Here are two more slides from August 13, 1955! First we get a look at the gazebo in its original location (I think). There is a band concert going on, and folks have gathered to enjoy an experience that was already the stuff of Norman Rockwell paintings and movies about the "good old days". I'm a bit discombobulated, is the castle to our right? The little "berm" or hillside is what's throwing me off. And that little bridge!!
I thought I'd add this photo from the same lot of slides, showing the dancers at the old Indian Village. I wonder how often those guys performed on a typical day? I still think it's pretty interesting to think that a movie studio would have no problem producing convincing "old west" props and artifacts...if you look at other amusement parks of the 50's, they didn't always do such a great job.
Love that first shot! How I wish I could have experienced the park in its early days. Just amazing!
ReplyDeleteOkay dudes, get ready for some explication. I am 99 percent sure that the gazebo is not in the actually park, but in an adjunct to the west of the main gate, called Holidayland. It was a rented by corporations for bashes - and a place where they could serve beer - before they trooped into the park.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Merlinsguy - that gazebo is inside the park. And yes, the castle is to our right, but just barely. It's an odd angle, taken from a right sided position (hard to explain)- see the old aerials in the E Ticket.
ReplyDeleteI was about to agree with merlinsguy as Holidayland was my very first thought - but anonymous could be right, especially with that "bridge" being there. Disorienting shot for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, do you have a specific E-ticket # tht might provide a further confirmation? I'd love to get my bearings as to what we're seeing. If anonymous above is correct, then Frontierland is just behind the berm, yes?
We may have to bring Patrick in on this one. I think the picture may actually be Magnolia Park; an area between the Jungle Cruise and what would eventually become New Orleans Square. It was the third place the band stand was moved to before being given to the City of Anaheim. Walt moved it from the Magnolia Park so he could build the Sacred Elephant Bathing Pool.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that this photo is from less than a month after the park opened, for what that's worth....I still believe that this was taken in front of the castle, facing west.
ReplyDeleteSorry Merlinsguy, the shot is taken inside Disneyland. If you look at the Gazebo postcard (P12291) found on page 47 in the Nickel Tour book, you will see the slight hill in the background. The shot appears to have been taken from the lower right hand side of the postcard. The bridge was for the water for the moat. The hill was used to camoflauge the back of the Snow White ride building.
ReplyDeleteWow. Sherlock Holmes couldn't have done better. I so remember the berm in Holidayland, which is what made me think of it.
ReplyDeleteAArrgghh. I'm still worried about this photo. What is this "aerials in the E-ticket." Obviously an overhead photo, but where do I find it? Or the Nickle Tour book. I need to know.
ReplyDeleteHere you go, Merlinsguy... check The E Ticket spring 2000 pg. 23 lower right. Also, E Ticket winter 1997 pg. 26 lower left and, even better, pg 22 aerial. There's more but this will give you some idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd today that gazebo is located in Roger's Gardens Nursery in Corona del Mar.
ReplyDeleteLove ur pictures!!!:)
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