Nice Frontierland
Here are three more super-nice scans of Frontierland slides, shared with us by a Mysterious Donor.
From Tom Sawyer Island (dated "August 1967") we get this first scan, showing a security guard (?) - I'm not sure what those ladies are doing exactly, but I'm all for it! To the right is Merry-Go-Round Rock - I know it doesn't look like much, but trust me, it's pretty weird for a rock. To the left we can see part of the pontoon bridge, and above it three people are crossing the suspension bridge.
Next is this beautiful view of the Columbia on a bright, sunny day. There are more long sleeves than usual, perhaps because it is from October of '67 (never mind that it can often be 90 degrees in October). Wouldn't you like to be there?
And finally, here's a wonderful shot of the Casa de Fritos (from November, 1968). What's not to love? The people, the dramatic shadows, the brilliant pink bougainvillea, the people... it's particularly fantastic. No red pom pons here, so that sailor is from the U.S. of A!
Imagine how lovely this area looked at night. And you could take a trip on the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland after your meal.
Many thanks to our Mysterious Donor.
20 comments:
Major-
Those gals are merely admiring the large badge appended to the man's shirt. (Yes, it's very impressive).
In the last image, I believe we can spy two CM's bussing some food off stage.
Thanks, Major
Note the subtle encouragement towards conspicuous consumption on the trash can lid in the first photo. The early Imagineers really did have a deep understanding of how the subconscious works.
The aquamarine trim on the Columbia really jumps out and grabs hold of the eyebones more than normal in that second one, so much so that I just realized I'd never noticed how the trim was repeated up in the rigging. Also interesting to see a couple in jackets right next to several women in short, sleeveless skirts. Locals vs. out-of-towners from cooler climes, I'll bet. I remember wearing shorts and t-shirts at the MK during a January visit from Ohio while the locals were all bundled up and looking at us like we were mad as hatters.
Also never noticed the Texas flag over the entrance to Casa de Fritos before. So many wonderful details today!
Nanoook, those CMs are actually dragging a body offstage. It won't be food for several more hours.
Fun Fact!
Casa de Fritos translates to "Fried House." Few people realize that the yippies totally misunderstood the meaning and assumed it was a place that sold...uh...recreational substances. It was their outrage at finding only Frito related Mexican food that triggered the August 6, 1970 takeover of Disneyland! Now you know!
Major, I think the rock formation to the right of the ladies was one of two punchbowls. One could sit in it, but it didn't move like the Merry-go-Round or Teeter-Totter rocks. It has probably been removed also for some safety issue or other.
A set of antlers is reaching out of the bougainvillea next to the lamp in the last photo, but it's hard to tell what they are affixed to. This is such an atmospheric picture, I have to listen to Trio Los Panchos now.
"And finally, here's a wonderful shot of the Casa de Fritos (from November, 1968). What's not to love?"
What's not to love? The food. As cute as the Frito Kid was, I never cared for Casa de Fritos or Casa Mexicana when it came to the food quality. But, as a photo image, you're right. What's not to love? Very beautiful!
The first image is like a photo you'd find in a pictorial souvenir booklet or promotional brochure showing cast member and guest interaction. All three photos are really good today. Thanks, Major.
Great stuff today, I think my favorite is the Columbia shot, doesn't she look grand, gleaming in the sunshine? Also 'cause I spy a babushka down by the waterfront. The gent in pic number one got that way cool badge for not letting anyone ruin the Island. I guess he got fired. Bada boom! And finally pic three. Great Crackerjack navy shot, but what is the woman in green wearing on her head? Thanks Major.
@Chuck, I particularly like when trash cans have a predicate object, like, "WASTE PAPER." Or an imperatuve, like, "WASTE, PLEASE!" And check out the super-casual dude to the left of the can; he has to be an off-duty JCPenney catalog model
I see the fine tradition of Mom dragging you away when you want to look at something is alive and well at the Casa de Fritos! Little Johnny wants to know why there's no French onion dip.
Tom Sawyer Island is quite an underrated attraction. It's a great way to escape the crowds, especially when everything else is so hectic. Everything is so peaceful and calm, and you can easily sit back and take a rest, or even a siesta If you're lucky. At least that's the way in WDW. Not sure about the Disneyland version.
@ Ken-
I'm afraid the food at Casa de Fritos suffered(s) the same fate as that in the rest of the Park: It's mass-produced "cafeteria style" food, and in this theme park-goer's opinion, was, and still isn't, very good. (Now, it's outrageously over-priced, too boot).
Bring back the 'Picnic Area'... {As if-!]
@Chuck, I saw that flag and did a double take, at first I thought it was the Tricolor, which might have close, but pretty sure you are right, looks like a star corner peeking out. Disney always had great flag hygiene in that era.
The Tom Sawyer island shot is worth it just for the trash can, but there is so much more.
I remembered the merry-go-round rock, but the punch bowl was just brought back to mind, a thoughtful amenity for tired parents. Thank you Stefano for the reminder.
I guess my opinion of Casa de Fritos food is in line with the group, we always skipped this in favor of something from New Orleans. Mexican food was readily available at home, Creole not so much.
Just great people shots today, too. Clothes and poses, all classic stuff.
Thank you, Major.
JG
I think that tree
Has ESP
Nanook, I wonder if those Cavalry-style security guys had special old-west style security badges, or if they were the same as the other guys?
Chuck, somebody clearly considered the word “trash” to be a no-no, because it was only used on trash cans in the earliest of days. Then it was “waste”, or “push”, or in this case, both of those! Now that you pointed out the aquamarine trim in the rigging, I can’t believe I didn’t notice it myself. The climate thing reminds me of seeing people from Vietnam at LAX wearing down parkas, while everyone in L.A. was in shirtsleeves.
Stuart Powley, in the old days, Mexicans would fry their houses. It was a big community thing, like a Mennonite barn-raising. The smell was enchanting. They had a scene of a traditional house-frying in “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”. Those darn Yippies, they should bring their own recreational substances!
Stefano, punchbowls? Jeez, I honestly don’t believe I have ever read about “punchbowls” on TSI before. Cool! And yes, everything really fun on the island has been dumbed-down and made extra safe. How am I supposed to sue them if I can’t hurt myself??
K. Martinez, I don’t believe I ever actually ate at the Casa de Fritos (as I’ve mentioned before, it seemed like we always dined in Tomorrowland). Bummer that the food wasn’t good! There’s a famous old “Casa de Fritos” postcard, and I admit that the photo of the food is less than tempting. Stay tuned for more photos from this massive archive, there’s tons of good stuff to come!
Jonathan, I can’t pick a favorite - I don’t want to make the others jealous. But the Columbia pic is a beauty. The woman in green has a Pomeranian on her head!
Melissa, the super-casual dude would be the envy of the world if he wasn’t standing next to a trash can. Totally spoils the magic. It sure looks like that mom is telling her kid off: “Wait ’til I tell your father what you did!”.
The Magic Ears Dudebro, you are lucky to still have an unchanged Tom Sawyer Island in Florida… I wish they had not “piratized” ours. And the changes due to Fantasmic are even worse.
Nanook, it’s strange, I listen to a number of Disney park podcasts, and the consensus seems to be that the food at Disneyland is pretty good. I haven’t been for years, so I can’t really say, though I have had some good stuff there. As for being overpriced… welcome to Disneyland. Mr. X just went to WDW and he said he thinks the food is way better in Florida.
JG, maybe my standards are lower than most, but I’ve had some good food at the “Zocalo” restaurant. I’ve never eaten at the Creole Cafe or Cafe Orleans, so I can’t speak to the quality of those.
Melissa, what tree? Why does it have ESP? Are you sure it doesn’t have ESPN? Trees love 24-hour sports.
Major-
I'm afraid food likes/dislikes is one of those 'subjective' things. I might very-well agree that the food is indeed "pretty good". But unfortunately, "pretty good" is a far-cry from 'very good', and beyond - when you get right down to it. In the last 10-15 years, the number of new restaurants popping-up all over these United States, serving-up some of the most unique and FLAVORFUL meals has truly been a feast for both the eyes and the stomach. And many can be had at reasonable prices, if you do a little digging - although some of the more 'famous' locations are worth checking-out.
It matters only slightly if the Disney Parks have 'upped their food game', as that merely allows them to begin playing catch-up. I think going to a Disney Park and anticipating great food is an unreasonable expectation; but pretending that it is, at the very least, is also a bit silly.
@Major, I (reluctantly) had a meal at the Zocalo current incarnation about 10 years ago because my nieces would not eat Creole food, wanted familiar stuff instead. It was a good meal and miles ahead of what I recalled of the old Fritos version.
I agree that food in the current-day Disneyland is pretty good overall, but the old Park had some real stand-outs, with the rest being kind of dull.
The French Market, Blue Bayou and the Creole Cafe were big favorites of Mom and Dad, I still prefer those to any other place in Park, with Plaza Pavilion (old Red Wagon Inn) close behind. I like the New Orleans style food, it's hard to find where I live. I also usually go to Ralph Brennan's in Downtown Disney.
The Carthay restaurant in DCA is very good, worth the expen$e, IMHO, but not for kids.
I'm following the redevelopment of the Tahitian Terrace closely, it is being reopened with a Tiki Room/Trader Sam theme. If the menu follows the Tangaroa Terrace (at the Hotel) it should be pretty good too.
JG
Major, if you zoom way in on picture #2, to the left of the lamppost it looks like there's a sign that says "ESP" hanging in the tree. (It's probably just part of a longer word on a sign behind a relatively bare spot on the tree.)
On one of the WDW message boards I used to visit regularly, half the restaurant-related posts were people complaining how there's not enough variety and they're sick of the same pizza and chicken nuggets, and the other half were people complaining how they couldn't get pizza and chicken nuggets at every restaurant. Personally, I think the food there is great; I've only ever had one meal there I didn't enjoy. Some of the best restaurants are in the hotels rather than the parks, though.
I turned up the brightness a little, and now I can see that the "ESP" is part of the street sign. And here I was all excited about psychic foliage.
Nanook, I definitely see your point, although it seems a little unfair to compare an amusement park restaurant (serving “fast fare”) to a real restaurant that doesn’t have to deal with 10,000 meals a day. I don’t think I would ever expect a “great” meal in Disneyland. That being said, I remember having a hamburger at the Hungry Bear that was just vile; I was worried about how my stomach was going to behave for the rest of the day. I am willing to manage my expectations when I’m at Disneyland - up to a point. On another visit I had Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken at the Pizza Port - often considered one of the lousier places to eat - and didn’t think it was bad at all! Again, maybe it’s my own low standards.
JG, perhaps the improvement in Mexican cuisine in the park is partly due to guests actually knowing how good Latino food can be. Chances are, many families were eating noodle casseroles and maybe something more French in origin, while Mexican food was an exotic mystery. I had a teacher who pronounced “taco” as if it rhymed with “whacko”. Now you can go to a hole-in-the-wall taqueria or a food truck and get something amazing and satisfying. Most of the other Disney restaurants that you mentioned have good reputations (well, the “Blue Bayou” can be iffy), but I have not experienced most of them personally.
Melissa, aha! Now I see it. Apparently there is a street called “Esplanade Road” in NOS. What was the meal that you didn’t enjoy?! Just curious. Pizza and chicken nuggets would not be my idea of good food, though I know that sometimes it is all that children will eat. Remember those old menus that listed things like a broiled lamb chop or a “hamburger steak” on the children’s menus?
Melissa II, crank up that brightness! Trees can still be psychic, no matter what the sign says.
The disappointing meal was in the food court of the Pop Century resort. It was a really dry burger on even drier toasted bread, with fries that tasted like they'd been sitting a while. But I had other good meals at the same place, so I think it was a fluke.
Major-
(Not to beat a dead horse...), but your point is well-taken, re: "...it seems a little unfair to compare an amusement park restaurant (serving “fast fare”) to a real restaurant that doesn’t have to deal with 10,000 meals a day". When the Eisner/Wells regime began revving-up their engines, one of their edicts was that guests' dining in the parks should pay a premium for eating their food, surrounded by all that atmosphere, etc. And there's been no stopping the increase in food prices - along with everything else. That's the big bugaboo for me. I can accept (and enjoy - up to a point) their food offerings, but when the prices are equal to - or greater than what can be had at many dining establishments around the country serving much better food, that's when you've lost me. At least the food quality/experience should match that of their high prices.
Coming in late here but that first shot jogged my memory of the Security staff in costume on the island. Good days. KS
Post a Comment