Just when I think I've used up all of my Blurzles, I manage to find a few more. Life is funny that way. This first example is from July 1958, with a nice-but-standard view from the Skyway, looking down on Fantasyland and all of the familiar attractions. The Skyway Chalet looks surprisingly big, but it would seem to shrink as the trees around it grew bigger and bigger. Speaking of big, that hill to the left always impresses me, it's an in-the-park berm (50 feet high?) that separates Fantasyland and Frontierland. On the other side, the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train chugged along through alkali deserts and cactus forests.
Just three months later (October 1958), another blurry photo shows crowds in the Plaza migrating toward the castle. It almost looks like the Omnibus isn't operating, but it's possible that the people to the left are just about to board. In less than a year, the Matterhorn would stand where that low hillside is (visible above that man's straw hat).
We get a good view of Fan 1. We don't see Fan 1 as often as Fan 2. The three people in the light blue Teacup are even more colorful than the rest of the ride. This is a view we don't often see; like you said, all the 'usual suspects' are there: the Teacups, Dumbo, etc., but not from this particular angle.
ReplyDeleteEvidently, the Omnibus driver is reeeeally small here! Or, I suppose he could have stepped out for a sec, to button his vest. Holiday Hill looks pretty low. I guess the highest point is hidden behind the Omnibus, along with the Skyway tower? Or perhaps the highest part is off to the right of frame?
Fine examples of Blurzles today. No one can say they aren't blurry! Thanks, Major.
There’s a lot of dirt in that interior berm, not to mention the exterior berm. I’ve often wondered if the Park site was “balanced” (a civil engineering and excavation term meaning the amount of excavation and trench spoil could be used in regrading without having to offhaul surplus or import additional)?
ReplyDeleteThe spoil from the Rivers and the Jungle would make quite a pile, as well as the Sub lagoon etc, and lots of pipe trenches and building foundations would add more, but the berms seem like they might have needed even more once compaction is considered, so maybe import was needed? I wonder if anyone knows? Mike?
The Omnibus is standing while the driver changes the tire, he ran over Mary Poppins’ hairpin.
Thanks Major!
JG
Major-
ReplyDelete"... the Matterhorn would stand where that low hillside is (visible above that man's straw hat)".
Based on the where the SBC sits in this image, I believe the [future] home of the Matterhorn would be just to the right of the man's straw hat - closer to 'umbrella land'. and the olive trees.
Thanks, Major.
JB, ha ha, everyone loves today’s photos! They can’t get enough! ;-) Fan 1 was haunted, which is why you don’t see many pictures of it. But you probably already knew that. I like the little highlight of the colorful people in that teacup! I think the Omnibus Driver took the photo, because that’s just the kind of guy he was. “Allow me, folks!”. Yeah, the highest part of Holiday Hill is out of frame, I was generalizing, which a Major is not allowed to do.
ReplyDeleteJG, while I can’t say for sure, it does seem as if they found uses for all of the dirt used in the Rivers of America; I’m less certain about the excavated soil from the Sub Lagoon and the flattened Holiday Hill. “Trench Spoil”, my first indie band! If the Omnibus is loading, the driver could be just out of frame to the left, about to help people go up the spiral stairs to the top level (where all the cool kids want to be).
Nanook, yes, see my comment to JB, I guess I should have been more specific, since we don’t even really see Holiday Hill in photo #2.
Major, I knew the bass player for Trench Spoil, back in the day…
ReplyDeleteJG