Source: Four Kingdoms March 1972 – April 2003 LOCATION Bear Country – Teddi Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade faced the lower courtyard in Bear Country, near the exit to Splash Mountain. Today, the arcade space is part of Pooh Corner. BACKGROUND In the 70s, arcades started popping up across Disneyland. Frontierland, Main Street, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland all […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Web 1956 – 1986 LOCATION Frontierland – The American Rifle Exhibit & Frontier Gun Shop’s location is weirdly murky in Disneyland lore. Photos and early souvenir maps place the Gun Shop in a storefront now part of the Golden Horseshoe building, but some maps later in the decade listed a separate rifle exhibit […] Read more…
Source: Gorillas Don’t Blog December 1955 – October 1957 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Coffee House faced Town Square plaza, almost directly across from one of the walkways guests follow to enter the park. Today, this end space is part of the Disney Showcase shop. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick services Seating – […] Read more…
Source: Matterhorn 1959 August 1956 – June 1985 LOCATION Main Street USA – Carefree Corner had a beautiful view from its front door. The shop overlooked the central hub and castle, across the street from the Refreshment Corner. Today, this space houses the Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – free park maps, official […] Read more…
Source: Disneyland Postcards Summer 1966 – Summer 2002 LOCATION New Orleans Square – From 1966 – 1996, Le Gourmet occupied the end of Royal Street, next to the Blue Bayou. In 1996, the shop moved down the street to the front end by the water, next to the Royal Street Veranda, where it remained until […] Read more…
Source: iCollector March 1988 – June 1989 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Blast to the Past Celebration was primarily a parade, taking the usual route along Main Street. The only non-parade event was the hula hoop challenge, which took place at the hub, overlooking Sleeping Beauty Castle. BACKGROUND To quote the Netflix show Bojack Horseman, […] Read more…
Source: Mickey Mouse Park January 1972 – July 2008 LOCATION Main Street USA – EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – watches with Disney characters, Disney themed clocks Unique Features – in-shop artists personalizing watches for guests At New Century Watches & Clocks, guests didn’t just select a watch from the rack. Instead, this shop was all about the […] Read more…
Source: Matterhorn 1959 July 1955 – Summer 1960 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Town Square Realty office was part of the Main Street Opera House building, in the town square by the train station. Visitors arriving on Main Street from the park gates saw the Opera House on the right, across from the Town Square’s […] Read more…
Frequent visitors to Main Street know and love the firehouse band; they charm visitors and bring wonderful music to the town plaza at the front of the park. But did you know that this isn’t the original firehouse band in Disneyland? The Firehouse Five Plus Two jazz band that started in the 40s, long before […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Blog July 1955 – Summer 1962 LOCATION Adventureland – The Tropical Cantina had an ideal location for foot traffic in Adventureland, facing the Jungle Cruise Boathouse. To find the Cantina, guests walked through Adventureland (starting from the main entrance) nearly to the end of the land’s main walkway; the Cantina sat on the […] Read more…
Source: Tangaroa Joel February 2001 – September 2010 LOCATION Golden State – San Andreas Shakes was a popular stop inside Golden State’s Bountiful Valley Farm area. This stand bumped up against Pacific Wharf, and was basically next-door to the Boudin Bakery Tour. Today, this space is a walkway with trees and other greenery between Cars […] Read more…
You probably haven’t thought too much about the soda you drink as you wander Disneyland. But for the first few decades of park operation, there was a battle happening for dominance in the park: Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola. The grand prize? Exclusivity across the park. Source: World’s Fair Photos Coca-Cola sold drinks in Disneyland from day […] Read more…
Source: Matterhorn 1959 June 1958 – December 1976 LOCATION Main Street USA – Hills Bros. Coffee House and Coffee Garden overlooked Main Street’s Town Plaza, opposite from the station. The shop occupied the uppermost corner on the right-side, next to the Mad Hatter of Main Street‘s present location. Today, this space isn’t really used for […] Read more…
Source: Gorillas Don’t Blog 1974 – 1990 LOCATION Frontierland – The Wheelhouse was hard to find if you weren’t looking for it. The little windows faced the Rivers of America, but weren’t super noticeable compared to the nearby River Belle Terrace. Today, this space isn’t really used for much; it’s a facade with Adventureland‘s shopping […] Read more…