Two Awesome Instamatics!
Oh boy, we're gettin' down to the bottom of the barrel of Instamatics that I've been sharing for so long. Why I keep them in a barrel, I can't really say.
Here's a fun shot of the Delta Ramblers as they perform at the little stage over at the French Market. To this day you can listen to live music (if you time it just right) while enjoying your lunch. I will guess that they are playing "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?".
This next example is a wonderful shot taken from the upper level of the Omnibus, looking toward Main Street Station. I really love this one! Somehow its looks like a still from a movie. It's neat to see the Horse Drawn Streetcar from this perspective; and it's fun observing the people milling around - notice the kid with his lemon popsicle (to the right) from the Sunkist shop.
17 comments:
I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but that stage at the French Market lowers down into the ground sort of like the Tomorrowland Terrace stage. However, this stage can be used in either the up or down position. There is a control box on either side of the stage and I think both controls have to be operated simultaneously in order to raise or lower it.
I love that we can see the Popsicle in the kids hand (and mouth) in that second photo. I don't think I would have caught that if you hadn't pointed it out. It's making me crave an orange juice bar from one of the old ice cream carts! I see Little Orphan Annie was there that day (halfway down Main St.....right side of the street). I guess back then, she wasn't allowed to bring her dog Sandy into the park. Today, he would be allowed, because everyone can bring their pets to the park now. The pets just aren't allowed to wear masks or costumes, or carry fake weapons. I'm going to the park later today and I'm going to take my cat. He will love it.
In early photos of the horse drawn streetcars, the two roof ornaments appeared shiny and reflective - as in today's photo. In more recent photos (and in person) they appear dull, flat and have no pizzazz. Does anyone know if they were originally brass, then swapped out along the way for plastic - (presumably to reduce maintenance) or is this just a case of remembering things better than they actually were?
Lemon pop boy is going to face the wrath of mom for spoiling his lunch. Look at the time.
They may be coming to an end but these are not qualitywise "bottom of the barrel".
Good stuff, thanks for posting.
Makes me want to drive 400 miles for a bread bowl of clam chowder and some live jazz.
I think there's a third Street Car running! You can just make out the brass ornaments on the car parked down at the Main Street Depot position. I was surprised when I saw three Street Cars operating together on the vintage Disneyland TV show DVD. That shot was in black and white and I figured they maybe operated three vehicles for a few months or so. This second shot looks like 1965, plus or minus, so now, for me, the mystery deepens. When was Disneyland in the habit of running three Street Cars, and are there exactly three?
That second one is breathtaking - as you say, like a crane shot from a movie.
Does anybody know - do they still train birds to operate cameras, or is it all digital now?
TokyoMagic, the Little Orphan Annie thing made me laugh. Oh, and the cat thing too, for that matter.
Ok. This may have been a topic of discussion once before, but does anybody know the purpose of the “roof ornaments” of the streetcars? Bells, chimes, just for looks, or whatnot?
Nice stuff Major, particularly the “crane-shot” street scene. Thank you!
Major-
Yeah, that second image is a beauty. And... although the Major isn't aware just yet, I envision a very similar view in his future - except this one was taken from within the Horse Drawn Streetcar, and in May, 1958.
Thanks, Major.
TokyoMagic!, yes, you did mention that the stage lowered into the ground, which I didn’t know at the time! I never had an orange juice bar at the park, but I think my mom bought boxes of them at the store. Do people really bring their pets into the park?! It drives me crazy when I see people with their little dogs in the grocery store or at a restaurant.
Graffer, that is an interesting observation; I looked online and found photos where the finials did look kind of “flat” (not shiny). Wikipedia has a photo in which they look pretty shiny, but not as mirror-polished as in today’s Instamatic. God, I hope they are not plastic now.
Alonzo, at that age, that boy will still have plenty of appetite for his moon burger and space mist! I still have never had a bread bowl full of chowder, though they always look good to me.
Patrick Devlin, you are right, there is a third Streetcar near Main Street Station. I believe that there are a total of four Streetcars (thought I could not verify this online, surprisingly), so the fourth might have been waiting up by the castle when this photo was shot. Of course now you are lucky to see a single Streetcar operating - I’m sure it is a combination of low ridership, and cost cutting. Plus the park is so darn crowded that there probably isn’t room for many vehicles on Main Street.
Chuck, the park stopped using birds when they demanded too much popcorn. Now they use giant fruit bats.
Monkey Cage Kurt, I believe that those finials are mere ornaments, but don’t really know for sure.
Kurt, I'm glad I was able to make you laugh!
Patrick, I never knew there were three street cars! I wonder if there are still three parked behind Main St. or if they took one out of service. I know back in 1980, they converted one so it could run the entire parade route for the 25th B-day "Family Reunion" parade. I wonder if they ever converted it back after that or if it sits backstage somewhere in a parade warehouse? Or worse....could they have thrown it into the trash along with the Pirate Ship and Skull Rock....and the PeopleMover......and the Skyway....oh, and Country Bear Jamboree!
Major, your comment posted a minute before mine, so I didn't see it. Wow, four street cars? Who knew? I didn't! Maybe the other two were sent to EPCOT when it opened to carry guests around World Showcase and then allowed to just rust and rot away in the Florida heat and humidity. Gee, I guess I'm feeling especially bitter today. And I'm even going to the park in a couple hours....maybe that will snap me out of it. Either that, or make me even more bitter.
And yes Major, people now bring their dogs. I'm sure there must be some kind of guidelines (like maybe they have to be registered as "service animals"), but the guidelines must be pretty loose because I see dogs there all the time now. Maybe I'll ask about it while I'm there today....I'll also try to take a count on how many I see. I really do hope they let my cat into the park today. I've made him remove his top hat, big nose and glasses, and his cape, so hopefully there won't be any problems.
Major-
Yeah, that second image is a beauty. And... although the Major isn't aware just yet, I envision a very similar view in his future - except this one was taken from within the Horse Drawn Streetcar, and in May, 1958.
Thanks, Major.
TokyoMagic!, I *think* that there were four streetcars… there absolutely were three, at least. I’ve found photos of Streetcars #1, 2, & 3. But not 4! I didn’t know they converted one for the 25th Anniversary parade. It seems doubtful that they need more than two these days, so it is anyone’s guess as to what happened to it.
TokyoMagic! again, UGH, why do people feel the need to bring their dogs everywhere? Of course if it is a real service dog, it is understandable. But when they have their little Pomeranians or Chihuahuas… WHY? Can the dogs go on rides? What if they need to “go”? At the Century City mall, you see ladies letting their dogs do their business, and just leaving it there where hundreds of people have to avoid it. So gross. I wish Disney, malls, and restaurants would crack down on this dumb behavior. Grumble, grumble! Meanwhile, cats are OK you can bring him!
Nanook, COOL!
I was at the Burbank Costco food court and while he ate, a guy had his mid-sized dog sitting next to him on the unprotected table top. I hope the next customer never knew why the table was warm.
All these dog sightings at Disneyland reminds me of the time I was at Century City Shopping Center, probably now about 25 years ago, and coming up on an escalator from the parking structure was a woman with a little squirrel on her shoulder. It was tethered around her neck with a tiny leash, and the squirrel was beside itself with excitement. (Musta been tipped-off to a White Sale at The Broadway-!)
Graffer, I have that one beat! A woman was changing her baby’s diaper on a table at the food court at my local mall (I was just passing by)! I assume that her thinking was that she had picked a table that was mostly away from everybody, so it was totally OK. I don't envy the next person who used that table.
Nanook, did you ever stop to think that it was the squirrel that was “driving”?!?!
One of the things I never use at an amusement park is the condiment counter unless it has pre-packaged ketchup or mustard. I've seen too many things while working at the Boardwalk that taught me an unguarded condiment tray is bad news. I've seen kids sucking on the ketchup and mustard dispensers and running their dirty fingers through the chopped onions while passing by. I've even seen little unattended children put the salt and pepper shakers into their mouths sucking and drooling on it with saliva before putting them back on the condiment counter. When ever there's a high volume of people coming and going, I'm leery of what's sitting out there in the open for anyone touch.
Oh, the Delta Ramblers. This show was a highlight of several visits. Dad loved New Orleans and the Dixieland music, we would time the meal to hear them.
We saw the stage rise up once, but I don't think the musicians were in it. I don't know if there is an underground access or not. Maybe it just lowers the instruments into a hole to keep them safe from prying fingers and weather.
Excellent views today, Major.
Businesses have limited options today for controlling entry of dogs and other pets since service animals must be accommodated under the ADA, this has been stretched to cover PTSD animals which serve to reduce anxiety attacks of their owners.
A business is not allowed to ask or limit a dog (or other animal) entrance and use of a facility for fear of a retaliatory discrimination suit by a disgruntled customer, who is not required to prove any form of disability. It is ruled discrimination even to ask or doubt.
Now high-heeled shoe women are claiming their teacup poodles as PTSD dogs to which they are entitled to carry into theaters, farmers markets, wine tasting rooms, restaurant serving lines, etc. There are numerous sources for "service dog" coats and accessories on-line so you can equip any mutt with the regalia of a trained animal.
I have seen pit bulls wearing PTSD service dog coats snarling and slobbering at other little dogs, while their gangster owners glare and dare anyone to comment. Undoubtedly well trained in the law of discrimination intimidation.
This will continue until laws are passed requiring proof of licenses for trained service animals, which will never happen.
JG
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