Pop-culture humorist and NPR correspondent Charles Phoenix takes you on a wild retro ride through “Yesterdayland,” a place that really only exists in the memories and photographs of Disneyphiles. Presenting a full-color slideshow of snaps from the 1950s and ‘60s that he’s culled together over many years, Phoenix resurrects long-since-extinct attractions such as the Phantom Boats, Flying Saucers, Indian Village, Carousel of Progress and the ever kitschy House of the Future—which introduced most people to their first microwave oven.
Peppered with Phoenix’s staple wit and sarcasm, the visual lecture also travels through the early days of Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland and the fantastical Tomorrowland—which in 1955 was promoted as “The World of 1987.” We’re still waiting for that awesome PeopleMover to roll us over to the grocery store, by the way.
He’ll also transports you back to the very unique and very unprofitable Freedomland U.S.A., an ill-fated, history-themed Disneyland wannabe that opened in New York City in 1960 and quietly closed shop in 1964. Perhaps if they’d included Animatronic scenes of Thomas Jefferson scribbling the Declaration of Independence onto hemp paper or Ben Franklin running his hemp paper mill, the place would have done better. (Jane Mast)
IF YOU GO
What: Charles Phoenix’s Retro Disneyland Slide Show.
When/Where: 10 a.m. July 17 at Crown Plaza Hotel Anaheim Resort, 12021 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove.
Info: Tickets are $25. Visit www.CharlesPhoenix.com for more details.
