Park History

Lands After Dark: Paradise Pier

Lands After Dark: Paradise Pier

When the sun sets at the Disneyland Resort, most visitors start streaming back into Disneyland. It’s a shame, though, because California Adventure does neon lights like nobody else! Paradise Pier was one of my favorite places to spend the evening in California Adventure. The gorgeous glow brought new life to the boardwalk, and of course…World of […] Read more…

Boardwalk Bazaar

Boardwalk Bazaar

April 2009 – January 2018 LOCATION Paradise Pier – The Boardwalk Bazaar was hidden on the back side of the pier. To find this shop, visitors would head behind California Screamin‘s track, between Midway Mania and Mickey’s Fun Wheel. You’d see the shop along the boardwalk, between Sideshow Shirts and the boardwalk games. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…

Golden Dreams

Golden Dreams

 Source: OC Register February 2001 – September 2008 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Golden Dreams played in a large theater on the waterfront of Paradise Pier. Today, this space has been transformed into an aquarium, which houses The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. BACKGROUND When Imagineers began designing a park celebrating California, they wanted to include […] Read more…

Lagoon Mermaids

Lagoon Mermaids

Tomorrowland’s lagoon always captures the attention of passing guests. The deep blue waters, squawking seagulls, and circling submarines stand out from the overwhelmingly large buildings nearby. When the lagoon opened in 1959, the park also debuted a brand new attraction: the Submarine Voyage. Though the vast majority of this attraction took place underwater, Disney added […] Read more…

Lands In Pictures: Paradise Pier

Lands In Pictures: Paradise Pier

California Adventure’s entire purpose is to celebrate the best of California. And what’s more Californian than a gorgeous seaside boardwalk? Paradise Pier sprawled across 14 acres, making it the largest land at the resort. And every section of Paradise Pier had something fun for everyone: roller coasters, tamer rides, boardwalk games, snack carts, and live […] Read more…

Flower Market

Flower Market

In the early years of Disneyland, Main Street USA used to sell a munch broader variety of goods. Along with standard souvenir fare, Disneyland sold tobacco, lingerie…and magical flowers that never wilted. How did Disney accomplish this impossible feat? All of the flowers were made of plastic!  Source: Mousetalgia The Flower Market filled the western […] Read more…

Dixieland Bandstand

Dixieland Bandstand

Disneyland uses all kinds of storytelling techniques. These extend far beyond the actual architecture and appearance of every land. Sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch all work together to transport visitors between imaginary worlds, which we believe are real. A key piece of the storytelling puzzle is music. Each land in the park has a […] Read more…

Gag Factory

Gag Factory

January 1993 – April 2021 LOCATION Mickey’s Toontown – The Gag Factory, also known as Toontown’s 5 & Dime, was the largest (and only) shop in the area. Visitors to Toontown would find it on the eastern side of the main town square, just beyond the exit to Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…

Grandma's Baby Shop

Grandma’s Baby Shop

 Source: Gorilla’s Don’t Blog July 1955 – September 1955 LOCATION Main Street USA – Grandma’s Baby Shop stood on the northern end of the street, next to the former lingerie store. Today, this space is home to the famous Silhouette Studio. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Baby clothes, shoes, and accessories Unique Features – Doll window […] Read more…

Lands In Pictures: A Bug's Land

Lands In Pictures: A Bug’s Land

The #1 land visitors tend to skip in California Adventure is A Bug’s Land. If you don’t have little ones with you on your trip, there’s not much appeal at first glance. But if you take some time to explore this little land, you might just fall in love with it; I certainly did! This […] Read more…

Fine Tobacco

Fine Tobacco

 Source: Frontierland Station July 1955 – June 1990 LOCATION Main Street USA – Fine Tobacco once boasted a coveted storefront at the entrance of Main Street USA, right next to the Main Street Cinema. Today, this space is home to the 20th Century Music Company. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, souvenir lighters and […] Read more…

Minnie's Fly Girls

Minnie’s Fly Girls

 Source: Disney Parks Blog January 2012 – October 2013 LOCATION Condor Flats – Minnie’s Fly Girls took the stage on a small platform in Condor Flats, directly across from the entrance to Soarin’ Over California. Today, this space is part of the widened walkway through Grizzly Peak. BACKGROUND After “Golden State” split into several different […] Read more…

Corridor of Murals

Corridor Of Murals

On my last trip to Disneyland, I stopped for a moment to think about Tomorrowland; I realized it has the fewest hidden gems of any land in Disneyland. And then it hit me: of course it does. Tomorrowland is constantly changing, to stay updated futuristic, and somewhat imaginary. With so much growth and change, not […] Read more…

Chapel Hats

Chapel Hats

April 2016 – October 2017 LOCATION Downtown Disney – Chapel Hats was a smaller shop in Downtown Disney’s central circle, which surrounded the Uva Bar. If you were coming from the hotels, you’x find Chapel Hats on your left, just beyond Build-A-Bear Worshop. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Hats, hair accessories, and weather accessories Unique Features […] Read more…

1 7 8 9 10 11 21