Friday, October 11, 2013

Two Nice Ones From Fantasyland, Feb. 1964

Today's photos are an unofficial followup to this post.

I sure do love this beautiful twilight photo of Skull Rock; it's an unusual angle, and really shows the beauty of the grotto that led to the dining area behind the Pirate Ship. There are those "natural" benches made of volcanic rock. The last rays of sunlight have turned things a rosy pink. Two grannies are enjoying the waterfalls and pools. Or maybe they are just groupies of Paul Phillips.


Over on the other side of the castle, we would find another grotto, this one inhabited by marble versions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (along with a few animal pals). This always reminds me of a Disney-fied version of the fountains and sculptures at the Villa d'Este just outside of Rome (it wouldn't surprise me if that villa was an inspiration for this feature).


11 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

My vote lies with Paul Phillips groupies.

bigbrian-nc.com said...

Two "grotto" photo nice! both the entrance to the skull rock grotto and Snow whites Grotto are nice to see, but this is a very good trashcan shot too!

bigbrian-nc.com said...

and MY those ladies are short, compare thier height to the trash can!

Melissa said...

In Russian, "baBUSHka," with the stress on the second syllable, means "headscarf." But, "BAbushka," with the stress on the first syllable, means "Granny." (It’s usually shortened to “Baba,” which is where the folk character “Baba Yaga” comes from.) So, perhaps without knowing it, you’ve given me my treasured Double Babushka Friday. Thanks, Major!

Admiring waterfalls? Fangirling on Paul Philips? Those ladies look to me like they’re afraid of the trash can. Well, maybe just shocked. Their Depression-era sensibilities have probably been offended by the big, red lettering exhorting them to please waste something. You know one of those purses is full of paper napkins and the other, ketchup packets.

I didn’t know any of that about the Villa d’Este - too cool! There are those who complain about Disney, well, “Disneyfying” European culture for the American masses, but I have to wonder how many Americans would voluntarily remain unexposed to it at all if it wasn’t available in an accessible, appealing form for them to osmose in early childhood, just because of the geographical distance. Same with culture from other parts of the world. A lot of American are just plain never going to make it to China or Africa, so I’m glad EPCOT and Animal Kingdom are there, making the best effort they can.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, each night they wait for Paul Phillips, rain or shine. While he enjoys their appreciation, he could do without the bloomers flying through the air.

bigbrian, Disneyland photos are the ONLY ones in which people enjoy seeing the trash cans! And you're right, those ladies are from Munchkinland.

Melissa, where does Rum Baba come from? And don't let those ladies fool you, when their car runs out of gas, they just abandon it and buy another. And hey, what's wrong with stocking up on ketchup packets? (Actually I have a bag full of Taco Bell salsa packets in my cupboard). As for the Villa d'Este, I am only speculating that it had anything to do with the Snow White grotto. You make a good point about Disney exposing American's to a form of European culture…. as a kid I loved the classical music in Fantasia, and went on to listen to a lot more of it.

Tom said...

Great Skull Rock pic! One of the best angle/lighting combos yet.

I'll never understand why they felt the need to remove something as amazingly cool as Skull Rock and the surrounding grotto. This world needs more grottoes, not fewer.

Melissa said...

I've been told that the Eastern European baba and babka cakes come from the same root word, although one never knows about these things. Maybe they were something old ladies tended to bake for their grandchildren.

My Grandma never baked me anything with likker in it, but my Italian aunt-by-marriage used to make us rum balls that were more rum than ball. Gave a whole new meaning to "Great balls of fire."

I always wonder in pictures like these, where there are only one or two people, and they're not looking into the camera - did they just wander into someone's scenic shot, or is their third party the photographer? Maybe it was Paul Phillips's publicist.

JG said...

I guess I'm dumb, but who is/was Paul Phillips? I have seen the edges of that sign in other pics, but have no memory of it IRL.

Beautiful pictures of two of my favorite parts of the Park. Snow White is an important landmark for my family.

Mom and Dad went to that movie on their first date, so they always visited the Grotto to smooch. I ran on to Merlin's Magic Shop or the Matterhorn

JG.

JG

K. Martinez said...

Always love an image with those volcanic benches. At least they still have a few at the Enchanted Tiki Garden.

Skull Rock Cove is probably the place I miss most from Disneyland's past.

Major Pepperidge said...

Tom, I really do like that one… it has a dreamy aura that is totally appropriate for Fantasyland. As for grottoes, I'll always be happy knowing that there is one at the Playboy mansion.

Melissa, my grandma and grandpa used to get those liquor-filled chocolates. Of course as a kid I wanted anything chocolate, and they would laugh their butts off when they saw the look on my face as the rum (or whatever it was) hit my palate. I have the feeling that the two ladies just happened to be there when the photo was snapped.

JG, I don't really know who Mr. Phillips was, except that he performed over at the Pirate Ship area. Snow White is the only movie my dad will admit to liking, and he gets teary eyed every time he sees it.

K. Martinez, it seems like it would have been no big deal to save Skull Rock, but I think they just decided that it had to go, and that was that.

Unknown said...

Oh, how I miss Skull Rock!