 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…
In the early days of Disneyland, Frontierland stood out as the quiet, slow-paced frontier town between the bustling Fantasyland attractions and mysterious Adventureland jungle. The town included a saloon, shops, small restaurants, trails, and a Marshal’s Office. Â Source: Gorillas Don’t Blog For the first year of Disneyland’s operation, the Marshal’s Office stood in the center […] Read more…
January 2001 – January 2023 LOCATION Downtown Disney – The Jazz Kitchen Express hugged the side of the larger Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. You’d see the giant building across from Tortilla Jo’s and Splitsville, between the circular courtyard and the LEGO Store. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick service Seating – adjacent patio Reservations – […] Read more…
 Source: Disney Mamas July 1955 – September 1968 LOCATION Main Street USA – Visitors to Main Street USA spotted the Music Hall straight away, thanks to its coveted corner location on the right-hand side of the street. Today, this space houses the Disney Showcase. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – piano/organ showroom (not traditional retail space) Unique Features […] Read more…
February 2001 – May 2016 LOCATION Downtown Disney – The House of Blues expanded into the central courtyard of Downtown Disney, across from Tortilla Jo’s. Today, this space is home to Splitsville Luxury Lanes. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – table service Seating – indoor dining room, adjacent outdoor patio Entertainment – live music If you […] Read more…
 Source: Insights and Sounds September 1972 – February 1973 LOCATION Bear Country – The Golden Bear Lodge overlooked the Rivers of America on the western side, across the waterway from Fort Wilderness. Today, this space is a similarly themed restaurant: the Hungry Bear. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick service Seating – adjacent two-story patio […] Read more…
February 2001 – January 2018 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Sideshow Shirts marked the last stop on the boardwalk for Paradise Pier shoppers. The massive storefront hid beneath the California Screamin’ track, close to the Mickey’s Fun Wheel entrance. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Tees, plus some ears and other seasonal accessories Unique Features – Giant Barker […] Read more…
With the news that we’re experiencing A Bug’s Land‘s last season, I’ve been pouring through my photo albums and admiring this special land. No other land at the resort uses such intricate forced perspective from top to bottom. Sure, the attractions don’t have the same draw as neighboring lands, but the appeal here comes from […] Read more…
December 2002 – January 2018 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Ariel’s Grotto stuck out, as it was the only restaurant to actually extend into Paradise Bay. To reach the entrance of the restaurant, visitors walked along the bridge to Paradise Pier, next to Pacific Wharf. The entryway was on the right of the bridge, before the […] Read more…