1990s 3D: Castle and Fantasyland

The Daveland Time Machine takes you back thirty years and allows you to experience Disneyland in-person via the miracle of genuine FauxD©. A balloon seller manages to stay on terra firma despite holding an incredible amount of Minnie Mouse balloons. Heading over to the heart of Central Plaza we see the Partners Statue, sculpted by Blaine Gibson and dedicated on November 18, 1993.



To the right is one of my favorite areas in the Park, the Snow White Wishing Well Waterfall:



From that area, we get a side-view of the Sleeping Beauty Castle:



The balloon sellers were out en masse that day!



It would appear our 1995 photographer had a balloon fetish.



A closeup of the seller's wares:



Definitely a fetish.



Inside the Castle, we get a rare glimpse of the Diorama, during the “Barbie and Ken” years (1977-2001):



Our 1995 photographer supplies us with two rare interior shots from the Snow White dark ride:





Still more 1995 3D images to come!

See more Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle photos at my main website.

Getting Nosey at the Castle, 1958

This August 1958 image of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama exit at Disneyland was a must, as I didn’t have a good shot in my collection. When I received it, I noticed that there was a lot of “digging for buried treasure” as the saying goes. I love the look of shame the woman on the right of this detailed view is giving. Note the Carnation cup on the bench:



Nothing subtle about this little boy wiping the goods away while Mama sees how many tickets are left. Note the souvenir Diorama booklet she is holding in her right hand. And how about that handbag? I wonder if she bought it in Frontierland at the Arcade?



That bag very well could have been a same day purchase!



The cover of the souvenir booklet:



The final detail shot shows two little boys most likely attempting to figure out how many more attractions they can ride with their remaining tickets. Note the guide map/booklet being perused on the right side of this shot:



See more Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Diorama photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley Saves Disney World!

Well, maybe not quite Walt Disney World, but the Diamond Horseshoe Revue in Frontierland at the very least!

While juggling her political career and family, Shirley was also on the board of directors for a number of corporations, including Bank of America, Fireman’s Fund Insurance, United States Commission for UNESCO, United Nations Association, National Wildlife Federation, and...the subject of today’s post, Del Monte Foods and the Walt Disney Company.

Guests loved the Diamond Horseshoe Revue at WDW’s Frontierland. It was an opening day (October 1, 1971) attraction similar to the one at Disneyland in Anaheim, since the writer and comedian, Wally Boag, briefly relocated to Florida to get the new show started. The revue featured live music, sing-along-songs, and a can-can welcome with Slue Foot Sue. Pecos Bill (Boag for a time) even made an appearance, as seen in this 1974 image below:

The hour-long show was performed sometimes ten times daily until it was changed on October 1, 1986 when it became the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree. At this point, the show was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running stage show of all time.

How did Shirley fit into all of this? According to the story I read on Jim Hill’s website, she used her charms to convince the board of directors at Del Monte Foods that they really should underwrite the operating costs of the show from 1979 - 1984. Who could say “no” to Shirley? Conflict of interest with Shirley being on both boards? Let’s not quibble!

I’m sure Walt was smiling down on her and thanking her for her efforts!

Did you know department: in 1971 Del Monte became the first major U.S. food producer to voluntarily adopt nutritional labeling on all food products.

See more Shirley Temple Black photos at my main website.

80s Flashback: Fantasyland, Pt. 1

I believe that the original Sleeping Beauty Diorama was gone at the point this 1980s photo was taken, having been replaced with the "Barbie Doll" version in 1977.



A contemporary comparison view:



The entrance to Tomorrowland behind the Castle then…



and now, minus the germanic art above the portal:



Back to the 80s:



A closeup of the Ford pickup truck bumper sticker which says "Quality is Contagious."



More random Fantasyland views:





Closing in you can see some Cinderella figurines:



A view of the King Arthur Carrousel shot near the entrance to the Snow White attraction:





A zoom-in view reveals Captain Hook and signage for the Castle Christmas Shop:



Exterior Castle views:





This is probably one of my favorites from the set: no people and a great view of the back of the Castle that includes the Sword in the Stone:



See more Disneyland Fantasyland photos at my main website.

Disneyland July 1963

A trio of images from July 1963 beginning with one of the entrance to the Douglas Moonliner, or the attraction formerly known as the TWA Moonliner. Of course my eye immediately goes to the cool vintage pink feather Disneyland hat.

Elsewhere in Tomorrowland, it appears that Pinocchio has gotten lost and is now grooving to some cool tunes with The Spacemen and Kay Bell. Is Kay the auburn haired beauty just visible behind our wooden friend?



Last and somewhat least is a shot of the entrance to the Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama in Fantasyland:



And a contemporary view from a similar angle:



More vintage and current Disneyland photos at my main website.

60th Anniversary Trip, Pt. 13

I sure miss the historic Carnation Plaza Gardens, but I have to admit that Fantasy Faire was done beautifully. At night, it looks even more magical. The interior of the Royal Theatre:



The animatronic was working beautifully.



Wanted posters for Flynn Rider from "Tangled."







And then I moved over to the Castle to enjoy the gorgeous lighting. The ostentatious 60th Anniversary decor looks better at night.



The back of the castle was still fairly unadorned during my visit.





It had been years since I'd taken a leisurely trip through the Castle Diorama and it was high time to do so.



It is very difficult to get decent photos in here, but worth the effort. The amount of time and care that went into restoring and improving it is so very appreciated here at Daveland.













Each scene has tiny little details of animation, lighting, etc. that are easy to miss if you don't carefully pay attention.



Pay attention, you hear?



The evil Maleficent is a highlight of the Diorama.





The painting of the shadows in here is just incredible.



A happy ending is inevitable and this time it begins with True Love's Kiss.





The animated "Make it pink! Make it blue!" storybook ending.



More Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle photos at my main website.