The '60s Are Far Out!

Welcome to the '60s, man, Pop Century-style. The 1960s cluster of buildings at the resort occupies the central area, right off Classic Hall and is anchored by the Hippy Dippy Pool, formed in the shape of a flower. Flower Power is definitely a pervasive theme here in the '60s, along with Peace signs, dances such as the Jerk and the Mashed Potato and catchphrases like "Groovy" and "Out of Sight!"

But the 1960s wasn't just about Hippies and Flower Children. It was also a decade known for surfing and car culture. Check out this little photo op, tucked off the path on the way to the '70s. It's surfer Goofy ready to hang 10 (or is that 8?) alongside a genuine 1964 Corvette.

Another icon of the era, popular both then and now, is Play-Doh. Introduced in 1956, Play-Doh became a monster success in the '60s with the introduction of a wide variety of colors and toys like the Play-Doh Fun Factory (which included pieces like those on the back wall for making various shapes). There are some really nice details in this piece, like the gob of Play-Doh holding the lid to the can, giant fingerprints pressed into the ears of the elephant and mascot Play-Doh Pete (not seen in this picture) wearing his original smock and beret. Pete's look was updated in 2002 before Pop Century opened, but the depiction here is accurate to the decade.

Another plaything, a yo-yo, is used to shroud the stairwells on the 1960s buildings. Yo-yos have actually been around for hundreds of years, with the first ones made and sold in the U.S. in the '20s. It was in 1962, however, that entrepreneur Donald Duncan launched a hugely successful media campaign to kick off sales of his company's Butterfly and Imperial Yo-Yos, creating a fad that would last for years.

Here on the outskirts of the '60s cluster along the shore of Hourglass Lake is also where you'll find Memory Lane, a hidden gem of Disney's Pop Century Resort. Not only is Memory Lane a nice place to stroll or to catch a glimpse of construction on Disney's Art of Animation Resort across the way, it's also dotted with a series of signs recalling significant events of the past century. Next time you're there, be sure to make some time for a walk down Memory Lane, and pay attention to both sides of each sign. There's lots to see, and who knows? You might learn a thing or six!

One of the signs lets us know Disney's The Jungle Book swung into theaters in 1967. The film, actually the last of the animated features supervised by Walt Disney, is considered a timeless classic. When you watch it, though, you'll find it's full of '60s culture, from the Beatles-inspired vultures ("Don't start that again!") to the laid back attitude of Papa Bear himself, good ol' Baloo. Can you dig it?