Today's images show what was once the Carnation Ice Cream Shoppe (now the Carnation Cafe) on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland. Even as we speak, it's being revamped/redesigned for the umpteenth time, providing more indoor dining space for what has become one of the few table-service restaurants in the park. The illustration above, courtesy Kevin Kidney, shows what the building was supposed to look like on opening day in 1955. The image below, courtesy Daveland, shows the building as it appeared in Dec. 1962.
Although the name has stayed a part of this building, the Carnation Company has evaporated -- just like its famous milk. Nestle purchased Carnation, and now uses the name on only a few products. It's a far cry from the days when Carnation was a well known name in dairy and its wholesome image was a perfect match for Disneyland.
Carnation also hosted Plaza Gardens -- a dance venue which just recently shut down to make way for a "Princess meet-and-greet" area. It's a loss for all those who enjoyed big band music.
The photo below shows the Carnation Cafe as it appears today.
6 comments:
Excellent post. I remember back in the 1990's when Disneyland had plans to turn the Carnation Cafe into a fast food eatery so that they could serve more guests. My friends and I started a letter writing campaign to bombard Disney with letters telling them that we did not mind waiting for a seat and turning this quaint spot into a burger joint would be a terrible mistake. I don't know if our letters helped, but the plan was never put into action. Now, they are returning the Carnation Cafe to its former glory and I'm really happy about that.
Actually, the new changes to the Carnation Plaza, thats changing to be the extended Fantasyland area, will keep the bandstand and still have big bands and dancing on the weekends just like before.
The BIG question is whether or not the Fantasia ice cream will come back. Let guest services know that it should.
Carnation Plaza Gardens is still open. It hasn't yet been closed for the princess makeover.
I miss the flower market. West Center Street is not much of a street now that it is filled with umbrella tables.
Bring back the Hills Brothers restaurant near the Opera House, that had plenty of table seating, once upon a time...
JG
My wife worked at Carnation Plaza Gardens in 1957. Richard Moore
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