Disneyland in 3D: June 26, 1966, Pt. 1

For Daveland, June 26, 1966 was a WONDERFUL evening! In my collection, I have a series of 3D slides shot at night of the Park. Of course, I will attempt to stretch these out over two posts. When I digitally combine the left and right slides, I get a slightly wider view for most of these:



By this point, the Main Street Train Station has 50,000,000 listed as the guest count. I love seeing the people inside the station, too. It’s almost like being there.



As we enter the Park, we see that Mr. Lincoln is now playing. At this point, the show had been going on for about a year.



The combined view:



In the detailed view, you can see the interior of the Wonderland Music shop on the left, and inside the Opera House, there is a bust of Lincoln at the entrance.



Continuing up Main Street we see the Magic Shop and the Wurlitzer Music Hall:



The combined view:



A great view of the Wurlitzer display window, with the slogan, “The name that means music to millions.”



A view of Town Square shot from the Main Street Train Station:



The combined view:



If you notice that many of the people are blurred in these shots, that’s because an evening exposure would mean the shutter would have had to stay open longer.



On the other side of Town Square we see City Hall:



The combined view:



Do guests still just hang out at night and sit on benches? I’m guessing if they do, they are busy with their phones.



The Disneyland Fire Department:



Not much of a difference with the combined view other than better focus on the edges.



Since Walt was still alive at the time this was shot, the light in the window at night was not a standard thing to see.



Moving back up Main Street we encounter the Emporium:



The combined view:



I LOVE looking inside the windows! I’m so nosy! Note the photographer with a tripod on the left.



More to come!
 
See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

April at Disneyland, Pt. 1

I've already shared my experience with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during my recent visit to Disneyland. Now I will take you back outside the park to the very beginning, because that's typically where most stories should start. On this somewhat gray day in Southern California, I arrived at the crack of dawn, because that's when you can get the best photos before the strollers and crowds descend upon the park.



Last minute pressure-washing makes the park sparkle when the gates open.





How often do you see the Mickey floral with nary a soul in front of it?





650,000,000 million? Good Lord, where do they put everyone?



One final check before the gates open:



The Monorail was speeding by overhead:



And then I was in! The sunlight was just beginning to show itself, casting a golden light on the Main Street Train Station:



I shot a few photos of this section of Town Square which is rumored to be going under the knife when they finally develop the "back alley" behind Main Street, U.S.A.



I've never really paid much attention to this side of the Mad Hatter Shop.





And either this light outside of the Magic Shop is new, or I have been unaware of it. Regardless, it's a beautiful detail!



Last one for today is the recently unveiled Tony Baxter window on Main Street.



TOMORROW: New Orleans Square!

See more vintage & current Daveland Disneyland Entrance photos on my main website.

Main Street, U.S.A.: Bringing Back The Fun

It has been rumored that the back of East Main Street will be developed and open to the public, functioning as an overflow path to help move foot traffic during peak times. Although not a new idea (it goes back to at least 1957, when Liberty Street came this close to becoming a reality), it's a great opportunity to re-think Main Street, U.S.A. and to restore a healthier balance that is not so heavily focused on retail.

Suggestion #1: Expand the Main Street Magic Shop.



Who doesn't love magic? Sure, the sleight of hand tricks that cast members currently do in the Magic Shop are fun, but why not expand the shop a bit and have a performance room, similar to the Magic Castle in Hollywood? Main Street could use more pizzazz, and what better way to perk it up by adding to the showmanship with some very talented magicians? How about forging a relationship (aka sponsorship) with The Magic Castle and allowing the Main Street location to be a testing ground for new magicians?



Suggestion #2: Revamp the Main Street Cinema.



The Orlando version has already been removed; it wouldn't surprise me if Anaheim's was eventually changed into a retail shop as well. Currently, Disneyland's Main Street Cinema is like a mini-multiplex, with a number of screens that show Mickey Mouse cartoons in black and white. There is no seating; instead, guests walk around or stand still, typically walking out only a few short minutes after their entrance. What to do? Restore it back into a real (albeit small) theater with seating that shows real silent movies (in shortened versions) like it originally did. At Halloween, they could show excerpts from silent horror classics like "Phantom of the Opera" or "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and have cast members in costume as the characters from the film, just like they did back in the early years. Once again, a little showmanship that heightens the excitement of the guest experience.



In non-holiday periods, the park could show edited versions of the silent movies that inspired Walt in his early years to make "Peter Pan":





And "Snow White":



Cast members dressed as the Disney versions of those characters could hang out by the theater acting as barkers, enticing guests to see what inspired the Disney animated classics. By doing this, you would satisfy the old-school purists while creating a memorable experience for the young who would be introduced to something they may not be familiar with. Wasn't that what Disneyland was supposed to be about? Sharing experiences across the generations?

Suggestion #3: Bring back characters to the Market House



Although it's wonderful that the stove, checkerboard, and party-lines were retained in the conversion to a Starbucks location, Imagineers relegated these items into mere props. Why not bring back some Keystone Kops or create new characters that could challenge guests to a game of checkers? Have a sign-up sheet and let guests challenge their favorite Disney character to a short game.



Use the "barker" function to show guests what the party lines are for; why waste these cool items that can actually provide some entertainment value? If you're going to call the old Disneyana a book store, have a cast member in costume do storytelling in a corner, with appropriate Disney characters appearing at the proper time to bring those stories to life.



Suggestion #4: Ditch Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour and expand Carnation Cafe into the space.



Put a soda fountain counter into the Gibson Girl space and train cast members to use some showmanship when creating frozen sundaes and concoctions for guests who are eating lunch/dinner in the Carnation Cafe. Those who have dined at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours back in the day would be familiar with what I am talking about. Many a child (and adult) happily celebrated their birthday at a Farrell's location while drums, bells, and whistles heralded the happy occasion. Creative frozen treats (anyone remember The Pig's Trough?) would be whisked out to the table and employees would gather around and sing a tribute to the guest that was celebrating. It's all about energy, showmanship, fun, and tasty food. What a welcome addition to Main Street this could be. For guests who want ice cream on the go, add a quick serve window location on the new street that backs up to East Main Street, or restore the pickup window that once operated at the back of East Center Street.



Most cast members at the Carnation Cafe seem to give good service, but why not elevate it to a performance? Make the food fun by adding a little entertainment and bumping up the $$ amount of the checks by serving a dessert accompanied with a show!

Suggestion #5: Restore the Penny Arcade with a Shooting Gallery.



Time has not been kind to the Penny Arcade. The Candy Palace has encroached onto its real estate and invaded what was once a lively space. Shove the candy back over to the other side, restore the shooting gallery, and have cast members in costume challenging guests to try all of the vintage machines within. You can't expect today's average guest to know what half of the contraptions in there are for; do a little Disney showmanship and engage the guests!

Suggestion #6: Put a vintage costume and photo studio behind the Photo Supply Company.



Keep this area as a place for ordering and pickup of prints and convert the back area (that is now currently retail) into a photo studio where guests could pose with park-related backgrounds and dress in vintage costumes. Another experience you couldn't have anywhere else. On the plus side for the bean counters, it would still be an opportunity to make money!



Last one...

Suggestion #7: Put a Music/Home Media shop in The Disney Showcase Town Square location.



Take out the bland retail shop that currently inhabits this space and convert it into a Music Shop that offers vocal "lessons" and sells music and other home media. In a little sound booth, guests can pick Disney-related songs and have professional cast members give them vocal coaching before they get recorded. What guest wouldn't like to take home a CD of them singing with the Dapper Dans? Or a Disney Princess?

What ideas would you have to spice up Main Street, U.S.A.? Or do you like it just the way it is?

See more vintage & current Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos on my Main Street web pages.