Sunday, March 11, 2018

Snoozer Snapshots

I would guess that most people who went to Disneyland over the years brought their handy, affordable Kodak cameras, and had their drugstore or Photomat develop little square snapshots. That's what my family did! No fancy 35mm slides for us. Unfortunately. 

Here are some typical examples! Like this shot of the Columbia, modeled after America's first nuclear-powered sailing ship; passing beneath the polar ice caps was just one of its many amazing accomplishments. 

Meanwhile, folks are standing on what used to be the old fishing piers, though by this point I think they were used as places to sit and reflect, and maybe enjoy a refreshing cigarette.


What?? I certainly never expected a photo of the Mark Twain! Have I ever mentioned that I am a terrible poker player?


Everyone loves a good waterfall, and Cascade Peak lived up to its name with an assortment of them. Notice the cloud of steam from the Mark Twain.


And, ya got yer Friendly Indian Village; the boy on the canoe now has his dog. Did the dog have a name? Did he have hopes and dreams? I believe that the sunlit area through the trees was a small meadow where the Disneyland Railroad passed, although the tracks might have been moved with the addition of "It's a Small World" in 1966.


I hope you have enjoyed today's humble snapshots.

7 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

In actuality, the former fishin' piers were being used as places to park oneself to while away the hours texting-! And I believe the Indian boy's dog was named either Buster, Sport, Queenie or Rover.

Gotta love Cascade Peak-!

Thanks, Major.

Melissa said...

That these perfectly nice pictures could be considered “snoozers” only speaks to the high standards of GDB.

Drugstore? Fotomat? Luxury! We saved those little envelopes that came with the coupons in the Sunday paper, where you could mail your film in for super-cheap double prints.

Did the dog have a name? Did he have hopes and dreams?

I think robot dogs dream of chasing electric sheep.

Jonathan said...

I am willing to bet that Mark Twain is the most phographed attraction at the park. Walt created a whole world within Anaheim and for a few hours one could imagine you were plying the river in a steamboat checking out the sights along the way. Love the pics.

Patrick Devlin said...

As for the meadow behind the village and the train: Once the tracks were moved for the arrival of IASM there was kind of a meadow back there, most noticeable as I recall when you past by the Living Desert. The train used to pass quite close to the tracks of NWRR and its geysers. With the tracks new location you were separated from NWRR by about half of the meadow, since the train went through pretty much its center.

K. Martinez said...

I'm done plenty of snoozing already today. Boy, do I miss passing Cascade Peak along the River while in the Mark Twain. Always remembered the sound of the waterfalls there. Thanks, Major.

Melissa said...

There appears to be some sort of haze on that medder. I'd describe it as bright and golden.

Anonymous said...

I remember that meadow. I used to wonder what amazing things would be built in it.

All we got was that outdoor theater and a petting zoo, pfui. Waste of potential there.

I miss Shiny Boy and his dog, their rigid posture and gleaming integument was a big part of their charm. The later animatronic replacements were "too" good.

I am trying to reserve judgment on the new River until I see it, but I'm sure something will be enough different to hurt a bit.

These are nice pictures, Major, thank you. Not everything needs to be bright and buzzy, those quiet spots in the Park were charming, and now not too many are left.

JG