DCA 0.1 ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 19

DCA 0.1 ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 19

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In this special April Fool’s Day edition of Photoniks, Mr. Daps and Clocky take a trip back to a time when Disney California Adventure was nothing more than a perfectly aligned grid of massive mid-century “land yachts.” We’re calling it “DCA 0.1″—the legendary Disneyland parking lot.

We explore rare slides from 1961, 1969, and the mid-70s, identifying exactly where today’s park landmarks would stand amidst a sea of vintage Fords, Buicks, and Volkswagens.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • The 1961 “DCA” Skyline: Standing in what is now likely Buena Vista Street, we look across the parking lot toward the Main Street Station and a solitary Matterhorn. We marvel at the “perfect parking” of the era and the dapper guests arriving in full sport coats and skirts.
  • A Car Expert’s Playbook: Mr. Daps brings in some ringer expertise to identify the front-row lineup from 1961, including a ’59 Ford, a ’57 Mercury, a ’56 Buick convertible, and a ’57 Packard.
  • Sunset at the Transportation Hub: A beautiful mid-70s shot taken from the Monorail, looking over a fleet of Pintos and VW Bugs toward the back of what is now the Monsters, Inc. building.
  • The Catella Entrance Time Machine: Analyzing the old entrance off Catella Avenue. We pinpoint the location by identifying the power lines and the “Y” parking section, placing us right in the heart of what would eventually become Pixar Pier.
  • The “Golden Gate” View (1969): A morning view from the Monorail looking down at the tram drop-off and the future site of the Buena Vista Street bridge. We note how imposing the Matterhorn looked before Space Mountain and other high-rises joined the skyline.

“Picture-in-Picture” Highlights:

  • [05:25] The Panama Hat: Spotting a very stylish guest in a fedora lurking behind a red ’59 Ford.
  • [08:31] The Beetle Count: A challenge to count the Volkswagens—Clocky spots at least five in one frame!
  • [13:31] The Skyline Evolution: Using the Anaheim Convention Center and the old Disneyland Hotel sign to orient ourselves in the vast open space of the 60s.
  • [18:35] Don’t Misplace Your Car: Remembering the old ticket book maps where you had to manually mark your parking spot so you wouldn’t be lost at the end of the night.
  • [21:27] The Yellow & Blue Tram: A nostalgic look at the classic tram design and a debate on why they don’t bring that specific aesthetic back for “Rainy Day Cavalcades.”

Connect With Us:

Which vintage car would you want to drive through the 1961 parking lot? Let us know in the comments!

Make it a great week, and be sure to remember where you parked!

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