Beauties From 1956
I love looking at views of Disneyland from the early days, when the park still felt kind of small and "just-finished" (as if you would still smell fresh paint) and the trees are still saplings. Today's scans are from 1956 - perhaps February? Just a guess of course.
So there it is, Main Street USA, with the setting sun casting long shadows across the street. These photos do have a few kids, though you really have to look for them. It's fascinating how much Disneyland seemed to cater to adults at that time. Meanwhile, Main Street looks beautiful, and we get the added bonus of a Surrey and the Chemical Fire Wagon.
Those familiar lessee names give me the warm fuzzies - Yale, Swift, Gibson, Eastman Kodak... they all make me think of Disneyland! Note the sign outside the Main Street Cinema, with Mabel Normand in "A Dash Through the Clouds".
Next we head to Frontierland, and the dock for the Mark Twain. A few guests appear to be boarding, but there will be plenty of room for everyone. Hey, there's a kid! They DO exist!
Along the shore, it looks like construction is underway, with some boxed trees here and there. I'm assuming that the little mining town of Rainbow Ridge will spring up pretty soon, along with the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, which will debut on July 2nd, 1956.
20 comments:
Major-
You sure gotta love Main Street, U.S.A. when it looks like this - you can just feel its Turn-of-the-Century-ness-!
"Hey, there's a kid! They DO exist!" And it appears the young fella is wearing Mouse Ears-!
Thanks, Major.
The castle’s missing some turrets on the right side. What did you do with them, Major?! ;op
I never realized how low they were—and that the trees could hide them—Dent and all.
Thanks, Major.
"Beauties From 1956". When I read today's title I had visions of sugar plums and scantily-clad photos of Marilyn Monroe dancing in my head... Oh well, maybe next time. ;-)
This Main Street photo really is a beauty! The brights are bright and the shadows are not too dark. As Chuck would probably point out, you can tell this isn't 1957 yet because there is only one lady wearing a red coat.
Like Nanook said, it looks like the mythical kid might be wearing a Mouse-ear hat. He sure looks like he's enjoying himself! Early Frontierland has a certain charm, with all the mounds of dirt. I like it both ways: Lush, and sparse.
Nice couple o' photos, Major. Thanks.
The Main Street photo is gorgeous with its colors illuminated by the sun's rays. Thanks, Major.
All babies are cute, and the Disneyland baby is no exception. I seem to be enjoying a fresher Disneyland these days, and although I like a mature garden, it's charming to see Disneyland how Walt saw it in '56. Everyone looks very captivated by things never experienced before: including "Myth-Boy". Even though Main St. is obviously riddled with commerce, and sponsors: it really works here as clearly they took the time to integrate it in to the holistic scene. "Walt Disney's Disneyland" is not "Disney's Disneyland Resort": and let's make that perfectly clear. There are elements intact: thanks for that, but take me back to 1955-82 please. The horse drawn carriage and the fire truck add additional layers. I would fly out there if they did a Walt Disney's Disneyland night: with elements like this re-created: including attraction posters at the entrance: and spartan crowds. Limit the attendance so it would feel like this. There is a certain ambience that a big crowd brings: but I'm not sure that anyone experiences the quiet of a park like this anymore. It really was a soothing and charming experience: and I'm lucky that I experienced it many times over. I'm not sure I have ever seen the inside of the Yale Lock Shop....but I suppose I never have dug that deep. Perhaps a trip to Jason-Land and that rabbit hole is in store for me today. I do enjoy the sparsely vegetated Frontier, it seems to make it all look that much more authentic: like they are doing construction along the Mississippi. I understand the need for the current railing on the front of the Mark Twain, but I don't need to like it: the chain one worked perfectly and is in scale. The cast iron fencing is also very lovely and delicate. What is that bag that lady in black is holding: I think it does say "Disneyland" with the castle logo below: in 1950's green bag color: this one seems to have a handle and some structure to it. Life has been life-y lately: I'm glad I took the trip to GDB this morning! Thanks Major.
Gertie the Dinosaur is playing at the Main Street Cinema! I don't think we've ever seen a sign or banner for that before, have we?
Major, thanks, these are great photos from that great earliest era. Fun to think that no one knew what Disneyland would look like in the winter until Winter 1956.
Bu, wonderful idea for a special Walt Disney's Disneyland event. Of course it would have to be very expensive because crowds would be limited, and additional employees required... to take the ride tickets! Might be fun to pay big to get in, be given a 15 ticket book, and plan out your next move! Then, have tickets booths selling additional tickets for 10 to 50 cents. I would go if I won the lottery.
(might be hard to determine which modern attractions -- past late 1960s -- would be considered anything other than "E". maybe play it safe and call them all "W" for WED)
attraction posters, Main Street horse vehicles, etc. Would be fun, I wonder if any event like this has been done.
Classic Main Street view, I still feel a little twinge when I see the Castle at the end of the vista, like a dream at the end of daily life. Really a special place.
Note that there are 3 trash cans, but one is the plain green type. I wonder if the spacing algorithm hadn’t been worked out yet? A year or 2 later, this view might have 10 visible.
Surprising how the Mark Twain looks appropriate in the dry landscape of the early River. All those trees without scale are still in boxes. The fishing shanty on the Island is not weathered gray yet, the boards still look freshly assembled from the scraps of the crates taken off the trees.
JG
PS, JB, wrong blog…
I have a newspaper insert featuring the new attractions for 1959. The concept art included shows nothing but ADULTS enjoying themselves at various locations throughout the Park; not a child to be seen. The place was definitely geared to the more mature crowd early on.
Seeing these makes me thankful that I had the opportunity to experience Private Party Nights back in the mid-late 60s. Even with the limited operating hours, we could see everything in the Park with attendance around 15,000 or so. It felt so intimate. Remember Walt's original idea...Disneyland is for all ages. Now Main Street is a horde of walking bobble heads. Sponsors added to the charm and diversity of the merchandise, enhancing the overall immersive experience. We CMs would bank at the bank, buy greeting cards at the card store, etc. It was our very own shopping mall. KS
Nanook, this would have been the peak Mickey Mouse Club, so it’s fun to see the mouse ears!
Lou and Sue, I didn’t take them, but I think I saw some teenagers a while ago. They all needed haircuts!
JB, I think you are confusing my blog with some *other* blog. I hardly ever have scantily clad babes on GDB (though it has happened). I love the colors of vintage Main Street, in spite of the fallacy that it was “all browns and grays”. The mouse ear kid is just the right age to be super excited to be at Disneyland, likely for his first time.
K. Martinez, I do love that warm afternoon light, and it’s nice that the shadows didn’t go completely black, as well.
Bu, baby Disneyland is a favorite with me, I can’t get enough of those pictures. Unlike other babies. It makes sense that Main Street would be “riddled with commerce”, just like a real main street - at least from the days when small towns were thriving. It reminds me very much of where my grandparents lived in Minnesota, I always liked it when we all went down to the “shopping area”, we could go into the stationer’s and peruse their small selection of comic books. And it wasn’t far from the Dairy Queen, or the A&W restaurant (my favorite). “Disney’s Disneyland Resort” sounds like a name that a robot would come up with, it’s boring. I love the idea of a “Walt Disney’s Disneyland Night”, though it might be hard to do these days, the way so much has been removed. Still… they could try it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an interior of the Yale shop, though I would love to. I know somebody who might have something. I do understand the need for the railing along the river, partly due to visitors who are looking for any excuse to sue. They ruin it for everyone else. I’ve seen those large green Disneyland bags in auctions, they always go for a lot. For an empty bag!
TokyoMagic!, oh good eye, I love that Gertie is playing at the Cinema!
LTL, I love the idea of bringing back ticket books for a special event, but my guess is that the many visitors who never used them would not be thrilled. They are spoiled by being able to do whatever they want, as many times as they want. Ha ha, I also have lots of plans to do things if I win the lottery! I’m unaware of any sort of “Vintage Disneyland Night” event (or whatever), but that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened.
JG, I also feel a twinge for a simpler time, when Disneyland didn’t feel like it needed to be so “in your face” about everything. I assume that there was no piped-in music in 1956, how strange it would seem to us now. Enrico Fermi developed the Trash Can Algorithm. Good observation on the fishing shanty - I’ve been told that ammonia will make new wood look old and weathered. Though I’ve never tried it.
Steve DeGaetano, I think I have the same newspaper insert, and was, in fact, thinking about scanning or photographing it for GDB! But it would be kind of a lot of work, I don’t want to do it unless it is done right. It really is amazing to see so many vintage photos of the park with hardly any kids at all!
KS, 15,000 people sounds like a lot, but I know it’s a fraction of what the park gets nowadays. I’ve actually seen complaints that there is not enough to do at the park if you have very young children. Considering that they have low stamina (no staying until midnight), I would think there is plenty? But I can’t say for sure. I love the idea of Main Street being a “real place” for CMs!
Major-
I know I've shared this tidbit before, but back in the early 80's, I attended a private party where the expected attendance was 10,000, and 7,500 showed up... OR expected attendance was 7,500. and only 5,000 showed up. (I don't know if they allowed private parties with a mere 7,500 attendees). But either way, as you can imagine, it was a wonderful night-!
In addition to popcorn and plaid, I did also work in sales and sold private parties (amongst a few more jobs.) There was a minimum number of tickets that had to be sold (the number was low actually if I remember: 8000?) and that was to satisfy all costs, and the revenue from the "other" facets outside of main gate admission....which I think for Private Parties in my day was $14....or was it $8....in any case: it pales in comparison to todays price. Free parking was also included. You also sold the time: so 8-11....or 8-Midnight....(private) or if you wanted a lower price: you could buy a "mix in" where the park never cleared: but stayed open. This was not advertised to the GP. The GP was told "we close at 6". Even during mix ins it was delightfully light in crowds. The private party people were not of the regular "ilk" of guest. Big clients could basically choose their own timing, etc. They would have to guarantee XX amount of people who would spend XX amount of cash while in the park. You could also have private internal events during the party at the Blue Bayou, and if you were really connected: Club 33. Some clients chose to give their guests meal tickets, etc. Since the extended hours were a "bonus" to the regular operation: at the time it was considered "gravy". "Enchanted Evenings" were another thing all together: with only a land opened up. If you wanted booze: you could have it. Liz Taylor of course had her own party for her birthday: which was quite the fiasco...er uh...."event". Gotta love Liz. For my "Walt Disney's Disneyland" only attractions that have connection to WD would be open, and for Tickets. So things like Wookieship, etc. would not be open. If there was a remote connection: like Space Mountain: which could have been an idea floating about in Walt's mind....and if you think of it from that POV: there would still be a lot to enjoy/ride etc. All things vintage: dress code: no jammies, etc. No strollers, Kids 12 and above only, no lighting lane, no VIP: everyone is a VIP at Disneyland. Vintage character costumes. Vintage ride vehicles. No smart phones needed.....I'd be happy to pay an outrageous price for this experience.
@ Bu-
I also attended my share of "mix-in's" thanks to a CM who would provide the info when her weekly schedule was posted - as that info was noted on it, as you know.
Nanook, I can’t even imagine what it would be like at the park with less than 10,000 people!!
Bu, it only makes sense that attendance would have to meet a certain number to make a private party worth doing. UNLESS the party-thrower was willing to pay extra! I always wondered if they had all attractions open, or if some would close? Of course attendees would be peeved if they wanted to do a certain ride and not be able to. Are private parties even a thing anymore? I have the pinback button from Liz Taylor’s birthday party, somebody gave it to me. “You might like this”. For free? Sure! Jeez, if I was a regular customer and was told the park would close at 6:00, I’d be mad! In fact just a few months ago it closed at 8:00, and I wasn’t super happy about that either. Of course when I’d purchased my ticket for that evening, they hadn’t announced the hours yet. BUT… after 2.25 days (long story), by the time 8:00 rolled around, I was pooped. We still got an extra hour over in DCA, and then I was truly ready to go home! I had fun though, no doubt about it. Can you imagine showing up to Disneyland in pajamas and expect to get in? Come on! How about a little decorum?
Splendid photo. Proper shade of pink on the castle and effective scale of the plaza trees. Snaps to our photographer for perfect alignment too…clear thru to the Fantasyland ticket booth. Yes Please.
MS
Also: for some reference: 15K even on a "in-park" (the actual number of people in the park at one time: not those who just entered the turnstiles and then left already...) is a scrawny amount of people. 15K is blissful quiet. 40K, 50K on an in-park....hmmmmm....ya kind of need pills to get through it: and worse when you are a guest as there is no "quiet place". At least as an employee there is always a quiet corner somewhere backstage. I believe attendance is aggregated now for both parks....someone can weigh in. I've seen people in jammies and other stages of (un)dress. I support comfort, however Walt's public statements about not wanting to be close to the beach so that guests could not show up in bathing costumes. I'm old school. Proper boys haircuts as my mother would say. Shorts and a Mickey T and windbreaker are great. I'm a bit more formal than most. Also older and grumpier. Take me back to the 50's please. "Proper Pink and Effective scale". Walt's Disneyland. Thanks again Major.
Disneyland has recently done many passholder retro nights - a separate ticket event - that has featured various retro themes including the 50’s, the 1970’s and 80’s. There have been several general retro nights as well. Guest refs to wear vintage clothing for the theme. The set dressing for the retro nights isn’t quite as comprehensive as BU would like, but vintage BGM music and attraction posters( copies) are used … and some exhibits of early ride vehicles with backgrounds guests can use as photo ops.
The Hose and chemical wagon and horse drawn surreys have also been brought out and used on Main Street USA for guests. Vintage food selections are also made available including TAHITTIAN TERRACE PUNCH , SPACE MIST PUNCH and FANTASIA ICE CREAM ( this flavor is often made available on Disneyland’s birthday to all guests) in the 90’s for a Halloween nite they held a vintage Disneyland cast fashion show …. Another time the fashion show was used as a game where attendees had to fill out game cards and GUESS what the costumes were … the cards were collected and graded while the models came out and the costume uses were revealed to the audience. The prize for the winners ; a Barbie or Ken doll in any Disneyland costume made by the wardrobe department.
I think those trees are box elders.
I remember a visit in 1976 (either January or October) where we must have been on the cusp of a mix-in party. We were aware the party was happening, but we were also aware of the official closing time. My parents not being rule-breakers (and also having a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old in tow) headed for the gate at the official closing time.
I remember pointing out to my parents that everything still seemed to be open and my mom explaining that it was a private party. I remember responding that they hadn’t asked us to leave and asking if we could stay and my mom said that it wouldn’t be polite because we weren’t invited. I also remember falling asleep pretty quickly when we got back to the RV. I think my little sister fell asleep in the car...and we were staying in one of the campgrounds on West Street. My parents made the right call.
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