New Orleans Square, August 1970
New Orleans Square officially opened on June 24th, 1966, to much acclaim, even though its first major attraction, "Pirates of the Caribbean", would not open until nine months later (on March 18th, 1967). Nevertheless, visitors were delighted by the winding streets and architectural details, and the charming shops.
Here are some neat pictures of New Orleans Square from the summer of 1970. It's astonishing to see it looking so devoid of people, especially at the height of the vacation season. In the distance is the Rivers of America. I believe the shop to the left (with the oval sign) is Mlle. Antoinette's Parfumerie, and to the right, Cristal d'Orleans (the sign is mostly obscured), and beyond that, Lafitte's Silver Shop. Notice the sign for Royal Street, which angles off to the right.
And finally, here's a photo of the "One of a Kind" shop. Wouldn't you love to be able to walk in and see what stuff they had for sale??
15 comments:
Major-
"Wouldn't you love to be able to walk in and see what stuff they had for sale??"
I'll happily volunteer. Especially since [evidently] I'll be the only one shopping-!
Thanks, Major.
For a second, I thought that young (leggy) lady was a Tour Guide; but no, she's just a young (leggy) lady. I notice that the bulb in the overhead lamp is off to the side. Pretty sure that's intentional; a bit of authenticity. It would allow the lamplighter/snuffer-outer to reach his pole into the lamp easier, yes?
I love these 'through the arch' shots; artsy, but not in-your-face artsy. It adds a lot of interest, intrigue, and atmosphere.
Ha! before I brought up the full-sized image, I thought that white bench was a fluffy sheep, nibbling on the potted plants. If I explored the "One of a Kind" shop, I would buy one of everything. ;-)
Wonderful, atmospheric photos of NOS. The photographer had a good eye. Thanks, Major.
I retracted my previous comments, because now I am all turned around and confused. That stairway in the last pic means the pic was taken in the Royal Courtyard, and that looks like....and should be, the One of a King Shop. But isn't there a sign hanging between the two arched windows, which reads "Le Gourmet." Or am I reading that wrong? The first pic was taken from the Grand Courtyard (aka the Court of Angels.....but Mike hates that "adopted" name for it!).
TOKYO: that last image is THE GRAND COURTYARD …. You can see the beginning of the spiral staircase … and there is a second stairway in that courtyard you are seeing … that was not accessible to guests .. the door leads to a vent leading into the Blue Bayou. LE GOURMET is where it should be.
ONE OF A KIND ANTIQUES is off of the Royal Courtyard.
I’m sorry … but what is the “court of Angeles” ??? Lol. New Orleans Square used to be perfect … but it’s been bastardized by CRANTASMIC - presented by Ocean Spray …. And honked up by CLUB 33 open membership …
Mike, thanks for clearing that up! So that is the Le Gourmet shop (not the One of a Kind Shop) and it's exactly where it should be! The thing that threw me off were those stairs in the upper right. By the way, did they have to remove those stairs when they added the new elevator for the bastardized Club 33? Didn't they seal up that set of doors on the right, for the new elevator? It seems like those stairs would have been in the way, too.
I'm pretty sure the leggy lass is TG Suzanne in a "Hostess" costume: and these are her VIP guests. Suzanne was a TG from '68 to '80, and was also featured in a Tour Guide Brochure posing with Brer Bear. She is still lovely and beautiful as are these marvelous and serene photos of New Orleans Square. I actually can remember when it was as quiet as this, unlike the chaos 55 years later. Looks like the Blue Bayou isn't open for lunch yet, and perhaps that is what Suzanne and Co. are waiting for? Or maybe a cocktail at the Club? Perhaps it's close to 11am, with the Blue Bayou opening at 11? That light fixture outside Le Gourmet/One of a Kind is quite unique, and I will have to look it up. The Haunted Mansion was a year old, and the font on the trash can reminds me of it...not that it is that specific. That this area has become so very "layered on" over the decades, it's nice to see it in it's purest state. Public service announcement: for those who are wanting to see the Rivers of America/Tom Sawyer Island in WDW, you have until July 6. Apparently, the steam trains will run as a shuttle, going forward and backwards over a short span of track, and not around the entire Park. I have no doubt that people will love the Cars thing...but Cars/Bayous/Bears/Ghosts/Mountains? I'll take an quiet stroll through antiques in New Orleans Square, thank you in Disneyland, USA. Thanks Major!
"Wouldn't you love to be able to walk in and see what stuff they had for sale??"
Happy to say I spent many enjoyable moments examining the wares of the One of a Kind Shop over the years. In fact, I picked up quite the collection of antique postcards from the shop, all featuring scenes of early Los Angeles, and all hand-tinted!
Hmmm...I should probably scan those and send them to the Major. Might make an interesting blog post!
The One of a Kind shop was stocked with junk, oops, antiques found in the real New Orleans by Lilian and her decorator Tania Norris, who also designed ‘the’ wallpaper inside the Mansion. I bought several things at Le Gourmet including a cookbook. Wish I could go back in time and get more Mint Julep concentrate in pretty plastic bottles with gold printing.
MS
When I was last there (a year ago last Feb) attendance was light and one day we went to Pirates as our second attraction (after doing a "walk on" Jungle Cruise trip) so there were almost NO people in NOS, much like these pics! I probably didn't appreciate how unusual that was.
If I were to go back in time to the One of a Kind Shop, I'd walk in and say, "I'll take ten of everything!" and then laugh and laugh! I'm such a card!
Nanook, you’d be the only one shopping - NOT COUNTING THE GHOSTS. New Orleans Square is full of them, as you know.
JB, I noticed that off-center bulb, and wondered why it looked that way - your explanation is as good as any. The person who took these must have truly loved NOS, since 1/4 of this slide lot is from that small “land”. We all remember when fluffy sheep used to roam Disneyland, the wool was used for cast member costumes. They saved thousands of dollars a year!
TokyoMagic!, I figured you deleted those comments because they were full of f-bombs and other four letter words. So I screwed up, we can actually see a sign over the doorway in pic #3 that reads “Le Gourmet”. My only excuse is that I was drunk and also on LSD. I think the Grand Courtyard should have been called the Magic Courtyard of Wishes and Dreams (PS and Imagination).
Mike Cozart, I forget if it was ever revealed as to why the Grand Courtyard somehow became the Court of Angels? It seems that for a long time I only knew the name “Court of Angels”, until I think I heard on a podcast that this name was not accurate. I would not mind Fantasmic! if they hadn’t ruined large swaths of Frontierland and NOS to make room for the hundreds of guests who gather to watch it every night.
TokyoMagic!, now that it is months after I wrote today’s blog post, I’m wondering why I didn’t see that sign over the doorway to Le Gourmet initially. I mean besides the drugs and alcohol.
Bu, at first I thought that the leggy lass could be a cast member of some kind, but she’s carrying a purse, which changed my mind. I gotta say, if that is indeed your friend Suzanne, I applaud her taste in short skirts. Like you, I remember strolling through New Orleans Square many years ago, without hoards of guests clogging the streets, it was one of my favorite experiences. And being there at night was extra-amazing (as is the case in most of the park). I guess that trashcan does have a “Haunted Mansion” feel, maybe that just speaks to the thorough theming of the area? I still can’t believe that they will be filling in the Rivers of America in Florida. It feels like a lot of people don’t care, and I guess I’m not surprised. I haven’t really paid much attention to what they will be putting in its place, though I’ve seen some thumbnails of concept art that look nice, so maybe it will ultimately be OK. I just wish they’d used some of the other hundreds of square miles of land for it instead of building more budget hotels.
Steve DeGaetano, wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen actual hand-tinted Los Angeles postcards, those must be VERY early! I’d love to see them!
Yes, NOS is full of ghosts, no question about it. They follow me and whisper in my ear as I stroll about, and I am not even kidding,
At the One of a Kind Shop, Dad bought a letter opener shaped like a Spanish saber, complete with leather sheath. It was a deadly weapon and no mistake. I don’t know where it disappeared to. I wish I still had it.
I remember our trip to the Real NOLA, our hotel was on Royal Street in the French Quarter and nearly every other shop on the street was antique dealer. That moment I really understood how brilliant NOS was before it was butchered.
Excellent trash cans at the proper spacing and Very cool to see Bu recognizing the young lady, and Steve, please scan those postcards, please.
Thanks Major, old NOS is the best NOS.
JG
Listen to the voices, Steve, and scan those postcards.
I remember seeing NOS for the first time in 1967, still mourning the death of Walt Disney. Disneyland was a wonder in those days, an amazing place to get lost in and I was now old enough to experience it as an individual, not with a family all tugging one way or another. Every visit there was something new and amazing.
Thanks for the look back, Major. Every day I look forward to what new memory will be triggered by these photos.
Zach
Regarding purses and Hostess costumes: Purses were absolutely part of the costume, as the ladies needed somewhere for makeup and other bits and bobs...and of course, the Company credit card to pay for lunch/etc. Boys did not get anything: not even a wallet...but boy TG's did not come along until the late 70's, with Mike Mc. being the first one....I think in '78? Would need to verify that. Boys did not get a "Host" costume either until much much later, and after my time.
The NEW ORLEANS SQUARE area trash cans are identical in design to the HAUNTED MANSION area trash cans EXCEPT in color . The NEW ORLEANS SQUARE cans a a grey-blue with a dark blue and cream trim . While the HAUNTED MANSION can is done in a deep green with a mint green and cream trim ( once a yellow/gold trim ) Walt Disney World’s HAUNTED MANSION Area uses this same design except in a pale colonial olive with a mustard yellow and dark green . The NEW ORLEANS SQUARE area trash can was designed to have an elaborate “shield” logo with the American , Spanish and French flags in the sides of the cans labeled as a “waterslide decal” …. But there is no evidence this design was ever implemented.
I LOVE today's pictures - my favorite area in Disneyland!
Steve D., please scan those postcards and share them with us.
Bu, how cool that you know the TG, and it sounds like you're still connected. She'll get a kick out of seeing herself, I bet. Hopefully, we find YOU in a random shot, one of these days.
Thanks, Major. Fun post and stories, today.
Post a Comment