Monorail Stuff, June 1963

I've always thought it was neat the way Walt Disney's lifelong fascination with trains - old fashioned steam locomotives, particularly - evolved into an interest in other forms of transportation. Like trains of the future - streamlined, quiet, smooth-riding monorails!

Here's a neat photo of the Mark II Monorail Yellow (Gold?) rounding the curve on its way to the station at the Disneyland Hotel (just above it you can see the back side of the hotel's sign). This attraction seemed to capture people's imaginations at the time - there was really nothing else like it. And it really felt like the future! 

Notice the Richfield gas station in the distance (behind some trees). I'm guessing there will be some challenges for you car nuts out there.

Next is this photo taken from aboard a Monorail as it passes above the vast parking lot. Is that a Chevy Impala I see? I've always liked those. 

Disneyland Ephemera Time & Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

It's time for some vintage Disneyland ephemera. Some of the most numerous souvenirs from ye olden days are the souvenir maps given to the visitors to Tom Sawyer Island. They were given out for free - passers-by could grab one (or two or five) from a handy bin (I have a photo in which you can see one of these bins, but I'll be damned if I can recall when it was posted). There are probably at least a dozen on eBay right now, so they're not rare. However, I still thought it would be fun to look at the different versions.

Here's the front of the very first map, circa 1956. It's a bit harder to find compared to the later versions, but you can still pick one up for a low price.

As with all of these brochures, it opens to reveal a wonderful map of the island. I'm guessing that this map was drawn before many features of the island were completed - or maybe it's just plain inaccurate. But it's still great! Notice that there is no "Tom's Treehouse", no pontoon bridge, and none of the playful rock features, such as "Teeter-totter Rock" or "Merry-go-round Rock". I am assuming that Sam McKim drew Tom and Huck, if not the map itself (he was responsible for those early "fun maps", so he probably did this one too). Please correct me if I'm wrong!

And here's the whole other side, for those who are interested!

In 1957, they released this familiar design with green and brown ink. It is much like its predecessor, with a bit of added copy to entice guests.

Inside is a whole new map - it reminds me of the kind one might find on the end papers of a vintage illustrated book. The higher angle gives you a better sense of the place. There's Tom's Treehouse - we are informed that it was the "highest point in Disneyland" - and the Pontoon Bridge, along with the rock features can now be seen; next to the fort, you can see the escape tunnel. The map also indicates two paths for rafts, one at the southern end of the island, and another at Huck's Landing, near the fort.

Reading! If I wanted to read I would go to the liberry.

A later version of the map is still dated 1957, but is clearly post-1959 because the Matterhorn became the highest point in Disneyland, and Tom's Treehouse lost its lofty status. Notice that the foliage was changed to a dark green to make the various trails easier to see. And the raft that headed to Huck's Landing is no longer indicated. This is the most common version of TSI maps.

And finally, just because I happened to have it, here's a scan of the map from Tom Sawyer Island at Tokyo Disneyland. It seems to be a bit condensed, and is definitely rearranged, though it does have most of the important features that were in Anaheim, pre-Pirate's Lair.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at some vintage Disneyland stuff! Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Steve Stuart at Tom's Treehouse

It's time for more photos from the collection of Steve Stuart! We've already seen photos of Steve (and company) on Tom Sawyer Island, back on my 10th anniversary post. This time, he's visiting a certain treehouse. Here's Steve:

Here we have a pair of images featuring the always-photogenic Tom’s Tree House on Tom Sawyer Island.  In the first image, that’s me on the left and childhood friend Gary on the right – sporting a captains hat.  And, why not-??  (You might remember Gary from back in May for GDB’s Tencennial – who willingly lied down in an open gravesite on this very island).

This image has another childhood friend – Judy – who happens to be Gary’s sister.  I see I’m wearing my Cub Scout belt holding-up some sort of ‘sensible’ jeans – complete with built-in knee patches.  I’m also wearing a wristwatch of some vintage.  I was an early adopter of timepieces and wear one to this day.

Many thanks to Steve! Stay tuned for more of his photos next week, including one especially nice example!

Black and White Snapshots, 1958

Let's hear it for the humble black and white snapshot. Inexpensive and easy to print, they were produced by the gazillions. My mom would let my brother and me take as many photos as we wanted with our Instamatic cameras - as long as we had black and white film. And while I do love me some Kodachrome color, there is room in my heart for these, too.

Thanks to a hand-written date on the back I know that both of the photos were taken on June 29th, 1958. "Jason's Disneyland Almanac" tells us that this was a Sunday; the park was open from 9 AM until midnight, and the high temperature was 79º. In spite of it being the middle of the summer, attendance was a mere 19, 587.

The ol' Chicken of the Sea pirate ship looks splendid (as seen from the Skyway), even in shades of gray. The sails are unfurled, always a bonus. 

Another Skyway photo shows the Viewliner just as it has pulled away from the Tomorrowland station. In the upper left is Holiday Hill (or Snow Hill, I never know what to call that thing), with trails aplenty for amorous couples.

More Tomorrowland Construction, 1966

Let's continue looking at more interesting photos featuring the construction of Disneyland's "New Tomorrowland"! 

We'll start with this shot, taken from beneath the metal canopy that shaded guests who would normally have been queueing up for the Tomorrowland Autopia if the ride had been open. There's scaffolding aplenty right in front of us, though I am not really sure why it's there. Any ideas? I don't believe that the Peoplemover track was going to be in that location, but I wouldn't bet money on it either. 

That Richfield sign with the ring-shaped space station certainly feels like it belongs in the 1950's "Man In Space" era - I'm sure it's days were numbered.

Here's yet another view taken from the Disneyland Railroad. What a mess! Notice the workers, and the mostly-obscured red sign reading "KEEP QUIET". In the lower left is what appears to be a mysterious tunnel. Whu? Beyond that is apparently the Carousel of Progress structure, just a bit further along than it was in photo #2 at this post. 

Indian Dance Circle, 1957

Here are two nice, colorful photos taken at the Dance Circle over in Frontierland - judging from the crowds that are almost always in vintage images, this was a very popular attraction for many years. This fellow is wearing an eagle costume, and he has bells on his knees. You can practically hear the jingles! 

Look at the impressive berm, effectively keeping the outside world from intruding. Such a simple idea, and yet a brilliant one. There's a little trail up the hill, presumably for gardeners or other maintenance crews. Notice the paper target affixed to hay bales - why in the world was that there?

Now another performer is in the Circle, albeit less eagle-y and jingly. Notice the herd of red-vested Campfire Girls. Don't mess with them! They know Judo, so they can break your arm, and then helpfully set it for you. Other late arrivals in the crowd have climbed up the embankment for a clearer view - I can't tell if the gentleman with the cap is holding a movie camera or not. 

"Century 21" Expo, Seattle - 1962

Today we will join the a happy family during their visit to the observation deck of the Space Needle - the iconic tower built for Seattle's World's Fair. I call them "The Neat Family", because goshdarnit, they are pretty neat! 

There's Bob, the patriarch; he's a VP at Nabisco, and is mighty proud of his four kids. Let's meet the two lovely daughters, Monica and Krista (Krista's rockin' that Peter Pan collar!), and two sons - Mark and young Sam (nicknamed "Scoot") - they are rascals. They all know how important it is to make a good first impression, and that means they always have clean, pressed clothing, combed hair, and never ever wear dungarees.They also know the importance of being polite to your elders. Say "Sir" and "Ma'am", "please" and "thank you".  I think we could all learn a thing or two from The Neat Family.

Note how the family dressed to not only coordinate with each other, but to match the colors of the tower. Now that's neat!

There were only two photos from the Century 21 Expo, and this one was taken over in the amusement zone - the Gay Way. The little car ride is typical of the sort found at many a carnival or local fair, but I am not sure what purpose is served by the orange supports (that don't support anything?), or all of that other frippery. Maybe the thinking is that kids will especially love driving through a construction zone without proper restraints.

Monorails From the Parking Lot, June 1963

Here are two wonderful photos taken from what might have been the most-loved parking lot in the world, each featuring great Monorail views! 

Let's start with this one, with the red four-car Mark II Monorail. It's adorable! Though perhaps not quite as adorable as the Mark I version. There is room enough in my heart for both of them. We're looking toward the southwestern corner of the park - if you clambered through the thorny rose bushes and hopped the chain link fence, and climbed the berm, you'd be in the vicinity of a tropical jungle. Watch out for crocodiles.

At first I thought the lady with the red and white striped shirt might be a parking lot attendant, but now I'm not so sure. There's no cap (the Disneyland costumers loved hats), and those red sneakers don't look "regulation". But I suppose it's still possible.

This next view is kind of "WOW" for me, evoking so many of the feelings that I experienced upon  arriving at the park. This time we have Monorail Blue passing overhead - ain't she a beauty? The freight  train is at the station, and we can see some nice attraction posters on the Monorail pylons (Golden Horsehoe, Flying Saucers, Tiki Room).  Notice the tour guide loitering out front (just to the right of the boy with the red shirt)!

More from Steve Stuart!

Today I am happy to present two more scans from the personal collection of Steve Stuart (who you know by the nom de plume "Nanook")! I think they are both very nice, although that first one is a doozy. 

Here's Steve: 

It’s kinda hard to top a great image showing the engine of the Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland, unless you happen to be riding in it-!  Flanking me are childhood friends (also brother and sister) Judy and Gary – again with the captain’s hat-!  (With apologies to Steve DeGaetano).  Add this image to the number of others on the internet, confirming the fact guests’ could indeed ride ‘up-front’ while beholding all the sights Nature’s Wonderland had to offer – just not easily those to be found over one’s head.

Here, my mom appears to be standing adjacent to the pond surrounding the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship.  You can spy part of a sign and a wooden walkway near her right arm.  She seems to be sporting her own hat, and not one obtainable at The Park.  Popping-up in the background is the roof of the “Fan Two” eatery, adjacent to the Matterhorn and the Skyway.   

Why isn't there a photo of a young Major Pepperidge sitting in the cab of a Mine Train? WHY?? But I'm not jealous.

Thanks to Steve for sharing these great photos! The next installment might be a slight deviation from what we've already seen. Stay tuned....

The Monorail Cafe, 1999 - Part One

My pal "Mr. X" has been very generous over the years, and the trend happily continues! He recently gave me a number of slides and negatives from 1999 with some great images of the Monorail Cafe over at the Disneyland Hotel. Señor X knew that the cafe's days were numbered, and he wisely snapped a number of very nice shots.

This fabulous wall mural is probably one of the features that visitors recall most vividly. It's like a giant attraction poster!

Author and Disneyland Hotel historian Don Ballard wrote about the Monorail cafe on his excellent blog; here's what he said: Another sorely missed and beloved sight from the Disneyland Hotel's history is the Monorail Cafe. Originally, this restaurant was known as the Coffee Shop from 1956 to 1986. Bonita Granville-Wrather changed the name and re-themed the restaurant just two years before disney negotiated the acquisition of the Disneyland Hotel.

Don continues: A favorite spot for just about everybody, the Monorail Cafe featured sandwiches, burgers, salads, chicken and the best milkshakes in town. It was a great place to relax and get a mid-day meal after having walked for miles at the Park. The waitresses were friendly, the prices were reasonable and the decor was priceless.

Sadly, I never visited the Monorail Cafe, but I sure wish I had. The thought of that beautiful mural being destroyed by bulldozers is a bummer.

Stay tuned for part two, in which we'll see some other great shots of the inside of the Monorail Cafe!