tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post7159108549108701056..comments2024-03-19T00:31:34.913-07:00Comments on GORILLAS DON'T BLOG: Just Another Miscellaneous MondayMajor Pepperidgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-83948545763517782752011-10-25T12:13:02.081-07:002011-10-25T12:13:02.081-07:00Columbia and MT were both running on one day of ou...Columbia and MT were both running on one day of our recent visit in September.<br /><br />Thanks for the infor on the rafts, I always thought they were on a rail. The operators are very skilled then, to bring them up so casually and accurately.<br /><br />Our pilot held up to let Columbia go by, very exciting to see that up close.<br /><br />JGJGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456196709930408585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-50046946319566605412011-10-25T11:35:22.693-07:002011-10-25T11:35:22.693-07:00As a former Canoes and Safari Gallery (among other...As a former Canoes and Safari Gallery (among others)CM (1970-1977), I will say that I used the "canoes on a track" spiel. And while I have a great memory of the interior of the gallery, I also remember the ricochets!! Ouch!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-21060884119388259032011-10-25T03:51:44.176-07:002011-10-25T03:51:44.176-07:00@Major - I've seen both the Columbia and Mark ...@Major - I've seen both the Columbia and Mark Twain operating at the same time on busy days. And at least as of 1995 (last time I saw it), they were both operating at the same time as part of "Fantasmic."<br /><br />@RemainSeatedPlease - I love your story about the wires and the guest reaction. It's people like you that make the world fun.<br /><br />I've read stories about CMs on the rafts who, when faced with guests who would loudly tell their neighbors that that the boat was on a track, would take the startled passengers on an impromptu, meandering cruise around the Rivers of America just to prove that they really were in charge.Chucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-90050552041037774802011-10-24T19:57:08.559-07:002011-10-24T19:57:08.559-07:00that lovely shot in Adventureland has made me very...that lovely shot in Adventureland has made me very hungry for a chicken skewer....yum!<br /><br />the Columbia is just gorgeous; it was one of the 2 things i HAD to experience when i finally got to Disneyland, the other being the Matterhorn...Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09895614694411482044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-53506074826690894582011-10-24T16:49:34.250-07:002011-10-24T16:49:34.250-07:00Connie, I only have fuzzy memories of the shooting...Connie, I only have fuzzy memories of the shooting gallery, but I do know that I thought that the Disneyland shooting galleries were the COOLEST. And now that you're mentioning it, that does seem kind of far for the Plaza Inn. Hmmm....<br /><br />JG, ya gotta wear the hat and the sweater. They go together like hot dogs 'n mustard. And the rafts used to depart from as many as 3 different locations back in the old days (I think).<br /><br />Connie, I only have fuzzy memories of the shooting gallery, but I do know that I thought that the Disneyland shooting galleries were the COOLEST. And now that you're mentioning it, that does seem kind of far for the Plaza Inn. Hmmm....<br /><br />But then I read Nanook's comment. I'm so confused! ;-) But thanks for all of the great Plaza information!<br /><br />RemainSeatedPlease, can the Twain and the Columbia operate at the same time? I assume "yes", although I've never seen it.Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-87087885173071505202011-10-24T12:43:34.582-07:002011-10-24T12:43:34.582-07:00@JG, yes the Columbia and MT use the same track - ...@JG, yes the Columbia and MT use the same track - the only track in the Rivers of America. All other craft (canoes, rafts, and the late, great Keel Boats) are/were free floating. As a canoe CM in the late 70s - early 80s, I did enjoy telling guests that although we were not on a track, we were connected by wires to the ceiling, and then look up. A rather large number of people would fall for it and look up, then chuckle at getting pranked.<br /><br />The Big Game Safari was a great shooting gallery, though I remember being a better shot with the open, iron sights at the Frontierland gallery.RemainSeatedPleasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13741359086445296672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-42057373163788617762011-10-24T12:28:36.781-07:002011-10-24T12:28:36.781-07:00As the photo's date indicates it to be from Ju...As the photo's date indicates it to be from June, 1965 and the Plaza Inn opened on July 18th, Katella Gate is most-assuredly correct about the purpose of the construction fence. The concession was about to be handed-off from Swift Foods, Red Wagon Inn to the Disney-operated Plaza Inn, complete with alfresco dining. Now, if I could only find the <i>Paul Bunyan chilled meat platter,</i> consisting of <i>husky slices of baked ham, turkey breast and Swiss cheese with potato salad...</i> Yes, I always prefer the "husky" slices-! (Sounds more like an adverb lifted from a menu in one of today's <i>casual dining</i> establishments rather than from the 1950's).Nanookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255357829181568172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-31600327168434271412011-10-24T09:41:15.969-07:002011-10-24T09:41:15.969-07:00Where do I begin????? First pic, WOW! I had forgot...Where do I begin????? First pic, WOW! I had forgotten about that shooting gallery and it was the weirdest feeling to suddenly have dozens of memories come flooding back into my brain! I remember that as I kid I loved the shooting galleries and especially liked THIS one.<br /><br />Pic two: That lady with the hat is channeling her inner Mary Poppins. Check out her boots! Also look at the ground. YUCK, it's dirty! Do you think the construction walls would come out THAT far for the addition of the Plaza Inn's patio? Just wondering...<br /><br />Pic three: *insert heavy sigh here* In the distance you can see not only a keel boat but THE FORT LOOKS WONDERFUL. Sadly, today it is in ruins.Connie Morenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14112860706520621190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-43546720614215137652011-10-24T09:27:12.556-07:002011-10-24T09:27:12.556-07:00My Dad had a hat and a sweater just like that guy,...My Dad had a hat and a sweater just like that guy, but I don't remember him wearing them together.<br /><br />I like that strip of buildings in AVL. I had forgotten about the shooting gallery, but recall now that I liked it better than the Frontierland one, but the one at Knotts, most of all.<br /><br />Nice picture of the rafts and the Columbia. I often wonder if the rafts are on tracks, they seem to be so casually handled by the cast, but how do they manage crossing the track for the bigger ships? I assume Columbia and MT are on the same track...but is this true?<br /><br />I don't recall the rafts departing from that location either, must be really old pics.<br /><br />JGJGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456196709930408585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-39868865909195099292011-10-24T09:11:58.589-07:002011-10-24T09:11:58.589-07:00Anon, the clothes just add to the feeling that Dis...Anon, the clothes just add to the feeling that Disneyland was a special place, and going there was definitely a special occasion!<br /><br />Chuck, you sure know your Kaiju! I can't keep track of 'em all.<br /><br />Pegleg Pete, even though the Jungle Cruise was photographed a lot, Adventureland is by far the least photographed "land".<br /><br />Katella, believe me, I would be thrilled to find a nice shot inside the shooting gallery! And I think you're right, construction on the Plaza Inn makes perfect sense given the time and location.Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-16837328401809639552011-10-24T07:14:22.613-07:002011-10-24T07:14:22.613-07:00@Chuck. Drat, I never saw the saws! I hear they al...@Chuck. Drat, I never saw the saws! I hear they also had extendable pontoon arms to collect the debris. Now that's thinking ahead rather than just having custodial deal with it.<br /><br />@Major: I am please to see the exterior of the shooting gallery, but I shall rejoice with bells on when somebody can find a photo of the <i>interior</i>.<br /><br />I suspect the construction walls are for the Red Wagon/Plaza Inn. The patio was an after-built expansion.<br /><br />Chris Jepsen has a photo and notes here:<br />http://ochistorical.blogspot.com/2009/09/red-wagon-inn-disneyland-yesterland-dca.htmlKatella Gatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05562521359201308834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-13796801029587083502011-10-24T05:10:19.985-07:002011-10-24T05:10:19.985-07:00Thanks, Major. That Adventureland shot is intestin...Thanks, Major. That Adventureland shot is intesting indeed! You almost never see that stretch of buildings in photographs.Pegleg Petenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-57174327664071647572011-10-24T04:49:01.290-07:002011-10-24T04:49:01.290-07:00Big Game Safari - the only "real" shooti...Big Game Safari - the only "real" shooting gallery I ever got to experience since they didn't take tickets and my mother is so frugal.<br /><br />The Columbia was built with a rotating, conveyor-belt-like series of sawblades on the bow just for emergencies like this one. Unfortunately, the design feature wasn't copyrighted and had to be removed in 1977 after a successful lawsuit from Toho Productions alleging it was too similar to Megalon.Chucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922463.post-11219448151156838502011-10-24T03:50:50.705-07:002011-10-24T03:50:50.705-07:00I'm always amazed at how nicely everyone is dr...I'm always amazed at how nicely everyone is dressed back in the 50s and 60s, and how few overweight and obese people you see. Times have certainly changed, and not necessarily for the better in this regard. <br /><br />~~DeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com