Tag: Disneyland

  • If D23 Was in 1966 ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 24

    If D23 Was in 1966 ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 24

    In this episode of Photoniks, hosts Mr. Daps and Clocky are getting hyped for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event by taking a journey back in time! Pretending it’s 1966—when Walt Disney was teasing the future of the park—the duo explores a vibrant gallery of 1967–1968 slides showcasing Tomorrowland at peak retro optimism.

    Together, they analyze the kinetic energy of classic Disneyland, marvel at lost details, and debate their favorite vintage shots.

    Key Highlights From This Episode:

    • Tomorrowland Entrance & Retro Fashion: Stepping into Tomorrowland circa 1967 to admire the open pathways, Goodyear logo, harvestable plant borders, and amazing guest fashion (plus a quick reminder about guest habits of the era!).
    • Kinetic Energy Overload: Marveling at elevated views packed with active transportation—from Monorail Yellow and the PeopleMover to the Submarine Lagoon and classic Autopia vehicles.
    • Icons of Tomorrowland Past: Checking out the central ticket booth, the “flying saucer” styling of the Carousel of Progress building (presented by GE), and the iconic Rocket Jets in all their original high-flying glory.
    • Mermaids & Monorails: Spotting real-life mermaids lounging in the Submarine Lagoon and catching Monorail Blue gliding right in front of the Matterhorn bobsleds.

    Connect With Us!

    If you love diving into vintage Disney park history, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star rating wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts!

    Join the Discussion: > Drop a comment below to let us know which 1960s photo was your favorite—and remember to turn your flash off while going through dark rides and tunnels!

    Make it a great week, keep kind, and we’ll see you next time in the park!

  • A Double Celebration — Photoniks 1-Year Anniversary & America’s 250th! ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 23

    A Double Celebration — Photoniks 1-Year Anniversary & America’s 250th! ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 23

    What a milestone! In this special episode of Photoniks, hosts Mr. Daps and Clocky are pulling out all the stops for a massive double celebration: it’s the one-year anniversary of Photoniks, and they are honoring it alongside America’s 250th anniversary!

    To mark the occasion, the duo gears up in matching Sam Eagle sweatshirts (a proper salute to all Muppets, but mostly Sam Eagle) for a unique episode experience. They are throwing a historic “Photoniks on Parade” by looking back at an iconic piece of Disney entertainment history: the legendary America on Parade, which debuted for the Bicentennial in 1975!

    Key Highlights From This Episode:

    • Matching for Muppets: The story behind the hosts’ patriotic anniversary style and why Sam Eagle is the ultimate mascot for the day.
    • America on Parade Retrospective: Taking a photographic deep dive into the 51st anniversary of the historic 1975 parade that celebrated American history in classic, oversized Disney fashion.
    • The Weird & Wonderful Details: Analyzing vintage guest photos of the parade’s iconic floats and characters—including a memorable look at a historical witch-dunking setup!
    • A Different Kind of Release: How the guys are changing things up for this episode by dropping featured photos throughout the day on social media so you can follow along like you’re watching a real parade march by.
    • Looking Ahead: Celebrating one year of the show, thanking listeners for their support, and planning for future episodes in the darkroom pipeline.

    Connect With Us!

    Thank you for exploring Disney history through our lens for a whole year! If you want to keep the celebration going, please like, comment, and subscribe wherever you listen to or watch the show. Leaving a 5-star rating is the best anniversary gift to help more people find the podcast!

    Watch & Follow Along: > Check out our social pages and YouTube channel to see full photos and follow along as photos drop throughout Fourth of July!

    Want us to analyze a specific piece of Disney park history or your own vintage vacation photos next? Send them in or leave a comment below!

    Happy 4th of July, happy 1-year anniversary, make it a great week, and we’ll see you in the parks soon!

  • A Father’s Day Walk Down Memory Lane at Disneyland! ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 22

    A Father’s Day Walk Down Memory Lane at Disneyland! ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 22

    Happy Father’s Day! In this special episode of Photoniks, hosts Mr. Daps and Clocky are joined by a very special guest—Mr. Daps’ father, Chaz from Chaz Stories!

    To celebrate, Chaz brings a treasure trove of vintage Disneyland photos dating back to his honeymoon in June 1979. Together, the trio takes a nostalgic trip through time, analyzing how the park has transformed while marveling at classic details from nearly 50 years ago.

    Key Highlights From This Episode:

    • The Story Behind Chaz Stories: Chaz explains how he started his YouTube channel reading bedtime stories for his grandkids across the globe, growing it into a project with roughly 650 videos.
    • Disneyland Entrance (1979): The team analyzes a mid-morning photo of the park entrance, admiring the open, flower-filled pathways and welcoming layout.
    • Pre-1983 Fantasyland: Looking at a photo of Peter Pan’s Flight, the hosts discuss the old carousel placement, crowd levels, and how Fantasyland has evolved since the early ’80s.
    • Main Street, USA & The Disneyland Band: Spotting the band marching near Town Square, noticing guest fashions of the era, and discussing the original Global Van Lines building.
    • Skyway & Fantasyland Perspectives: Examining vintage views featuring the Skyway, the Alice in Wonderland exterior track, Dumbo, and Storybook Land details.

    Connect With Us!

    If you enjoyed this nostalgic journey, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star rating wherever you listen to or watch the podcast!

    Show Notes & Links: > Check out Chaz’s story recordings on YouTube by searching for @chazstories !

    Drop a comment wherever you watch Photoniks to let us know which vintage Disneyland photo was your favorite or what you’d like the team to explore next.

    Keep kind, make it a great week, and we’ll see you in the parks!