Why? It is just a typical Christmas shot, right? No, this shot was actually taken in September! The Christmas decorations were only up for a short time to film some shots for the Disney Parks' Christmas adverts (commercials). But looking at this shot made me a little more interested in the Penny Arcade itself.
The Penny Arcade opened in Disneyland the same day the park itself opened - July 17th 1955. It was placed in Main Street U.S.A. by Walt Disney, to help re-create what locals would see in their own hometowns in the early 20th Century. Inside, there are inexpensive games and movies - most of which take a penny - and many bizarre contraptions to entertain the whole family. The Disneyland Encyclopedia (p322) explains one such attraction:
Guests may recall encounters with the Electricity is Life device that hooks guests up to a battery and enables them to see how much pain they can take, the grip-tester that extends Uncle Sam's right hand for guests to shake (and), the souvenir penny-pressers.
It really is one of the most fun buildings in the Disney parks. Unfortunately, Disneyland Paris does not have this Penny Arcade, and the Magic Kingdom's Penny Arcade is now the Hall of Champions sports' shop. Tokyo Disneyland, however, still has this fantastic experience.
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