Disneyland 1956, Fantasyland Pt. 3

Our 1956 journey to Disneyland is focused around Storybook Land today; the first few shots are from the outside looking in; the last batch are Skyway shots. What trip to the park would be complete without a photo of Monstro? Judging by this empty shot, he’s swallowed up all the guests! #2 & #3 show us Cinderella’s Castle, with and without our favorite Circus Choo-Choo, Casey Jr.





The patchwork quilt looks even more impressive from above; and naturally I am going to zoom-in with a closeup of the rarely seen Fantasyland Depot, with Retlaw 1 just about to pull away. LOVE the candy-cane striped light posts!





Apparently our photographer was also a Disneyland Railroad nut, as he took this 2nd shot showing the E.P. Ripley engine just seconds later.





2 more shots looking back (hope he didn’t turn into a pillar of salt for this):





This is a goofy detail, but I’m zooming in anyway; anyone know about this box that appears to say "Bronco”?



Yup, more 1956 tomorrow; stay tuned. To see more Storybook photos, visit my website.

Disneyland 1956, Fantasyland Pt. 2

Yesterday, Daveland dropped you off at some cool & colorful benches in Fantasyland, approximately 1956. Today, we are right back at the same benches. The Major over at Gorillas mentioned the Skyway storybook display, so I am zooming in on yesterday’s parting photo for him. And for those of you with a bench fetish (I know you’re out there) here’s another shot just for you:



The water of the Chicken of the Sea lagoon looks refreshing (at least for us So Cal folk who are about to experience a heat wave today!), and this view provides a nice shot of the Casey Jr ticket booth, as well as the Fantasyland Skyway Station. I’ve also included an even better closeup of the Skyway advertisement/storybook outside of the Fantasyland Skyway Station:





Back to the heart of Fantasyland, we can see the grapes from the Welch’s Grape Juice Bar on the left and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant up ahead (with our favorite Hat-fetish Gal standing by the teacups...heaven forbid if she find the Mad Hatter shop).



YOU ARE THERE in this vivid shot from the deck of the COTS:



and this rare rear view (maybe Grandpa is trying to get away from Hat Gal with a sneaky exit!)



That’s plenty of Fantasyland for today; come back tomorrow for some Storybook action.

See more vintage and current Fantasyland photos on my Fantasyland photo web pages.

Disneyland 1956, Fantasyland Pt. 1

When last we visited 1956, we were standing in front of the castle; today let’s journey across the drawbridge into Fantasyland. Our first view is full of things to do: The Carrousel, shopping at the Mad Hatter, Peter Pan, and overhead is the Skyway. View #2 shows both Merlin’s Magic Shop & The Carrousel; I have included closeups of the Ticket Booth & Merlin’s.







Interestingly enough, the design for the Disneyland mailboxes has changed very little over the years; compare to this contemporary shot:



One more shot of Merlin’s:



This shot shows the Fantasyland Skyway Station, as well as a few whimsical benches that we can sit on and watch the guests go by.



To see more Fantasyland photos, visit my website.

STOP THE PRESSES!

For years, I had heard/read that the Sleeping Beauty’s Castle drawbridge was only lowered two times...on opening day and then at the Fantasyland rededication; my photo from July 18, 1955 disproved that one. Today, I had an email from a reader who sent this photo of Snow White from the Snow White Dark Ride, circa August 1972. What makes it so amazing is that everything I have read about this Dark Ride claims that there was no Snow White figure until after the 1983 Fantasyland remodel, and that previously guests were confused because there was no trace of dear Snow on the ride at all. Warren (my new best friend) also says that he remembers this figure being located in a turn right before the Evil Queen’s dungeon. Tomorrow I will return to the 1956 series, unless someone happens upon a photo from the Sleeping Beauty walk-through or an interior shot of Mineral Hall. Anyone...anyone...

See more vintage and current Snow White’s Scary Adventures photos on my Snow White web page.

Disneyland 1956, Main Street & Central Plaza

We cruise up Main Street, leaving yesterday’s Town Square area of 1956, past East Center Street & The Swift Market House. We have finally made our way up to Central Plaza; kudos to Progressland for identifying photo #2 as the Plaza Gardens area.



Here’s a nice view of Plaza Pavillion, currently under renovation. Naturally the signage geek in me calls for a closeup.





And now, as most do for the first time, we pause in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.



Zooming in a little, we catch the details; a lady checking out the time (“Is it too early for a turkey leg?”), and some cast members changing out the banners along the drawbridge. To the left, our gal who tried to steel the Horse-Drawn Streetcar’s hat is posing next to the Fantasyland map.





Another Castle pic:



In this detail shot, the workers are still going at it, and if those swans know what’s good for them, they’ll swim as fast as they can to get away from our gal...she appears to be eyeing one for the pond in her backyard.



To see more vintage & current Sleeping Beauty Castle photos, visit my website.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Just like my opinion of Billie Holiday, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles was not an entity that I immediately embraced. Seeing the drawings/model out of context from its environment, I really thought it was an ugly piece of modern crap. Seeing it in person, it really is an amazing architectural wonder and will make your jaw drop (in a good way). Like so many things, taking something out of context can lead to poor judgments and critiques. This visit to the Hall, I saw the Lillian Disney sculpture for the first time. What a beautiful setting. Kudos to Frank Gehry on this one.







And what would a Daveland post be without a shot of the signage?



For more Daveland Walt Disney Concert Hall photos, visit my regular website.

Disneyland 1956, Town Square Pt. 2

It’s 1956, and even the Horse-Drawn Streetcar placard is getting a little cleaning attention from a cast member. I have included closeups from both of these shots, as well as a view of the Bekins truck near the Fire Department.









The shadows are killin’ me, as this rare view including the Wooden Indian would have been very cool with just a little more light in the right places. Still, how often today do you have the opportunity to snap a view like this unencumbered by a slew of guests? Note Vesey & Co. in the background playing for a handful of watchers.



To see more Town Square photos, visit my website.

Disneyland 1956, Town Square

Let’s board my favorite Main Street vehicle, the Omnibus, and take a spin around Town Square, circa 1956. Of course I have to include a few closeups of the nearby signage. Note the Bekins vehicle in the background. Speaking of...the Global Van Lines vehicle that resided here years later is up on ebay now. Is nothing sacred?!?





Although dark, I’m loving this one of the lady gingerly petting the horse on the Horse-Drawn Streetcar...or is she trying to steal it’s hat to add to her collection?



The Omnibus is taking too long to load, so the Red Horseless Carriage is whizzing by it.



Here’s our gal who likes hats again: “Honest, I was just trying to pet the horse!”



Last one for today is front of the International Street sign, with Vesey Walker & Company playing their hearts out:



To see more Town Square photos, visit my website.