Motor Boat Cruise
Today's first image is one of my favorites - it's a fantastic shot of the Motor Boat Cruise load area, circa 1959. Nice and clear, good composition... I deem this one to be postcard worthy! Presumably the cute couple is about to disembark - judging from the smile on her face, the lady had so much fun. Maybe she and her husband held hands along the way? The skinny CM waits patiently to help them out of the boat.
This one is unrelated, other than being from Disneyland. I found this scan in a folder, all by itself - I think it's been there for a while. It's undated, and I would have guessed it was from '56 or '57, but... there's that Submarine Voyage poster, so it has to be 1959 or later. Speaking of posters, I thought that perhaps the poster frame to the extreme right might be empty, but looking closely, I'm pretty sure that it was holding a Rainbow Caverns poster.
15 comments:
Major-
Love that purse with the giant, orange something-or-another featured on it. And another 'pouty Pauline', sporting an ill-fitting sweater along with sensible shoes. (Undoubtedly she grew-up to be a future Miss. America).
Thanks, Major... I'm all smiles.
Yes, that first pic is absolutely postcard worthy! I love it. Those boats look so nice and shiny and new!
The lady looks like she's wearing a miniature party hat on her head, but I know it's only one of those cone-shaped buoys in the water.
I just realized something. If that CM was 20 years old at the time, he would now be 80.....if he is still with us. I certainly hope so and I hope he somehow finds his way to this pic!
I noticed that handbag, too, and I'm totally coveting it.
CM Sailor Boy is looking mighty fine, too, and I'm not just referring to the shipshape and Bristol-fashion condition of his costume. My mind ran in similar direction as TokyoMagic's; I was thinking he'd be at least as old as the couple in the boat now and I was hoping he got to enjoy many happy moments at Disneyland over the years.
A real pair of beauties today.
oh, and I thought the Gorilla Squad would get a kick out of this. I was watching an episode of The Monkees earlier today, and one of the credits read, "Drected by: Richard Nunis." A trip to IMDb disabused me of my mental image of "our" Dick Nunis directing TV comedy episodes on his days off from running the Disney Parks.
Just look at those unsightly rust stains on the wall underneath the posters! Walt would have never tolerated-, oh, wait.
Never having ridden the motorboats, I didn't realize that the "windscreen" was nothing more than a sporty handrail. Now I'm curious as to the numbering scheme, because I'm pretty sure there weren't 233 boats. The subs were all numbered in the 300s, so maybe there was some sort of Disneyland-wide numbering scheme with blocks of numbers assigned to each attraction.
First pic is great! I'm curious as to how they hooked up the motor boats which are docked on the other side to the underwater guide rail when put into use. Thanks, Major.
The motorboats just looks so cool! While they weren't the most exciting ride in the world, they sure beat the boats that ran in a circular trough like a merry-go-round...and I LOVED those as a kid! So maybe in their way, they WERE pretty darn exciting!
Nanook, yeah, I think the purse has a giant orange! The little girl doesn’t look too happy, but I’m sure she just wanted to go into the park - enough posing for pictures already.
TokyoMagic!, the lady would have looked perfectly at home with a party hat on. Gosh, it’s hard to imagine that skinny young dude at 80. Makes ya think.
Melissa, listen, that CM is a human being, not an object! His eyes are *up here*. I am amused that you can still see the folds on his pants, as they were fresh off the shelf in costuming (likely laundered and pressed each day).
Melissa II, for a moment I thought that “our” Dick Nunis really did have a directing career outside of Disney - which seemed bizarre! But it is just a nutty coincidence.
Chuck, I’ll bet Walt was not happy about the rust stains on the wall! But, other than painting the wall regularly, I’m not sure what could be done about it. Now I am wondering, did the park really use a numbering system that included ALL vehicles as they were added to the fleet?
K. Martinez, they hooked them up very carefully. Now you know.
Stu29573, if nothing else, the Motor Boats were relaxing - you got to take a load off of your feet, enjoy some pretty scenery and some quiet (except for the “putt putt” of the motor). It’s a bummer that they were removed - these days they could use another ride back there.
The Motor Boat Cruise photo shows you are never too old to have a ball at Disneyland. I think she is excited to ride on the brand new subs next. I love that kids and adults alike, dressed up for the big day at the park. The little girl in the pic, is jonesing for a ride, any ride, but nooooo, I gotta pose for this photo for dad. That sub poster would look great anywhere in my house. I love 'em all, but the sub and the TWA Moonliner are beyond cool. Thanks Major.
These photos show there was never any place as cool as the original Disneyland.
I really like the photo of the old couple at the motorboats. Great image.
And never get tired of the obligatory photo in front of Mickey, back in the days of posters. Good to see the handcar make an appearance.
Your observation about the motorboats being restful is why I still enjoy IASW and even Winnie the Pooh; simple rides with an opportunity to rest.
Thank you, Major.
JG
Ken, an anonymous GDB commenter explained the process a couple of months back.
Another thumbs up for the motorboats. Unlike the traveling carnivals and little parks we had in the Bay Area, Disneyland would commit real estate to outdoor rides, so you'd feel you'd been somewhere. And they were often designed to provide eye candy for people walking around or riding on other rides. If memory serves, didn't the boats cruise under Autopia bridges?
The old Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland was the ultimate example, with big outdoor scenery and a pass along the Rivers of America, where riders and Mark Twain passengers could snap pics of each other. I know it wasn't really possible, but it would have been incredibly cool if the Splash Mountain boats floated out onto the Rivers of America before the ride's finale.
The overlapping Matterhorn, monorail and subs didn't make sense thematically, but it all worked somehow.
Jonathan, I would probably enjoy the Motor Boats more today than I did as a kid. Back then, I just wished they’d go really fast. Now I’d be perfectly happy for them to go slow. I’m lucky to have an original Submarine Voyage poster!
JG, there are definitely certain Disneyland scenes that were “obligatory”, and a portrait in front of the Mouse’s flowery face is one. Looking at some recent photos of the park and all its changes, restful areas seem to be vanishing at an alarming rate.
Chuck, I remember that!
DBenson, kids don’t seem to care if a ride just goes ‘round and ‘round in a circle, but for others, a real trip through some countryside makes all the difference! Yes, the boats did go beneath some Autopia overpasses. It would be kind of neat if the Splash Mountain logs could somehow go into the big river, even a little bit, but… I’m not sure how to make that work, practically!
Chuck, I didn't see that comment that day as I don't think I returned to that particular post after commenting. Very interesting. Never thought of it being done that way. Much thanks for taking the time and effort to look it up and provide the link! Very appreciated.
Walt seemed to like those rides that the whole family could enjoy together. Also the ones that made you feel like you were going somewhere.
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