What If Downtown L.A. Were Disneyland?

L.A. WeeklyCulture

Charles PhoenixCharles PhoenixCharles PhoenixCharles PhoenixThe Tea CupsCharles PhoenixMain Street USA (Carroll Avenue)Charles PhoenixThe Monorail Station (Union Station in downtown Los Angeles)Charles PhoenixThe Monorail Station (Union Station in downtown Los Angeles)Charles PhoenixThe E Ticket (The original ticketing boothsCharles PhoenixThe E Ticket (The original ticketing boothsCharles PhoenixThe E Ticket (The original ticketing boothsCharles PhoenixThe E Ticket (The original ticketing boothsCharles Phoenix1995)Charles PhoenixClub 33 (The Fred Harvey Restaurant)Charles PhoenixThe bar area still has its original mirrors.Charles PhoenixUnion Station was so beautiful when built that the management of the station refused to allow Fred Harvey to sell popcorn.Charles PhoenixTour guide Charles PhoenixCharles PhoenixAdventureland (Chinatown)Charles PhoenixOriginally located where union station now stands the original Los Angeles Chinatown was moved to its current location in the 1930sCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles PhoenixOld Chinatown PlazaCharles Phoenixfamily owned since 1939Charles PhoenixThe ShuttleCharles PhoenixThe MouseketeersCharles PhoenixFrontierland (Olivera Street)Charles PhoenixFrontierland (Olivera Street)Charles PhoenixFrontierland (Olivera Street)Charles PhoenixFrontierland (Olivera Street)Charles PhoenixWalt’s Apartment (Avila Adobe part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park)Charles PhoenixWalt’s Apartment (Avila Adobe part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park)Charles PhoenixOlivera StreetCharles PhoenixOlivera StreetCharles PhoenixOlivera StreetCharles PhoenixOlivera StreetCharles PhoenixOlivera StreetCharles PhoenixOlivera StreetCharles Phoenixwhitewashed only days after its original presentation in 1932 and only recently restored.Charles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles PhoenixCielito LindoCharles Phoenixbuilt in 1893Charles PhoenixThe Food Court (Grand Central MarketCharles Phoenix317 S. Broadway Los Angeles)Charles Phoenix317 S. Broadway Los Angeles)Charles PhoenixThe People Mover (Angels Flight)Charles PhoenixThe Disney Castle (Walt Disney Concert Hall)Charles PhoenixThe Disney Castle (Walt Disney Concert Hall)Charles PhoenixThe Disney Castle (Walt Disney Concert Hall)Charles PhoenixMain Street USA (Carroll Ave)Charles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles PhoenixMichael Jackson's "Thriller" houseCharles Phoenix

Ambassador of Americana Charles Phoenix's sold-out “Disneyland” Tour of Downtown Los Angeles shows the heart and soul of our city as if it were one big theme park. With DTLA as the setting, where is the famous Disney Castle? Or the food court, or the Haunted Mansion? If you use your imagination, they're all around you. All photos by Star Foreman.