EarzUp! and Holidayland

The gang at EarzUp! kindly invited me back to ramble on and on during their recent podcast. This time, they requested the topic be Holidayland. Never heard of it? Probably because it was one of those very short-lived areas of Disneyland, lasting from June 1957–Fall 1961. Here are the photos that were shared during the youTube version of the podcast. The first is most likely from 1959/1960, showing the entrance to Holidayland, which plugs both the Matterhorn and Submarine Voyage attractions.



For an idea of where Holidayland was located, you can see the tent in the background of this 1958 image. Basically, behind where the Haunted Mansion would be built:



In my collection are a number of March 1957 images featuring Dick Simmons, in character as Sergeant Preston from the Yukon. He played this role from 1955-1958 on CBS Television. Since it was a Wrather Production, I am guessing that’s why he was at Disneyland, part of the Ken-L-Ration Dog Show/Contest. (Jack) Wrather was the owner of the original Disneyland Hotel.



Note the Holidayland playground equipment in the background, themed as a wagon and fort/castle:



A closeup of Simmons as Sgt. Preston:



In 1988, the Disneyland Hotel featured the Yukon Follies, which also had Sgt. Yukon. This character just was not going away.



Back to 1957…where guests could register their dogs:





Simmons getting close to two of the contestants:



Note the Mouse Ears on this dog:



It would appear that this lady’s duty was to type up the names of those entering on official Ken-L-Ration stationery. Was white-out invented back in 1957?



The entrance tent in the background:



The Holidayland Ball field, being used for the Ken-L-Ration contest:



The little booth on the left looks like it was borrowed from Fantasyland:



The Prettiest Dog was being picked at this time; note the scale on the table in the back:



Everyone seems to be wearing a visor, and yet the bleachers have zero cover to protect guests from the sun:





The next few shots are from the USC Digital Archives, showing the June 13, 1958 “Salute to Youth” program at Disneyland. Walt Disney and Art Linkletter are surrounded by Peter Eltgroth (St. Robert Bellarmine High School), Sandra York (Bell Gardens), Shirley Rose (Milliken High School), and Kip Eder (John Muir High School). The caption for the photo reads: Outstanding high school seniors and educators from Los Angeles and Orange County gathered at Disneyland Friday (June 13) for a 'Salute to Youth' program, honoring the achievements of the youth of Southern California.



The students are pictured above with Walt Disney and Master of Ceremonies Art Linkletter. Zooming in for a better look at Walt and his script:



Sandra and her perfect hair; note the guest badge she is wearing:



A group shot of the outstanding high school students and educators:





These June 1960 images show the Shriners enjoying a visit to Holidayland:









That Fez is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship:



Note the Disneyland postcards for sale:



This Shriner wife is enjoying (we hope) a picnic meal at Holidayland:



How about that vintage Disneyland paper cup?



Once again, more attraction posters, this time for the Monorail, the Columbia, The Grand Canyon Diorama, and the Jungle Cruise:



Our 1960 Shriner made his way into the park:





Want to see the youTube version of the EarzUp! Podcast? Here you go:



See more Disneyland Holidayland photos at my main website.

EarzUp on The Disneyland Resort, Pt. 4

It’s the final chapter of the EarzUp podcast team details that they love at the Disneyland resort, starting with:

11. The Garbage Cans. All themed to the land that they’re in; they did not have to do this at all; it’s a garbage can!



12. The Wooden sidewalks in Frontierland. Most parks would overlook, but these authentic planks are awesome, and they make a cool sound when you walk on them! (I think I can hear it right now)





13. The majority of DL attractions are inside. The attractions are mainly inside, allowing the exterior to act as a carnival barker with sneak peaks of what’s inside, drawing you in and building the excitement.



14. The Indiana Jones queue. It’s interesting and entertaining, but yes…they should fix the ceiling thing!



15. The small shells in the concrete of the Ariel attraction. Small sea shells crushed up into the concrete; like being at the beach. Helps set the stage for being underwater.



16. The nods to where past things have stood. Melvin, Buff, and Max still within Winnie the Pooh, Eyeore parking sign inside of Indiana Jones…incorporating the past into the present is amazing.



17. The ability to crowd control. At parades, the cast members do a great job with the little space that they have in keeping guests moving.



18. Walt Disney is everywhere. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Flag Ceremony, and Lillian’s Petrified Tree. Guests don’t necessarily flock to/notice these attractions, and yet they are still there.



19. The old espresso machine in Café Orleans. Crafted in 1905 and supposedly purchased by Walt himself. The world’s first commercial espresso machine. Non-functioning now, though.

Quite a bit there, but I am also sure there are a number missing, too. What would YOU add?

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

EarzUp on The Disneyland Resort, Pt. 3

Now that we got the negatives out of the way, here are the details that the EarzUp podcast team LOVE about the Disneyland resort, illustrated with the Daveland collection!

1. The entirety of Galaxy’s Edge. Maybe not the cast members saying “Good Moon,” but…Terrence saw this area for the first time about a month ago; he rounded a corner and in front of him was the Millennium Falcon. As a 41-year old man he teared up seeing it because it felt like he was an 8-year old kid seeing something that he’d always imagined. The land is so immersive! From Jason: “Mmmmm…I’ll let it pass…” Apologies for not having a Galaxy’s Edge photo, but still haven’t been there. And no, I’m not really sorry about that!



2. Area music. Music is themed appropriately for each area (with seamless transitions), but quiet enough that it’s non-intrusive to a conversation (unlike at Universal Studios and other theme parks). They do it better than anyone else from the minute you step onto Main Street, U.S.A.

3. Center Street on Main Street, U.S.A. It’s more than just façades; the Painless Dentist and Hotel Marceline have appropriate sounds emitting from them. Little unnoticed details that they didn’t have to do…but they did.

4. The Main Street windows. They are more than just the people’s names; it’s the design, the passion, and effort to make them look like pieces of art that puts them on this list.

5. The Smellitizers. Found throughout the Park, they pump out smells to help with the immersion. Especially love the ones on Soarin’ Over California at DCA! Note: this is not talking about the “Pirate” water on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction!

6. Still honoring Walt. The candle in the window in his Town Square apartment over the Fire Department. Still showing respect to the man who had the dream and brought it to fruition.

7. Carpet on the Lilly Belle car. They didn’t need to keep it, but they decided to honor the design and integrity of Lillian Disney’s original choices.

8. The Little Man of Disneyland’s House. Located at the base of a tree in front of the Indiana Jones queue. It’s a cute little Easter egg that a lot of people wouldn’t know about, and great for kids, getting them to interact with Cast Members. This is another one I don’t have a photo for; the one here is from The Disney Parks Blog.

9. The Main Street window for Frank Wells. He climbed six of the seven summits in the world. Wells is a guy who in many ways helped to save AND expand Disneyland into what it is today.

10. The Cleanliness of Disneyland. You take it for granted while you’re there, but there’s no trash around. It’s the freshest, cleanest, experience possible.

One more post to go!

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.