After Before ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 15

After Before ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 15

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Ever feel like you’re living in Groundhog Day? In this episode of Photo Nicks, Clocky and Mr. Daps lean into the repetition, comparing vintage Disneyland photos of the same locations across different decades. From the dirt piles of the 1950s to the plaid-filled walkways of 1982, we explore how the park’s most iconic views have—and haven’t—changed.

We dive deep into a 1982 photo set that captures a unique era of the park, including a Tomorrowland that felt like the “better life of the future” and a Fantasyland in the middle of its massive 1980s transformation.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • The Jungle Before the Tiki: A rare, off-center look at the original Adventureland entrance from 1957. We marvel at the “bamboo” sign—likely held together by nails and optimism—and a time when the Enchanted Tiki Room didn’t even exist yet.
  • Holiday Hill vs. The Mountain: We look at a 1957 shot of a literal pile of dirt known as “Holiday Hill” (complete with a kid carrying a quiver of arrows!) and compare it to the high-tech Tomorrowland of 1982, featuring the PeopleMover and the Submarine Voyage.
  • Skyway Perspectives: Analyzing photos taken from the buckets. We debate the “trash cans in the sky” design of the early Skyway and spot the missing spires of Sleeping Beauty Castle before the 1959 expansion.
  • City Hall Styles: A look at the evolution of Town Square. We compare the eucalyptus-heavy background of the 1950s to the cleaner lines of 1982, while noting the “mild disagreements” happening over park maps in the background.
  • The Great Garbage Can Count: Clocky and Mr. Daps keep a close eye on the hydration stations and trash receptacles through the years—the real benchmarks of a growing park.

“Picture-in-Picture” Highlights:

  • [03:23] Adventureland 1957: A world of suits, proper hats, and no safety rails.
  • [07:57] Adventureland 1982: The arrival of the Tiki Room and the shift to horizontal-striped polo shirts.
  • [12:15] The Future Home of the Matterhorn: Before the bobsleds, it was just a place for the Red Car to drop off guests.
  • [18:30] Fantasyland From Above: Spotting the original footprint of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and the “TWA Moonliner.”
  • [23:21] Town Square Evolution: Analyzing the paint colors of City Hall and the disappearance of the backstage burm.

Connect With Us:

What’s your favorite “comfort movie” to watch every year? Is it a classic like Groundhog Day or a Disney deep cut like The Happiest Millionaire? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks for looking through the lens with us!

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