Disneyland Secrets!

Disneyland fans know that there are a number of delightful secrets that are fun to look for, and even more fun to share with your friends. I'm going to reveal some of those secrets to you today!

Many people are aware of Walt Disney's apartment, located above the Firehouse in Town Square. Walt could spend the night there, sometimes with Lilly or the grandchildren. He made grilled cheese sammiches on his sandwich press! Maybe some of you have been lucky enough to tour the apartment; one of the most touching features is this lamp, which is kept lit as a tribute to Walt Disney, who would often light a lamp in his apartment window to signal his presence at the park (also so he could see what he was doing, presumably). Mr. Disney's beautiful lava lamp is never extinguished, just like dreams, wishes, magic, and imagination.

Here's a rare photo of the apartment, which was left just as it was when Walt passed.

Some secrets not as secret as others. For instance, many people know about the alternating red and white lightbulbs at the Coke Corner. As luck would have it, when they got to this spot, they found that there would have to be two white bulbs in a row, or two red bulbs in a row. "Say, Walt, if we just started from the corner and worked our way out, this wouldn't be a problem.", John Hench suggested. "No! Put a strawberry Zinger up there instead!". "A what, now?". "A strawberry Zinger!!" "But Walt..." "JUST DO IT!". To this day, a fresh strawberry Zinger is placed in the light socket every morning as a tribute to, I don't know, all the little children of the world or something. 

Here's yet another Main Street secret. If you happen to turn right onto East Center Street, and head back to the lockers, you'll encounter a crazy wall. This is the famous "test wall"; its purpose is not known for sure, but as you can see, on the left side there are uneven bricks, while on the right you'll see something that is a bit more "urban" and realistic. Walt personally tagged that side, and you must admit that his skill was undeniable. They ultimately chose even, well-ordered bricks, but it is intriguing to think, "What if...?".

Now we've left Main Street, and I can share a secret that used to be found inside the Indiana Jones Adventure, one of the most amazing and elaborate attractions in Disneyland. Early on, Harrison Ford did not want his likeness used on the Indy animatronics, so they opted for frequent Disney star Joe Flynn's likeness instead. Clear photos of these animatronics are rare, so I'm thrilled to be able to show you this one.

Popcorn and Disneyland go together like chocolate and peanut butter, and the charming popcorn wagons seen throughout the park have little "Toasty Roasty Men" turning a crank, like some sort of Sisyphean punishment. Back by the Haunted Mansion, one of the Toasty Roasty Men (customized depending on where they are in the park) happens to bear the likeness of wrestler and Oscar™ winner (needs verification) Tor Johnson. It is known that Walt Disney was a huge admirer of Tor, and even let him ride the Carolwood Pacific on occasion.

And finally, a Haunted Mansion secret! These are the most popular with the fandom. For about the first three months, you might have been lucky enough to see a detail in the ballroom scene, specifically at the long table where a ghostly birthday party was in progress. Look closely! A platter with the disembodied head of beloved actor Paul Lynde could be seen. The head was soon removed - some say because it was too terrifying.

Well, there you go... a selection of incredible and true DISNEYLAND SECRETS! Be sure to amaze your friends with these the next time you get together.

A Pair From July, 1965

Here's a nice pair of scans from the Summer of 1965! Starting with this nice view of Tomorrowland as seen from a Skyway gondola. At the extreme lower edge we can just see the Yacht Bar, along with the shaded outdoor seating. Then there's the Astro Jets in the "up" position; and the Douglas Moonliner. To the right of the Moonliner (with vapor escaping!), in the distance, you can see the curve of the Flying Saucers area, as well as the old Art Corner building. Outside the park, there's Wilbur Clark's Crest Hotel, and Melodyland.

This one's a little less exciting, but hey, I still like it; we're aboard the Skyway (the rectangular gondolas were brand-new in 1965), about to pass through the Matterhorn's nostrils. Make a wish?

America On Parade, June 1976

I have a small group of photos from a nighttime version of "America on Parade", the salute to America in honor of the Bicentennial that ran from 1975 through sometime in 1976. I think. The pictures aren't great, and they are of a parade, after all, so they qualify for a Snoozle Sunday. These are in no particular order, though I used Wikipedia for reference when possible.

Columbus's Ship - in 1492, before the creation of America, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus travelled the then-unknown seas, seeing what kind of discoveries he has managed to find and bring him into the new worlds. This float resembled a pirate ship.

OK, I'm not really sure what this float celebrated, but it's got cool dancers on a flag-themed float. They all studied "float dancing" at Juiliard, one of the most difficult disciplines. 

This next float was so incredible that our photographer took two pictures of it. It's a riverboat, just like the ones that moved cargo and passengers along the Mississippi. 

At first I thought that the pilot was supposed to be Mark Twain, but maybe not. Robert Fulton? Robert Goulet? 

Wikipedia helpfully describes this float as "Giant Bell". You don't say! Does the bell have a crack in it, by any chance? I hope they saved the warranty. If there's one thing that I can pass on to you, it's that you should ALWAYS pay for the extended warranty! 

And finally, a stagecoach rumbles past, bringing settlers out West in the hopes of establishing better lives for themselves in the new territories. They also want to go to amusement parks and eat hamburgers and have aquariums full of tropical fish.

Around Los Angeles

I have a few vintage Los Angeles slide scans for you. They aren't your typical popular tourist sights, but I like them because they show some local history. Your interest level may vary.

First up is this building, which I am ashamed to admit that I did not recognize. But a friend informed me that this is the DWP building, now known as the John Ferraro Building, located at 111 North Hope Street. It was brand new at the time this photo was taken! From one website: The iconic International Style John Ferraro Building dominates the western end of the civic center in downtown Los Angeles, facing east towards City Hall. Glowing with electric light at night and surrounded by a wide reflecting pool with fountains in the daytime, A. C. Martin and Associates’ architectural masterpiece brilliantly symbolizes the building’s function as the headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP).

Here's a photo taken by my close personal friend, Julius Schulman.

Next is this 1955 photo, with the hand-written note, "New police building". That's helpful! It was... initially named the Police Administration Building or Police Facilities Building, was the former headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1955 until October 2009. It was located in Downtown Los Angeles at 150 North Los Angeles Street. Often nicknamed "The Glass House", the building was named for former LAPD chief William H. Parker in 1966. I wanted to find a contemporary view of it on Google Maps, only to find out that it was torn down in 2019.

And finally, I had this undated, unlabeled slide that I was fairly certain was "somewhere in L.A.". There weren't a lot of clues. But the light blue building to the left had a "Nosh and Rye" shop on the ground floor (I remember radio ads for that place), and of course we get the helpful street address of 8455 something. It turns out to be Beverly Boulevard, the famous Beverly Center would be right behind us if we could turn around.

I found this fun (low-res) shot of the Beverly Center circa 1980, seen roughly from the same location as the previous pic. Incidentally, a small amusement park called Beverly Park used to located on that site,  it was... an important source of inspiration for Walt Disney who, following Bradley's example, later founded Disneyland.

Here's a relatively recent view looking eastward (like in my photo). Taco Bell is still there to the right! But the Nosh and Rye is gone, sadly.

I hope you have enjoyed these random vintage views of Los Angeles!

Some Randos

You never know what you're going to get when it comes to Randos, but I have some nice ones for you today. Starting with this great look at Town Square, circa March, 1960. You've got a full Omnibus in the foreground; along with those familiar old shops such as the Wurlitzer store, and the Hills Bros. Coffee House - along with the Hills Bros. Coffee Garden to the right.

I was wondering what all those white poles are, sticking up above the Coffee Garden, and can only assume that they are flagpoles from the Avenue of Flags in Tomorrowland.

Next some this swell shot from in front of the Rocket to the Moon attraction, circa March, 1964. TWA had flown the coop, and McDonnell Douglas was now the sponsor. A group of guests is reading a sign to the extreme left, presumably learning what to expect when they board their Moonliner. To the right of the rocket, the Oom-Pah-Pah Band is performing. There is nothing more futuristic than an Oom-Pah-Pah Band. And to the extreme right, the fence surrounding the Wenmac Flight Circle.

And hey, why not go for THREE Randos! This one is a colorful shot featuring Vesey Walker and the Disneyland Band as they marched down to Main Street Station. Perhaps they would stop in front of the Opera House to perform a few more songs. This is such a classic Disneyland image, I love it.

Knott's Berry Farm, October 1963

It's always nice to take a little break from Disneyland, even if it is The Happiest Place on Earth. It's maybe a little too happy, right? I'm in the mood for a place with a few extra spoonfuls of charm and two extra dashes of... um... well, something good, you can be sure of that. Knott's Berry Farm is just the place! All of these are from slides date-stamped "October, 1963".

First up is this pretty photo of a pond, though I honestly am not sure where this particular pond was located. You can see a parking lot in the background, so it was somewhere on the outskirts. Anyway, it looks very nice with all of the trees, and look at that funny pink chicken! 

Next, we're at Old MacDonald's Farm, where a mischievous goat glares at us from the roof. Some say this is where McDonald's restaurants got the idea for their Goat McNuggets. The sign in the lower left tells us that you could enjoy 4 barnyard animal acts, and even a free ride on the 100 year-old mule-powered merry-go-round. 

And finally, these slides might be dated from October, but they could easily have been taken in September. And as any SoCal resident can tell you, September often has the hottest days (it was 114º on one September day in 2024). So you gotta keep your horses cool! This fella is spraying them down with a hose, I'm sure they appreciated the refreshing shower. And it got some of that dust off. No horse wants to be dusty, Einstein proved that back in 1905. 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Knott's Berry Farm!

Golden Horseshoe, September 1983

Here's a nice selection of Frontierland photos taken by Lou Perry back in 1983, scanned and shared with us by his daughter, Sue B. You all know Sue! All of these feature the Golden Horseshoe Revue to one degree or another.

Outside the attraction, guests could see a few unique posters for the Revue (I believe that you could also see these next to the Global Van Lines lockers in Town Square for a number of years). I have always assumed that the one below was drawn by the legendary Sam McKim, though I admit that I've never seen any written proof of that. There's Slue Foot Sue and her Gorgeous Girls. Alluring! Exhilarating! Dazzling!

This next one had clearly been updated as the Golden Horseshoe Revue changed over the years. Wally Boag was no longer on the bill, though Fulton Burley and Betty Taylor were still there. Dick Hardwick now played the role of the Traveling Salesman/Pecos Bill. Fun fun fun fun! PS: fun.

Say, there's the very golden horseshoe I've been hearing so much about! Inlaid with rubies, if I'm not mistaken. The Revue was presented by Kodak, a company I've never heard of. I think they made fur coats. Notice the sign telling us that we need a reservation card, this was to prevent stampedes of fans like at that Who concert.

Here's the view from out front. "Hey man, let's go see the Revue!". "No way, we don't have reservations, and I can't go to prison again!". Can you blame him? 

As we all know, Disneyland opened in 1871, and the Golden Horseshoe Revue was an opening-day attraction, popular with haberdashers, blacksmiths, miners, cattlemen, gunslingers, undertakers, and even overtakers. 

Let's take one last look as the sun sets in the west (in about four hours, by the looks of things). The building is still there, of course, but the songs, jokes, and pretty gals are long-gone.

THANK YOU, Lou and Sue!

A Few More From June 12, 1973

Hooray for Ralph! The Most Exciting Man in America, according to "Fedora Aficionado" magazine, circa 1971 (that was two years before these photo were taken, FYI). I can only dream of possessing Ralph's joie de vivre, his savoir faire, his je ne sais qua. Here's a man who knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. But he also knows how to treat others with respect, so don't go thinking he's a jerk. Don't do it! Ralph has enjoyed his Pack Mule ride, and crosses it off of his bucket list of "things to experience", you can see the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that he exudes.

Meanwhile...  here's a scarce photo of the the display of Walt Disney's "working" office that used to be a part of "The Walt Disney Story", which had opened in the Opera House on April 3rd of '73. Mr. Lincoln took a vacation, but he'd be back (tanned and well-rested). You can see some of the awards that Walt had been given over the years, including an Academy Award, an Irving Thalberg Award (which he received in 1942), and the rather elaborate "Grand Art Trophy" from the Venice Film Festival, which was given to Walt in 1938 - that's the statue with Snow White, tiny birds, all seven Dwarfs, and some woodland critters. We can also see some of the Kem Webber furniture that was designed for the Studio.

You can see a photo of a Grumman Gulfstream just like Walt's pride and joy, and what I assume is a model of a Gulfstream as well. A photo of the Studio as seen from Walt's Burbank office was placed "outside the window", while various figurines are on the windowsill. A few are recognizable, including the Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland", a "Gideon" bisque figurine (I have one of those) from Japan, and two mysterious bear figures - are these early incarnations of characters that would eventually wind up in "The Country Bear Jamboree"? 

Walt's office on the Burbank lot had been used by others over the years (hard to believe!), but it was restored in 2015, minus some of the items that are now on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

Views From the New York State Pavilion, October 1964

Let's visit the 1964 New York World's Fair! I had a small group of scans that are nice views taken from one of the three observation decks of the New York State Pavilion - a LOT of photos were shot from up there, and no wonder. The views from 226 feet (69 meters) up were spectacular. We've seen many on this blog, so I decided that it might be nice to combine them into a single blog post.

Here's the first scan, looking almost exactly due west across the Grand Central Parkway, with the Transportation Zone in the middle of the picture, including the green cheese moon dome of the Travel and Transportation pavilion, the angular theater of the Chrysler pavilion, the giant tire-shaped Ferris Wheel of the U.S. Rubber pavilion, and to the extreme right, the skeletal Ford Rotunda.

Pivoting just a bit to the left, we can also see the giant slanting canopy of the General Motors "Futurama" building. And how about that picturesque Manhattan skyline in the distance? Back when the Empire State Building was still the tallest skyscraper in the world.

Hey, whaddaya know, the two images merged together pretty nicely, if you don't count the black areas!

Next, looking toward the northwest, we have the New Jersey pavilion below (with the many blue "tent" roofs), the wonderful Unisphere, the United States Pavilion (the big rectangular box), with the new Shea Stadium beyond that, and the East River reflecting the sky.

Facing to the southeast, the Vatican pavilion (with Michaelangelo's "Pieta" on display) is near the bottom of the frame, with the massive Belgian Village near that, and the Amusement Zone to the right.  

I noticed the cemetery right past the Long Island Expressway, you could look down upon it from the AMF Monorail. Apparently it is the Cedar Grove Cemetery. 

I hope you have enjoyed these slides from the 1964 New York World's Fair!

OKzles

Today's scans didn't qualify as "Snoozles" - as you know, Snoozles must meet rigorous requirements, and must pass a review process in Geneva, Switzerland. Let's just ignore the $200-per image review fee! 

I think you'll find that these scans are a bit better than the usual Sunday selection. Like this photo from Main Street, circa August, 1980. It was the park's 25th Anniversary, notice the lamppost signs and the blue and white bunting on some of the storefronts. The focus is just a tiny bit soft, but it's still a nice view. The long shadows from the east tell us that the park must have opened not long before, there's a whole day of fun to be had.

Next we head back to February, 1964, with this Skyway view of the Alice in Wonderland attraction's winding outdoor track, with a Snooty Caterpillar inching his way down from the upper level. The slide had turned a bit purple, and I had trouble restoring it to my satisfaction. Notice the Matterhorn Bobsled in the upper left - good luck for everyone!