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.

The Lady in Orange

In the lower right corner of this August 1966 image at the Court of Angels in Disneyland, there is a very tall “Lady in Orange” statue amidst all the fake flowers for sale (I guess Main Street wasn’t the only place to buy them). Was she decor? Was she for sale? No idea…however, in the image below, also from August 1966, we see either the same lady with a new coat of paint, or a second version by the same artist.



A closeup:



By July 1967, our Lady in Orange had moved to a different part of New Orleans Square.



Back to the Court of Angels by July 17, 1968:



…and then she disappears without a trace. At least in my photo collection! Anybody know her story?

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

Fashion Week Pt. 2

Continuing with vintage fashion week is this February 1972 shot also from New Orleans Square. The accompanying publicity blurb:

EVENING ELEGANCE - - Inspired by the rich surroundings of Disneyland's New Orleans Square, Cheryl prepares for an evening of elegance in her creation from the Fashion Gallery at Bullock's La Habra. Sleek lines form a bold impression of color in this new season's shawl look, deeply fringed, designed by Mr. Blackwell. This will be just one of the in-look fashions showcased by Bullock's La Habra during Disneyland's "Cinderella Festival," March 3-4.



Looks like Mlle. Antoinette's has been around quite awhile!



See more vintage and current New Orleans Square photos at my main website.

Disneyland Resort Christmas

Disneyland is a magical place; few can argue that it is most magical during the holidays when all of the special lights and decor are trotted out from the mothballs. The tree in Town Square towers over all; and to think the Bandstand that was originally here was removed because it blocked the view of the Castle!



The front of the Castle:



and while standing in line for Peter Pan, I got this one of the back of the Castle (which many know was originally supposed to be how the front looked!).



At night the lights go on and the Park is transformed once again. It almost makes the crowds bearable!



New Orleans Square is where I love to gravitate to.



Being able to experience the Court of Angels again is always a special treat. Our escort up to Club 33 danced down the stairs as if he was Gene Kelly!



He was gracious enough to take a shot of my friend Kevin and I before taking us up for our dinner.



As we entered the dining room, the Christmas Carolers were filling the room with their a capella harmonies.



They even took my request to sing "O Holy Night," and boy did it sound gorgeous!



A wreath hung over the controversial new window that is located where the fireplace once was.



Two more shots of the Court of Angels before returning to the Park:





Ah, the Castle at night, perfectly reflected in the moat.



Up close:



The Grand Californian is another place at the Disneyland Resort that is a favorite spot to hang out at the holidays.



Yet another massive tree to behold.



The Gingerbread House also appears to have been enlarged to gargantuan proportions!



The back side of Gingerbread!



Unfortunately, Santa was not here while I was taking my photos.



I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend!

More Disneyland Resort Christmas photos at my main website.

Christmas at The Club Pt. 1

What better place at Disneyland to get into the Christmas spirit than Club 33? Out in New Orleans Square, the angel is looking over the guests; how many look up to see her?

Inside the misplaced window above Cafe Orleans you can see a Christmas wreath in side the Club where a fireplace once stood.



Once inside the Court of Angels (oh, how I have missed you), you can see all kinds of Christmas ornamentation.



Poinsettias add a nice splash of red.



Tinker Bell in the lantern looks much better at night.



Inside Le Salon Nouveau, aka The Jazz Lounge, more Christmas trees and Christmas bedazzlement await.





The Carolers were fantastic; they took requests and really plussed up the evening.





I ordered my new favorite beverage from the Hotel Marceline-themed cocktail menu.



I had never heard of a Throws & Maskers before!



How about a branded cup of Club 33 java?



I love the cool purplish lighting of the bar.



And the ghostly clarinet player.



This time I steadied my hand…



and got an improved shot of the hidden Darth Vader.



More Club 33 version 2.0 photos at my main website.