Main Street Montage

One of my fave parts of posting this blog is the healthy discussion that comes from a number of these posts from all the experts out there, so here is a sincere thanks! Today is a few Main Street photos. First from 1950s showing a band playing. The other 2 images show the INA Carefree Corner (I just never got the whole Insurance on Main Street thing). The first one showing the tour guide is from November 1960, and the shot with the band is from the 1960’s. Have a great weekend—I’m off to DLand with my coworkers!





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Mystery Road, 1957/58

This batch is from 1957/58; the same batch that showed the bored passengers on the mine train. The first shot is probably a "duh," but to me it’s a mystery; what the heck road are they walking on? With the placement of the castle, I can’t figure it out. The second shot is from the same gang at the entrance gate/fence. LOVE the sunglasses; this girl is destined to be hip.



The third shot was pretty dark, so with a little Photoshop help I was able to rescue it somewhat; a little music on Main Street near the Puffin Bakery. Sounds good right now...wonder what’s fresh this morning?



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DLRR, 1950’s

Since Jordan hasn't posted since November, I guess it’s safe to post another parking lot pic without fear of him going into some kind of seizure. I have also included a closer cropping to better show the railroad



Pic 2 is a good reminder of how much the landscaping has grown over the years. I am assuming this one is from the parking lot area as you go towards the park? I had also assumed that shot 3 was from the late 50's since the car mentions the Grand Canyon. The experts at Burnsland.com told me the passenger car was named that and that it had nothing to do with the Diorama installation of 1958. So, judging by the scrawny plantings & bunting, this one is probably from July of 1955. In fact, it was the Grand Canyon Passenger Car that was later transformed into the Lilly Belle.





My last one is from the Mark Twain and shows the E.P. Ripley cruising on by; again, an undated slide, but probably 1955.



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Signage Closeups, 1950s

Upon first inspection, this slide from Frontierland in the 1950’s (probably taken in July, judging by the bunting on the Mark Twain dock) may not garner much excitement; but when I zoomed in on the rustic sign to the left, I thought it was pretty cool how the theme of Frontierland was carried out down to the primitive looking signage. Today, Frontierland is just a tad too slick. Anyone able to narrow down the year on this one?



Slide #3 is from 1955, and shows a sign that I believe the Major asked me for a closeup of early on in my blogging career; this particular slide gives a much clearer shot of what the sign says. I have included the closeup of the sign, but not the Jayne Mansfield wannabe in the painted-on yellow pants.





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

Frontierland 1957/58

This batch of slides is from 57/58, with the first one here being a cool shot of the Pendleton shop in Frontierland; just like Main Street, the old Frontierland seemed more like a real functioning western town. Shot 2 shows the town of Rainbow Ridge, and judging by the looks on their faces, I’d say this gang is experiencing a ride breakdown (or maybe they’re just honked off at the photographer). Either way, have a great weekend and see you on Monday!





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

More Main Street, 1955

Here are a few more early shots of Main Street; the first is of the Town Square area (more chicken wire), and the second has a nice inclusion of the Plaza Apartments, which I was completely unaware of until a recent post by another one of the blogger gang. Really digging the straw hat of the kid on the lower right. The last shot COULD be a re-run (yes, I have done quite a few posts!), but thought I would include it because it is also from 1955 and shows some of the lesser seen/short-lived shops on Main Street.





See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Town Square

Just in time for the holiday season comes this December, 1955 shot of Town Square, complete with plaque and chicken wire fencing to keep those pesky guests away from the fresh landscaping. Moving down the street in our second shot, you might want to pick up something for your headache at the Upjohn Pharmacy, or maybe a gift of Jams & Jellies for the holidays. Shot 3 from the same batch shows the venerable Horse Drawn Trolley, with Bekins truck in the background. It is interesting to note the quaint holiday decor of 50 years ago; definitely not as slick as today’s bling-bling trimmings, but much more heartwarming.





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

A Day at Disneyland 1959, part 3

Mercifully, this is the last shot of the BW 1959 grouping. Since our little lassie lacks oomph, I’m throwing in a pic of the Viewliner from January 1958. If that doesn’t get you going this morning, I don’t know what will.



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

A Day at Disneyland 1959, part 2

Judging by these photos, it would appear that our happy couple skipped Adventureland and went straight for the Trading Post in Frontierland.

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A Day @ Disneyland 1959, part 1

Although the beauty in my post today is not as buxom as Matterhorn’s Russ Meyer lass, this is definitely the kind to bring home to mom. She and her husband/fiancé looked like they were having a great time on Main Street, especially at the Hills Brothers Coffee House. Ah, life before Starbucks...





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The Delta Ramblers, August 1968

Just a quickie today, but I do promise a good one tomorrow. Today’s pic is from New Orleans Square in August 1968. The Pavilion at Cafe Orleans is featuring the Delta Ramblers for the lunchtime crowd. I have also included a closeup to view.



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

1955 Castle

From the same batch of 1955 slides comes this shot taken from the path to Adventureland showing the castle, but also showing the “young” landscaping in front of the Frontierland gates. And on a totally different subject, here is a scan from a 1960’s snapshot, showing the front of the Tiki Room, which appears to be under construction as a row of posters is blocking the entrance. Any of you experts able to narrow down the year of this photo?





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1955 Fantasyland

Just getting out of my TGiving food coma, I am presenting 2 Fantasyland slides today. One of the teacups, with the Canalboats of Mud, I mean of the World sign visible to the left. And the second slide shows the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. A tuna sandwich sure sounds good!



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

1955 Moonliner

Today is a quickie; I’ve got Turkey to cook! Here are two 1955 shots of the Moonliner. I love the bright vivid color of these old Kodachromes; you just can’t beat it! Thanks to DD for helping with identifying the year on these 2 slides. Have a great Thanksgiving!



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

Details, 1950’s

Here’s a pretty nice shot of the Stagecoach through Frontierland from the 1950’s (can’t be any more exact; the slide is undated). Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the artwork on the door of the coach shows the Mission in Santa Barbara. Of course, I have provided a detailed shot for your perusal.





My second shot is kind of dark (from the same undated batch) and shows the Fantasy shop in Fantasyland. To the right, you can see the sign for Merlin’s Magic Shop. As you may recall, I am a total signage geek. For all of you holiday travelers, have a very happy T-day!



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A Day @ Disneyland, July 27, 1955 (pt. 6)

Today is the last installment in this series. Grandma finds herself in Tomorrowland. I am sure that in the heat of July, these shade circles were a blessing. The second photo is Grandma outside of the Circarama Building. For some reason, the future doesn’t seem to make her too happy. Maybe she knows something we don’t (like what Tomorrowland is going to look like in 50 years!).



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

A Day @ Disneyland, July 27, 1955 (pt. 5)

This installment covers the family’s trip through Fantasyland, starting off with the Snow White ride and a rare view of the mural inside the queue. Shot 2 shows grandma holding grandson (c’mon kid, get down. she’s gotta’ be tired too!) outside of the barren Casey Jr. attraction. The Chicken of the Sea in shot 3 appears to still be under construction (no tuna sandwich for grandma today). And hopefully the gentleman in shot 4 moved his tired bod out of the way before Dumbo took off.







The final shot for today shows the Canal Boats before there was actually a “story” to see.



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

A Day @ Disneyland, July 27, 1955 (pt. 4)

Today is a one-pic post. Today, Grandma is standing by an Indian Village Teepee. By the way she is leaning against that post, I’d say Grandma is ready to sit down and has been walking all day.

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