48 Years Ago: December 1961, Pt. 2

Picking up where we left off, today’s part 2 begins in Town Square, with a view of the Matterhorn decorated for Christmas. The closeup shot shows what’s playing at the Main Street Cinema: Buster Keaton in “Allez Oop.” Sorry Bill...that 10 years you lost yesterday has gone right back on your time clock!



My old friend the Tobacco Shop Indian looks a little lonely in this shot:



2 more Main Street shots as we head down towards the Castle:





At Central Plaza, we get a much better view of the Matterhorn Christmas Star; that sucker is humongous!



And the castle, before it became littered with bling:



This view of the castle also affords a glimpse of the Snow White Wishing Well, which was only 8 months old at the time:



One of my favorite “quiet” spots of the park.



For our next post (be patient!), I’ll cover Tomorrowland. See more Disneyland photos at my website.

Christmas in August: Tomorrowland, December 1962

It’s a great big beautiful tomorrow in 1962, however the House of the Future looks like it needs a good powerwashing. Even plastic gets dirty in the future.

The Matterhorn is adorned with the Christmas Star. I'll bet that thing can pick up all kinds of TV stations!





America The Beautiful is playing over in Tomorrowland and The Clock of the World is still telling time for guests. That AT&T replica satellite looming over the building sure looks ominous!



For the Major, here is a closeup of the previous photo and the circular signage, which won't be too helpful since it is blurry; however, the second shot (although slightly different) will be easier to decipher and is from 1964:





TWA is out and Douglas is in over at the Rocket to the Moon attraction. Dig that steam coming out of the Moonliner! Must be time for another flight.



Anybody care for a voyage into liquid space aboard the Seawolf?



We’ll be leaving Tomorrowland in our Blue Monorail; boy is that thing going fast!



READER QUESTION: What kind of technology runs the Tiki Room these days? I remember the "World of Color" segment that showed the "Tiki Room's" computer control room, all spinning magnetic tape and punch cards (and one lone coffeemaker). I'm sure that's been upgraded to a single workstation, but I do wonder if all that machinery is still there, backstage. And if they upgraded the coffeemaker, too?" Any of you insiders that know the answer, it sure would be great to hear from you! Thanks -



Detail-man Jason from Disneyland Nomenclature pointed out that the man in the cowboy hat sitting on the horse-drawn streetcar from the other day's 1962 shot was cast member Charley Brock. However, Charley's family has weighed in and it doesn't seem like it is him at all.





See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my website.

Christmas 1968 Trio

Three images from the close of an era. First up is the it’s a small world attraction, still sponsored by Bank of America. #2 is a lovely twilight image of the Mark Twain passing the Columbia on the Rivers of America.



Last but definitely not least is this overhead image from the Disneyland Hotel, which includes the Red Monorail at the station as well as the Matterhorn. These slides were dated March 1969, but it appears that the Christmas Star is atop the Matterhorn, indicating that they may have been shot in December or January.





See more Disneyland photos at my website.

The Holidays at Disneyland, Pt. 1

It’s the holidays, and while I am out doing my last minute shopping at Trader Joe's and Whole (Paycheck) Foods for Christmas Dinner, you can all relax at home and view today’s blog entry, devoted to Christmas/Holidays at Disneyland. Picture 1 & 2 are most likely from 1956, and show The Christmas Bowl, which was the precursor to The Candlelight Processional (which began in 1958). These photos were taken at Magnolia Park and show the Bandstand that moved from Town Square, Central Plaza, and finally Magnolia Park in Adventureland. Check out the poor schmuck pic 2, balancing a table on his nose?!? The things people will do for attention.



Here’s a nice publicity shot from 1963 showing the Disneyland Carolers, with the Matterhorn Star towering over the background:



A few years ago, I took the Holiday Tour at Disneyland, and the guide pointed out the door on Main Street that belonged to Benjamin Silverstein, the Jewish Doctor. Naturally, this provided a nice segue for the guide to talk about Hanukkah and the Jewish Traditions.



This year was the first year I had noticed a Menorah on Main Street, shining in one of the windows on the west side of the street above the Fortuosity Shop (previously the Upjohn Pharmacy).



And even though there was much ballyhoo about Disneyland having an artificial tree for the first time, it would be difficult to notice unless you looked up close, as the "tree" is literally jammed with ornaments.



New Orleans Square is one of my favorite places in the park to visit during the holidays; it looks like Mardi Gras & Christmas all in one:





For those of you celebrating the Holidays, hope you have a safe and happy one. See more vintage & current Disneyland Christmas/Holiday photos at my regular website.

Winter at Disneyland, 1964/65: Tomorrowland & Prince Caspian

For you Matterhorn Christmas Star fans, just when you thought you had a good one yesterday, here’s an even better one; it also includes a view of the House of the Future. Two icons in one. I have also included a detail shot of the star itself, which looks absolutely HUGE!



The only other Tomorrowland shots from this batch are of the Submarines, including one shot that rivals the excitement of the Backside of Water on the JC.





And now a few present day photos. Publicity is really drumming up for the Toy Story Midway Mania opening, which is only a few weeks away. Cast member previews begin next week.



I went to the El Capitan last week for the opening of the 2nd Narnia movie, “Prince Caspian.” This one gets multiple thumbs up, as I liked it even better than the first one. Of course, seeing it at the El Capitan is a huge plus, with the pre-show organ concert and a nice assortment of actual props from the movie. Folks, don’t miss this one on the big screen!







See more Prince Caspian/El Capitan photos at my website. Meanwhile, back at the park, Prince Caspian can be seen in the flesh at the beginning of each parade. Love the Royal Pooper-Scooper; does she get paid extra for this?









Happy Memorial Day! See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my website.

Winter at Disneyland, 1964/65: Main Street

Picture this: you’re a child on your first visit to Disneyland. After getting over the wonder of arrival after stepping off the tram, you see the Train pull into the Main Street Station. Hurrying under one of the two tunnels (always a difficult choice to pick which one!), you enter Town Square and walk smack dab into Mickey Mouse. Could the day get any better? Image #1 shows such a lucky lass. On the other end of the spectrum, picture this: you are a child on your first visit to Disneyland. You enter Main Street and your eyes dart all around at the amazing sights, lights, and fascinating characters. And then it happens...you step in horse shit. Image #2 shows 2 young lads who encountered such luck.



Yup, it’s Christmas on Main Street, circa 1964. Here’s a lovely nighttime shot featuring the star on top of the Matterhorn:



Last shot for today, our Main Street mode of transportation is the Horse-Drawn Streetcar, and we have been dropped off at the hub in anticipation of the day’s next choice: what land to visit first? If life’s choices were only that simple every day.



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my website.

More January 1966 plus bonus

Here are the final 2 shots from my January 1966 set. In view #1, the Columbia is about to leave the dock for another trip around the Rivers of America. In the background, the huge Christmas Star is visible atop the Matterhorn. Are you digging the fashion of these 3 cardigan-clad lads? Shot #2 is my favorite ROA transportation: the Mark Twain. There must have been a threat of rain this day, as the lady in the lower right is still wearing her plastic hairbonnet. I remember when my mother and every other respectable housewife who went to the Beauty Parlour would wear those to protect their hairdos from the elements.



This shot is unrelated, but thought I’d throw it in just because...I love the nonchalant look on this guest’s face as he is serenaded by the Keystone Kops in this June 1965 shot.



See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my regular website.