Friday, April 26, 2013

Instamatic

More photos from a humble Kodak Instamatic....

This first picture is interesting because it was taken from a Matterhorn bobsled - notice the Skyway cable in the middle of the image, much lower than our vantage point. All things considered, the picture is surprisingly in-focus. I don't see any buckets along the Skyway wire, so perhaps it wasn't operating. Trains of Peoplemover cars are evident, as is the Rolly Crump-designed Tomorrowland ticket booth. And in the distance, glorious Anaheim! 


There's the Monsanto House of the Future, as seen from the entrance to (and exit from) Tomorrowland; kind of an unusual angle. 


And finally, a third photo taken from an unusual vantage point - the camera appears to be just a couple of feet above the water as Mr. X took this picture of one of Huck Finn's rafts as it arrived at Tom Sawyer Island. Was Mr. X in a canoe? Beyond the raft full of people you can see more of Tom's island, including Castle Rock.

10 comments:

Nanook said...

These Instamatic pictures seem to be getting better and better. The Monorail/Peoplemover shot makes the park seem essentially deserted. (Well - I can dream, can't I-?)

Thanks, Major & Mr. X.

walterworld said...

Where was picture #1 taken from?

Chuck said...

The first photo looks like it was taken before or seconds after the park opened for business for the day. The shadows seem to confirm a relatively early morning hour.

All of the subs are in port, although the first set of bubble generators are already operating. There are only two people each on the Submarine Voyage and Monorail loading platforms; I'm guessing those are cast members getting ready for the start of the day.

While the People Mover trains are distributed along the track, the cars don't have any passengers in them. It may have already started its morning checks, or there's also the possibility that the trains are stationary, left where they were when the ride shut down at the end of the day the day before. Because of the ride's design, with constantly rotating Goodyear tires in the track to move the trains, it may have been easier to maintain train spacing to just stop loading passengers at some point, then shut the system down once the last guests exited the ride. Any former Disneylanders remember?

The Rolly Crump-designed ticket booth seems to be unmanned.

I wonder - was the bobsled this was taken from the first run of the day? Or was it taken during a morning track inspection?

Regardless, it's always interesting to see Disneyland devoid of people - a bit forlorn and slightly menacing. I'm a bit worried about the woman walking alone in the lower right. Hopefully there's a Derringer in her purse.

Debbie V. said...

Do I see the Tomorrowland Terrace stage open with people around it?

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, with these Instamatics, I generally try to mix it up, with at least one nicer image, and maybe a couple of more prosaic photos. There are some really good ones in the batch though, I am so grateful to my friend who gave them to me!

Walterworld, I guess you don't like to read my descriptions (or maybe you are pulling my leg?)!

Chuck, I don't think my friend would have had any special access to the park, so this had to be an unusually empty morning. As for the Peoplemover, there are more than a few pictures in the batch of Instamatics that seem to show the vehicles parked for display, presumably it had not officially debuted yet. Not sure if they left them there all night, or what. I find that I like pix of the park when it's empty, but I also like photos of the park when it is really crowded!

Debbie V, I see the very edge of the Tomorrowland Stage to our extreme right, but no people. Maybe you are looking at the Autopia cars, where that little burst of color is?

Melissa said...

I love seeing familiar sights from slightly different angles. Makes them seem more real.

K. Martinez said...

I like the Tomorrowland image. It shows the outside reality world of Orange County along with the fantasy world of Disneyland. A sort of oasis in the desert.

Tom said...

That first shot is glorious. I love how barren Anaheim is: the Howard Johnson is the most prominent thing around, next to the high-tension lines. Disneyland looks so fresh and pristine, it seems a shame to clutter it up with guests.

Nancy said...

Cool to see all those submarines in port :)

Loving House of the Future and that sci-fi light fixture and playing peek-a-boo with the Skyway :D

Major Pepperidge said...

Melissa, I agree, especially bird's eye angles. Nowadays there aren't many ways to get up in the air to view Disneyland.

K. Martinez, today Anaheim is so developed, it is kind of neat to see it when it was relatively sleepy.

Tom, that HoJo's really was a landmark in its day. Presumably there are plenty of taller buildings nearby today (other hotels)?

Nancy, glad you liked these!