Penny Arcade - Disneyland (Explore)
Recently, in the "spirit" of HalloweenTime, I had the opportunity to read an interesting book entitled, "The Park after Dark - An Unauthorized Guide to the Happiest (Haunted) Place on Earth" by Richard Carradine. This little book is a narrative of the supposedly "haunted" locations throughout Disneyland and recounts some of the unfortunate deaths that have occurred there over the years. I won't get into details here, and do not want to get into believing in ghosts, etc., but this little book is a fascinating read that offers a glimpse into some unusual design elements of Disneyland and some of Walt Disney's supposedly unusual eccentrics that I found fascinating, such as how the number 13 is so prevalent and repetitive and everywhere in the park. The address of Disneyland is 1313 Harbor Blvd., there are 13 of this and that etc....There are suppositions and evidence presented in this book that will make you wonder about things in Disneyland and why they are the way they are...
For example, Main Street is a re-creation of Turn of the Century America, a time when spiritualism and fascination with seances and macabre things was very popular. Many, many well known figures and celebrities of the day were known to be utterly fascinated with the afterlife, including Harry Houdini, who is prominently featured with a collection of his personal effects in the window of the Magic Store on Main Street. The Penny Arcade seems to be the subject of some unusual design characteristics that are subtle and not easily noticed. Mr Carradine recounts how Pennies and copper were considered to be a conductor of "spirit energy" and accounts how ouija boards are used to communicate with spirits. The Penny Arcade features a very prominent Penny right in the middle of the facade, while to the left and right, on the two neighboring facades, one will find prominent displays of a sunburst on the left upperworks, and a full moon on the right facade. On Ouija boards these symbols are used to represent light and darkness, and more specifically, "Yes and "no". It is said that if you toss a penny in the air and ask a question, the question will be answered depending on which side of the facade it comes to rest on...
Also, the Penny arcade features a fortune telling machine featuring Esmerelda the Fortune Teller. She is right out front on the sidewalk. Esmerelda gives fortunes, sometimes these fortunes are not always happy ones, an unusual thing for Disneyland, "The Happiest Place on Earth" . Mr. Carradine recounts how Walt Disney was once given a "reading" by a fortune teller, and was told that he would die before his 36th birthday. Obviously that did not come to pass, but it apparently had a lasting effect on Walt Disney for the rest of his life....
Regardless of your beliefs, "The Park After Dark" is a fun little book to read, and perfect for your HalloweenTime celebrations at Disney Parks.
Happy HalloweenTime!
Penny Arcade - Disneyland (Explore)
Recently, in the "spirit" of HalloweenTime, I had the opportunity to read an interesting book entitled, "The Park after Dark - An Unauthorized Guide to the Happiest (Haunted) Place on Earth" by Richard Carradine. This little book is a narrative of the supposedly "haunted" locations throughout Disneyland and recounts some of the unfortunate deaths that have occurred there over the years. I won't get into details here, and do not want to get into believing in ghosts, etc., but this little book is a fascinating read that offers a glimpse into some unusual design elements of Disneyland and some of Walt Disney's supposedly unusual eccentrics that I found fascinating, such as how the number 13 is so prevalent and repetitive and everywhere in the park. The address of Disneyland is 1313 Harbor Blvd., there are 13 of this and that etc....There are suppositions and evidence presented in this book that will make you wonder about things in Disneyland and why they are the way they are...
For example, Main Street is a re-creation of Turn of the Century America, a time when spiritualism and fascination with seances and macabre things was very popular. Many, many well known figures and celebrities of the day were known to be utterly fascinated with the afterlife, including Harry Houdini, who is prominently featured with a collection of his personal effects in the window of the Magic Store on Main Street. The Penny Arcade seems to be the subject of some unusual design characteristics that are subtle and not easily noticed. Mr Carradine recounts how Pennies and copper were considered to be a conductor of "spirit energy" and accounts how ouija boards are used to communicate with spirits. The Penny Arcade features a very prominent Penny right in the middle of the facade, while to the left and right, on the two neighboring facades, one will find prominent displays of a sunburst on the left upperworks, and a full moon on the right facade. On Ouija boards these symbols are used to represent light and darkness, and more specifically, "Yes and "no". It is said that if you toss a penny in the air and ask a question, the question will be answered depending on which side of the facade it comes to rest on...
Also, the Penny arcade features a fortune telling machine featuring Esmerelda the Fortune Teller. She is right out front on the sidewalk. Esmerelda gives fortunes, sometimes these fortunes are not always happy ones, an unusual thing for Disneyland, "The Happiest Place on Earth" . Mr. Carradine recounts how Walt Disney was once given a "reading" by a fortune teller, and was told that he would die before his 36th birthday. Obviously that did not come to pass, but it apparently had a lasting effect on Walt Disney for the rest of his life....
Regardless of your beliefs, "The Park After Dark" is a fun little book to read, and perfect for your HalloweenTime celebrations at Disney Parks.
Happy HalloweenTime!