Photoniks - Looking at Disney history through Disney photos

Clocky and Mr. Daps

Join Mr. Daps and Clocky as they look at Disney history through Disney photography.

  1. May 21

    Before Galaxy’s Edge: Finding Nature’s Wonderland!

    Join Mr. Daps and Clocky on a brand-new episode of Photoniks as they take a nostalgic, photographic journey into Disneyland’s past! Today, the duo is stepping back in time to explore Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland, the classic attraction that occupied the land long before Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge or Big Thunder Mountain arrived. Armed with a collection of vintage guest photos spanning from 1957 to the 1970s, Mr. Daps and Clocky analyze the incredible details of original Frontierland—from the iconic Balancing Rock and bear animatronics to old-school guest fashion and hidden details like a giant hat feather. Then, they head directly into the park to stand in the exact spots where these historic photos were taken. See how the remnants of the past, like the rock work and waterfalls around Cascade Peak and the Rivers of America, still blend into the Disneyland of today. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Before the Spire: What Frontierland looked like when pack mules, stagecoaches, and mine trains ruled the desert landscape. Photo Analysis: A look at the changing tree growth between 1961 and 1973, and a debate over the quality of the animatronic bears. Then & Now: The hosts hunt down the exact locations of the old natural arches, geysers, and the infamous jumping mountain lion. Behind the Lens: Why longer, slower rides like Mine Train, It's a Small World, and Storybook Land were the ultimate havens for vintage park photographers. If you enjoyed walking down memory lane with us, please take a moment to like, subscribe, and leave a five-star review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Connect With Us! What's your favorite vintage Disneyland memory? Leave a comment on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music and let us know! Have vintage park photos of your own? Send them in! We might just feature them and go hunting for your locations in a future episode. Follow us on social media for exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage from this exact park trip! Have a fantastic week, keep kind, and we’ll see you in the parks!

    24 min

  2. May 2

    Developed in May

    In this episode, the hosts lean into the nostalgia of vintage film processing. Historically, vacation slides were rarely seen immediately; they were often developed a month or more after a trip. Mirroring this tradition, the duo presents a collection of "surprise" images likely taken in April but "developed" for this May broadcast. The session features high-definition scans of physical slides recently unearthed by Clocky from his personal archives. The episode highlights several unique perspectives of Disneyland from the 1960s and 70s: The Lost Photoshop: Clocky reveals a historical detail often missing from maps—a small shop located between the Golden Horseshoe and the Stage Door Café that served as a gun museum and a place to purchase film and cameras. Frontierland (May 1964): A view from the river featuring the Mark Twain dock and the Golden Horseshoe before its "gold" color scheme was implemented. The hosts note the sparse skyline of the pre-Big Thunder Mountain era. Tomorrowland & The Submarines (1964): A discussion on the "realism" of the original gray submarine fleet versus the modern yellow Nemo-themed vessels, set against a backdrop of a snow-capped Matterhorn and vintage striped trash cans. Fantasyland Cohesion (May 1974): A high-angle shot from the Skyway looking down at Monstro, Skull Rock, and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. Mr. Daps emphasizes how unified the "Peter Pan" and "Storybook Land" areas felt from this vantage point. The Mary Blair Mural (1968): The episode concludes with a crisp, full-length image of the tile mural in Tomorrowland. The hosts examine the intricate textures and debate the presence of a potential "hidden Mickey" within the mid-century design. The "Hands in Pockets" Mystery: A 1974 photo of guests posing with Mickey Mouse catches the hosts' attention due to a guest strangely placing their hands in someone else's pockets. Fashion Shifts: The duo notes the evolution of park attire, from the "short sleeve dress shirt and slacks" look of the 60s to surprisingly baggy shirts that resemble early versions of modern "Spirit Jerseys". Casey Jr. (1968): A "postcard-perfect" spring shot of the circus train surrounded by flowers, with a Skyway bucket visible overhead. Connect With Us: Official Website: https://photonikspod.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photonikspod Watch the Show: Head over to the Daps Magic YouTube channel to see these high-definition scans for yourself. Support the Magic: Join Daps Magic HQ on Patreon for more exclusive looks into the archives. Closing Note: Clocky reminds viewers to keep their flashes off on attractions and reveals he has recently acquired 19 more vintage photos from a San Diego antique shop for future episodes. Historical Deep Dives & SlidesVintage Observations

    32 min

  3. Apr 1

    DCA 0.1

    Welcome to Photoniks! In this episode of Photoniks, ⁠⁠⁠Mr. Daps⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Clocky⁠⁠⁠ take a look at what they are calling DCA 0.1. The original Disney California Adventure, or Disney's California Adventure. This is our little tongue-in-cheek April Fool's Day episode! We hope you enjoy this take on looking at historic Disneyland Resort photos. Join the conversation and share your own observations and perspectives about the photos shown in this episode of Photoniks! Please tell us where you’d like to eat from these photos and which one you like the most! Then, share with us your favorite details in these photos, or in photos of your own. We love to geek out about Disney history with you through the lens of old cameras! Find more Photoniks at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://photoniks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and also on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    29 min

  4. Mar 28

    Food & No Wine

    Welcome to Photoniks! The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is currently happening at the Disneyland Resort. In this episode of Photoniks, ⁠⁠⁠Mr. Daps⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Clocky⁠⁠⁠ take a look at several pictures of food and no wine at Disneyland. We hope you enjoy this take on looking at historic Disneyland photos. Join the conversation and share your own observations and perspectives about the photos shown in this episode of Photoniks! Please tell us where you'd like to eat from these photos and which one you like the most! Then, share with us your favorite details in these photos, or in photos of your own. We love to geek out about Disney history with you through the lens of old cameras! Find more Photoniks at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://photoniks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and also on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    31 min

  5. Mar 27

    Springtime 1964 at Disneyland

    Welcome to Photoniks! On this episode of Photoniks, ⁠⁠Mr. Daps⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Clocky⁠⁠ take a look at several pictures from springtime 1964 at Disneyland. We hope you enjoy this take on looking at some historic Disneyland photos. Join the conversation and share your own observations and perspectives about the photos shown in this episode of Photoniks! Share with us your favorite details in these photos, or in photos of your own. We love to geek out about Disney history with you through the lens of old cameras! Find more Photoniks at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://photoniks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and also on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    27 min

  6. Mar 1

    Disneyland of Yesteryear

    Welcome to Photoniks! On this episode of Photoniks, ⁠⁠Mr. Daps⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Clocky⁠⁠ take a look at several pictures that show different locations and moments at Disneyland of Yesteryear. These are all photos that couldn't be taken today for one reason or another. We hope you enjoy this take on looking at some historic Disneyland photos. Join the conversation and share your own observations and perspectives about the photos shown in this episode of Photoniks! Share with us your favorite details in these photos, or in photos of your own. We love to geek out about Disney history with you through the lens of old cameras! Find more Photoniks at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://photoniks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and also on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    32 min

  7. Feb 6

    After Before

    Welcome to Photoniks! On this episode of Photoniks, ⁠Mr. Daps⁠ and ⁠Clocky⁠ take a look at several pictures that show different locations at Disneyland at different times. This was inspired by Groundhog's Day. We hope you enjoy this take on looking at some historic Disneyland photos. Join the conversation and share your own observations and perspectives about the photos shown in this episode of Photoniks! Share with us your favorite details in these photos, or in photos of your own. We love to geek out about Disney history with you through the lens of old cameras! Find more Photoniks at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://photoniks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and also on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    35 min

  8. Jan 23

    Handcrafted Disneyland

    Welcome to Photoniks! On this episode of Photoniks, Mr. Daps and Clocky take a look at several pictures that show the handcrafted details that went into making Disneyland in pictures from the early years of the park. This comes as Disneyland Handcrafted arrives on Disney+ and the Disney YouTube Channel. Join the conversation and share your own observations and perspectives about the photos shown in this episode of Photoniks! Share with us your favorite handcrafted details in these photos, or in photos of your own. We love to geek out about Disney history with you through the lens of old cameras! Find more Photoniks at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://photoniks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and also on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    37 min
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Join Mr. Daps and Clocky as they look at Disney history through Disney photography.

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