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…
Park History
Main Street Cone Shop
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…
Intimate Apparel
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…
Briar Rose Cottage
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…
Space Place
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…
Carousel of the Sea Dolphin
Note: As of 2024, the Paradise Pier Hotel has been replaced by the Pixar Place Hotel, and the dolphin has once again disappeared somewhere into Disney’s behind-the-scenes treasure box.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…
The Sand Bar
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…
Wonderland Music
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…
Tomorrowland’s 1969 Moon Landing Viewing Party
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…
Mickey In Paradise
December 2000 – January 2024 LOCATION Paradise Pier Hotel – Mickey in Paradise faced the hotel’s central atrium. To find the shop, you’d turn to the right when you walked into the lobby. You’d see the shop on your right, across the walkway from Surfside Lounge. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Clothing, ears, hats, accessories, mugs, […] Read more…
Miniature Horse Corral
Source: Mickey Mouse Park July 1955 – July 1957 LOCATION Frontierland – The Miniature Horse Corral faced Frontierland’s central plaza, overlooking the Rivers of America. To find the animals, guests entering Frontierland took an immediate right, passing the trading post’s porch. Today, this space is used for the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition and part of the […] Read more…
Surfside Lounge
December 2000 – January 2024 LOCATION Paradise Pier Hotel – The Surfside Lounge was easy to find inside the Paradise Pier Hotel, right next to the lobby. To find the lobby from Downtown Disney, you would follow the main street walkway past the Disneyland Hotel, and turn right when the path opened up to the […] Read more…
La Petite Patisserie
Source: The Blue Parrot approx.1988 – approx. 2004 LOCATION New Orleans Square – La Petite Patisserie hid along one of the alleyways in New Orleans Square, across from the entrance to the French Market. Today, this space is no longer its own dining spot, instead extending as a seating area behind Cafe Orleans. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
Yippie Day – The 1970 Activist Protest in Disneyland
The 1970s were a wild time for Disneyland. The park opened two of its most famous rides: Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Iconic but old-fashioned attractions closed their doors, including the Carousel of Progress and Flight to the Moon. And of course…there was that one protest that shut down Disneyland five hours early. Source: Atlas […] Read more…