There’s no way around it. It’s official. I am a Buena Vista Street geek. There’s something about Buena Vista Street that has me totally and completely obsessed with the new entrance land of Disney California Adventure Park.
At the root of it, I think there’s something about the time period that really appeals to me. I ADORE the decor and architecture of the 1920s and 1930s. A lot of the furniture in our home is from that time period. In fact, the house I live in was built in the 1930s. I live within a mile or so of the Disney Studios entirely built in the 1920s and 1930s. You could say there’s something about that era that speaks to me.
I’ve had two opportunities to spend some really great quality time on Buena Vista Street. One trip was in early June before those big construction walls came down and the other was during a private event for Buena Vista Street on June 14.
At the latter event, I knew this was going to be my last shot and “getting to know” Buena Vista Street. It had been touched by only a small amount of guests and without any crowds I could get up close and personal with the shops, architecture and my favorite aspect, the details. I took hundreds of photos–many of which have already been featured on the blog and many more soon to follow.
I’m kind of “into” special spots. I feel like I’ve established favorite spots all over Disneyland and my new favorite spot is the front steps of an apartment building located at 2632 Buena Vista Street. The building is a facade with no actual store or guest function–just a quiet spot full of ambiance.
It’s unassuming and out of the way, but like the porch on Main Street, it’s the perfect spot to watch guests enter the park away from the hustle and bustle. I like to think of it as a spot that maybe Walt would have liked stealing away on to observe his guests and just take in the world as it passes by.
It’s unassuming and out of the way, but like the porch on Main Street, it’s the perfect spot to watch guests enter the park away from the hustle and bustle. I like to think of it as a spot that maybe Walt would have liked stealing away on to observe his guests and just take in the world as it passes by.
During the premiere party for Buena Vista Street, I sat on this stoop sipping wine and reflecting on my time as a Cast Member in the ’90s and covering the Disneyland Resort for my blog over the last four years. I had one of those magic moments that will live in my mind’s eye for years to come. I had a moment of real clarity in which I was able to put into perspective where I’ve been and what I’ve experienced and how hard I’ve worked to get where I am and how thankful I am for the opportunities I have been afforded. It was awesome…and made more so by the fact that I was in the place that was intended to create where Walt Disney began to live his dreams.
You didn’t think I was going to end this post without a fun nugget of trivia, did you?
This apartment complex is complete with mailboxes for its “tenants.” I was intrigued by these mailboxes and photographed them hoping to see if there might be something–a Disney legend or story–behind them.
After a bit of research, I think I may have uncovered the names that may go with the mailboxes.
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| E. Valiant could be the character Eddie Valiant, the private investigator and main protagonist from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” This movie is set in 1947. Perhaps this is supposed to be Eddie’s apartment in the years before the movie takes place. |
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| T. Ogelvie could be Theodore Ogelvie, the bumbling, loveable character played by Don Knotts in the “Apple Dumpling Gang” series of movies. Because this movie takes place in the 1800s, this one may be a bit of a reach. Don Knotts was born in 1924, so maybe that’s the connection… |
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| P. Peabody could be A. “Peevy” Peabody from “Rocketeer,” the mechanic who helps Cliff with the rocket pack. The movie takes place in 1938. |
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| And this is the “stumper.” Who is S. Yoshiwara? I have researched and researched this one and can’t figure out who it may be and not being able to find the answer to this one has made me question my entire hunt for the names behind the mailboxes. I not only did extensive research online, but I looked to my dear friends Tim O’Day and Randy Crane, who know more about Disney than anyone else I know. Both said they couldn’t figure it out and Randy took my quest to the ultimate Disney expert, the great Dave Smith, former head of the Disney Archives. Even Dave didn’t know who or what the mailbox is referring to.
If you have an idea what this mailbox is referring to, leave a comment below. And no, I’m sure it is not referring to the region in Japan that will come up first when you do a search for Yoshiwara. |
Maybe I’m totally off on these and would love your thoughts on the mailboxes and to know if you’ve found any magical spots on Buena Vista Street.
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Lisa –
I think I have the answer!
I ran a couple of various Google searches and came across one website that linked the term Yoshiwara to Snow White, although it didn’t state on that particular website what the link was.
Curious to find out more, I next ran another search for the term “Yoshiwara movie” and there was indeed a film titled “Yoshiwara” release in 1937, same year as Snow White.
Here is the IMDb page for Yoshiwara:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029802/
It states that the release date is December 26, 1937, just less than one week after Snow White’s premiere.
Not sure what the deeper connection is, but I think we have an answer!
Could it just be an Imagineer leaving their mark? It’s a likely spot, out of the way and not very noticeable… and we all know they love doing stuff like that
I think I have your answer to who this mysterious S. Yoshiwara MIGHT be!
Not sure what the “S.” stands for, but “Yoshiwara” was apparently a French film that debuted a little less than one week after Snow White did, back in late December 1937.
I found this by first Googling “Yoshiwara Japanese translation”—which sent me to some movie site that didn’t quite make sense to me—and then Googling “Yoshiwara 1937 movie”—which led me to the Wikipedia and IMDb page for the movie, which confirmed that it premiered December 26, 1937.
Other than the timing of the movies, I’m not sure if there is any other deeper connection between “Snow White” and “Yoshiwara,” but I hope this helps in solving this mini-mystery!
I love that you have special quiet spots around the Disney Resort. I do too! Although it’s always sad when one of them disappears, like the tables at Carnation Gardens or the waterfalls near the Disney Hotel. Thank you for pointing out some new ones to enjoy!