Storybook Land, December 1957
Ordinarily, I don't find much to get excited about when viewing images of Storybook Land. Don't get me wrong, I like Storybook Land a lot! But one doesn't often find photos that have anything unique in them.
This first one was taken as the canal boat passed by Cinderella's village. And Cinderella's castle. And Cinderella's Malibu RV. What's with the bright red "hair" in the foreground? I really have no idea what that is. Clown invasion?
Zooming in a bit, we can see that workmen in white coveralls are showing us what they think of us. I've seen a number of photos of Storybook Land being worked on during operating hours; doesn't this fall into the category of "bad show"?
"The Old Mill" is one of my favorite Silly Symphony cartoons, and it (along with the Three Little Pigs) is one of the few animated shorts that earned a spot in Storybook Land. We can see two of the windmills from this vignette; perhaps the relative obscurity of this film made the scene expendable. It has recently been replaced with an elaborate miniature of the kingdom of Arendelle (from "Frozen", of course). It's hard to argue with the decision, given Frozen's phenomenal popularity; but I will miss those old windmills.
12 comments:
I will miss those windmills too, Major! When I heard that "Frozen" was going into Storybook Land, I was really hoping it would be replacing the city of Agrabah from Aladdin, which in my opinion, has never fit in with the European theme of the attraction. I am not opposed to the Frozen addition, I just wish it hadn't been at the expense of "The Old Mill" vignette. Yes, maybe kids today don't know anything about that animated short, but HELLLLLOOOOO! Academy Award winner! First usage of the multiplane camera! It's sad that the people in charge don't care about the company's own history!
Anyway.....I am wondering about that one windmill at the base of the Cinderella village (first and second photo....partially obstructed by miniature trees). I have seen that windmill previously in old photos and postcards, but is it still there today?
Major-
As exciting a thought as a 'clown invasion' of Storybook Land sounds, me thinks it's more likely someone's rather "bright" red hat. (Or is that more of a vermillion-?)
Thanks, Major.
That first photo may give us a glimpse of Ray Kroc's rep on a visit to Disneyland while he considered an early collaboration with Disney.
I'm actually surprised they don't have Beauty and the Beast in Storybook Land. After all, they did add The Little Mermaid and Aladdin into the attraction.
As for the wind mills, I'd think there'd be some other area of Storybook Land they could be put in. Toad Hall was relocated, not eliminated after the Agrabah market was installed in Storybook Land.
Toad Hall did spend some time in "missing" status before it reappeared in its current location, so maybe there's hope for those windmills. If not, I have some space in my backyard if they're out of room in Glendale...
You're right, Chuck. It was missing for a while. That's why I think the windmills could have a possible return.
Ken, I sure hope you're right (although to be perfectly honest, I'm secretly pulling for the "my backyard" option anyway).
TokyoMagic!, I sort of like the city of Agrabah, but I agree, it does not fit in with the European look of the rest of the ride. "The Old Mill" is known and loved by most Disney fans, but the average schmo has probably never heard of it, unfortunately. You make a good point about its historic importance, but as you said, the people in charge aren't interested in such things. As for that other windmill, I watched a fairly new YouTube video, and it looks like it is still there, though it might have been moved a few feet (hard to tell).
Nanook, yeah, I was pretty sure it was a hat, but not like any hat I have ever seen!!
Chuck, I like the idea of Ray Kroc actually wearing a bright red clown wig everywhere he went. When you are that rich, nobody will even blink!
K. Martinez, it IS surprising that the Beast's castle (or Belle's village) didn't make it into the ride, it was the first animated feature to be considered for "Best Picture", you'd think that might count for something. There is still a large stretch of "patchwork quilt" area where they might put something, I guess.
Chuck, I was very happy when they brought Toad Hall back. I really do wonder what became of those windmills. Will they be saved backstage for a while? Or show up in somebody's collection?
K. Martinez, I just don't want to see the windmills looking "shoehorned" into a spot, but I guess it would be better than nothing.
Chuck, be sure to share the pics with us when you get the windmills in your backyard.
Major, "shoehorned" wouldn't be good. For Beauty and the Beast I was thinking Belle's village or Maurice's invention wagon abandoned on the side of a country road would've been cool.
My vote is for the Red (all) hair monster (with tennis shoes) from the old Bugs Bunny cartoon.
Never seen them in the same room at the same time have you?
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrSbm3SbvdURBUAfgdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB0NjZjZzZhBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNwaXZz?p=bugs+bunny+red+haired+monster&fr=sfp&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t-472-s
Alonzo, Gossamer/Rudolph was actually my first thought when I looked at the picture this morning, but the clown invasion theme took over while I was typing and I was powerless to stop it.
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