Friday, May 07, 2010

Chinese Food & Main Street, April 1966

Here's a fun photo taken from the Monorail, looking at some of the motels that were a burr in Walt Disney's saddle. 40-odd years later and the motels look pretty awesome! I'm sure they were cheaply built, but a few googie decorations and some neat signage added a playful sense of fun that was unique to that era. To the left is "Chao's" Chinese restaurant, apparently a popular hangout for park employees with cast-iron stomachs.


Popcorn isn't just for breakfast anymore, and nobody knows that better than Chip and his mom. The little clown is cranking away; over his head is a sign advertising Fritos brand peanuts. Fritos peanuts? Notice the yellow spotlights to keep the bugs away from the popcorn at night - definitely a good idea!


And finally here's a nice shot of two Gurrmobiles at rest in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

16 comments:

Chiana_Chat said...

What a fun idea thanks Maj. Is that a sky blue original Impala in the top pic? Yeah I look at these and think, what it was like... Popcorn! Yep I'd be in line too. And the sky is blue. :)

TokyoMagic! said...

There's that wonderful "pebbley" concrete.

Does anyone know if the popcorn wagons were designed by Bob Gurr too?

TokyoMagic! said...

P.S. Goodnight Chiana!

Major Pepperidge said...

TokyoMagic!, the popcorn wagons had the name of the manufacturer on them. It said:

"MFD by C. CRETORS & CO. Chicago Ill's."

Connie Moreno said...

I was equally blown away by the Fritos peanuts! LOL...

TokyoMagic! said...

Thanks Major. Now I can see that sign in your pic. I looked up the company and it appears they invented the very first popcorn popper and that they are still making poppers for movie theaters, etc. The info also stated that they made popcorn wagons from 1890-1920, so now my question is....are the ones at DL of that vintage? Tokyo DL also has a lot of these and they look just like DL's. I wonder if any of the wagons in any of the parks are reproductions?

Anonymous said...

Great Shot of Chao's! I miss it, that sign was a landmark of childhood.

Only had a meal from there once, on my first to D'land with my children, we had a long trip and it was the only place open that late, I brought takeaway back to our room in the Grand Hotel...it was awful.

all gone now.

JG

Katella Gate said...

Tokyo: I am told that they are all modern and cost about as much as a new car.

You can see an original from 1909 here:

http://www.oldtoyz1.com/steamengines.html

and one from the period here:

http://www.shorpy.com/node/7038

TokyoMagic! said...

Thanks, Katella!

Matterhorn1959 said...

I believe the draw for Chao's was not the food, but rather the strong drinks. Most Chinese places at the time had an extensive Polynesian (tiki) drink menu and Chao's was definitely not an exception. I believe many a rough day was toasted and drunk away at Chao's.

Barry said...

I used to work at the Grand Hotel in the background of picture one. Overnights after my day job in Newport and my classes at CSUF. I did the audit and often just the switchboard...an old time plug in each call type.

outsidetheberm said...

Had a buddy that worked one summer at Chao's - by and large pronounced as "Chow's", of course. But because the kitchen was utterly chaotic the employees always pronounced the name the same way. As in Chaos Theory...

Great pics, Major.

Kevin Kidney said...

Oh how I miss Chao's. And not for the food.

Nancy said...

a cool post, and lots of good info contained within....

i liked the motel look of the 50s and 60s. that pickup truck in the lot there of the Park Vue Motel reminds me of my dad's blue GMC. it was great. i would say Impala as well, Chiana...my uncle always drove an Impala as well as my BF's dad. cars were so great back then

the popcorn wagon picture is primo...the red and yellow of it along with Chip's mom in her greens and blues..sooo nice :)

and speaking of cars, who wouldnt want a ride in one of the Gurrmobiles?

irmouse

walterworld said...

You can revisit the former Chao's location, it's now the IHOP. And not one of the better ones from what I hear ;)

Nowadays, Tony Roma's (formerly 'The Lancers') has better food if you happen to be walking by. The drinks aren't bad either, if your day at the park leaves you thirsty!

Anonymous said...

@walterworld, LMAO. Agree on IHOP, carrying on the tradition.

Ditto Roma's. The tall beer saved me.

JG