September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

[Werner Weiss]

Link to Disneyland Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Please discuss it here.

[AstroBlaster]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Thank you for this article Werner, I love looking at the contrast between shots. WOW Disneyland looked so empty 50+ years ago.

[a-net-fan]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS!!! I really enjoy seeing how things have changed and grown and just progressed over the years. I cant wait to see more!

PS: Was Sleeping Beautys Castle changed from the Gray and Blue color scheme for the 50th or was it before that? Any idea why it was decided to do that?

[Werner Weiss]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

PS: Was Sleeping Beautys Castle changed from the Gray and Blue color scheme for the 50th or was it before that? Any idea why it was decided to do that?

I assume that the reason was to make Sleeping Beauty Castle more colorful and inviting than when it was shades of gray. I believe the colors were first changed in 1983.

[xalesa]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

This is great; thanks for doing this!! Can't wait for more!! What a difference a few full grown trees can make!!

[SpcMtn77]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Were the trees in Town Square replaced at one point? In the band concert photos they are clearly larger and fuller in the 1950's image. They almost look like like a different type of tree altogether, and don't really correlate to the panned out picture of Town Square from the same time period.

Otherwise I'd say the park looks better over the years. Thanks for posting this! I love seeing before and after images...

[a-net-fan]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Were the trees in Town Square replaced at one point? ...

Yea, are these the trees that Walt planted that were controversally removed a few years ago and Tony Baxter had one of them transplanted to his own home?

[Werner Weiss]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Were the trees in Town Square replaced at one point?

I'm sure many of the trees in planters and along walkways have been replaced over the years for a number of reasons.

But there undoubtedly also still many trees that have been growing for over a half century. (Wait until you see the "Then and Now" photo essay about Frontierland.)

The trees in the Town Square photos appear to be different trees.

[Yendorb]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Great article Werner.

[ttrocc7007]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

I don't if this your best column yet, but I think it may be my favorite! Like the others, I can't wait to see some more.
I also want to express my disappointment at not meeting you on your most recent visit. I've been following Yesterland for quite a few years (pre Mice Age). My kid sister (now 51) and I used to compare stuff on your site all of the time.
I still hope to get a chance to chat.
Thanks for everything!

[kindagoofy]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Werner, your comparative is wonderful. Other than the trees, it looks like the big change isn't the park, but rather the visitors. Looking in the background of the older photos, I see much better dressed folks than today's visitors. I think I'll get a buzz cut and wear slacks with a button down shirt next time I go.

[aduecey]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Notice the simple period appropriate American flags and bunting on the street lamps in the vintage pic of the band performance. Such a nice and more time period, theme appropriate lamp post decoration compared to the wild stuff they throw on them nowadays.

[Disneyland Tickets]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

WOW - Insanely wonderful! I could stare at "Then & Now" photos of Disneyland all day long... Thanks for taking the time to do these! Can't wait for Frontierland "Then & Now".

[zugzug15]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Am I the only one that likes the lesser sized trees in some of the older pictures? I mean at what point do the trees detract from things like the castle. the very first picture you cant even see the castle anymore from the far end of main street... I only noticed it really because i tried to watch the fireworks last week and there are a lot of spots that either block the castle or block tinkerbells flight. great update though.

[MousEarz]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Thank you for taking the time to snap & post these photos and make the comparisons Werner. This is fantastic and I can't wait to see the rest of your comparisons.

I think this is my favourite Yesterland post yet.

[Circa1966]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Sweet - I totally agree - thanks Werner for doing the comparison shots for us - and I'm looking forward to more as well...

[mickeyandme67]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

Awesome article.

I have never thought about it before, but by comparing pictures, the trees behind the castle blow it's scale off. Looking at the castle with no trees in the 1950s picture, the castle down at the end of Main Street looks imposingly large. From the very same angle in 2009, with trees behind, it looks much, much smaller.

It makes perfect sense now that I think about it. When there are two items side-by-side and one of the objects is a familiar subject with a relative height, the familiar determines the scale and size for all the things around it.

[a-net-fan]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

I assume that the reason was to make Sleeping Beauty Castle more colorful and inviting than when it was shades of gray. I believe the colors were first changed in 1983.

Thanks for the information Werner. Much appreciated..

[Wendygirl]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

These are great and bring back so many memories. I have no idea why my Dad never took actual photographs when we went back then. We have some OK home movies but I wish he had taken photos too.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: September 24, 2009: Then and Now: Main Street and the Castle

I LOVE these "Then and Now" photo updates. So awesome, and you captured pretty much the same shots all the way around.

I will say, the jokes about the castle being "small" sure don't apply in 1955 as it's really the scale of the surrounding trees that make the castle look so tiny these days.