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. Â 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…
Source: Jelly Share Summer 2000 – December 2012 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Cone Shop was tucked into Main Street’s central intersection, slightly off the beaten path. Guests would wander into the eastern alleyway and find the shop at the very end, next to the lockers. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Ice cream & sundaes […] Read more…
Source: OC Register Summer 1955 – December 1956 LOCATION Main Street USA – Intimate Apparel stood on the eastern side of Main Street, a few storefronts down from the central hub. To find the shop, visitors walked along the right-hand side of the street, climbing the steps to the porch to find the little doorway […] Read more…
 Source: iCollector May 1987 – July 1991 LOCATION Fantasyland – Guests walking under Sleeping Beauty Castle went from the splendor of Aurora’s new home to the quaint charm of her old one. Briar Rose Cottage sat to the immediate right of the castle’s inner courtyard, steps from the exit to the Castle Walkthrough. Today, this […] Read more…
 Source: Reddit Summer 1977 – January 1996 LOCATION Tomorrowland – Space Place was one of the most hidden restaurants at the resort. To find this spot, diners had to go into Space Mountain‘s building, down the long hallway, and up the rear ramp. This massive restaurant space is used today as Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port, […] Read more…
Note: As of 2024, the Paradise Pier Hotel has been replaced by the Pixar Place Hotel, and the dolphin has once again disappeared somewhere into Disney’s behind-the-scenes treasure box. The Paradise Pier Hotel takes its name from Paradise Pier, a former land in California Adventure celebrating old-fashioned beach boardwalks and oceanside living. Though Paradise Pier […] Read more…
December 2000 – January 2024 LOCATION Paradise Pier Hotel – The Sand Bar was the Paradise Pier Hotel’s poolside bar. To find it, you’d head to the pool deck. Turn right, and you’d see the small building behind the loungers on the far side of the deck (opposite end from the slide). EXPERIENCE After a […] Read more…
 Source: Daveland Web 1960 – 1972 LOCATION Main Street USA – Wonderland Music stood on the southern end of Main Street, and was the first storefront on the eastern side of the walkway. Today, this space houses the Main Street Magic Shop. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Disney movie soundtrack records, sheet music Unique Features – […] Read more…
Yesterday marked an incredible anniversary for space exploration: 51 years since the Apollo 11 mission and moon landing. Incredibly, Disneyland visitors on July 20, 1969 had the opportunity to watch the events unfold live from inside the park. In Tomorrowland, across the plaza from Flight to the Moon, visitors watched an attraction become reality. Source: […] Read more…