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!
The Flower Market filled the western side of Center Street, the current location of Carnation Cafe. This open air shop and garden offered plastic floral arrangements, individual flowers, and plastic fruits.
This unique space on Main Street remained open for 20 years, a remarkable feat during a time of constant turnover in the area. By the 70s, Disney wanted to use the space for dining, and the Flower Market briefly hopped across the block into the smaller eastern end of Center Street. But in the 1980s, the Flower Market disappeared for good, although the magical flowers sold to guests still haven’t wilted!
Was the original window boxes along main street filled with artificial flowers as well ?
I know that currently in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom as well as other main streets around the Disney worlds are filled with either plastic or silk flowers. I am writing an article on the advancement of artificial foliage at Disney and theme parks and appreciate this great info on the flower market.
Hi Steve! I haven’t been able to find any concrete info on the window boxes in my Disneyland books or online research. I would guess they were artificial from the beginning, but it would honestly only be a guess!
Were the flowers scented? I have such a vivid memory of the scent in that area! It was a wonderful smell, great youth memories, especially in the sixties, when my junior high would sponsor DL trips for us kids from San Ysidro, CA in San Diego County
I honestly don’t know! But they are pretty well known for pumping delicious smells onto Main Street, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were 🙂
I worked in the Flower Market in both locations on Main St. When it moved across the street, it sold silk flowers instead of plastic. I know for a fact that it remained in the space next to the Market house at least through 1983. I have a picture of me working there and holding my then 11 mo. old son just before I quit Disneyland in April of 1983.
Wow, that’s very cool! Thanks for the info – my encyclopedia only lists its run in the original location. I’ll update the post. Thank you!
Very interesting article. Beautiful flowers! Well written.