Wish I had something spooky to share today, but I don't...so I'll just wish everyone a happy Halloween!
Another sub is returning from its dangerous journey through liquid space (I don't care if that sea serpent was crosseyed, it scared me!). I loved the use of the waterfall, it looked great if you were standing in line, and when you were on board, it created a mass of bubbles that added to the illusion that you had returned to the surface.
Don't get me started on the peoplemover, I just want it back!
I thought I'd throw in this photo of the sea serpent even though it's not the greatest quality...just for fun! (Sorry for the late post, blogger would not let me update last night...)
Just for fun I am including this image of the Rocket to the Moon, both of these slides are from the Treasure Tone souvenir series of images.
But I digress! One of the things I like about some of the "parking lot photos" is the feeling of anticipation and excitement that still comes through almost 50 years later. The person who took the photo is finally here...they see the passenger train pulling in to Main Street Station (perhaps the sound of the train's whistle got their attention)...the station itself draws you towards the entrance. And off to the side, you can see the top Opera House and the bank. I'd like to imagine that music might be filtering out to the lot, and maybe the smell of popcorn and other goodies as well.
I see sailors in a lot of early Disneyland photos, maybe they came from the Long Beach navy yard for a little "R & R". Crowds are light for a day in mid-August, but it looks like it's early (the street is still wet from its nightly cleaning, and the shadows are long).
Of course there are still some street entertainers, in New Orleans Square and on Main Street. I hope they never go away!
There's a couple having their photo taken as the band marches by...little did they know they were having two photos taken!
The imagineers did a wonderful job of revamping Fantasyland in 1983, it really is spectacular. If only they could have saved or re-positioned the Pirate Ship and Skull Rock, it would be near-perfect!
I'm not sure where this photo was taken from...who will be the first to make me feel dumb for not figuring it out?! ;-) At first I thought it was from the Pirate Ship, but I believe that the ship is to the left.
I love the Mary Blair leaves surrounding pathway, her colorful artwork really defined the look of Disney animated films for so many years that it feels right at home in Disneyland.
Father's enjoying a baloney sandwich, and he's wearing a sweater because it is autumn, after all. He has to stay in the kitchen because grandma and grandpa have taken over the den. Meanwhile, that kitchen looks just like the one at my grandparent's house (that they bought in 1947 and it didn't change for years).
It's Christmas in the 1960's, and Mother is more excited about all of her appliances than ever before. In the past, you could see a smidgen of small neighborhood outside the window, but now (unlike at the World's Fair), you can see beautiful Progress City in the distance. I sure miss that huge model that you could view many years ago...I think it is still on display in Florida, though it is not complete.
If I can successfully scan some of the other slides from this batch, I'll try to post them soon!
Next is a photo from the 1920's segment, with electrical cords going all over the place. I seem to remember reading that during the show, blacklights come on to highlight the cords....there is a blue/violet light coming from the top of this image, maybe that's the blacklight. Does anyone remember this part of the show?
There are some construction walls in the lower left hand corner, presumably in preparation for the building of the Matterhorn. You can even see the top of some sort of earth mover and some caterpillar vehicle tracks.
Lots of rumors are flying about how Tom Sawyer's Island is no longer relevant (who is Tom Sawyer?), and the "suits" want it to be transformed into a pirate-themed island. More Jack Sparrow, etc. I love "Pirates of the Caribbean", but enough already! Kids in 2006 enjoy exploring caves and climbing rocks just as much as they did in 1956, and changing the theme to a "treasure island" only serves to dilute the Frontierland experience and lose one more shred of Disneyland's history.
I'll be back home soon, and then I'll be able to spend more time on this blog. Thanks for your patience!
You get a slightly fuzzy view of the old Aunt Jemima pancake house (see the detail), which is rarely seen in photos. Mmmmmmm, pancakes!
The view from the observation tower must have been nice...according to "Disneyland: The Nickel Tour", the tower was demolished in 1961 because the jungle foliage had become so lush that it was no longer useful (in 1994 a new tower was added).
You can just barely see the large sign that looks like an open story book, advertising the Skyway. Not sure why they needed the sign...all you had to do was look up and see the colorful buckets overhead. Who wouldn't want to ride it?
"The Art of Disneyland" (released for Disneyland's 50th) has a neat image of the preliminary artwork for this Skyway sign. Here's a scan...please don't sue me, Walt Disney Company!
The second photo is from August, 1958. Still pretty early! By now he looks the part of a full-fledged chief, and he is backed up by a gang of tough looking customers. I hope they weren't the guys who set fire to the settler's cabin.
Eventually the chief was alone on the riverbank. The foliage behind him had matured to the point where guests wouldn't have seen the war party...and maybe the static figures were considered too primitive.
I can never get enough aerial views of Disneyland, and this bird's-eye view of Tomorrowland is no exception. There's the Wenmac Flight Circle, the Rocket to the Moon show building (which really looks like a throwback to the 1939 New York World's Fair), the Space Bar, and as they say on TV, much much more.
The second picture is an interior of the Nautilus from the much-missed "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" walk-thru attraction. This is Captain Nemo's salon. No, not where he gets his hair done...this is where he does his scientific research, plays Bach on the organ, and generally broods. If I am not mistaken, that organ eventually wound up in the Haunted Mansion. It sure looks like there is a tropical sea outside the portholes, wonder how they achieved that. I'm sure it was a simple effect!
Here's a nice photo from the Autopia, from August 1968. The vehicle is fairly distinctive, with the "eyebrow" in front. Somebody out there is better informed than I am and can tell us what they are called. Mark VI?
The dreaded center-rail has been added by this time. Kids don't know the difference, but it must have been pretty exciting back in the old days when you really could crash into walls. Keep those children on their toes!
The Junior Autopia closed after only two years, on September 15, 1958. The Fantasyland Autopia replaced it (opening on January 1, 1959).
Snow Hill (or is it Snow Mountain, or Holiday Hill?) is to the left, but not for long. The first of the Disney theme park mountains will be built soon. You can get a glimpse into the backstage area between Main Street and Tomorrowland. Those are some big warehouses...and I think I can see some of the Spanish tile from the old Administration building.
The plastic house was there for 10 years until its removal in 1967.
Here are two nice vintage views of King Arthur's Carousel...one (from March, 1960) giving us a nice look at the original "tent" structure, as well as its fun ticket booth. The second photo (June 1964) gives us a better look at the ride itself. You can see that in these days, the horses were different colors. I think that they were all painted white in the 70's, and they remain that way today.
This is another attraction that is almost as fun to look at as it is to ride. The music, the color, the motion, and the twinkling lights at night say "Disneyland" to me as much as any ride in the park.
Incidentally, you can still go to Griffith Park in Los Angeles and ride the original carousel that inspired Walt Disney. It's not always running, so be sure to check before you head over.
I remember this attraction vividly, especially the strong illustion of motion as you stood in the round theater holding on to the railings. I also recall some of the pre-show, in which a young woman could tell you your area code no matter where you lived in the U.S. And of course there were the phones with messages from your favorite Disney characters.
I would love to see the original films, with their old cars and views of the country 40 or 50 years ago. Someday I hope that we will be able to download these directly from Disney (along with so many of the "Wonderful World of Disney episodes). But I digress!
EPCOT and other Disney parks still show various Circlevision films, if I ever manage to get to Florida I am going to check some of them out.
