“A” is for Adventureland

When you have no idea what to post, this is what you do. Vintage Disneyland by the alphabet. This random assortment begins with a July 18, 1955 shot of Adventureland showing Casa de Huespedes (which stands for “guesthouse”) in the background.



My most recent corresponding shot is from 2011 (yikes!); it appears the thatched roof took up too much space and was eliminated at some point.



In March 1958, the Disneyland Bandstand had been moved from Main Street to Adventureland (approximately where Indiana Jones now resides).



One of the many events held there was this Ken-L-Ration dog show with Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.



An earlier shot of the Bandstand sans landscaping.



I wonder if this guest took the opportunity to serenade with a song while enjoying the Bandstand all to herself?



Adventureland was full of Tiki sculptures, as evidenced by this May 1961 photo:



Have to zoom in for this one to get a closer look at the base, which was sculpted to look like a palm tree trunk.



This tired and tatted gent proudly displays a brochure and ticket book in his pocket.



I’d show you what the 1961 brochure looks like, but then I’d be encroaching on the “Bs.”

See more Disneyland Adventureland 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.