Did you know that Doritos were actually invented in Disneyland?
The Frito company ran a Mexican style restaurant in Disneyland on New Orleans Street called Casa de Fritos.
Apparently, the marketing executive had the idea to fry them up and serve them as chips. Doritos means “little golden things” in Spanish.
If my sources are correct, this is one interesting bit of snacking history, as well! You can check out the interesting story here!
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland, we need to pay homage to one of its original and ever-so-popular attractions: Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
This ride has become a staple at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. To recognize this, the Disney Store has released a limited release collection of t-shirts and a poster, both boasting the flying elephant himself in a vintage style design.
The items are only available until tomorrow, so if you’re interested, I would highly suggest visiting the online store today and making your order.
The adult t-shirts are $27.95, kid size is $22.95.
There is also a poster for $32.00, and if you’re feeling really magical and love the cutie, you might want to splurge on the Giclée on canvas, which costs a cool $120.00!
To keep the festivities going in honor of Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary, I thought this video would be the perfect thing to share. I stumbled upon this on Disney Avenue‘s blog, and it’s amazing!
The Disneyland, U.S.A video was recorded in 1956, a year after the park had opened. It is a featurette that is part of a series called People and Places that Walt Disney Productions produced. Now, it has become a wonderful time capsule for us all to enjoy. Take a look how people dressed, and notice the lack of selfie-sticks and duck faces (he he). Experience the vintage feel of the park while the narrator takes you through the attractions. The 42-minute video allows us to take a leisurely stroll through the way the “World” looked through Disney’s eyes. Fabulous!
Disney Avenue explains that this video is on the Walt Disney Treasures – Disneyland: Secrets, Stories & Magic DVD set. Guess I’ll be ordering that next! 🙂
That’s right, folks! On this day 60 years ago, the gates opened for the first time at Walt Disney’s beloved amusement park, Disneyland!
History was certainly made that day. ABC was there to broadcast the festivities live, and so many people tuned in to see what was happening inside this magical place, that it became the biggest live telecast at the time!
Walt Disney, after being gracefully introduced by Ronald Reagan (famous for his career as an actor at the time), delivered this infamous speech as he welcomed the first guests in:
“To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past…and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts which have created America … with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
While the park opened on July 17, 1955, it was invitation only. These invitations were given to the workers who had helped build the park, as well as sponsors and reporters. Surprisingly (or, maybe not so much), these coveted tickets were counterfeit, and so the park saw over 28,000 people through its gate.
This caused opening day to be dubbed by Disneyland employees as “Black Sunday”, because due to the overwhelming attendance, plus the normal mishaps that newly-opened businesses all suffer, the first day at Disneyland was chaotic to say the least.
There was a shortage of food, a gas leak (yikes!), crazy traffic jams around Anaheim, and who knows what else. But, they pulled through, and in less than 2 months from opening day, Disneyland welcomed over 1-million guests to the happiest place on earth!
Way to go, Disneyland! Let me celebrate by sharing some photos I took from my first trip there back in 2012. Enjoy!
Amazing train ride! I suggest jumping on it first thing and riding it to the back of the park. You’ll be able to waltz right on to “It’s A Small World” while everyone else floods Main Street! See, I’m always looking out for you. 😉
Just to prove that I made it. After a 6.5 hour flight (eeek) and driving the crazy highways of California, I finally made it!
This horse and I had a moment. He totally posed for the camera! Show off.
The obligatory castle shot, with the statue at the forefront.
Loved the New Orleans influence in Disneyland. Did someone say beignets?!?! Mmmmm
Gotta say, if I were a bird, this is where I would make my landing. 🙂
So serene, sitting by the water. #ImInHeaven
Toontown! How I miss the Toontown at WDW. This land included an awesome Roger Rabbit ride!
If you have e
ver been to Disneyland, you may have noticed an interesting store on Main Street, called the Main Street Magic Shop. As the name suggests, you can find all sorts of products for aspiring magicians at this store.
But did you know that the Magic Shop used to employ a rather famous, and extra-funny, cast member? I’m talking about none other than Steve Martin!
His time there must have given him wonderful memories, because he often refers to his work at the Magic Shop. He appeared on the Johnny Carson show with his magic act, the Great Flydini, and helped host the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Celebration. Of course, he appeared with Donald Duck in front of the Magic Shop for some awesome, funny banter. The video is below. Start watching at 3:25 to really get the good stuff!
Need more evidence as to his connection with the Magic Shop? Steve Martin is also currently working on a movie, called Magic Camp.
Here is the plot description of the feature film, according to The Hollywood Reporter:
The story tells of a straight-laced banker who returns to Magic Camp, a camp he attended as a shy child. This time he is a counselor who makes it his mission to improve the lives of all the kids while keeping an eye on his ultimate prize, the top spot at the Golden Wand competition.
Sounds interesting!
Today in 1957: The First Annual Disneyland Pancake Races!
The Disneyland Pancake Races was featured by Aunt Jemima who, at the time, had a restaurant at the park.
The races featured real housewives, dressed in skirts and aprons, flipping their flapjacks as they raced down Main Street, U.S.A. Disneyland’s version of this English tradition — contestants qualified in several cities throughout the United States — was cooked up as a publicity stunt for the park and served over several days. The winner of these finals would compete in the Nationals. So on this day in 1957, it was “batter up!” for the First Annual Disneyland Pancake Races… and no buttering up to the judges was allowed.
Too bad they don’t hold these races anymore – they look hilarious. Whoever thought that pancakes and racing could go together?!
The Disney Diva 