Source: Daveland July 1955 – May 1957 LOCATION Main Street USA – Ellen’s Gift Shop stood on the eastern side of Main Street, just beyond the intersecting center street. Today, this space is part of Disney Clothiers Ltd. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Metal and wood sculptures Unique Features – Metalwork marquee designed to look like […] Read more…
Since 1955, Tomorrowland has undoubtedly seen the most change of any Disneyland “land”. This space has changed color schemes, opened and closed dozens of attractions, and completely reworked its layout to accommodate its ever-changing lineup. Today, you know you’re arriving in Tomorrowland when you walk through massive jagged rock formations and come face-to-face with the […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Blog 1956 –1957 LOCATION Main Street USA – Cole of California Swimsuits had a somewhat hidden location, around the bend from the busy Refreshment Corner. To find the shop, guests would walk the entire length of Main Street, turning left at the end. The swimwear shop faced the central hub, next to the […] Read more…
Source: MouseInfo Summer 1997 – May 2011 LOCATION New Orleans Square – The Jewel of Orleans boasted a coveted spot at the front of Royal Street. To find the shop, visitors would walk beyond the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance, keeping left as the square opens into several alleys. Today, this space is home to […] Read more…
Source: Laughing Place March 1991 – November 1991 LOCATION Fantasyland – The Disney Afternoon Avenue took over the walkway between the Storybook Land Canal Boats and It’s A Small World, including the lagoon on the east side and the theater on the west side. Today, this path does not have a separate theme from the […] Read more…
Source: Matterhorn 1959 July 1955 – Summer 1957 LOCATION Main Street USA – Sunny View Farms Jams & Jellies had a prime spot on Main Street, right at the cross section next to Carnation Ice Cream Parlor. To find the shop, visitors wandering Main Street would’ve stayed on the western side of the street, passing […] Read more…
Source: Disneyland Resort June 1957 – March 1991 LOCATION Fantasyland – The Motor Boat Cruise teetered right on the border of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but the attraction formally landed in Fantasyland’s lineup. Guests found the dock to start their cruise in the shadow of the Matterhorn, between the mountain and the path to It’s A Small […] Read more…
Source: Yesterland November 2001 – September 2002 LOCATION Hollywood Land – The Power of BLAST! ran in Hollywood Land’s Hyperion Theater, the large indoor theater at the end of the street. Today, the theater shows a live, shortened version of Frozen. BACKGROUND California Adventure originally opened with a different show in the Hyperion Theater – […] Read more…
Source: PhotoBucket July 1955 – January 1983 LOCATION Fantasyland – Merlin’s Magic Shop faced the center courtyard in Fantasyland, overlooking the castle. Today, this small building houses the Castle Holiday Shoppe. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Magic kits, cards, and other gags Unique Features – Classic magic items in the window, including a Ouija board, rabbit […] Read more…
Walt Disney designed Disneyland as a magical home for all of his stories, and of course, the characters from those stories. Peter Pan, Alice, Snow White, Mickey, and many others roamed the various lands from day one, and the list of residents in the park grows with every new Disney film. Walt wasn’t often photographed […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Web February 1967 – spring 1980 LOCATION New Orleans Square – the Pirates Arcade Museum hid behind a little façade on Royal Street. Visitors wandering the square found the attraction on the left side of the street, next to the exit to Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, this space houses Pieces of Eight. […] Read more…
In the 2000s and early 2010s, Downtown Disney had a RIDEMAKERZ shop, where kids could build their own custom model cars. Inside the shop’s entryway was a special hidden gem: a real stock car, hanging upside down! The stock car towered from the second story ceiling in the shop, so visitors often walked right beneath […] Read more…
Source: Matterhorn 1959 June 1957 – September 1961 LOCATION Frontierland – Don DeFore’s barbecue restaurant faced Frontierland’s main pathway, across from the Rivers of America. To find the restaurant, visitors would walk through Frontierland’s main entrance off the Main Street hub. The restaurant stood to the left, next to Aunt Jemima’s. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type […] Read more…
In the 1950s, space travel was still an adventure for the future. Visitors to Tomorrowland had the chance to take a rocket to the moon before NASA’s astronauts, and excitement about the “final frontier” was at an all-time high. Disney humanized the excitement around space travel with Space Man and Space Girl, a couple visiting […] Read more…