Main Street at Dusk, November 1974
While many people might argue that nighttime is when Disneyland is at its most beautiful, others might say that dusk takes that prize. Don't argue, it's not nice! Instead, enjoy a calm discussion while eating a big soft pretzel. Afterwards, shake hands and feel like human beings.
I love this first view, looking south down Main Street toward the train station (mostly obscured by trees). The gas lanterns have been lit, and many of the store signs are also illuminated (though some aren't, mysteriously). It's pretty busy for a 1974 November, I wonder if this was close to Thanksgiving?
It appears as if many people are heading toward the exit (fools!), but a few are walking in, including that cool guy in the white outfit (including a white hat), and the little guy with the yellow shirt and mouse ears. Some folks are wearing classic bell-bottoms, and sweaters are evident, hinting at cooler temperatures.
Here's another nice photo showing a particularly well-manicured tree in the Plaza. Behind it I think I can see some twinkle lights in one of the olive trees. To the left, folks gather around a popcorn cart (which is giving off a warm, friendly glow). All in all, this looks like it was a great day to go to the park!
*I forgot to mention this, but do you think people in the first photo are starting to save places along the sidewalk to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade?
12 comments:
Major-
It's pretty hard to argue with dusk as it holds so much promise for the hours ahead; but to each his own.
If my [Bu facts memory] is correct - that would be 'Popcorn 2' we see buried within the trees.
Thanks, Major.
I spy with my little eye, a (fairly rare) green mouse-ear balloon in the middle of the crowd. And I can only see two trashcans; your mileage may vary.
Yes, there is magic in the air at dusk when the lights start to come on, but there's still enough light that you can see a lot of the daytime details. After dark is another magical time, but different; more beautiful in its own way, more intimate, more mysterious.
In the close-up, the guy on the left is carrying a colorful Disney shopping bag behind his back. I have a very small version of that bag from 1975; it held some kind of candy, I can't remember what kind... it wasn't in the bag very long.
Nice silhouette of the tree at dusk. More of that magical time when the lights start to glow. I guess this 1974 photo is P.B. (Pre Bu) so that wouldn't be him manning the popcorn cart. Just to the left of the popcorn cart there is a gentleman wearing a long sleeved white shirt, black vest, and (perhaps) a cowboy hat. I wonder if he's a CM, or just a fashionable guest.
Nice, dreamy photos today, Major. Thanks.
In the last pic, we can see a pipe running up the trunk of that tree. I'm assuming that the electrical supply to the "twinkle lights" was contained within that pipe. Unless it they were getting ready for "snow" on Main St. (30+ years early, of course) and the pipes are filled with soap suds.
And is there a yellow Monorail going past the Matterhorn, in that same pic? I know we can see part of the Alpine Gardens Souvenir Stand in the distance (which had a yellow and white awning), but it seems like just to the left of that, there is something yellow and horizontal. Of course, it could be a wayward yellow PeopleMover train. Or parking lot tram. Or a pileup of yellow bobsleds.
It's strange how certain images can spark fairly unrelates memories. For example, these pics remind me of when, in 1973, we walked up to Pirates for the first time. It was already dark, and the lighting on the building (do I remember uplighting?) was a little spooky for a 10 year old me. And it only built as we rode it.
After the ride I realized that I had just ridden the BEST RIDE EVER!
All that from these two pictures.
Thanks, Major!
Brilliant. Dusk in the Park is a beautiful time and walking out to go home is a sad time.
JG
Nanook, the only problem with dusk is that it is so short-lived! Maybe that is part of what makes it so nice.
JB, maybe they used the same green coloring on those balloons as on the green Monorail, which is also not seen often. I’m guessing that the camera lied in some way, it was either darker to the eye than it appears in these photos, or it was lighter, and the pictures make it look darker. But the lights on Main Street are definitely on, so we know that night was falling! I have a pretty large example of one of those colorful shopping bags, mine has built-in plastic handles. Somebody folded in it half, and I hope they burn in heck forever, but otherwise it is pretty nice. I can’t tell if the guy with the cowboy hat is a CM or just a guest.
TokyoMagic!, yeah, I assume that pipe is conduit for the twinkle lights. Do they still do the soap suds snow around the holidays? People seemed to like it, but it was just odd to me. Hmmm, that could be a yellow Monorail in the distance, good eye!
Stu29573, Pirates is a pretty spooky ride for kids, and I’ve seen plenty of smaller children looking terrified (if not openly crying). Those babies! I hardly ever cry on it these days. I’m glad that these photos evoked a forgotten memory!
JG, I only remember leaving the park at dusk one time, and we were only at Disneyland for a very short time anyway. Long story! I sure didn’t want to go, though.
November 1974. Sort of an end-of-shift experience crossing Main Street on my way to Backstage and the locker. This was the magical time for the park. There is a fair amount of folks milling around but no, the Electrical Parade would not have been running at this time of year. Night comes early in November being on Standard Time. I wouldn't be surprised to learn it's around 5:30 or so. KS
KS, thanks for that info, I was thinking that it might have been time for the holiday parade, whatever it was called that year.
I’m searching for Bambi, but don’t see him anywhere. Flower’s missing too. Around my area, the deer and skunks wander around and cross the streets at dusk.
Very nice pictures of the start of a beautiful evening in Disneyland. It’s cool to know that KS was there then...plus I know we were there in ‘74 also.
Thanks, Major, for the trip back.
Sue
Sue, while I do see the occasional deer around here (mule deer that come down from the hills), we definitely have our share of skunks, possums, raccoons, bunnies, and RATS!
Major, I believe they still blow soap suds into the air over Main Street, and tell people that it's "snow." I know Knott's still does it (they copied Disney on that one), because I saw people posting pics of it last Christmas. Last Christmas....that could be a song.
TM!, please…no. It’s not even November.
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