In the 50's, Westerns were incredibly popular thanks to television. Hoppy, the Lone Ranger, Zorro, Gene Autry, Cheyenne, Bronco, Colt .45, Annie Oakley, Wagon Train....the list goes on and on. Judging from the ratio of Frontierland slides to those of other "lands", everyone had a hankerin' to experience life in the old west.
This photo shows a Stagecoach as seen from the Mark Twain. It is full of passengers, and certainly appears to be a bit top-heavy. Look at the folks casually draped over the edge of the vehicle, no restraints to be seen! The story goes that the coach tipped over at least once, leading to their closure in September of 1959. I would like to believe that I would have held on to the still-charging horses by the reins, a la Yakima Canutt!
A couple years ago, Disneyland had one of the old stagecoaches on display as a set piece and looking at it, the problem was amount of riders- it just did not hold too many people at all. And the cost for horses and the driver and another was probably also a deciding factor. I have not been to Knotts for years, do they still have the stagecoaches?
ReplyDeleteI never thought about capacity, but you are right...this would have not been cost effective. Which is a shame! As for Knott's, I last visited it as a kid in....1976!! But even back in the 70's I don't remember seeing a stagecoach.
ReplyDeleteHey Major have you had a chance to look back at the Viewliner Posts? Take a look if you have a chance. Thanks again for all the wonderful pics. DD
ReplyDeleteHey disneydutchman, please look at your blog (where you have your image), I left you a comment. Thanks a lot!
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