And here is a view of the Pirate Ship, Skyway, and Casey Jr. ticket booth. It must have been a warm day, folks are searching for any bit of shade that they can find!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Two From 1956
Today we're heading waaaay back to 1956! Starting with this great photo of Harper's Mill, on the southern point of Tom Sawyer Island. The mill didn't do anything (although the wheel turned - - it turned real good!), it wasn't an attraction really... it was just there to add to the show. The building had only been there a year, but it is pretty easy to imagine that it had been there a lot longer! I guess that this was considered a waste of real estate, and the old mill was removed. There is still a mill near the "Fantasmic!" stage, but the surroundings are so alien that it has lost a lot of its charm. By the way, I wonder if folks in the old days had a tendancy to put antlers on their roofs? I like putting hubcaps on my roof.
And here is a view of the Pirate Ship, Skyway, and Casey Jr. ticket booth. It must have been a warm day, folks are searching for any bit of shade that they can find!
And here is a view of the Pirate Ship, Skyway, and Casey Jr. ticket booth. It must have been a warm day, folks are searching for any bit of shade that they can find!
I think Harper's Mill is still there. Didn't they move it just a little to the east when they built that hideous island-bastardizing Fantasmic stage?
ReplyDeleteP.S. In case you couldn't tell by my comment, Major...I agree with you about the island losing a lot of it's charm!
ReplyDeleteYou don't just go to ride Disneyland, you go to see it. Things like the Old Mill were/are a part of that quality of place that made it worthwhile to be there and could make you want to keep comin' back to be there again. :) It all looks so neat and trim yet, a lot of miracle grow to come. Note the common item between the two pics: a strangely bent old smokestack.
ReplyDeleteAnd I only keep leaves, antlers, squirrels, sunglasses and Santas on my roofs. hehe
An opinion on Fantasmic. In my humble opinion, it seems very clear that Fantasmic is perfect for the lagoon at the California Adventure. In fact it's my understanding that park could benefit a great deal from Fantasmic, while Disneyland was and would still be as popular without it. Rather than the experience of lording it over the non-technological, reality based Americana themes of Tom Sawyers from a guilded New Orleans, Fantasmic would feel part and parcel with California Adventure wouldn't it? Even thematically, Fantasmic is essentially a celebration of Disney, and Disney has been a part of the California Adventure since Mickey Mouse, so what better way...
ReplyDeleteI'm really surprised they didn't move Fantasmic to the California Adventure some time back, instead of moving the Old Mill out of its way.
I keep frisbees on my roof! Nice images, especially of Harper's Mill.
ReplyDeleteI guess since I never saw Tom Sawyer Island before Fantasmic arrived, it's harder for me to see the negative change. For me, my first sight still had a wonderful Mill with a wheel and I thought the little landing they built looked charming. I guess I'm just saying that while, yes, Fantasmic may have disrupted the look a bit--I think they actually did a great job in keeping Tom Sawyer Island looking like Tom Sawyer Island.
ReplyDeleteNow....that doesn't mean the swell of crowds in that side of the park during Fantasmic isn't annoying, or that I don't wish I could see the original fort, burning cabin, falls and so forth. :)
And, Chiana, the reason that they didn't move Fantasmic is that they actually created a new show in that lagoon. It was designed on the cheap--like the rest of the park--,however, and didn't last long. They're designing a new, lavish show right now.
I love Fantasmic and hate it at the same time--it's a fun show, but really does congest that side of the park. At the same time, I understand why they would want a show in each park to keep crowds later in the evening (and buying more merchandise).....
Brer Dan
1 word "BEAUTIFUL"
ReplyDeleteWow, I am surprised (in a good way) at all of the nice comments these two photos received, since I thought they were a little bit "eh"! Thanks everybody.
ReplyDelete1956 was a very good year.. :D
ReplyDeletethese are beautiful; what a gorgeous day to be at the Park
for me, Fantasmic! would be nice at CA because there is simply not enuf room at DL for the crowds it attracts. i have never sat to watch the show there (only at WDW) for that reason. once youre in, hope you dont have to leave for some reason! :-o