A Jester in Tomorrowland

That’s right; a Jester on a unicycle is riding through Tomorrowland at Disneyland, circa July 1964. The most famous unicycler at Disneyland was Christopher Fair. Alas, he left in 1963, so this is obviously his replacement.



The same guy (and outfit) circa 1965 in Fantasyland, which is where you most typically saw this character:



Christopher Fair, circa July 1963:



The location of the first image is near the entrance of Tomorrowland, where the state flags once resided. Here’s the one for New York, from roughly 1956/1957:



A detailed view of the info on the pole’s plaques:



A view from Spring 1960:



A genuine FauxD© shot from April 1965:



See more photos at my main website.

Treasures from 1957, Pt. 1

This 1957 gem shows a demure lady wearing a classic Disneyland paper hat from the early years of the park, standing in front of the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry. I am going to guess she’s visiting from Missouri, as that’s the flagpole at the Tomorrowland entrance that she chose to pose by.



In her hand is a Disneyland Guidebook. This version of the souvenir was released in 1956, but as you can see this must be an updated version since it has the year 1957 added in the upper right hand corner.



My version, from 1956:



Here’s an interior look at the colorful Hall of Chemistry, circa July 1960:



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

How to Date a Clock

Sometimes it takes a bit of careful sleuthing to identify the date of an unmarked Disneyland slide. Fortunately, this image of the Clock of the World at the entrance to Tomorrowland yields a few clues. The Avenue of Flags were moved to the entrance in 1956, and the patriotic bunting on the lightposts in Central Plaza tell us this image was taken in July. You’ll also note the attraction poster for The Mickey Mouse Club Theater move “3D Jamboree” which debuted in 1956.

The back of the white sign in front of the castle gives the best clue of all, though.

Here’s another 1956 image of the Castle:

This type of  map/sign was gone by 1957.

Looks like the colorful image leading our post today was from July 1956. NOW I can rest easy!

See more vintage Disneyland Clock of the World photos at my main website.

Vintage Tomorrowland

You might think we’re stuck in May 1957 this week...and you could be right as far as this blog is concerned! This gentleman at the entrance to Tomorrowland is apparently blinded by the California sunshine. He should turn around and get some ice cream from that nice cart behind him. Note the state flags that are still at the entrance.



This second image was taken in the heart of vintage Tomorrowland, near the Rocket to the Moon attraction and the Flight Circle.



I often wonder (and muse on this blog) about where the photos now exist of the people holding cameras in these images from over sixty years ago!



For KS: this closeup of the ticket booth. Still pretty fuzzy.



See more vintage Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Yesterday's Tomorrow

A trio of Spring 1957 black and white Tomorrowland shots starts off my return to blogging. In the background are the Skyway Station and the Space Bar. Don't get excited…no liquor to be found there. In photo #2, the Flight Circle seems fairly quiet. Sad to think that Lee won't be chiming in anymore with commentary.



The Clock of the World once served as the focal point at the Tomorrowland entrance.



While we are talking it, here are a few 1950s shots in vivid color of that iconic clock.



A closer look:



The clock in daylight, circa September 1958:



and the same view at night:



A 1960's view with the Avenue of Flags in the background. Each one represented a different state.



One more closeup!



Final one for today features a Skyway shot of Tomorrowland from 1958:



Zooming in for what matters:



See more of yesterday's tomorrow at my main website.

More Opening Day Photos From Michael Black

Awhile back, I posted a number of photos that Daveland reader Michael Black had been kind enough to share from his Blackened Roots blog. Recently, he uncovered ten more shots that were also taken on the official public Opening Day of Disneyland, July 18, 1955. Beginning with image number one, I will let Michael narrate:

My father’s foster brother, Richard, realizing too late that he’s in my grandmother’s shot of the entrance to Frontierland.

The departure of the Mark Twain Steamboat to an adventure on the Rivers of America:



The Mark Twain Steamboat on the Rivers of America:



The Golden Horse Shoe Revue, taken from aboard the Mark Twain Steamboat:



The half-completed entrance to Adventureland:



What a great shot this could have been…this is a view from a Jungle Cruise boat, back when the ride was intended to be a serious adventure:



A rhino from the Jungle Cruise:



The TWA Moonliner and the Avenue of Flags in Tomorrowland:



Another shot of the TWA Moonliner, this one surprisingly well executed (although the negative has gotten crinkled from rough handling):



And last, but by no means least, the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s an odd vantage point; did they go “off trail” to get this shot?



Many many thanks to Michael for sharing this amazing collection of historic photos.

See more vintage Disneyland Opening Day photos on my Opening Day web page.

A Clock, A Rocket, and Hats

The entrance to Tomorrowland is seen in this 1956 photo. Because of the wide pathway into this section of Disneyland, it appeared more welcoming and gave guests a sense of curiosity about what was beyond the Avenue of Flags.

The Timex Clock of the World mimicked the look of an hourglass, entertaining guests for approximately 11 years until it was removed to make way for "New" Tomorrowland.



This September 3, 1958 photo gives you a color view of the entrance (just in case you have an aversion to black & white!).



Zooming into the same image for a closer look at the Clock.



Back to my 1956 black and white batch, this image shows the Hat Bar located in front of the Moonliner.



A color photo of the Hat Bar:



To end today's post, here's a closeup of some hats that you might have been able to purchase in Tomorrowland during the 1960's. I'll take one of each, please!



See more vintage & current Disneyland Tomorrowland photos on my Tomorrowland web pages.