Thursday, March 27, 2008

It's a Tiny Planet, New York World's Fair

"It's a Small World" has been driving people insane at Disneyland since 1966. But as all of you know by now, it originally had a two-season run at the '64/'65 New York World's Fair. I love the attraction, however I realize that many of you have withered hearts of black coal and are immune to its colorful charms! Yes, even the song is A-OK with me.

Anywho, here is a late afternoon picture taken from the roof of the Kodak pavilion, giving us a great view of the Tower of the Four Winds. Behind the IASW building is the "Better Living Center", where you could take a ride in the Lifesaver's elevator to the top-floor restaurant. Check out the view! Oh sorry, you can't because you are stuck in time. Silly hu-mans.


I've zoomed in a bit because you can see the Small World boats sailing through their fiberglass trough of happiness.


Not another zoom, but a different photo altogether. There's Snow White, looking as cute as a bug up there. Somewhere I remember reading that Snow White and the Dwarves stood up on that platform (rather than mingling with the crowd the way they do at Disneyland) because hoodlums - - Sharks or Jets, I'll wager - - would occasionally stab the Dwarves. Or is that just a story playing on the rough New York reputation?

6 comments:

Jason Schultz said...

Look--Disney characters and "it's a small world"! And hey, in that first shot Disney is even advertising "Animal Kingdom" on the building facade... somebody at WDI must have discovered some of Walt's long-forgotten plans.

Matterhorn1959 said...

Very nice images of Rolly Crump's masterpiece, the tower of four winds!

The Viewliner Limited said...

Fantastic pictures of one of my all-time favorite places. It is unreal to think they destroyed this tower. Thanks Major.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great pictures.

When you see the Tower in photos like this, you realize how brilliant Walt was. It was such a great visual weenie/landmark at the Fair.

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

NICE!!! Hey that tower is BIG, I knew it was large, but in that last shot you can really see how massive the thing was. I can kinda see why Walt didn't pay to have it brought to Disneyland! The expression on the face of that fish is classic!

Great post!

walterworld said...

Oh sure---NYWF64 pics of the Tower of the Four Winds and Small World...Just another everyday post...

You knock me out---Thanks for the daily rations your provide---