Happy 18th Anniversary to GDB! And to all Junior Gorillas throughout the Universe! Yes, it's true - 18 years ago, I was inspired by Matterhorn1959's "Stuff From the Park" blog and by The "E" Ticket magazine. Hey, I can share MY vintage Disneyland photos too! How do you do a blog, anyway? You just figure it out, that's how. To be honest, yesterday was the actual anniversary, but I couldn't celebrate the occasion on Mother's Day. So it's really 18 years plus a day.
As always, I would like to thank everybody who has participated in this endeavor - many of you have been with me for a long time; I have a small but loyal following! I've even had the pleasure of meeting some of the Junior Gorillas. 90% of the fun is the discussions, the shared knowledge, and the enthusiasm - it has all helped to keep me going.
ON to today's photos! Let's start with this nice photo of a pretty hostess outside of Casa de Fritos, circa June 1963. She reminds me of the "Cigarette Girls" (like Wilma Slaghoople and Betty McBricker) that used to stroll through old nightclubs such as the Cocoanut Grove - only she is offering golden, delicious Fritos corn chips. Hey, Klondike!
Next is a photo from July, 1957; the Tomorrowland Spaceman, suited up to protect him from the harsh atmosphere of Anaheim. The silver material of his costume shields him from harmful radiation and cosmic rays. Notice that this variation of the costume features a patch showing the Kaiser Aluminum telescope. The family to the right seems to be very distracted by his feet. Or shoes. Or the baffles on his legs (to keep out moon mice)?
The third scan is from a slide date-stamped "September, 1958"; we have a view of the Autopia as seen from the Skyway queue's stairs. And it's a nice photo all by itself! But the most interesting part...
... is the peek at some of the massive construction going on in Tomorrowland, part of the project that would add the Matterhorn, the Submarine Voyage, and the Monorail to the park. All in one go! I'm wondering if the excavation area is what would eventually become the covered, dark-ride portion of the Submarine Voyage? I'm pretty sure I have later photos taken from the same vantage point, but I couldn't find them after a quick search.
From "sometime in the 1950s" we get this fun portrait of a family posing with Black Bart. He loves to flirt with the pretty gals - when he's not cheating at cards! He must have just won a big jackpot, he's in such a good mood. In the background is the Casa de Fritos.
Now it's 1957, and we get this great shot of one of the Stagecoaches. And it's a real beauty, only driven to Carson City by a little old lady on Sundays. We can really admire the elaborately-painted pin striping and curlicues. We can even see the painting of Mission Santa Barbara on the door.
Next I have this photo of Captain Guy, the buccaneer who used to hold court at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. He's about to slice off that man's ear, which seems pretty extreme, but the Cap'n did what he had to do. Notice that the pond where the ship rested has been drained. Did they find lots of spare change?
And finally, I showed this photo of me (probably around 7 years old) to Sue B., and she encouraged me to share it on the blog. Why not now? This is from when my family lived in Huntington Beach, and I believe that this giant slide was in Fountain Valley. Some fun!
That does it for today. I hope you all enjoyed today's special photos. THANKS to everyone for the years of support and friendship!