Monday, March 18, 2013

View From the Twain, 1957

The top deck of the Mark Twain provides a nice elevated vantage point; it seems that most people with cameras could not resist snapping as many photos as possible from up there. Many left the ride suffering from severe and painful Shutter Finger.

Here's one view, while still at the loading area; there's Rainbow Ridge to our left, and Casa de Fritos to our right. The castle is in the distance, while the Matterhorn-less Skyway can be seen in the distance. That ovoid grassy area is a nice oasis of green - long gone of course.


Looking a bit to the right of the first picture we can see the Golden Horseshoe building. It looks like it might be a chilly day, judging by the sweaters and overcoats... that ice cream vendor probably had slow sales. Notice the other two grassy parks (one to the left, one to the right)!


14 comments:

Nanook said...

Both images really capture the early Disneyland. I especially enjoy the first picture, with views all the way back to The Sleeping Beauty Castle.

(And let's not forget Mineral Hall sandwiched in between Rainbow Ridge and Casa de Fritos).

Thanks, Major.

Nancy said...

What a nice-looking day at Disneyland!

Is there a fence next to the building next to the Golden Horseshoe? Looks kind of unusual there.

I like the lamp posts that show us what is in the vicinity as we see here. Cant recall if they still have them around.

Nice smile for a Monday morn' :-)

Alonzo P Hawk said...

Nice rack! The antlers mounted to the Twain queue building are quite impressive.

That view of the Golden Horseshoe makes me want to pop inside to see Pecos Bill and Slue Foot Sue whilst I enjoy a cold Pepsi and a bag of Fritos. Wally Boag and Betty Taylor were amazing performers.

K. Martinez said...

The charming and intimate scale of Disneyland really stands out in the first image.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I would have mentioned Mineral Hall - if we could see it! ;-) Ever since I was a kid I was fascinated by stuff that fluoresced under UV light. I still have my old black light that I bought in the 70's.

Nancy, I had to go back and look at the original slide to see if that was a fence or not. It's just diagonal lines painted on the cement, but why the heck are they there? Horse parking?

Alonzo, that IS an impressive rack!

K. Martinez, it's funny to hear from folks who only know WDW, and how small Disneyland is. I'm afraid if I ever make it to Orlando the park is going to feel weirdly vast.

Nanook said...

The "fence" on the ground, just beyond the Golden Horseshoe, is actually cement, with a crosshatch pattern. This area accommodated covered outdoor tables/chairs for the Oaks Tavern restaurant.

Today the location is know as the Stage Door Cafe.

Chuck said...

Was the Silver Banjo Barbecue to the right of the Oaks Tavern, or were they different names for the same place in different years? No reference materials with me today.

Snow White Archive said...

Both images are quite nice, that first one especially. Love how empty and peaceful the park feels. Almost a ghost town.

K. Martinez said...

Major - When I first visited the Magic Kingdom in the 1970s, I didn’t find it vast per se, but the structures were definitely built on a grander scale and the walkways wider. The Magic Kingdom itself isn't that much larger than Disneyland Park. If you're talking the whole Walt Disney World resort complex then it is vast.

Nanook said...

@Chuck-

Don Defore's Silver Banjo Barbeque was sandwiched between the Oaks Tavern Restaurant (Stage Door Cafe) & Aunt Jemima's Kitchen.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, thanks for the info about the outdoor dining area and the Oaks Tavern.

Chuck, Nanook knows all!

Snow White Archive, whenever I see those pictures of the park with low crowds, I wish I could step into the image.

K. Martinez, my impression (from what I've heard and read) is that to get anywhere in WDW involves LOTS of walking, which I guess is why I thought it was so much bigger.

Chuck said...

Thanks, Nanook!

Connie Moreno said...

Love these!! Oh and WDW is nice but way too much of a good thing. Every time I go by the 3rd day I'm thinking: "Man, I love Disneyland!"

Melissa said...

I've read various articles that estimate the average WDW visitor walks 8-10 miles a day.