SURREYS & WAGONS
![(August 23, 1955 - September 8, 1968*)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1612747725932-2KP85SHD6JRQ1QLTT1W5/89D057A8-A485-4FC1-B181-7F218CA24A7F.jpeg)
(August 23, 1955 - September 8, 1968*)
*Some sources cite the decommissioning of the last Surrey in 1971.
At Disneyland there is a "story behind the story" of every attraction, every attraction is a living experience for the guest. Disneyland ride-through attractions or adventures have officially been defined as an “individual show, ride, or exhibit designed to produce an entertaining Guest experience. Disney attractions stir the imagination, enliven the senses, and provide the participants with positive, innovative entertainment, which is the essence of the DISNEYLAND Show.” It is important to review the story of the attraction, tell the story, explain it, and create interest. This is the story of the Surreys.
“Walt was reared in the mid-western town of Marceline, Missouri. As with other lands, he wanted Main Street to be a Main Street - authentically recreated to get the feel of a typical small town thoroughfare of the 1900 era with which he was familiar.”
Take a close look at Main Street. “Note the results of years of research to determine and design a composite Main Street of the typical small town of the early century. Note the demanding attention to detail designed and built into every nook and cranny by Walt and his ‘Imagineers’ at WED Enterprises. This same demand for detail is designed into Main Street vehicles.”
“Main Street vehicles play an important part in the Disneyland show. First, they are essential to the staging of Main Street, U.S.A. The contrast to the hustle and bustle of our modern world and its streamlined modes of transportation is sharp and penetrating. Suddenly, as a guest comes onto Main Street, the entire mood changes. The years roll backward. back to Main Street, U.S.A., circa 1900. It wouldn't be Main Street without the leisurely clop-clop of a horse-drawn surrey, or the chug-chug of a horseless carriage.”
Second, they serve as much-needed transportation for our guests. They provide a convenient and colorful way to reach the heart of the Magic Kingdom - or back to Town Square after a long day in the Park. Third, hosts assigned to operate these vehicles play an important part in answering questions - giving tips and directions - to guests who are either starting out or winding up their day at Disneyland. Their role falls into what might be called our ‘first impression - last impression’ group. They can start guests off on the right foot - in the right mood, and send them away with a warm feeling - and a desire to come back.
On August 31, 1948, Walt was dreaming about a Park (to be located across the street from the Studio in Burbank). Obviously, the fastest way to move people over the extended areas of a Park is with moving vehicles. A memo was circulated among artists of the Walt Disney Studios, mentioning a “Horse-Drawn Carriage” attraction.
By July 1, 1954, George Whitney of Disneyland, Inc. directed Amusements, with Ron Miller overseeing analysis, philosophy, capacities, planning, operator training, and amusement procurement.
During 1955, something historic was culminating at the Walt Disney Studios (in Burbank, California), as wagon makers were reviving the nearly forgotten arts of building stagecoaches, surreys, “buggies,” buckboards, horse-drawn streetcars, and covered Conestoga wagons! This was all in relation to Walt’s original 11-acre “Mickey Mouse Park,” which was now 160 acres (and referred to as “Disneyland”). Owen Pope had previously manufactured trailers in Fort Worth, Texas, before becoming the very first Disneyland employee, in 1952. Owen became the man responsible for realizing many of the designs related to the equestrian-related equipment, as well as many of the horse drawn vehicles that would operate at Disneyland. Owen Pope also bred and trained the variety of equine - the Sardinian Donkeys, Clydesdales, Percheron, Belgians, Hackney, and Shetland - that would soon have a starring role at Walt Disney’s Disneyland!
![Surrey at Walt Disney Studios, c. 1954](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1583119434941-9RNFCY5Q6E718BUBQ6SW/A5C8098A-0125-4F6D-A52B-F269C4A1D73B.jpeg)
Surrey at Walt Disney Studios, c. 1954
“Surrey Design & Construction”
The design and construction of the four Disneyland Livery Stables Surreys happened at the Walt Disney Studios sometime between 1951 and 1954 (while Owen Pope and his wife Dollie were living there). You may read more of that story HERE. Though Owen exercised some degree of direction over the design the Surreys, they were “reproductions from pictures of surreys found in the Standard Vehicle Catalogue,” according to “Main Street Vehicles,” published 1966, by Disney University. The Disneyland Surreys were to be “made as lightly and delicately as possible,” so as “to save wear and tear on the ponies.”
The same publication continues to divulge that the “necessary parts were located - or made - by Owen Pope.” “In 1954, Day Sechler [sic] went to the STUDIO, where he helped Owen Pope make street cars, surreys, stage coaches and even a fire engine.” In relation to this, one of the main crafts that was revived, was that of the wheelwright - the art of making wheels like the pioneers of frontier America! Craftsmen had to heat the metal rim to the exact temperature, then fit and cool it, without scorching the wood. “Because of the great number of guests carried, the wheels are more sturdy than those on most of the catalogue models - another safety factor built into the attraction,” states the same “Main Street Vehicles,” published 1966 by Disney University. Small details like the pin-striping on the wheels and stenciled letters were completed on the Walt Disney Studio backlot, by sign painters.
There’s a story that speaks volumes of more than the craftsmanship of the Main Street vehicles: “A staff member was concerned that the Main Street vehicles would be vandalized. Walt discarded the notion. ‘Don’t worry about it. Just make them beautiful an you’ll appeal to the best side of people. They all have it… all you have to do is bring it out.” [“The Spirit of Disneyland,” page 43 ; Prepared 1984 by Walt Disney Productions.] And so with an optimistic view of Disneyland Guests in mind, these particular Main Street vehicles were born.
”Horse Tack”
Rubber shoes were crafted for the equine that travelled the paved areas of Main Street. Additionally, under the supervision of Owen (assisted by his wife Dollie, who handled clerical matters), Walt Disney Studio technicians had to also learn the forgotten arts of stirrup, bridle, and harness making - all at a 3/4 scale to match the scaled-down Hackney and Shetland breeds as well as the vehicles they would pull. We’ll take a look at just some common Disneyland tack below.
![Disneyland Horse Brow Band](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1612825740926-JNR7375JQH1AOYSP0PCR/4163CC6C-2195-449A-8369-C6E99C7B5A10.jpeg)
Disneyland Horse Brow Band
Much of Disneyland’s original equestrian gear was created by hand, under the direction of Owen Pope and his apprentices. Above, we see one of the Main Street Horse Brow Bands, which fits over the horse’s head. These were never used by the horses in Frontierland (as those that pulled the Stage Coaches, or the Conestoga Wagons). Brow Bands were made specifically for the Percheron, Belgian, and Clydesdale horses that pulled the Main Street vehicles. A slightly larger number of “scaled-down” Brow Bands (pictured above) were also made to fit the Hackney and Shetland breeds which were used to pull the Surreys, as well as the Hose and Chemical Wagon! To put this in perspective, Brow Bands (like the one pictured above) would have only been used by the “15 draft horses” or “16 ponies” among Disneyland’s some 189 head of horses in 1966.
![Disneyland Horse Brow Band Face Piece](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1612825727641-DVY7QR4BYDDCVDAZW11M/1803B8B7-B91F-4CD7-8370-F8F0471B7A5D.jpeg)
Disneyland Horse Brow Band Face Piece
This portion of the brow band (pictured above) is centered on the front of the horse’s head, between the eyes. Those shiny bosses were maintained on a regular basis - polished nightly by hands of the Pony Farm!
![Loin Strip or Another Piece of Tack Possibly Used Near The Pony’s Flank](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1626050800905-OFM4JXD0PPWZ5WKIQCS1/FDF5CE64-9ABB-42C8-8A78-A6FFCC9E8E97.jpeg)
Loin Strip or Another Piece of Tack Possibly Used Near The Pony’s Flank
![Disneyland Horse Brow Band Blinker](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1612825719195-HX07ESEFX7S7VATNBS7P/BFB45776-3A74-4EEF-A41B-F82E720CB728.jpeg)
Disneyland Horse Brow Band Blinker
A blinker (as the one pictured above) traditionally holds the owner’s monogram or initials. In this case, the iconic Disney “D” was originally placed on blinkers of the brow bands worn by Horses that pulled the Disneyland Horse-Drawn Streetcars. However, these particular “D” blinkers were not used by the Surrey Ponies.
Still, most of this aforementioned gear was designed for the Small animals - Corsican donkeys and the Hackney and Shetland cross-breed of ponies - which were acquired. It was the Hackney and Shetland cross-breeds which were utilized to pull the Surreys. All these animals first lived (and were bred) for a time, on Walt Disney Studio property (next to the temporary “Harness Shop”). As Disneyland construction completed, these were relocated to what was then referred to as the “Disneyland Pony Ranch” (about 100 yards behind Fantasyland). Some six-and-a-half acres were all under the supervision of Owen and Dollie Pope, who were personally invited and hired by Walt Disney to oversee these equestrian-related projects in 1952.
“Equine Orientation and Casting”
While most employees of Disneyland attended an orientation program, during this era, there were many who worked on The Pony Farm at Disneyland, who did not. Van Arsdale France remembered: “I think I managed to schedule almost everyone through orientation, with one exception. My only failure was with the people who were to operate the horse drawn vehicles. This operation was controlled by a crusty man named Owen Pope, whose headquarters were in what is still called ‘The Pony Farm.’ When I cornered him, he explained by saying, ‘Van, you're dealing with people people. We're horse people out here.’ He finally sent me one or two of his men. But, he was. doing his own training program.”
Owen and Dollie were already familiar with Shetlands, as they owned a “prize winning hitch of ten Shetland pony stallions” which had been entered in the horse show at the Pan Pacific Auditorium (in Sacramento) where Harper Goff had first spotted them. And so, Shetlands were personally cast (or, selected) and bred for the Surrey ride. Perhaps you recall seeing names on stalls (like Bess and Jess). While I can’t account for these, Van France once wrote about the reason for this: “Since the horses were not directly on the payroll, they had to be carried as assets. All were given names. They all received names of people in accounting.”
Now, Main Street (and other parts of Disneyland) can be noisy and all this can be a bit mesmerizing for horses. Before the Park opened, the Belgians, Percheron, Clydesdales, and Shire-Percheron cross-breed draft horses that pulled the Main Street vehicles (the Surreys, and Hose and Chemical Wagon, included) were prepared for the noises that they would hear once On Stage. “The horses walked a circular ring for four hours a day while tape recordings were used to simulate the sounds they would be hearing,” according to Backstage Disneyland (Summer of 1966). Van Arsdale France recalled: “He [that is, Owen Pope] was worried about the horses ‘spooking’ with all the sights and sounds of Disneyland. So, a recording of sounds from arcades and shooting galleries, and yelling kids made up. This was used as an audio aid for horse training.” According to “Main Street Vehicles”, published 1966 by Disney University, “music, tooting automobile horns, and the laughter and shouts of crowds blared at them from loud speakers.” This training continued for a few weeks until Disneyland opened. Day Sechler recalled: “Trying to get ready for Opening Day, I worked a double shift from 7 A.M. until 11 P.M. from May through Jul 17. I was training co-ordinator and we were breaking green horses."
![A publication mentions and depicts the Surrey among other horse-powered rides.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1627694452228-ZIW5WWK3FLHXHYHAAO74/E6080B48-06D5-4BF6-9D67-F1F36BECE23B.jpeg)
A publication mentions and depicts the Surrey among other horse-powered rides.
![Disneyland Map Excerpt, 1955.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1566744839844-0E95Y5N37SD9QW1KB98E/E2C94E51-46F6-46B6-A14B-040740D4FDD3.jpeg)
Disneyland Map Excerpt, 1955.
“The Surreys Step Off”
Finally, the Surreys attraction debuted, during the Press Preview Day Parade, on July 17th, 1955. Alas, it looks like Disneyland had more parade than the time slot could allow, and the surreys (next to last in the parade) were not televised.
Pictured Above : The Surrey Ride (yes, “ride”), as it is labeled in “The Complete Guide To Disneyland” (c. 1957), excerpt, was an attraction of Main Street U.S.A. The Surreys were boarded from Town Square, with its destination at the Plaza as indicated in Operations manuals of the era. Signs (placed at stops in Town Square and the Plaza) also advertised “Scenic Rides” from “Elegant Station Wagons for Hire.” The Surreys can readily be seen preserved on film (along with a few “point-of-view” scenes under the “fringe-top”), in “Disneyland, U.S.A.” (a “People and Places” feature film, released in the U.S. on December 20, 1956 through Buena Vista Film Distribution Company).
![42CF03C7-1858-427E-B39B-CB244140A8A8.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1704973789834-QMKSJE1SJ7BWBS49P2I1/42CF03C7-1858-427E-B39B-CB244140A8A8.jpeg)
![The Surrey and Main Street Vehicles Entering The Town Square Stage](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1606703817882-SPUKZYVGRHBEYI7EQI1S/30FF0EC8-804D-46B2-B14B-5CDBFE953295.jpeg)
The Surrey and Main Street Vehicles Entering The Town Square Stage
“Good morning, and welcome to Town Square, Main Street U.S.A.!”
![Red Surrey in Town Square](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1608842645842-46BLDQZ1GQEIID4N1ZL8/089DCA99-87C3-4E44-AE04-DC5189B4C538.jpeg)
Red Surrey in Town Square
During Disneyland’s first year of operation, there were several 3/4 scale horse-drawn vehicles on Main Street U.S.A. alone. Some (like the Swift’s Wagon or the Bekins Wagon) were purely for show. Others like the Main Street Horse Cars, were meant to regularly transport passengers from Town Square to the Plaza. However, there was nothing so quaint as traveling down the turn-of-the-century Main Street U.S.A. in one of Disneyland’s two elegant surreys “with the fringe on top” pulled by a team of ponies! Admission during this era (of 1958) was one “jumbo” “A” coupon (the price of 10 cents, for one adult), the same as admission to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit, a ride aboard the Omnibus, or mounting one of King Arthur Carrousel’s 72 steeds.
![Navy Blue Surrey in Town Square](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1607842468470-ELK7HWXRR9I908TTO8H5/B91834E3-2F9C-49B7-B0E1-DE4E5583818E.jpeg)
Navy Blue Surrey in Town Square
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1548744098996-FAR1NZXTZKAVN6EGRIXO/B49A7539-0B1F-459A-9E46-854422F1B432.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A.
While we wait our turn at the water fountain, we observe one of the Surreys of Grandpa’s day headed in our direction down Main Street U.S.A.
![Surrey in Town Square](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1626731445339-BXIW178DR4G2LFFTNUS9/12101DCD-405E-4536-86D3-4217C76CEC33.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square
![Surrey in Town Square](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1626731060938-6FRFBVPPTNAAO92XH89Z/701DEC1E-12AE-48CE-AF1F-CB46F329F8A0.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square
![Surrey in Town Square, Winter.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1635484360705-QJMK9D2C3AZLYMK79GLQ/7A52069D-5402-41A7-9BAE-96AFFA2446FD.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square, Winter.
![Surrey in Central Plaza, c. 1957-1958.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1552593869420-DX20EHEXTWYFQ2RFWMQC/82DD119E-2953-4238-AB64-C3A50D18B8ED.jpeg)
Surrey in Central Plaza, c. 1957-1958.
![Disneyland Admission Jumbo "A" Attraction Coupon](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1609216482790-4GOTJGBBUQN5DEVD1W7H/81832B6B-037B-4BF4-9303-BD85767B6719.jpeg)
Disneyland Admission Jumbo "A" Attraction Coupon
By October 1958, the Surreys (Disneyland Livery Stable) had four (4) horsedrawn surreys with a hitch of two (2) horses per surrey.
During 1958 and 1959, an appraisal was conducted through Bank of America, to qualify Disneyland, Inc. for a loan that would support a massive expansion of Disneyland. An Appraiser representative (K.E. Johnson) of the District Appraisal Officer (J.C. Biggers) of the Bank of America Fullerton Branch was sent to Disneyland in November of 1959 to inspect assets including the equipment and livestock. He assigned a total value of the Surreys between $7,150 and $8,600. In addition, the ponies which pulled the Surreys were also appraised - 15 pony mares valued at $150 a head, totaling $2,250; 20 pony geldings valued at $150 a head, totaling $3,000.
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., Spring, 1958.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1563409199261-B5JL9WRN9EMO8QFDNGVU/AAA00CE9-E9D4-4BED-BA5E-4F19D181C7A9.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., Spring, 1958.
According to “Walts Wonderful World - Disneyland Bigger and Better” (an article by Archie Teague, published in the Milwaukee Sentinel, June 8 ,1958), “nearly 5,000 couples turned out to ride surreys down Main Street…under the stars” during Date Night at Disneyland of 1958!
![Surrey in Town Square](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1603641198657-E0DWFF3IKRZLGOP2KQ42/D24A7D64-6102-4D03-BC20-AC32C49AEEF7.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square
![Surrey in Town Square, September, 1958.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1572927216127-C4ZWA6D9JVZP3YJD8A1K/8289C6E9-4D5B-462F-A79C-E64FCBFF0E59.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square, September, 1958.
![Surrey, 1958.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1645164552408-YIPUECBF0CHK84WK0CI8/A6444D90-A723-42AF-A029-1EDC9F194B91.jpeg)
Surrey, 1958.
![Surrey in Town Square.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1645252918659-9J70QHSJB17RGJ0NL32Y/1F5B8AAA-3589-4815-8287-67C4C5E112D6.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square.
![Disneyland Adult Admission "A" Attraction Coupon](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1600210071308-VP0J1QOJXJLXA0HQ6FF4/5D57193E-7B6C-494A-9A24-CAE6A0FD7608.jpeg)
Disneyland Adult Admission "A" Attraction Coupon
![Frank Pfannenstiel drivin a Surrey on Main Street U.S.A.; 1959.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1594879462742-U2TOVE3KC73844OODA0V/07CE6099-6B77-412C-949F-7AA015D3DCB6.jpeg)
Frank Pfannenstiel drivin a Surrey on Main Street U.S.A.; 1959.
Hosts and Hostesses re-create Main Street, U.S.A. and their show is played up to Walt Disney standards. Hosts show an enthusiastic personality - an appearance, smile, and both outgoing and enthusiastic personality. They wear proper attire, a prescribed wardrobe in good repair and properly worn at all times. Hosts deliver an interesting narration - a good one. They know their facts, state them in an interesting way, and give them with enthusiasm. Hosts have a sparkling and clean appearance, that is essential to Disneyland showmanship. Hosts do their part in keeping their vehicle clean at all times. They are “popcorn picker-uppers”. Their realistic performance is most-important, living their role. The Disneyland Surrey Host was a driver at the turn of the century - only much more friendly and courteous!
Frank Pfannenstiel (above) proved that a smile was essential, and a genial and friendly personality was the Disney style. Frank was “a cowpoke out at Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, riding a spread of 22,000 acres.” In 1954 he was working at the River Bottom in Burbank where all the stables are. On February 2, 1954 he went to work for Owen Pope at the Studio. At Disneyland he began driving surreys and buggies before moving on to mules in 1961.
![Surrey, (1959)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1623268966180-MC7RAHWV445Z382OK9J7/A269819D-FA40-44B6-99DB-4C6D8F5AEA95.jpeg)
Surrey, (1959)
![Surrey in Central Plaza, (c. 1959-1960)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1557454467894-6RIFYQW1FLCEDE485B2R/E4A20497-E012-4005-B2B2-B14EF161646E.jpeg)
Surrey in Central Plaza, (c. 1959-1960)
![Disneyland Adult Admission "A" Attraction Coupon, (December 1961 - September 1963)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1600207909047-ZTS57ABZ15HIZYUGZBZY/8D1ED92F-43C0-4D53-9558-6B7C4C88B0DB.jpeg)
Disneyland Adult Admission "A" Attraction Coupon, (December 1961 - September 1963)
By the October of 1962, it was common to see just one Surrey operating daily. This was common during winter operating schedules.
![Surrey in Central Plaza, (1959)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1603398571384-0W9YRHV85Y0X28TQE02M/301AFAC8-5178-4DD8-8967-10907150B272.jpeg)
Surrey in Central Plaza, (1959)
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (1960)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1595725935973-S7RREK6M41WGQT5KD32E/D51CA024-85CF-40AD-823E-FC2E8B9B8BE5.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (1960)
Times were sure “a-changin’”! While mine trains were beginnin’ to move through the Rainbow Desert, and new fangled Circarama films were makin’ their way around Tomorrowland audiences, those quaint Fringe-Topped Surreys continued to transport Guests down the timeless Main Street, U.S.A.! By 1960, Disneyland wasn’t the only theme park to feature horse-drawn Surreys. Freedomland in New York featured a horse-drawn Surrey in its Old San Francisco area.
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1546308462455-W43LEWTINRPE03RKH21B/564E2854-1178-464C-B7BD-D058DE0BC1F3.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A.
![Surrey in Town Square, (March, 1960)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1604721187729-6ZGPQQVYCB98CQCK2NJP/328C93C2-F2DC-4A12-93C1-689566C91EC1.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square, (March, 1960)
![Surrey in Town Square, (July, 1960)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1590731377849-WPNLUHQHMZRPTQO8VWES/D237F98C-38ED-4B93-9C16-46FE247E761C.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square, (July, 1960)
![A Surrey Stops at Central Plaza](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1624253323351-TF6MKYPZC65FQQAJE4M6/77E5327B-9166-491F-8930-BA35BACF61EF.jpeg)
A Surrey Stops at Central Plaza
![Surrey in Central Plaza, (c. 1961)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1589229004662-ZPSKLEX55QSXUD1BVCH9/5374CF21-2986-44E8-AC7E-F07E4CAB5C92.jpeg)
Surrey in Central Plaza, (c. 1961)
![Surrey in Central Plaza, (1963)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1595293195770-7O3NPTJD4Q06RRTL2OL5/C3EBF291-8830-464E-AA36-230703C8BE80.jpeg)
Surrey in Central Plaza, (1963)
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (September, 1965)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1601951730653-I4LBFIEJW9VERRQUVYR8/FEEE4396-C922-4771-82A0-515E301B9500.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (September, 1965)
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (September, 1965)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1601951688899-5ZHB45QWYR73ITI39Y6D/EA3450E7-8B99-45AF-B43A-2D3EB46F870F.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (September, 1965)
![Surrey Near Plaza](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1617423536173-ZJ8Z36MLP1BSJOQEHWWO/9CDF28C6-5622-4ACB-A594-E927DC4F3583.jpeg)
Surrey Near Plaza
![Surrey in Town Square, (1967)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1603256546241-MAK9MC4DS48MBRZO86US/F84051C8-574F-4C24-AA7C-816A1CF8E739.jpeg)
Surrey in Town Square, (1967)
![6D10B35B-89EF-46EB-AA7D-9F012DF9890D.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1640157722741-YZG6FTVAS15YTP4KBQUU/6D10B35B-89EF-46EB-AA7D-9F012DF9890D.jpeg)
![Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (c. September, 1967)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1597633805126-6OW92PM82HK27IJPEL8A/8EA7E8BA-AB8F-46C1-B565-4F05A5BDCE2C.jpeg)
Surrey on Main Street U.S.A., (c. September, 1967)
The Shetlands and other horses that pulled the Surreys would spend their time off the clock, at the Disneyland Pony Ranch corral, about 100 yards behind Fantasyland. The Disneyland Pony Ranch was overseen by Owen Pope (the first Disneyland employee, hired 1952). Owen operated the Surreys around 1967.
The surreys were occasionally utilized for events and parades. On December 15, 1964, Ben Harris contacted Earl Vilmer over the removal of the “horsedrawn Surrey from Owen Pope’s storage and clean it [sic] for possible use by Walt during the winter [sic] parade.”
The horse-drawn Surreys were so popular, that souvenir merchandise bearing them was produced. One “Disneyland Admission Media Rides and Attractions Report” [prepared in April 1971, by Disneyland Research Department], by the time they would cease operation, a grand total of 3,298,954 guests had sat aboard a Disneyland Surrey for a romantic ride down Main Street U.S.A.!
![(1974)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1641880056588-FIEPH5P5UTN6QV2XDME9/0D616F19-0853-4AB0-82EF-404362FA1766.jpeg)
(1974)
![96939335-310E-40DB-95C8-6C4D590E957D.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1640907152662-YSROBJGAR6G2HW7A5FOZ/96939335-310E-40DB-95C8-6C4D590E957D.jpeg)
![D29C4913-F3D9-423D-B47D-BEA85CF2AB35.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1672862092571-EUBCC5KMH1GQGFO595DQ/D29C4913-F3D9-423D-B47D-BEA85CF2AB35.jpeg)
![A Surrey cameo on a souvenir bag.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b3d7f804eddec6e826be0c9/1665816433634-THXZ00BK1H1RXU43QTGM/16FB43D1-F318-4105-96D3-DC206C95939F.png)
A Surrey cameo on a souvenir bag.