Main Street Model Monday, Part 2

Faithful readers knew that at some point I’d get around to part 2, and here we go! This recently listed vintage image from ebay shows the model that was created for Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. If you look closely at the original model, you can see that the original intention was to call the store below Crystal Palace. At some point before opening it was changed to Crystal Arcade.



The model also shows the building below as being a Sporting Goods Store; Coke stepped in at the right time with a sponsorship and won this coveted location…



where it still resides today. Could the Crystal Palace and Candy Palace co-existed peacefully on the same street? I guess we’ll never know.



Eagle-eyed readers will see the concept art for Storybook Land on the back wall…



and Peter Pan’s Flight…



and the Jungle Cruise.



See more Disneyland Main Street photos at my main website.

Disneyland Tour, July 1958: Part 3

After your journey to Disneyland, you might be a bit hungry. The Red Wagon Inn at Central Plaza is a nice choice! Sign says it’s open...why are these people gathered outside?!?



Across the way you would find The Pavillion:



Here is a series of sequential images that begin at Plaza Street, showing the Ruggles China and Glass shop and (eek!) the Pablum Baby Station.



There are miniature parking lanes for the strollers. How cute!



The Disneyland Band begins their journey towards Main Street:



Vesey Walker proudly leads the crew towards the Train Station:



The Penny Arcade and Candy Palace:







Last one in the sequence shows the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner:



Serving up DELICIOUS sandwiches. At least that’s what the sign says.



Just a month earlier, this shot was taken of Walt and “Alice in Wonderland” heading towards Central Plaza/Fantasyland to celebrate the opening of the new dark ride.



A closeup of the carriage’s celebrities:



Last view from July 1958 shows the moat outside the Castle:



You can see the Plaza Gardens bandstand in the background on the left, and the top of the Columbia towering overhead:



Which Land should we go to first? Adventureland? Frontierland? Fantasyland? or Tomorrowland?

See more Disneyland Central Plaza photos at my website.

Meet Me at Coke Corner

Instead of meeting at "The Hub," we typically meet at the slightly quieter Coke Corner. It was early enough that it wasn't officially opened for business, which is my favorite time to snap a few shots!



The inner workings of the ragtime upright piano:



A look at Bob Penfield's Main Street window:



The awning located above the piano:



which looks like it might still be the original piece when comparing with this 1962 image:



Later, Patrick appeared to entertain guests at the Park with his lightning-fast fingers on the keys:



Stepping inside, I took one shot of the revamped Candy Palace…and one shot was enough.



See more Daveland vintage & current Coke Refreshment Corner photos at my main website.

Disneyland June 1966, Pt. 1

I love this colorful shot of the grounds and pool at the Disneyland Hotel, part of a batch from June 1966.

And the secret word for today is "PLAID"!



This little gent is patiently waiting in the courtyard of the Enchanted Tiki Room, standing in front of the Tiki Statue of Pele.



Notice how the rock work in the lower right resembles a skull?



Here's the same area, circa February 2006:



Last one for today shows the natives on the Jungle Cruise, endlessly dancing in a circle while the poor lion at right hangs upside down.



See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland photo web pages.

Trip Report Pt. 4: Early morning at Disneyland!

I rarely visit Disneyland during the summer; the heat and the crowds are not a particular draw for me. However, the recently added bonus of an early morning entry for Annual Passholders was enough of a perq to get me on the train back to Anaheim in the middle of an August heatwave. As you can see, it was the crack of dawn when I lined up at the security checkpoint. There was actually somebody in line ahead of me; a gent from Canada who decided to get up early and attempt to get some fast passes for his sleeping family.

A view of the entrance that you rarely see. Not a soul in sight.



My "strategy" for the day was to hit Tomorrowland. It had been awhile since I'd spent much time there, so with one hour of play time before the swarms arrived, I decided to use that to my advantage. Despite my strategy, I had to stop along the way to snap a few Main Street shots without guests.





Thanks to the early entry, I was able to walk onto Star Tours. Thanks, R2D2!



Snapped a few more guest-free shots:



Paid homage to the Moonliner tribute, which was a totally unnecessary (but very cool) set piece that was erected in honor of one of the most beloved attractions of the past.



Walked right onto Space Mountain:







As I was exiting Space Mountain, I realized that I hadn't been on The Matterhorn since its refurbishment. Here was my opportunity to bypass the lines! How does it look? Absolutely spectacular!



I can't get on the attraction yet; I need to photograph these cool light fixtures!



How does it ride? Fortunately, I had the front seat of the new vehicles. The poor guests behind me pretty much had their knees in their faces, and complained about the cramped spaces. The attraction seemed just as jerky in its movement, but it seemed to go much slower. Good for taking photographs:





But definitely lowers the thrill factor.



Back into Tomorrowland, Stacy & I played a round with Buzz.





Stacy was the 2nd highest score of the day, just shy of 1 million.



She's unbelievable at Buzz.



Next up was Peter Pan, which required a shot of the Castle on the way:



New Orleans Street sparkled, waiting for the first slew of guests to eat Mickey Pancakes at The Riverbelle Terrace Restaurant.



The Mark Twain was still docked, not quite ready to take its first spin around the Rivers of America:



The golden flowers with white highlights looked beautiful in New Orleans Square:



There were only two others wandering through the streets of New Orleans Square:



An empty Pirates of the Caribbean:



Which provided Stacy & I the rare opportunity of having our own boat through the attraction. I decided to enjoy it and put the camera back in the bag.



The last shot for this trip report shows the Treehouse with The Dream Suite peering out of the background.



With a train to catch and the crowds starting to trickle in, it was time for me to head home. Hope you enjoyed this trip report as much as I enjoyed experiencing it.

See more vintage and current Disneyland/DCA photos on my Disneyland web pages.