When you see the words “Photo Tour” in the title of any DFB post, it often means we’ve got something NEW around Disney World or Disneyland to share. But not this time… As a matter of fact, some of the things we’re going to show you today are over well over 50 years old. We’re taking a tour of some of the vintage food-related items in the Pop Century Resort Shadow Boxes!

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the check-in area is lined with shadow boxes filled with blasts from the past, in keeping with this fun and colorful Value resort’s theme dedicated to pop culture from the 50s through the 90s.

The shadow boxes include items reflecting music, television, fads, trends, gizmos and gadgets from the various decades represented, but we’re focusing on those related to food, and hope you have fun traveling through the decades with us!

Starting in the 50s, you’ve gotta love one of the first shadowboxes, dedicated to Walt Disney, Disneyland, and the first Mouseketeers.

The vintage food find here is the tin school bus lunch box, complete with Goofy driving around some of our oldest Disney pals.

It was also the era of soda fountains and diners when “teenage” life as we know it hit the scene.

Take a very close look at the menu, and you’ll spot one of Walt Disney’s favorite dishes, Chili and Beans, going for the high price of 15 cents (though I think I’d spring for “Bob’s Special Steak” for a quarter).

Even the songs in the tabletop jukebox reveal a few food gems, with the

“Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie Polka,” and — my personal favorite — the “Shut Up & Drink Your Beer Polka.”

The mid-50s displays bring food prep for the homemaker to the forefront, with the Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book and gadgets for the backyard grillmaster.

If you look closer, you’ll spy this picture of a “Tupperware Home Party.”

A few mementos honor the era of the Drive-in Restaurant.

Does the yellow matchbook count as a “Hidden Walt”?

And if you went to a drive-in movie back in the day, you wouldn’t want to forget your Fresh Seasoned Popcorn (which, thank goodness, hasn’t changed). The note on the side of the box reads, “Popcorn is a seeded roughage: makes a healthful food for all ages. Aids digestion.”

The early 60s brought us a few more fun lunch boxes (I had no idea The Flintstones started in the 60s!).

And if you were celebrating sand and surf while enjoying the sounds of the Beach Boys or Jan and Dean, a great way to keep your food cool on the hot sand was this “Supertherm Pelican Cooler.”

Okay, so this Disneyland Monorail Game has nothing to do with food. But I still love it.

Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971!

And even though they’re not food items, I got a kick out of spotting this collection of vintage Disney matchbooks, especially seeing the original name of the “Polynesian Village” (the resort recently transitioned back to its original name). As the saying goes, “Everything old is new again.”

What else did the 70s bring us? TaB cola!

All sorts of kitchen gizmos from the 80s are on display. Apparently, that’s when the Crock Pot hit the at-home cooking scene (hooray! I love mine!), along with at-home coffee conveniences, like the coffee grinder and mug warmers for the office.

Who still wouldn’t want their own Star Wars Pez set? (I noticed this same collection at the Writer’s Stop during Star Wars Weekends this past year).

For all you 80s kids out there… “WHERE’S THE BEEF?” 🙂 !

The 90s display had an entire box dedicated to what were likely considered fads at the time, though many have stood the test of time; from the rising popularity of sushi in America, to some little place by the name of “Starbucks.”

And yes, the “Salad Shooter” is still around, too 🙂 !

By the way, did you know that sometimes Pop Century Cast Members lead Shadow Box tours?

So the next time you’re checking in to Pop Century, or just “popping” over for some Gravy Fries, be sure to take some time for a tour (guided or on your own) to enjoy some of the fun details at this terrific resort!

Have you enjoyed checking out the Shadow Boxes at Pop Century? Please let us know with a comment!