Category Archives: Main Street

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Plus A Contest!)

53 Comments Posted by on July 1, 2011

I could really go for an ice cream cone right now. I haven’t even had breakfast. Hey–ice cream for breakfast! Ice cream for lunch! Ice cream for dinner! Let’s scream Oprah-style EVERYONE GETS AN ICE CREAM! EVERYONE GETS AN ICE CREAM!

Actually I’ll admit I’m not a huge ice cream person. I do enjoy a good cone every once in a while, and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s certainly hits the spot, but I’m not one of those ice cream obsessed people. When I think of ice cream I always think of when we lived in Germany. Now THOSE people love their ice cream. Any time, any place, anywhere, you’d see someone licking a cone or eyeing an ice cream vending machine longingly. Seriously, that was the only place I’ve ever seen people standing at a bus stop in the dead of winter, bundled up in coats, scarves, gloves and hats, snow swirling all around them, munching an ice cream bar. And not just once either.

Now that’s what I call dedication.

Anyway, when it gets nice and hot, an ice cream is the perfect snack at Disneyland. Not as perfect as popcorn or churros, since those aren’t weather-dependent, but close. And one of the places to get ice cream is at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor right on Main Street, U.S.A.

Ich möchte wirklich Eis

In keeping with Walt’s dream of having Main Street represent Anytown, USA in the early 20th century, the ice cream parlor is represented by the Gibson Girl.

Which then got me thinking a little bit. Who or what exactly is the Gibson Girl? I mean we’ve certainly seen her likeness in those nostalgic turn of the century images–the poofy hair, slim neck, waist the size of my wedding ring, long skirt, etc.–but who is she and where did she come from?

Well, according to my Standard Research Methodology, the Gibson Girl was drawn by this illustrator, Charles Gibson, who if you believe Wikipedia quite frankly (**language alert**) kind of sounds like an ass but if you read other sites within your allotted SRM 3 minutes doesn’t sound that bad. Apparently Charles Gibson was a very influential illustrator and created the Gibson Girl to depict the “ideal American woman” and then plastered her everywhere doing all kinds of things but notably excluding participating in the women’s suffrage movement. One site compared her to her later counterpart, Barbie, except the Gibson Girl didn’t live in a pink plastic house with a ridiculously out-of-proportion swimming pool.

Anyway, it looks like people have written entire PhD dissertations on the Gibson Girl but honestly I’m already bored with the topic so MOVING ON…

Back to the ice cream

I love the window details of the stores on Main Street. And once again, looking up reveals a whole new set of things I’ve never looked at before.

I love this brick work

That is, of course, the theatrical agency upstairs.

The other noticeable thing about the GG Ice Cream Parlor is that they make their own waffle cones and they gently waft the scent out the door so when you walk by you can’t help but notice the glorious, sweet smell of freshly-pressed waffle cone. I’m not joking about that, by the way.

But hey, armchair historians, are waffle cones historically accurate to the early 20th century? Just curious.

Disneyland accurately anticipates the popularity of this centrally-located ice cream shop (shoppe? pronounced “shop”) and you get a bunch of zig zags to wait in.

I'm only a couple of yards away from the counter but there are still 294 people in front of me! Must be Disneyland!

And here’s a question for my very knowledgeable readers–back behind the fruit cart next to the lockers, there’s another ice cream window:

Here it is!

Now I know this one is definitely a cone shop, because I cleverly read the sign (I’m smart like that) but I wonder–are they the same cones and the same ice cream that’s available across the street at the Gibson Girl Parlor? I never get cones at Disneyland–the chocolate chip cookie sandwich is my frozen dairy product of choice–so I can’t say, but if it’s the same ice cream and all you want is a cone, then this would be an awesome place to get it and skip the line at the GG Parlor. I’ve never seen a line at this window, and honestly before a couple of months ago I didn’t know this window existed at all.

Help me, readers! Is this the case?

Anyway, back at the GG Parlor, when you get up close and get dirty looks from people who think you’re cutting in line even though you’re just trying to get a picture, you can see the whole operation.

I'm certain that's an original electric waffle iron straight out of 1918, or an historic reproduction at least.

The GG Parlor does offer very, very, very limited seating.

There's like one and a half tables in this place

And there are various Gibson Girl portraits adorning the walls.

Including this one:

Hunh?

I’m talking about the bottom picture, of course, with the Gibson Girl holding her hands up in a “don’t shoot!” pose. This picture is just begging–BEGGING for a caption contest.

Here she is again, ladies and gentlemice:

Caption Me!

CAPTION CONTEST RULES

This one’s simple. Think of a caption. Leave a comment (upper right-hand corner of the post) with your caption or captions. Enter as many times as you want. Winner determined by me based on creativity, humor, and whichever one I like best. I will send you a prize which will probably be cool but maybe not, no guarantees, I haven’t decided yet. You don’t need to post a separate comment for each entry.

Have fun!

Main Street, Stuff To Eat , ,

Watch Shop

8 Comments Posted by on June 26, 2011

Of all of the shops on Main Street, I have to say that my second-favorite is the Watch Shop. My favorite being the Magic Shop, of course.

Anyway, the Watch Shop is located right next to the Carnation Cafe.

Gift and Jewelry, and watches

There is also a bathroom back in here, in case you need to duck out and use one before you get to the end of Main Street.

It's rarely crowded

The watch shop is super-cool because not only does it carry watches, it also carries a watch artist. That is, you can get a hand-drawn watch all for yourself.

Or a ghost artist sometimes

I can’t even tell you how long I’ve been coveting one of those things. A long time.

There’s a big book of designs you can pick out, from the iconic…

If you were just sitting here thinking "Man, I really want to buy Shelby a watch," then this is the one I'd like.

…to the obscure

Pablo the penguin? This has GOT to be one of their best sellers.

There are other watches for sale

I'd probably like any of these too, but Alice would be my first choice

And the custom-drawn ones you can buy in color or black and white.

The black and white ones are more affordable, but seriously? If you're getting an artist watch, go big or go home. Which means that I was my Alice in color.

Now after admiring all of these lovely watches, you look around and find some freakishly scary dog statue guarding some ugly handbags.

Don't worry, he doesn't bite.

There are also some Ed Hardy-esque monstrosities to buy.

No, thank you

And over on another wall, the budget watches.

For when you don't really care about the giftee

The till area is very cool.

I might want this for my bedroom

Rapunzel also makes an appearance. UPDATE! Reader correction: It’s not Rapunzel, it’s Jasmine.

Who is stifling the voices of women here???

The watch shop naturally segues into the jewelry shop next door.

Honestly, why would you buy beaded stuff you can get for 1/4 of the price at home? It's not like they're Disney in any way.

These are the budget rings, to match your cheap-ass watch.

See the comment on the previous picture

There are also some more expensive pieces, like diamond Mickeys

I was totally getting the stink-eye when I was taking this picture. Like I'm casing the joint or something.

Step outside, and here’s the entrance to the jewelry store.

Here ya go.

Once upon a time, the jewelry store used to carry a lot of really classy, high-end jewelry, but it really doesn’t anymore. Oh, and that’s also Theo’s stroller at the bottom of the picture, where I abandoned him to take these pictures.

Main Street , , ,

Hook and Ladder Company

3 Comments Posted by on June 23, 2011

As I said before in my posts about the Pearly Band, the Straw Hatters, and the Bootstrappers, I really was unaware of so much of the roving entertainment. Walt was big on music and it absolutely shows. I was always rather hell-bent on getting to Space Mountain or wherever that I blew past the entertainers, even the ones I knew existed (like the Dapper Dans).

But those days are over. Now I’m paying attention.

I knew the Hook and Ladder company existed but I had never actually stopped to watch them.

They do interrupt the performance if there should be an emergency in the park, like a cat getting stuck in a tree.

Five adorable fire fighters in oldey timey costumes! I particularly loved the drummer, as his instrument looked like it was made from different fire equipment.

I wonder if this drum thing goes all Transformers if they need the equipment back

The Hook and Ladder Company also have an important mascot.

Shockingly, his name is Spot

As far as life-size ratio to the piano, I would put little Spot at about 4 days old. Anyway, just like over with the Straw Hatters, watching the group really pays off, because guess who showed up?

Sing it now, Cruella DeVille, Cruella DeVille...

Cruella did a little round about the audience and I think she was trying to affect  rich-woman-meets-the-crazy, but actually she ended up looking a little bit drunk.

Okay, a lot drunk.

It doesn’t take her long to find Spot. Because obviously if you’re looking for a dalmatian, then a fire house is the place to be.

"I want to buy that dog." "Um, no."

Her dog purchase unsuccessful, Cruella then hit up the audience for a volunteer. The guy next to me, Bill, was totally game. Cruella shared one of her many coats and hats with him.

I don't think Bill realized that dressing in drag was part of the schtick when he volunteered

I have to say, though, that Bill was pretty much all kinds of awesome, as he danced with a drunken Cruella.

Please, Disney, tell me that cloak isn't made of puppies. I know you're all for authenticity and all, but...

They polished off the dance with a kickline like something out of A Chorus Line, if A Chorus Line featured Cruella DeVille and fire men playing instruments. And a guy from the audience in drag.

One singular sensation

Cruella then absconded with Spot, which the children in the audience lost no time in telling the fire chief.

Remember kids, it's not tattling if someone's in trouble

Cruella left empty-handed, thank God. There’s nothing worse than a cloak made from the pelts of stuffed dogs OH MY GOD THAT’S WHERE IT CAME FROM!!!

Next, our favorite firefighters, Chip and Dale, came out. They had their own axes, ready to break down a door if someone gets stuck in a bathroom stall or something. Actually, their dance was so cute I’m just going to post a bunch of pictures in a row.

Was that adorable or WHAT??? I seriously love the way they get kids (and Bill) involved in these little performances. I’ll bet that’s a memory those families will never forget!

Finally, we had one more visitor.

Well hello there

Goofy’s job was to lead us all in a dance.

Shake those hips now

If you didn’t want to dance, Goofy threatened to eat your head in the way that only a Disney costumed character can do.

Yes, I'm talking to YOU! Except I'm not talking.

We were supposed to roll our hands, and it actually took a while for me to catch on that we were supposed to be doing it too. I’d like to say it was because I was holding a camera in one hand, but really it was just because I wasn’t paying attention very closely.

You! With the camera! Roll your hands or I'll bite your head off!

We all ended with a flourish.

It's fun to stay at the YMCA

And with that, the Hook and Ladder Company bid us farewell and went on with their largely ceremonial duties. I have to say, if you come across some performers, find a piece of shade and sit down to watch a bit. It’s totally worth it.

Main Street , , , , ,

The Restaurant That Can’t Decide What It Wants To Be Called

29 Comments Posted by on June 13, 2011

And this is the part where Shelby takes a deep, cleansing breath and finally gets to post! As some of you know, I’m pursuing an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and my final “packet” (big old bunch of stuff–creative work, critical essays, annotated bibliography, letter, list of reasons why I’m not lame, etc.) of the semester is due on Wednesday, which is also my birthday. In addition to wrapping everything up, my computer decided to totally die on me. I’ve been eyeing new computers anyway, so when I saw that one I wanted also had a $100 off coupon from Costco, Kevin went out and bought it that day. However, transferring everything from one computer to the other turned out to be pretty much a 24-hour process, during which I was working off my thumb drive on Kevin’s Macbook and NOT doing anything relating to MYWTM. Obviously. But anyway, I am mostly back in action, so thanks for sticking around!

If you didn’t die of boredom from that last paragraph, that is.

So today’s entry is about the restaurant that can’t decide what it wants to be called. It’s at the end of Main Street on the left (facing the castle) and the part that faces the hub identifies the restaurant as the creatively-named “Refreshment Corner,” which is pretty much the lamest name of anything in the entire park. I mean, refreshment corner? That’s just one step away from “Place Where You Buy Food.”

This Place Where You Buy Food is brought to you by Coca-Cola!

And seriously, how weird is it to see “Coca-Cola” typed out like that? I had to check and make sure it wasn’t “Coco-Cola.” It’s brought to you by Coke, okay?

Anyway, the Disneyland website also refers to this eatery as the Refreshment Corner. But then, on the side that faces Main Street, you get this:

Corner Cafe? Wut?

Yes, it says Corner Cafe. Now isn’t that a MUCH better name than Refreshment Corner? Yes, it is. However, the Disneyland site doesn’t make any reference to the Corner Cafe. I suppose they don’t want it to be confused with the Carnation Cafe which is a few stores back down Main Street, but still. I mean, did they just spend all that money on the cute little Corner Cafe sign so they left it up and hoped nobody would notice? I don’t know.

The best part of the Corner Cafe other than walking along its edge is sort of a shortcut to Adventureland, is the Ragtime pianist.

I'm trying to think of a recognizable ragtime song, but I'm coming up blank

Let’s take a closer look at our natty friend.

I just think these costumes are adorable.

The Ragtime Pianist plays at more or less regularly-scheduled time slots. It also has the piano player’s name in case you wanted to chat with him or something, or like on the bus where it says “your driver is…”

Apparently Alan has to play every single performance of the day, or something

The menu of the day–well, every day–calls for hot dogs.

Hot dog, chili dog, chili cheese dog, chili without the dog

They do offer turkey dogs, but only on the children’s menu. Weird. If a hot dog and/or chili isn’t quite your liking, you can also get a Mickey shaped pretzel. And shockingly, a variety of Coke products.

Except not root beer! This is my real pet peeve about Disneyland. I don’t drink caffeine and I’m not a huge Sprite person. Is it too much to ask for root beer? Barq’s is Coke’s brand (and yes, I know it has a very small amount of caffeine, but I can tolerate that). Yet only a handful of places actually carry the root beer. Why not? Do that many people really buy Fanta, that we need to replace the root beer with Fanta? WHO BUYS FANTA??? Other than my husband, that is.

The Corner Cafe also features some cute detail above the registers.

If those were Mickey cutouts, that would be really cool

So, the Refreshment Corner or the Corner Cafe–whatever you want to call it, there it is.

Main Street, Stuff To Eat , , ,

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