A Few From December, 1998
I'm using up some scans from my friend Mr. X, from photos that he took in 1998 (with one exception), so let's go!
Here's an unusual view taken from the back of a Casey Jr. Circus Train looking at the track and undulating hedges (which presumably blocked off some unsightly backstage views). Notice the chain lift in the track, this is where Casey thinks he can.
Next is a shot from Frontierland - I believe that Rancho del Zocalo would be roughly behind us, and the Rivers of America in front of us. Hard to believe that we can't see any of the water, or even a bit of the Mark Twain or Columbia peeking up above the trees and plants.
By 1998, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had been at Disneyland for 19 years - just a little less than its predecessors - the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train (1956-1959) and the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland (1960-1977). It's a fun ride, though it lacks some of the charm and depth of the old Mine Train rides.
This last one is from 1999, and of course it shows the wonderful Snow White Grotto, brought to you by Mountain Dew Red. It's EXTREME! Make an extreme wish at the nearby wishing well, won't you?
Many thanks to Mr. X!
16 comments:
Thank you, Mr. X (and Major), for more terrific photos - especially the first one! What a unique shot!
Major, if you get a chance, please ask Mr. X what his favorite attractions were, from the Disneyland of Past. Just curious...
These are nice pics. I especially like the first one which shows how tightly packed everything is and space used well in Storybook Land. The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad town of Rainbow Ridge (original Thunder Ridge) is nice too. Thanks, Major.
You mean Casey Jr. doesn't get up that hill on his own power?
In the Big Thunder pic, we can see one of the trains on the second hill. This would be just five years before that fatal accident occurred on that hill.
Where's Dopey's fishing pole? ;-)
Thank you, Major and Mr. X!
The picture of the lift chain really makes CJ seem like a roller coaster! Although the ride is certainly nice as is, the original plans would have been better...except if they did it like Disneyland Paris...
It's amazing that Snow and the boys have lasted all these years, considering they are all carved out of soap (it has to be true, I read in on the internet!)
Thanks, Mr. X!
I see that Casey Jr. has anti-rollbacks next to the chain (what makes the clicking sound on roller coasters), so if he decides he can't make it over the top, he'll just stop on the hill with a "clunk!" Thanks Mr. X and Major. Have a good day everyone.
Andrew, Casey's anti-rollback tendencies are a large part of why you'll never see him shopping at Walmart.
And Chuck gives us a groaner... ;-)
I agree, first photo is unique and very cool. Three quarters of the photo is green. What could be better than that. Nice pic of Rainbow Ridge and Big Thunder too.
TM, I re-acquainted myself with that fatal accident. That must be been an awful scene. That must have been traumatic for many people in 'the happiest place on earth'.
Enough of the bad. Let's move on to the groaners. I think Chuck is just channeling Rodney Dangerfield. It does happen Stu, he just needs some respect. After all, he grew up in a rough neighborhood. Sorry, I'm just rambling on now. I woke up this morning with an earworm. Not a song, but Rodney Dangerfield jokes.
Thanks Major and Mr.X.
Chuck, you'd make a great JC skipper!
Mr X, he's everywhere, he's mysterious, he's the last guy on any roll call. If you squint your eyes and look real hard, you can see the Pack Mules loading up for a go at the wilderness in the Thud Mountain shot. Lou and Sue, I always thought they were made of Gorgonzola cheese. I read it on Redit. Good one Chuck. Thanks Major.
JC Shannon, you were a JC skipper, weren’t you?! :o)
Major-
That first one. Definitely not one likely to be shot by the average Guest.
Thanks to Mr. X.
Lou and Sue, I agree that the first shot is unique, but… maybe not the most exciting thing in the world. Still, sometimes it’s enough just to be different. I will ask Mr. X what his favorite attractions are/were. He’s a big Frontierland guy, I know.
K. Martinez, I guess I like seeing Big Thunder’s Thunder Ridge (or whatever it is!), just because I haven’t posted anything like that on GDB, or if I have it has been a while.
TokyoMagic!, now that Casey is over 60 years old, he needs a little help. I didn’t really know where Big Thunder fatality took place… such a disaster. I’m sure Dopey’s fishing pole was removed because mothers didn’t like the thought of him killing and eating fish.
Stu29573, as fun as a little roller coaster might be, I think I am glad that our Casey Jr. ride is the slow version, allowing time to enjoy the miniature scenes. Back in the late 1930s, they actually released a boxed set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs molded in soap! A complete set is pretty rare these days.
Andrew, it just seems like good sense to have anti-rollbacks, especially on a relatively gentle slope. If the train stalls, it’s easy enough for folks to walk to level ground!
Chuck, OUCH.
Stu29573, the pain… the pain…
DrGoat, it IS always nice to see so much real estate devoted to beautiful landscaping. At Disneyland a lot of areas like that are chipped away little by little. I remember the Big Thunder accident, but not the gory details (thankfully). You know, as much as I saw Rodney Dangerfield on TV in the 80s and 90s, I don’t remember too many of his one liners.
Lou and Sue, I think Chuck already has a military rank!
Jonathan, there was a time when Mr. X went to the park all the time with his partner, they’d go for breakfast, ride a few rides, snap some photos, and head home before the crowds got too bad. Seems like a good way to go!
Lou and Sue, maybe he can’t reveal his secret…
Nanook, I sort of like the little twisted trees, they look like old bonsai trees. 50 years old, but still tiny.
Very fine photos today, especially the first and last.
Sitting in the caboose car on Casey Jr. is one of the best vantages, I love this photo.
Any view of Snow White's Grotto is a winner for me.
Even the odd shot of Rancho Zocalo brings back good memories.
What a sad story on Big Thunder though. I did not know that happened. I like this ride, but not as much as the one it replaced. Sigh.
Thanks Major and MB.
JG
JG, I love that we still have rides at Disneyland that are low in thrills but big on charm. I seem to recall rumors that the powers-that-be might want to remove Storybook Land, which feels like a real piece of the park's soul would be gone forever. You know it would be replaced with some IP that's popular in the moment, and that, in 10 years, will feel dated. And yes, the management at the time of the Big Thunder accident should be ashamed of themselves for sheer neglect.
Storybook Land is proof that not everything needs to have lasers, explosions, or even conflict, to be interesting and even edifying.
I'm hoping there is enough IP already referenced here that it will survive. After all, they wedged in Arendell and Aladdin. There have to be some rides for the littlest visitors.
Partly why I like the Winnie-the-Pooh ride, it's not a big whiz-bang, but it's cute and relaxing for a tired parent, as well as toddlers. I just watched a video about a mom touting IASW as a great ride since it was long enough for her to nap while her kids were entertained. Disney needs more of that, not less.
JG
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