Here are two images from a small group dated "2-20-1960". According to Jason's Disneyland Almanac, the attendance for that Saturday was 18,690 (f you had gone the day before, it was only 4,885). The high temperature was 70 degrees. That would have been a great day to go, as long as you had a jacket for later!
I love this charming photo of Mickey Mouse greeting us. Minnie can just barely be seen to our right. There's the wide open parking lot behind MM, and a smattering of vintage cars. On the horizon to our left is the sign for the Disneyland Hotel (and the Hotel itself, of course). Thinking of bringing a big paper bag full of onion and limburger cheese sandwiches into the park? That sign reminds us to think again.
This scene looks suitably wintery - for Southern California anyway. The park closed at 7 o'clock, but in February that meant they probably had at least two hours of nighttime fun, and it eventually got quite chilly... a mere 39 degrees. Brrrrr!
I miss parking in the "Bambi" section in the afternoon after school. By that time of day, several guests had left, leaving those good spots open! Then we would walk right up to the front gate without the hassle of the tram. The good ol' days!
ReplyDeleteThat little girl in the Mickey pic has two heads and three arms.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine today's Disney allowing Mickey and Minnie to just hang around and greet arriving guests...*before they've paid their admission?!?* :)
ReplyDeleteGosh, those cars are beautiful!
It's two girls dressed identically and marching in perfect unison, as all disneyland guests should.
ReplyDeleteNow all I can see is the faux-conjoined twins (not that that's a bad thing, necessarily).
ReplyDeleteBut still great image, what with creepy bighead Mickey just waiting for you to get out of your car, and yet another awesome retro DL trash can. Thanks Major!
Knott'sAfterDark, I actually liked riding the tram!
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, she also has two hearts of gold.
Rich T., it's true, I can't imagine them ever having Mickey and Minnie loitering in front of the park these days.
fuzz head, I am pretty sure it really is one girl with two heads and three arms. I play a doctor on TV, after all.
Lillian K, it's funny, I actually think this early Mickey is pretty appealing, though others (in the past) have said he looks creepy.
I like the openness in these images. The lush landscape and trees of today’s Disneyland are beautiful, but in some ways I miss the unobstructed views of the buildings and structures of that earlier time.
ReplyDeleteMickey before the Charles Atlas plan!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It looks cold. Great pic of the early hotel.
ReplyDeleteThank you Major.
JG
Just realized these were taken on my 9th birthday. Yes, do the math, I am that old! Great pics, as always.
ReplyDeleteGK
Dude, those are so cool!!
ReplyDeleteDude, those are so cool!!
ReplyDeleteVintage! Cars, dress, hairdos and Mickey. Rockin'!
ReplyDelete