Disneyland Christmas Parade December 1959, Pt. 1

Although they are a bit dark, I am very excited to present this series of images from Disneyland circa December 1959 showing the Christmas parade.



Today's batch seems to have mainly been shot near the Mark Twain dock/Golden Horseshoe.



I wonder what the camels thought of this place?



Is that an ostrich at Disneyland?



Although the parade is definitely not high tech or glitzy, which is just fine with me. I truly enjoy the simplicity of it, and the variety of countries that are represented.



Bagpipes in Frontierland. It must have sounded wonderful!



The scary Three Wiseman. Looks like their boxes were gift-wrapped!



Presenting the Swedish Folk Dance Club:



I just had to see this sign up close:



Last one for this set shows the United States.



I am assuming the arm bands represent the number of this particular "act" in the parade. If correct, looks like this young couple is 178. That's a lot of acts!



A few more from this batch show the Horseless Carriage when it used to go to the Matterhorn.



The guests in the Carriage seem fascinated by something behind them. All I saw was Alice.



Looks like some nighttime construction in Central Plaza, or perhaps tearing down a stand for a Christmas show.



What a great nighttime view of Town Square and the Christmas tree.



More vintage and current Disneyland Christmas photos at my main website.

Disneyland Resort Christmas

Disneyland is a magical place; few can argue that it is most magical during the holidays when all of the special lights and decor are trotted out from the mothballs. The tree in Town Square towers over all; and to think the Bandstand that was originally here was removed because it blocked the view of the Castle!



The front of the Castle:



and while standing in line for Peter Pan, I got this one of the back of the Castle (which many know was originally supposed to be how the front looked!).



At night the lights go on and the Park is transformed once again. It almost makes the crowds bearable!



New Orleans Square is where I love to gravitate to.



Being able to experience the Court of Angels again is always a special treat. Our escort up to Club 33 danced down the stairs as if he was Gene Kelly!



He was gracious enough to take a shot of my friend Kevin and I before taking us up for our dinner.



As we entered the dining room, the Christmas Carolers were filling the room with their a capella harmonies.



They even took my request to sing "O Holy Night," and boy did it sound gorgeous!



A wreath hung over the controversial new window that is located where the fireplace once was.



Two more shots of the Court of Angels before returning to the Park:





Ah, the Castle at night, perfectly reflected in the moat.



Up close:



The Grand Californian is another place at the Disneyland Resort that is a favorite spot to hang out at the holidays.



Yet another massive tree to behold.



The Gingerbread House also appears to have been enlarged to gargantuan proportions!



The back side of Gingerbread!



Unfortunately, Santa was not here while I was taking my photos.



I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend!

More Disneyland Resort Christmas photos at my main website.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Ride-Thru

To help prepare you for the upcoming holiday weekend, how about taking a spin through this year's Holiday overlay at the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square? This time I only had the opportunity to ride it once, so I didn't quite get the coverage I typically do. Pardon the lapses in some of the rich details that abound!



The video effects in the elevator seem to get better every year.



It's always great to see Jack Skellington.



It was somewhat slow when I road it, so I was able to get this shot of the Portrait Hallway without any guests. Shocking!



Too much time in the portrait hallway forced me to rush into my doom buggy. No time to snap photos in the loading queue save one!



I caught my breath by the time I got to the corridor with Zero and the hallway of mirrors.



The Conservatory is the perfect shade of green at the Holidays.



Madame Leota needs to slow down; she makes it next to impossible to take a decent shot in the Seance Room!



Three of the cards floating overhead:



A nice panorama of the ballroom; I can almost smell the gingerbread!



Up in the attic there are fluorescent presents for days.



My name never makes the list up here.



I can't get enough of the Hatbox Ghost. Here are four consecutive snaps of the little devil.









Jack takes over as we bring it all home. Love the little pumpkin head light on the end of Zero's nose!



Sally is a very nice addition to the graveyard.



Still, I miss the harmony of the Grim Grinning Ghosts. The pumpkins just don't cut the mustard.



Oogie Boogie...just as obnoxious as ever.



Do I prefer the regular Mansion? Heck yes. Am I ok with this annual overlay? Sure...why not. A little bit of change is good, just as long as I know that the original is coming back in January!

More Haunted Mansion Holiday through the years photos at my main website.