Sunday, December 04, 2016

Christmas Castle, 1956

I have two shots of Sleeping Beauty Castle, taken during what looks like a chilly Christmas season, 1956. The decorations are so minimal that it's kind of refreshing. A few wreaths, some garlands, maybe a bell or two; that's it. 

Spot the Skyway buckets!


Talk about the "off season"! Even the swans were lonely. But I love seeing Disneyland in its early, less polished form, when the landscape was constantly being refined, and there was probably some real doubt as to whether the park would last more than a few years.


7 comments:

walterworld said...

Gotta love those original bridge (railings) in the second shot. A lot of that existed into the late 90's.

Wouldn't it be nice to be there when you could walk around and say 'Where is everybody?'

P.S. The two ladies on the bridge are manikins!

K. Martinez said...

Both wonderful pics today! Love the muted color and simplicity of these photos. Perfect! Thanks, Major.

TokyoMagic! said...

It looks like someone stood on the drawbridge of the Castle and threw the garland up on the wall letting it just hang wherever it got stuck.....but I like it!

Nanook said...

Major-

One more vote for "less is more".

Thanks, Major.

Unknown said...

Look! It's the famous actor, Swan Penn! Thanks for the work, Major.

Major Pepperidge said...

walterworld, it all looks so inviting. I see photos of the park these days with the enormous crowds and am glad that I am not there. How things have changed.

K. Martinez, I’m glad you enjoyed these. I figured they were a good way to start the Christmas season.

TokyoMagic!, it was probably some punk teenagers! You know how they are, with their texting and twerking.

Nanook, duly noted!

Patrick Devlin, OUCH.

Dean Finder said...

I hope those ladies didn't fall off the drawbridge with just a simple chain barrier to protect them.