serenaded hungry patrons, January 1966



A closeup of the menu:



Casa de Fritos, 1981/82



Prices were still featured outside the restaurant!



Next to the Golden Horseshoe Saloon is the Stage Door Café, May 2015:



The perfect place for a quick fast-food meal.



The Harbour Galley, May 2011. Prices to be discovered once you place your order! All part of the magical experience at Disneyland these days.



Critter Country had the Hungry Bear Restaurant, as seen in this May 2011 menu board. Prices are necessary on this one, since it’s where you actually place your order.



The sign in front of the entrance is a different story. Lure the guests in with the food and cute animals, but don’t scare them with the prices! August 2007:



Over in Fantasyland the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant, 1955:



A grainy closeup of the sign:



An interior shot, January 1968





By the time of this June 1982 image, the restaurant was retitled Captain Hook's Galley, and the prices were gonzo.





One of the Fantasyland concession stands, 1950s:





Over in Tomorrowland, the concession stand was titled Space Bar, as seen in this 1950s image:





Flash forward to May 2011, where you can get a meal at Flight Command Cuisine:



Hungry? I know I am! See more Disneyland photos at my main website.