Hump Day at the Gardens

Shot #1 for today hails from July 1956. What’s going on behind those construction walls? On the right we see the Sleeping Beauty Castle, which identifies the scene going on behind the Red Horseless Carriage as the soon-to-be-open Plaza Gardens, sponsored by Carnation.



Opened on August 8, 1956, the undated image below shows patrons enjoying a little shade and some nice wholesome Carnation snacks.



Since the Carnation company began in 1899, the 60th circle would most likely date this shot to 1959 (1899 + 60 = 1959; ain’t math grand?). I am digging the variety of hats.



Here’s another view of the Gardens from the 1960s:



By March 2013, the relaxing Gardens (also the beloved location of swing dancing) had been replaced by Fantasy Faire, thus blurring the lines between Fantasyland and Main Street.



See more Disneyland Carnation Plaza Gardens photos at my main website.

True Love at Disneyland, 1965

Based on the rings I see on their fingers, I assume this young couple is married. I also assume they are crazy about each other from the way that they happily pose for each other. Their day started outside the Disneyland Hotel.



Those who stay at the Disneyland Hotel now should not waste their time trying to figure out where on the property these were shot. The Hotel of 1965 bears no resemblance whatsoever to the completely rebuilt behemoth that exists today. Instead, spend your time looking at what's in this young gent's pocket, such as tickets to the Park.



At the front gate:



zooming in allows us to see the prices for 1965:



Once inside the gate, it's all about getting a shot in front of the Mickey Floral, which was probably the most popular Kodak Picture Spot.



And the sign that designates it as the perfect place for a photo:



As the sun begins to set, the young couple poses in front of Skull Rock:



and the nearby Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship:



A closeup of some of the photo suggestions available on this handy-dandy display:



Over at the Carnation Plaza Gardens, it appears that the Elliott Brothers are playing up a storm on this particular evening:



Yup. That's them!



I also had to zoom in to get a closer look at the pattern on this shirt. Kowabunga!



Riding home on the Monorail; looks like she had a fantastic day!



See more Daveland vintage & current Disneyland photos at my main website.

Rainbow Ridge and Plaza Gardens Anniversary

A few vintage shots of the little town of Rainbow Ridge dating back to December 1964. Zooming in for a closeup of the Pack Mules, it shows how forced perspective was used on the buildings to make them look bigger. Seeing people next to them kind of blows the effect.



Another shot of Rainbow Ridge from the same batch:



and a detailed view of the Frontierland Ticket booth:



Going back in time a few more years gives us this April 1962 Rainbow Ridge image:



Followed by an undated view of the Nature's Wonderland attraction itself. Notice the Fantasyland Skyway Station peaking out in the distance.



58 years ago today the Carnation Plaza Gardens opened; here's an August 1959 image showing Vesey Walker conducting a concert for some of the younger guests. Love the hats!



This beautiful little spot became an unfortunate victim to "progress" a few years back and was replaced by a Princess meet-and-greet called Fantasy Faire.



See more Daveland Rainbow Ridge Disneyland photos at my main website.

Sax at Disneyland

The legendary Wayne King, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Bill Elliot pose at Disneyland near Tomorrowland as they prepare to play in the Disneyland Big Band Festival, June 14, 1964. This photo is part of the UCLA Library Digital Archives.

For all you sax fans out there, here's a closeup of Bill's instrument. Wonder what the letters are in his pocket?



Individual portraits of the quartet from different gigs at Disneyland. Wayne King:



Count Basie from September 1978 at the Plaza Gardens:



Duke Ellington from August 1965:



Bill Elliott from August 27, 1965 in FauxD©:



Not enough sax for you? How about this March 1981 image of the Firehouse Five playing on East Center Street:



Hope you've had enough sax for today!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my main website.

The King at Disneyland

No, not that King...I'm referring to Wayne King. In this June 1968 photo, Wayne is shown playing at the Carnation Plaza Gardens.



Taped to the back of this publicity shot was his obituary:

Big band leader Wayne King, called the "waltz king" of the late 1920s and early 1930s died Tuesday night. He was 84.

The alto saxophonist, a longtime Phoenix area resident, developed his fondness for the waltz during his dance group's regular engagement at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. His theme became The Waltz You Saved For Me.

In the early '30s, King's sound became widely associated with a cosmetics line manufactured at home by a brother and sister. The two hired King's band to play for a weekly radio show pushing their product and paid the group $500 per show.

The Lady Esther Serenade became one of the most popular shows on radio. Sales figures for the costmetic line soared and King was paid $15,000 a week.

The show was most popular with matrons who used makeup generously and responded with swoons to King's lush romantic music, interspersed with poetry readings.

Among the singers who appeared with King's band were Bob Eberly and Buddy Clark.

Besides Wayne King, the Carnation Plaza Gardens were a musical venue for Frank Sinatra, Jr.:



Bill Elliott:



The Osmonds:



Lionel Hampton:



Benny Goodman:



Stan Kenton:



Count Basie:



Who did you see play at The Gardens?

See more vintage Disneyland Plaza Gardens photos on my Plaza Gardens web page.

Main Street, U.S.A., January 1964

Your journey down Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A., circa 1964, might begin aboard the Horse-Drawn Streetcar. Here's how that same journey would look about 49 years later:



Nearby, the Global Van Lines truck does a great job of advertising the company that sponsored the locker rental program in Town Square:



If you're having difficulty recognizing this section of Town Square, it's because it went through a major architectural overhaul many years ago. Here's how it looks today. I am assuming that the name "Carriage Place" is a nod to the former tenants and the vehicle that was once parked in front.



Up the street in the Plaza Gardens band conductor Vesey Walker is at the baton, entertaining the guests sitting in the shade of the bandstand.



Zooming in, you can see Vesey's credit to the right of the stage:



and of course, I had to zoom in for a better look at the band:



What became of the Plaza Gardens? You'll have to wait until my next trip to Anaheim to see a comparison photo of this area.

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