Before we begin, we must state that the purpose of this gallery is the preservation of historical information as it relates to the diverse people, places, and artifacts that have played an important role in the history of Disneyland® Park. This being the case, there may be some outdated cultural references (which some may find offensive), connected with some of the artifacts contained in the following section. Please know that our historians and museum curators do not share some of the expressed archaic views which may be offensive. Not withstanding this, it has been said that “the past is prologue,” and we believe it is important to educate ourselves about the past, discuss things, and understand changes that have occurred over the years. We also believe that the stories of every individual (no matter how minor their role), have the capacity to both inspire and edify their contemporaries as well as future generations to come.

Of final note is the fact that the sponsors depicted are not necessarily representative of current Disneyland sponsors.

Now, we invite you to step this way, as we explore the story of Aunt Jemima in Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom - Disneyland!

“Let’s Dine at Disneyland”

Back in 1951, Walt Disney and Art Linkletter visited the famous entertainment complex Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. He was researching and talking notes to build a family entertainment center and Tivoli was much like what he envisioned. It was clean, directed to the entire family, fun, entertaining and educational. Walt noted how important it was to have a lot of places for guests to sit down and a wide variety of eating spots that served excellent meals.

Even before Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen opened at Disneyland, households were already familiar with the Aunt Jemima brand and name for decades, partially owing Aunt Jemima’s “magical recipes” made with Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix, milk, butter, and various other ingredients. By the mid-1950s, Aunt Jemima Party Pancakes -“flavored pancakes made with favorite flavored milk” - were advertised on television, radio, and in print. These “rainbow bright flavored” Party Pancake recipes (published by the Quaker Oat Company) included Chocolate Pancakes, Strawberry Pancakes, Eggnog Pancakes, Cheese ‘N Bacon Pancakes, Buckwheat Pancakes, and Buttermilk Pancakes. Aunt Jemima even advertised non-pancake recipes that could be made with the mix. There were recipes for “rich biscuit crust” meat pies, “fluffy and light” dumplings (“just the way that grandma used to make”) , Welsh Rarebit Waffles, Corn Fritters, French-Fried foods (onion rings, fries, scallops, and shrimp), quick breads, cobblers, doughnuts, cookies, rolls, and bars. In addition, the Aunt Jemima Character made public promotional appearances, traveling the country to support Pancake Day, attending fund-raising events, and even visiting schools, homes for children, homes for the elderly, and hospitals. All of this was positive publicity for the Quaker Oats Company and the Aunt Jemima brand!

“The Search for Participant Sponsors”
Walt once divulged: “I could never convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible, because dreams offer too little collateral.” As a result, during 1954, Walt began searching for Participants to lease shop and restaurant spaces at his (then-unbuilt) Park, and help generate the necessary capital to fund construction of Disneyland. Disneyland Participant Corporate Sponsors were carefully selected. High quality, long term corporate sponsors would provide incremental income that enabled Disneyland to enhance its show and attractions, offset some operating expenses, and capitalize on marketing opportunities. In a synergistic relationship, the companies (in turn) would be allowed sell their products and advertise their corporate names in the Park. As a result, all the food operations were leased out when Disneyland opened.

“55er” Rima Bruce (who started with Jim D'Arcy in Food when all food was Lessee and typed memos and menus) recalled that “the phone never stopped ringing with everybody trying to get a food lease in the Park.“

By July of 1954, Raul Grizante of Disneyland, Inc. was overseeing food philosophy, area & location, food specialties, and beverages for Disneyland. Individuals like Nat Wyncoff provided an orientation for curious lessees, selling them on the idea of Disneyland using various visual aids like sketches and one of Herb Ryman’s oil paintings of Disneyland. Soon, “a cross-section of American industry…[was] represented in Disneyland. Each of these companies… [would expose] its institutional advertising and public relations message to Disneyland guests through various forms of participating exhibits and displays. In each case, the exhibit… [was be] related to the theme of the ‘land’ in which it is located, and is woven into the overall concepts and themes of Disneyland,” according to “Disneyland, U.S.A.,” published 1958. Even more - as Van Arsdale France (founder of the University of Disneyland) explained in a presentation for potential Disneyland Participant sponsors in May of 1955: These top executives of major American corporations were “here not to make money” (or sell products) but because they were to “create happiness!”

This being the case, the trusted Quaker Oats household name (that was ultimately used to drive a popular restaurant chain with its Aunt Jemima brand) did not pass the marketing opportunity to open one location within Walt Disney’s much-talked about Disneyland in Anaheim, California! Owing to the fact that Walt and company knew their audience, Quaker Oats would quickly become one of forty-seven lessees to sign a contract with Walt Disney Productions in relation to product placement and “creating happiness” at Walt Disney’s Disneyland. The character of Aunt Jemima would soon briefly appear among the Frontierland entertainment of the Disneyland Opening Day broadcast airing on ABC. Very soon, some of these “pancakes and waffles, hot breads, golden-crisp French fried foods [made with Aunt Jemima’s batter dipping and breading] and glamorous desserts” would be served in Disneyland. Yes, the matchless flavor of a four-flour recipe, served “hot off the griddle - tender and golden brown” awaited hungry Disneyland guests who stepped into the western-themed Aunt Jemima Pancake House!

Syndicated articles (like “Famed Aunt Jemima Will Cook,” published July 15, 1955 in The Long Beach Independent) gave potential guests a glimpse of the new restaurant this way :

“Aunt Jemima will have her kitchen located near ‘Frontierland.’ It will be a faithful reproduction of a Southern plantation mansion of mellowed birch with white pillared gallery and lacy ironwork trim. Broad lawns slope gently down to the river and a steamboat landing gives an authentic Southern atmosphere to the natural setting. Inside wood-paneled walls glow with the patina of years. A massive brass kettle hangs in the huge fireplace… An Old South mural depicts highlights of the earliest days of Aunt Jemima.”

“The charm of true Southern hospitality will be the key-note as Aunt Jemima herself prepares and serves her world-famous pancakes. Entertainment will be mood music of Stephen Foster and his era plus Aunt Jemima singing songs in her style that has entertained millions on TV, radio, and in personal appearances throughout the country.”

An accompanying photograph gave a glimpse into the Kitchen, showing “how Aunt Jemima will be on hand in one of the many Disneyland eating places. She will serve her famed pancakes and also will sing to entertain visitors.”

Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen (overseen by Jim Baker of Disneyland, Inc.) was predicted to serve a capacity of 350 guests per hour, as one of Disneyland’s eating facilities which was predicted to contribute to accommodating “15,000 persons daily, hitting a peak of 60,000 on holidays and week-ends…” and one of “twenty restaurants and snack bars, capable of saving 8,000 hourly,” at least according to “Building A Dream” (prepared by the Disneyland, Inc. Public Relations Department). For Quaker Oats and the Aunt Jemima brand, “the possibilities for a sponsor to capitalize on this association… merchandising, sales promotion, advertising, public relations and publicity programs are almost limitless. Regardless of the type of product, goods or services manufactured and marketed by sponsors, the Disneyland association can be effectively and importantly translated into the sponsor’s promotional activities,” according to “Disneyland, U.S.A.,” published 1958.

The Participant corporate sponsor and lessee was not at Disneyland “to make money, but to create happiness.” Much of the income was acquired by Disneyland, Inc. For example, in 1958, Bank of America appraisers figured of the total income received from leases, 16.02% was derived from the selling of advertising rights and 40.12% from the leasing of space to concerns whose main reason for occupancy is for advertising purposes. The remaining 43.86% of the lease income was derived from stores that sell various products and food.

According to “THE DISNEY THEME SHOW - an introduction to the art of Disney outdoor entertainment: Volume II”: Of all the guests’ senses that come into play at Disneyland, the most difficult response to predict was taste. If 70,000 guests were to arrive on a single day, there would probably be 70,000 different ideas about food. Generally speaking, Disneyland food locations fall into three categories - sit-down restaurant service, “buffeteria,” and fast-food categories. The most extensive theming has always been found in the sit-down restaurant locations but all locations were housed in authentically motifed facilities.

If guests were to wander down the c.1790-1876 New Orleans Street (a pre-New Orleans Square section of Frontierland’s waterfront), they would first come upon a couple of dining options “pleasing all tastes and all budgets” (according to “The Story of Disneyland”, published 1955). Beyond the Pepsi-Cola-sponsored Golden Horseshoe Saloon, (and eventually next door to Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue), Aunt Jemima Pancake House offered southern style breakfasts.

Here, guests enjoyed table service under the thatched-grass covered outdoor patio, not far from the syncopated sounds emanating from the waterfront Dixieland Band Stand. Inside, an “open kitchen” allowed guests to watch their pancakes prepared. Food service equipment was provided by Coast Distributing Company of Los Angeles (who ran a “Congratulations” message to Walt Disney and Staff in “The Disneyland News”, Vol. 1, No.2 ; August 10, 1955).

As of June 2, 1955, C.V. Wood Jr. sent an Inter-Office Memorandum to Walt Disney regarding the best estimates that could be obtained at the time regarding the completion status of individual sections of the Park and Opening Day. C.V. wrote: “Aunt Jemima - This one is very doubtful because of the time required for the fixtures.”

Guests of Disneyland have found delicious frontier-style pancakes n’ waffles at Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House - the Disneyland location of the popular restaurant chain, which functioned as a lessee in Frontierland from opening day in 1955 to 1967!

There was also a Moreton Bay fig in front of Aunt Jemima's Pancake House, which weighed 22 tons when it was moved into the Park. A native of Australia, it is a member of the ficus family, which includes rubber trees, figs, and the historical bo tree of India.

“World of Flowers” also noted “the large rubber tree in front of Aunt Jemima's Pancake House still has a four-inch oil line firmly embedded in its root structure.

One of the major oil companies presented this tree to Disneyland, but in the process of packaging the roots, we discovered that a large pipe carrying fuel under pressure passed squarely through the middle of the root system. The oil company very considerately shut down its operation, re-routed the pipe around the tree, and the task of moving proceeded. The original section of pipe remains today in the middle of the root system where the young tree had swallowed it up.“

Today, a Disney Parks Guests enjoy “Dinners” - Character greetings performed at a park restaurant while the Guests are dining. However, long before the Disney Parks nomenclature of “Dinner” was defined, Guests preparing to enter Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen were greeted by a friendly and familiar face - Aunt Jemima!

During “Disneyland’s fabulous first decade,” it wasn’t uncommon to see the Frito Lay Kid, the Kaiser Aluminum Knight, or other non-Disney licensed characters (that represented a particular corporate sponsor) displayed within or even roaming Disneyland! While other entertainers and performers occasionally made appearances in the area, the true star of Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen and Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House was Aunt Jemima herself.

Walt (and company) always recognized that casting was essential to the success of any story being told whether in feature-length and short film format, or at Walt Disney’s Disneyland. As far as those Disneylanders representing both Walt Disney Productions and lessees on a person-to-person basis, Walt later expressed the following confidence: “What you do here and how you act is very important to our entire organization and the many famous names of American business represented among our exhibitors… Your every action (and mine also) is a direct reflection of our entire organization… For our guests from around the world the curtain goes up on an all new show at Disneyland everyday and you, as a host or hostess, are truly ‘on stage.’ I know you will give a courteous and friendly performance.” Aunt Jemima involved Guests in a story-one in which they could participate.

For now, as with all Disneyland Hosts and Hostesses hired during 1955, each employee of Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen “was hand-picked by Disneyland officials with qualifications including disposition, general attitude and appearance. Each new Disneyland employee was required to attend ‘orientation classes,’ part of a training course in Disneyland policies, to become acquainted with the Disneyland way of life,” according to “Building A Dream,” prepared by Disneyland, Inc. Public Relations Department, c. June of 1955. Five months before the premier opening of Disneyland, Hal Hensley (of the Disney University Orientation Program ; under the Direction of Van France and his assistant Dick Nunis) held special classes (which would become a “tradition”) to instruct the approximately 1,200 friendly and outgoing Disneylanders (including those fulfilling roles at Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen) in Guest service through some of Walt’s personal philosophies, as well as the policies which would “create happiness” for visitors! Even at its foundation in 1955, Disney University was producing specialists in the field of outdoor theme entertainment.

Early Disneyland Cast Members represented all of Disneyland, and promoted goodwill between Disney and the public. Aylene Lewis was one such individual specialist to be cast in the role of Aunt Jemima and make a unique contribution to the Area Atmosphere of the Disneyland Show for a time. Disneylander spotlighted magic makers within its columns, sharing joyous occasions in their lives. The October 1957 edition made the following commentary: “Our lovable Aunt Jemima, ALYENE LEWIS, is bursting with pride, and for good reason - her very talented granddaughter, LEONA DRIVER, has been awarded the American Legion Award; certificates from the Bank of America and the Kiwanis Club.” As for Aylene, the president of the Quaker Oats Company even properly appreciated and recognized Aylene’s fifth year of making Disney magic in addition to her “loyal and faithful service in dispensing good eating and good cheer” with a service award plaque. The words of the plaque expressed: “Whereas a result of a heart of gold and a deep, sincere desire to make this world a happier place to live in we acclaim her a favorite representative of The Quaker Oats Company and one of the most loveable Disneylanders to ever grace the premises of the ‘Mecca’ of all pleasure seekers . . . Disneyland, U.S.A.”

In addition to Aylene, several other Disneyland performers (like Palmere Jackson, pictured above) and even actress and vocalist Edith Wilson portrayed the corporate icon (and “America’s Pancake Queen”) at Disneyland. Thanks to these Disneyland employees and actresses, Guests (both young and old) remember receiving the opportunity to both meet and know Aunt Jemima in person at this unique Character Greeting Area!

It is important to note that the Aunt Jemima Character never served Guests despite what some artist’s renderings, advertisements, and the “Famed Aunt Jemima Will Cook” headline (published in Long Beach Independent Press Telegram for July 15th, 1955) may have led guests to believe. As this was a buffeteria-style restaurant), the Aunt Jemima Character only extended courtesy, greeting and welcoming diners, and occasionally posing for photos. The restaurant was a “set” of sorts (in modern Disney Parks nomenclature) featuring an Aunt Jemima “Character experience or meet and greet.” Many guests both young and old were familiar with the corporate icon from television and would dine here just for the chance to meet her. Look ahead - it looks like we’re being welcomed to Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen in Disneyland, by the proprietor herself, circa 1957!

The Character of Aunt Jemima wasn’t the only one to appear at the restaurant. Years after opening day, both Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox also made regular appearances at “Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House,” greeting guests as part of the Character Program, “throughout the Christmas Holidays” (daily between parades, from 9:00am to 11:45am). During later winter seasons, the Disneyland Christmas Carolers (under the direction of Dr. Charles C. Hirt and lead by Mr. Robert G. Hasty), also appeared at Aunt Jemima’s during various times of the day, from December 16th, 1967 thru January 1st, 1968. [“Disneyland Holiday Talent Master Schedule,” prepared for the period of December 16, 1967 through January 1, 1968] Still, the true star of Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen and Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House was Aunt Jemima herself. All of these Characters would create tangible memories Guests through it’s Food and Show.

Service is described as “efficient cafeteria style” and offering “both indoor and outdoor dining facilities”, according to Disneyland News (June, 1956). The publication continues, “Three of the fine eating places that serve the Frontierland south-west section - the ‘Casa de Fritos’, Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen and the Plantation House - all specialize in food that harmonizes with the theme of the land…Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen brings to life that famous symbol of old south hospitality. Pancakes, buckwheat cakes and waffles are the specialty of the house, with side orders of ham, bacon, sausage, and eggs also available.” In a move of corporate synergy, the Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen was one of 16 Disneyland “eating places” which featured “fine food with fine coffee - Maxwell House,” from 1955 to 1957! As you can see, the products of other Disneyland sponsors - Carnation Farms’ Fresh Milk, and Welch’s Grape Juice - were offered to be paired with delicious Quaker Oats’ products.

Disneyland diners observed that the prices were reasonable at Aunt Jemima's Kitchen operated by Quaker Oats Company. Cal McMurtrey (of Landscaping) recalled (in interview with Disneyland LINE, Vol. 25, No. 28), “I used to like…Aunt Jemima’s - you could get a short stack of pancakes and coffee for 25 cents.” About the same time, one (circa 1956) Quaker Oats advertisement advertised, “America’s (and Disneyland’s) favorite aunt serving America’s favorite pancakes and waffles. Special menus feature Log Cabin and Dickenson’s Wild Mountain Berry Syrup, and Maxwell House Coffee.”

The synergistic relationship between the institutional lessee and Disneyland was beneficial. The Quaker Oats Company - Aunt Jemima brand yielded some revenue for Disneyland Inc. - $17,332 for the fiscal year ending September 29, 1957 and $17,332 for the fiscal year ending September 28, 1958. By September 28, 1958, Disneyland, Inc. made approximately $89,332.00 of land improvements to the Aunt Jemima.

Owning to Jack Sayers (of Lessee Relations), Quaker Oats’ Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen was one of many contributing sponsors of Disneyland ‘59!

In fact, by October of 1958, there were over sixty-eight other firms playing a vital part in the team effort to bring happiness to Disneyland’s Guests. Some were small, specialized individual operators; some were huge companies such as Swift & Co. - the Bank of America - United Paramount Theaters (which you hear as UPT) - Carnation - Richfield - General Dynamics - Crane - and many others. These companies used the park to publicize their wares, leased space in the Park to publicize their wares, and Disneyland collected advertising fees from them.

By 1959, of the total income received by Disneyland, Inc. from leases, 16.02% was derived from the selling of advertising rights and 40.12% from the leasing of space to concerns whose main reason for occupancy is for advertising purposes. The remaining 43.86% of the lease income was derived from stores that sold various products and food.

“Disneyland is unique in that some of the world's foremost creative artists and architects control all design at Disneyland.“ In 1960, Herb Ryman created conceptual art of River Belle Terrace near the Swiss Family Treehouse.

Refurbishment work has much impact on the Guest experience. During 1961, even Eleanor Heldt (Magic Kingdom Club Administrator) commented that “During a major rehabilitation, it is sometimes necessary to close an attraction for several weeks. This, of course, is when the smallest details were checked, replaced or repaired as required for the maximum safety, convenience, and comfort for our guests.”

January of 1962, the restaurant closed temporarily for remodeling. Upon re-opening, the name was changed to Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen (a name that remained from 1962 to 1970). The new Southern-style facility featured the decor of Old New Orleans, within its indoor dining room! The elegant dining room now resembled a sunroom, with plenty of natural lighting and indoor palms thriving in planters. All fixtures were placed in their correct motif and many light fixtures were authentic antiques. The remodel now offered a maximum guest capacity of 265. All of these additions were directed by Joe Fowler (Disneyland Operations Committee) who oversaw the Construction & Maintenance division including Engineering, New Construction, Maintenance, and Janitorial.

Once opened, Vacationland (Fall, 1962) announced: “For your dining pleasure, Aunt Jemima's popular pancake house in Frontierland will be bigger and better this Summer, featuring the decor of Old New Orleans, with both indoor and outdoor dining.”

Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen still sat along a part of New Orleans Street, with the Rivers of America (and Tom Sawyer Landing), but many things were changing along the waterfront. By 1961, Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue closed its doors, allowing Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen to take over some of the Silver Banjo Barbecue’s leased space for a kitchen expansion. Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen would soon feature new Antebellum-era architecture, different from that of Swift’s Chicken Plantation restaurant. Most notably, Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen was now topped with a French-style domed tholobate, similar in style to ones later constructed (over Pirates of the Caribbean and 21 Royal) in New Orleans Square. Last but not least, the name of Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House was changed to Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen - a name it retained from reopening its doors in 1962 to 1971! During September of 1962, the new Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen restaurant saw a rededication ceremony to celebrate these changes!

Beyond the corporate icon, an attempt to familiarize guests with Aunt Jemima’s “true-life” story, a rather consolidated tale was printed on paper placemats that were placed before every guest dining at the establishment. According to the words of early souvenir menus:

“Aunt Jemima means far more than pancakes ; she is an American tradition. Her story goes back to the days of lavish Old South hospitality on Colonel Higbee’s great plantation. There crinolined ladies, from far and near, came in their carriages up the tree-lined drive to taste the delicacy for which Aunt Jemima was famous. That delicacy was pancakes - luscious-light, golden-brown pancakes, which Aunt Jemima prepared from her own secret recipe. From then on, the fame of her pancakes grew until today Aunt Jemima Pancakes are America’s favorites. No other pancake mix has ever been able to give such wonderful flavor and lightness. No other pancakes are such a cherished part of the American way of life…When she’s not lending a hand with Pancake Festivals, ‘Aunt Jemima’ is ‘at home’ in Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen in Disneyland. In a gracious Old South setting, she welcomes you, serves her famous pancakes, and sends you on your way with a cheerful, ‘You all come back!’”

Below, we have enlarged some of the graphics as well as the printed text, so that they would be easier to see.

The following illustrations graced the paper placemats that guests dined upon while enjoying Aunt Jemima recipes. The illustrations are of special note, because they were not created by a contracted advertising employee of the Quaker Oats Company, or even an artist of WED. These illustrations were based on the work of one of America's greatest illustrators.

If you are a collector of American literature published during the early 20th century, then you may likely be familiar with the paintings and illustrations of Newell Convers Wyeth (October 22, 1882 – October 19, 1945). He is renowned for capturing scenes of North American life, as well as illustrating editions of classics like Robin Hood, The Yearling, Treasure Island, and Robinson Crusoe (to name but a few). During the turn of the twentieth century, he spent time traveling and living among diverse people from various walks of life (from “cowpunchers” to the Navajo), in order to capture how people lived. Around 1919 - 1920, Wyeth illustrated these scenes for the Quaker Oats Company. The original paintings once hung in the St. Joseph, Missouri office of the Quaker Oats Company. In 1955 (ten years after his passing), Wyeth’s work was reproduced on these placemats, which we will now share.

This certain illustration was originally published in color, in The Saturday Evening Post (October 25, 1920, page 85), within an article entitled “The Night The Emily Dunstan Burned”. The archaic article captures the account of the wrecked steam ship Emily Dunstan (as told by Pilot Jim), and how the crew and passengers made it ashore of the Mississippi, only to be welcomed, “calmed”, and fed by Jemima.

If there is any historic relevance to “Jemima’s” role in these accounts, then one can understand why it was decided to place Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen so close to the waterfront, enhancing the character design with passing river traffic in view. The true-life Jemima’s cabin was not far from the Mississippi River, and the historic shipwreck. A testament to this, is this particular illustration (by Newell Convers Wyeth) that was featured on the paper placemats after Wyeth’s passing.

The illustration (seen above) was based on an original painting which was featured in an article “Gray Morn” which was published in The Saturday Evening Post (November 20, 1920).

According to “THE DISNEY THEME SHOW: an introduction to the art of Disney outdoor entertainment; Volume 2”: “What we create here is a storybook realism… an essence of realism and authenticity... more utopian in nature, more romanticized, more like what guests imagined it would be. All the negative, unwanted elements are carefully programmed out, while the positive elements are not only retained but in some cases even embellished for better entertainment.” This guiding principle has affected Disneyland Show since the beginning and is well illustrated by Guest response to the placemats, the food, the characters, and even the architecture of this once-popular Disneyland table service restaurant.

“America’s Favorite Pancakes”
Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen Restaurants were also located in 21 locations outside Disneyland by the early 1960s (including the states of California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York [eight locations in this state alone], Ohio, Wisconsin, and even Toronto, Canada, and Bristol, England). During this era, other locations were advertised as soon to open, in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. There were even four conveniently located Aunt Jemima’s Kitchens nearby Disneyland - one at 1405 West Chapman Avenue in Orange, and a second at 3344 West Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, a third in San Bernadino, and a fourth in Vista. Menus at these locations featured more than waffles and pancakes served in tempting varieties. Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen served fried chicken, steak, soups, hamburgers, fish, sandwiches, desserts, and Maxwell House Coffee! Carnation Farms would also serve this and 14 other wholesale customers who operated restaurants and snack bars in Disneyland.

As aforementioned (during January of 1962), Disneyland’s Aunt Jemima-sponsored restaurant closed temporarily for remodeling. Upon re-opening, the name was changed to Aunt Jemima’s (Old South) Kitchen. The restaurant (under the management of Tom Olsen) also featured a brand-new Frontierland-inspired menu. Many of the options were now named after popular Walt Disney Productions characters and honored neighboring attractions. Others were locally-inspired flavors, like the California Waffles - “crisp golden Aunt Jemima Waffles studded with meaty pecans.”

Though Disneyland’s Food Division assumed responsibility of the lessee (in 1967), the Aunt Jemima name was retained, and the Quaker Oats Company remained a Park participant until 1971. During this time, Bob Wasson served as Aunt Jemima’s Supervisor (c.1967) and future Frontierland Area Manager Mike Marx (hired 1964) served as a Culinary Host at Aunt Jemima’s. Though the menu was extended to include dishes like Chicken a la King, the pancakes continued to taste “so light and fluffy - with a famous Old South flavor.”

During that year a Family Platter fed four for $4.75, and included juice, eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes! Also, a stack of Mickey Mouse pancakes cost a mere 50¢.

Guests dined atop both ceramic and paper plates. These paper plates advertised the Party Pancakes described in the earlier section.

I would like to impress that the following short-lived tradition was not created by employees of Disneyland, as other pancake races had been held around this country (and England). However, it had grown into a national craze by this time, and was locally sponsored by the Quaker Oats Company (manufacturer of Aunt Jemima pancake products).

Disneyland began hosting Quaker Oats’ annual California State Pancake Races, with the first one being held on Tuesday, March 3 - 5, 1957. Mrs. Rose Pitman of Visalia completed First in this very first annual Pancake Race held inside Disneyland. [Read a brief summary at D23’s official webpage, HERE]. Subsequent competitions were held inside Disneyland from 1958 to 1964. In this (and following Vintage Views), we can get an idea of what the final Pancake Races (and related ceremonies) looked like in 1964!

Housewives (in skirts and aprons, with seasoned and coated skillets-in-hand), competed in a 415-yard flapjack-flipping race down Main Street U.S.A. Pancakes were tossed into the air, over ribbons (pictured) and volleyball nets. After each race was completed, the winner was usually presented with gifts ranging from over-sized checks, to gift baskets of Swifts meats and Aunt Jemima products), in addition to other prizes.

The “leader of the club that’s made for you and me” leads a high school marching band procession down Main Street U.S.A., ending near the Main Street Station.

Competitors were typically guests of honor in a parade on Main Street U.S.A. By 1958, celebrity judges Dickie Jones (the voice of Pinocchio), Clarence “Duckie” Nash (the voice of Donald Duck), would join the festivities. Even Aunt Jemima herself (portrayed by vocalist Edith Wilson [known for her role in Amos and Andy] during this time), exemplified the spirit of Disneyland while riding along with contestants in the Disneyland Fire Truck. The races continued to “run their course”, annually (from 1957 to 1964)!

Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen also featured an open-air patio for outdoor dining! Here, guests could enjoy their food and refreshments, along the Rivers of America, with passing river traffic in view.

The outdoor patio gave a panoramic view of the riverfront to guests eating their pancake breakfasts! Walt occasionally took advantage of the outdoor patio to hold early morning meetings.

Aunt Jemima’s was occasionally utilized as a stage for promotional photography and filming. For instance, Aunt Jemima’s was the stage for Ford commercials, which were filmed from 5 a.m. onward, on July 15th, 1964. The following year, photographs for the “Schwinn Takes A Trip To Disneyland” catalogue (including this one where part of the restaurant facade was used as a background) were shot at Disneyland during the Tencennial celebration of 1965.

If you would like to read more about Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen or the Pancake Races (1957-1964), it’s my pleasure to recommend adding Marcy Smothers’ “Eat Like Walt - The Wonderful World of Disney Food” to your personal Disney Home Library! Therein, Marcy has extensively researched and finely crafted a small section of a chapter dedicated to “Walt Disney’s Disneyland - Frontierland.” If you would like to bring the magic of Disneyland restaurants and concessions to your dining room table, “please step this way” toward www.eatlikewalt.com where Marcy has shared a few recipes for memorable Disneyland menu options, so you too can “Eat Like Walt.”

Now (by 1971), Disneyland Participant Affairs (or, “Industry Sales”) and the Quaker Oats Company could not negotiate a cooperative agreement to maintain their ongoing relationship, so Quaker Oats (and the Aunt Jemima name and brand) would depart from Disneyland.

A small tribute to the refurbished Aunt Jemima’s Old South Kitchen structure (and the outdoor patio) can be seen on the model of The Disneyland of Walt Disney’s Imagination (at the Walt Disney Family Museum, Gallery Nine).

(1971 - present)

According to Disneyland LINE (Volume 12, No. 36, published September 4, 1989) : “In 1971, Oscar Meyer replaced Quaker Oats as sponsor and the name was changed to River Belle Terrace.”

The Southern style facility stands looking mostly the same as it did when it was constructed during the early 1960s, when the original western-themed building was removed from the site.

“Let’s dine at Disneyland!”

The change in Participant Sponsorship brought new cuisine options and included a Breakfast Menu which was served all day!

The River Belle Terrace still offered more than a view of passing riverboats. The Disneyland Band marched right by the terrace, daily.

I would like to direct your attention to the graphic of the Mark Twain in the center of the sign. Other restaurants (like Chicken Plantation, and Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House) allowed guests to dine on the waterfront, while watching the traffic go by. River Belle Terrace offered guests a similar experience.

The River Belle Terrace occasionally hosted special events, like Private Parties (e.g. GM and Hughes Employees, January of 1986).

By 1987, Hormel was hosting the Riverbelle Terrace. River Belle Terrace hosted by Hormel offered “plain and fancy” pancakes (Mickey Mouse shaped), waffles, ham, bacon, sausage, eggs, specialty sandwiches and beverages in a “Buffeteria” setting.

By this era, the nearby Backstage (originally leased by Casa de Fritos and Silver Banjo Barbecue) had become part of the River Belle Terrace complex. These areas added a walk-in freezer and refrigerator. Three years later (during 1990), healthier menu alternatives - Vegetable Stew served in a Bread Bowl, Fresh Fruit Plate (raspberry yogurt sauce and muffin) - were offered to guests!

In 2008, WDI master plans entertained the concept of an update to the Riverbelle Terrace Quick Service Restaurant was “on the menu.”

Since the beginning, the Four Keys of the DISNEYLAND Show (operating priorities in presenting the DISNEYLAND Show) have been present - Courtesy, Safety, Show, and Efficiency. Walt Disney Imagineers are always seeking out new magical opportunities to increase the efficiency, safety, and show quality of Disneyland adventures! And so we arrive in the present, inside the waterfront Disneyland dining destination.

Today Cast Members are dedicated to build upon the dreams and vision of Walt Disney. Clean and wholesome food sanitation, storage, and preparation is practiced by Cast Members.