Babes in Town Square

Walt Disney was into sustainability years before it became a buzz word. Once the 1960 Disney feature, “Babes in Toyland” was wrapped, the soundstages had to be cleared for the making of the next studio film. Rather than discard or waste storage space for the elaborate sets and props from “Toyland,” Walt had them moved over to his Anaheim Park and converted into an attraction for his Main Street Opera House.



From December 1961 through September 1963, the sets on display included Mother Goose Square, The Toy Factory, and Forest of No Return. These two December 1961 images show the signage in front of the Opera House beckoning guests to come inside.



From May 1962:



This August 1962 image is the best shot in my collection of the signage in front.



From 1963-1964 the Opera House became the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters, as seen in this September 1963 image: 





The next two shots from February 1964 show that the little guard booths in front of the Opera House from “Babes in Toyland” remained.





May 1964:



…and November 1964:



In 1965, the Opera House finally got a real attraction of its own, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, seen in this August 1965 shot:



Below is a screenshot from the 1960 film, showing the sets from Mother Goose Village:



Side-by-side comparison shots from the Devlin family, who visited the inside of the Opera House and posed by the sets from the film:







See more Disneyland Opera House photos at my main website.

Mickey Mouse Club Monday

This undated image of two little girls who have just entered Disneyland is from around 1963-1964. How do I know? Hang on, you doubters!



The little girl on the left is clutching a treasured piece of paper, which you can see below in all its glory:



Here she is, holding it again proudly for Ma and/or Pa, standing in front of the Main Street Opera House. From 1963-1964, the Opera House functioned as the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters.



I bet she wore those Mouse Ears the entire day.



This little girl was in Mouse Heaven! Any of you have one of these MMC certificates? See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Mickey at the Opera

Today’s post is a mixed bag of new and previously published shots showing Mickey Mouse in front of the Disneyland Main Street Opera House. These were taken during the period when the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters resided inside the grand structure. Guarded by Toy Soldiers from the Babes in Toyland movie, it was a great temporary attraction while Walt figured out what to do with the building. First shot is from September 1963.



Two from February 1964:





Ah, my birth month and year! May 1964. What kind of partnership is Mickey forming with this mysterious lady in sunglasses?



Love the little girl with the pink purse; she already knows how to pose like a super model, circa November 1964.



Notice the people in line inside in this detail shot...and the poor little ginger boy who did not make the photo. Probably plotting his revenge at the very moment this photo was taken.



By July 1965, Walt put “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” inside the Opera House and Disneyland attraction history was made. Here are two Genuine FauxD© images from August 28, 1965:





See more Disneyland Opera House photos at my main website.

Early Opera House

This June 1958 shot shows the Main Street Opera House before it really had much of a purpose. Abe Lincoln had not yet come home to roost. The display poster heralds the recently unveiled Grand Canyon Diorama.



I wish I could see those window displays better! The Alice attraction was also recently opened at the time; the poster is peeking out behind the Horseless Carriage.



When this November 1964 image was taken, the Opera House was serving as the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters. Young guests could sign-up and receive an official membership card.



Less than a year later, Abe would kick Mickey out and make it his permanent home.



See more Disneyland Opera House photos at my main website.