April 2017 – October 2021 LOCATION Fantasyland – The Castle Holiday Shoppe faced Sleeping Beauty Castle in the center courtyard of Fantasyland. If you were coming into the land from Main Street, you’d see it on your right, just after you walked through the archway. If you were arriving in Fantasyland from Frontierland or Tomorrowland’s […] Read more…
Source: Pinterest July 1955 – Summer 1959 LOCATION Main Street USA – Gibson Greeting Cards lucked into one of the best locations on Main Street. The shop faced the inner courtyard created by the center street crossing, halfway down the eastern side. Today, Disney Clothiers Ltd. occupies this space. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Greeting cards, […] Read more…
Source: Yesterland February 2001 – March 2008 LOCATION Golden State – Seasons of the Vine’s theater was tucked into a stone building in the land’s “Golden Vine Winery” section. Visitors walking through Golden State found the entrance by the vineyards on the hill, facing Bountiful Valley Farm. Today, this building is largely empty, used mostly […] Read more…
Source: Disney 52 December 1961 – September 1963 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Babes in Toyland Exhibit opened in the Main Street Opera House at the end of 1961. Visitors arriving on Main Street from the park gates saw the Opera House on the right, across from the Town Square gardens. BACKGROUND Walt loved […] Read more…
Source: Disney Wiki February 2001 – June 2012 BACKGROUND California Adventure celebrates the spirit and beauty of California. So what land could possibly be more fitting than “Golden State”? This expansive land resembled several vastly different parts of California: Redwood forests and mountains San Francisco and Monterey cannery rows and wharfs Central California farming Mojave […] Read more…
Source: Disney Mamas March 1956 – September 1959 LOCATION Main Street USA – Jimmy Starr’s Show Business Souvenirs faced the Town Square on Main Street’s flagpole. The shop was just north of the Opera House, as the street narrows. Today, this space houses the Mad Hatter of Main Street. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Set photos, […] Read more…
Before Luke Skywalker and Captain Jack Sparrow, Disney fans had another major action hero to obsess over: Zorro. From 1957-1959, ABC ran a Zorro television series, which became overwhelmingly popular and a massive opportunity for Disney, who owned the rights. Walt saw another opportunity to entertain Zorro fans – right in his own park. Source: […] Read more…
Source: Laughing Place March 1991 – June 1993 LOCATION Tomorrowland – The Motorboat Cruise to Gummi Glen technically sat in Tomorrowland, though its location is now considered part of Fantasyland. To find the loading dock, visitors followed the Fantasyland walkway toward It’s A Small World. They’d see the dock on the right, just after Autopia’s […] Read more…
Source: Pinterest August 1955 – December 1981 LOCATION Fantasyland – The Mickey Mouse Club Theater (later the Fantasyland Theater) faced the center courtyard, behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests crossing through the castle would find the theater on the left, just after Snow White. Today, this space houses Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. BACKGROUND Every land in Disneyland […] Read more…
Source: Jim Hill Media February 2001 – October 2001 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Avalon Cove drew attention not just from its high-profile owner (Wolfgang Puck), but due to its massive building jutting out into Paradise Bay. You couldn’t miss this dining spot; it was the only table service restaurant on the boardwalk side of the […] Read more…
October 2002 – March 2021 LOCATION New Orleans Square – Le Bat En Rouge’s red façade was hard to miss. If you arrived in New Orleans Square from Frontierland or Adventureland, you’d find it down the first alleyway, just after the Blue Bayou. If you were coming from the train station, you’s see it on […] Read more…
October 2017 – March 2018 LOCATION Downtown Disney – The Dream Boutique’s storefront faced the central courtyard in Downtown Disney. The shop overlooked Uva Bar, next to the Grand Californian’s Downtown Disney passageway. Today, this space houses the Disney Dress Shop. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Princess toys, accessories, and pins Unique Features – Mini Bibbidi […] Read more…
In the 50s and early 60s, Walt Disney became one of Disneyland’s most frequent visitors. He loved roaming his park, dreaming up new ideas and seeing the joy in visitors’ faces. Sometimes, this visits came with a bit of fanfare and attention. But other times, he was quietly wandering, hiding largely in plain sight. Note: […] Read more…
January 2001 – March 2024 LOCATION Downtown Disney – Tortilla Jo’s opened up toward the central courtyard in Downtown Disney. If you were coming from the hotel side, you’d find it on your left, just after you crossed the bridge over the road. If you were coming from the parks side, you’d find it on […] Read more…