Main Street Model Monday, Part 1

In my collection I have this image of the model that Imagineers created when designing Main Street at Disneyland. So many interesting things to unpack here. Recently on ebay, a seller had listed some alternate shots of this model that also included attraction concept art posted on the walls. The below image was one of those images, which shows Walt’s original intention of having a bandstand in the middle of Town Square.



The below shots from 1957 give a visual of how it all turned out. The design of City Hall and the Fire Department pretty much turned out as originally planned.



As you can see here though, the bandstand was replaced by a flag pole.



In the construction shot below, you can see Walt surveying his kingdom, with the unfinished bandstand in the background at right.



By May 1955, it had been located in its original destination, Town Square.



Still there in this aerial shot. So what happened to it? Apparently Walt realized the structure blocked the view of the Castle at the end of Main Street and decided he needed to open up the visual pathway. The bandstand was relocated to the side of Central Plaza.



The most recent shot I have of this area is from December 2015. The trees do a great job of obstructing the buildings, although I don’t think they are the original ones planted in 1955. Any horticulture experts out there?



See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Main Street and Judy Garland

One of the short-lived original attractions at Disneyland was this bandstand, where the Disneyland band would entertain guests. Here’s an early construction shot with Walt standing at the (future) Main Street Train Station with the bandstand still being put together near the (future) Opera House:

Originally built in Town Square, Walt realized that the structure would block the important view of the Castle at the end of Main Street, U.S.A.

…so it was quickly moved to the area that now houses Fantasy Faire. The third move did not prove so lucky for the bandstand, as shown in this (undated) photo from its Adventureland/Magnolia Park location (now the location of Indiana Jones).

Vesey Walker conducts the band here under the shade of this charming gazebo which was very appropriate for small-town America, but not for the thrill-seeking guests of Disneyland. When the Jungle Cruise expanded in 1962, this quiet little parcel of music and rest was removed (the story is on my website).

In the 1936 musical short, “Every Sunday,” Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin attempt to get townspeople to attend a concert at their own little Main Street Gazebo. Even in 1936, there were problems finding an audience for such a thing!

It would be the only time that these two musical geniuses would be paired together on celluloid.

See more vintage Disneyland Magnolia Park bandstand photos at my main website.

Disneyland Aerial December 1963

Somebody flying in a plane back in December 1963 captured this aerial view of Disneyland. This is my kind of traveler! As you can see in detailed view #1, the Haunted Mansion exterior is pretty much done, whereas construction of New Orleans Square is just barely beginning.



Behind Town Square, it's obvious that neither Edison Square or International Street are going to happen! Nothing but backstage!



Tomorrowland is still the original 1955 design, with the addition of the Flying Saucer attraction. Three years later, it will be a whole "New" ballgame.



See more Disneyland aerial photos at my main website.

Hondo Hattie Overhead, 1965

In celebration of Disneyland in Anaheim's 61st anniversary of when it was open to the general public (aka average Joe Schmoe), here is an overhead shot of the Jungle Cruise attraction from June 1965. Here's the accompanying publicity blurb:

TWELVE BUSLOADS of Oregonian Junior Dealers are scheduled to arrive in Disneyland this month during a five-day vacation which also includes visits to Mainland, Pacific Ocean Park and a big league baseball game. The boys are selling subscriptions now to earn the trip. Photo shows Disneyland launch navigating past menacing crocodiles toward a tottering archway.

A closeup of the crocodiles and the Hondo Hattie:



Hattie is still in operation; at least it was when I shot this one in 2007:



I'm surprised Honda hasn't taken over sponsorship of this attraction; then they could rename the boat Honda Hattie.

More vintage and current Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my main website.

Staying in Paradise

The Paradise Pier Hotel was once the "value" hotel of the Disneyland Resort. Now, even its prices have soared out of the price range of the average Park-goer. Still, it is the "cheapest" of the three Resort properties. What do you get for your buck? Naturally, you get a Disney-themed room that is spic and span.







Themed bath products:



Sometimes you get tasty treats on the bed when you arrive:



For extra $$, you can get spectacular views:



...including one of its very expensive sister property, The Grand Californian:



The iconic Tower of Terror:



How about an even closer view?



DCA's Bear:



zooming in closer to see those teeth:



Paradise Pier:



Space Mountain, with the Howard Johnson hotel in the background:



At nighttime, it's even better:



In addition, when you stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel, you get to go into the Park one hour early before the masses descend. You can get a lot done in an hour. Is it worth the cost? Only you can decide that one for yourself.

See more photos of the Paradise Pier Hotel at my main website.

July 1974 View From Above

This 1974 aerial view shows Disneyland in its vintage prime. The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are part of the landscape, and Tomorrowland is still fairly fresh from its incredible 1967 remodel. Those Rocket Jets soar high over the back of the land of the future.



Fantasyland has yet to be remodeled at this point; the Medievil façades are still in place and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship has yet to be abandoned.



Last detailed view shows the Disneyland Hotel, back when the Monorail dropped you off at its doorstep and before Downtown Disney encroached on its territory.



See more birds-eye view shots of Disneyland at my main website.

The Birth of New Orleans Square

Nothing to post for St. Patrick's Day, so instead, I am providing aerial views detailing the construction of Disneyland's New Orleans Square. Thanks to devoted Daveland reader B. Finberg, today's post starts off with a bang. This July 1962 image taken from the window of an airplane gives a great overview of construction not long after it had begun.

The little structure that you see in the detailed view below...



is the original gate to Holidayland, shown below. Holidayland closed Fall of 1961.



This second detailed view shows not only the skeleton of New Orleans Square, but construction of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse which would open in November 1962:



This July 1962 shot of the Columbia shows some construction equipment in the background...



most likely busy with the construction of the Haunted Mansion and the Disneyland Railroad.



This aerial was taken a little bit later:



A detailed view of a still flat New Orleans Square:



By January 1964, the Haunted Mansion was completed...



but New Orleans Square was still not showing much growth:



By the time of this February 1966 shot, New Orleans Square had finally gone "up" and was showing real promise!





Want to see some more pre-drone aerial views? Soar over to my main website.