We get a good look at the Caterpillar ride vehicles from the Alice In Wonderland dark ride in this photo; I think it's safe to say that these are my favorite of all dark ride vehicles. Yes, they even beat out Peter Pan's flying pirate ships. The kid in the front seat looks just like Opie!
Next we have two bird's eye views, including this shot looking down on Storybook Land. Love the lighthouse (and am glad that it is still there today!), it was a magnet for strollers apparently. Monstro looks mighty fine in his formal black and white paint scheme.
A few seconds later we pass above Captain Hook's Pirate Ship and wonderful Skull Rock. The landscaping and use of waterfalls really added a lot to the visual appeal of this much-missed icon. In the distance, the massive "It's a Small World" building gleams. You can see that the clock is doing its thing!
The perspective on the last one surprises me! What's the little awning for to the left under the palms?
ReplyDeleteThe lady under the umbrella in the complimentary colored/striped shirt picked out a nice area to sit at but looks like she could use some company. So, laters :)
I remember sitting under those awnings and eating clam chowder from the pirate ship restaurant. I miss this part of Fantasyland so much. The new Fantasyland of 1983 would have been perfect if only they had kept the pirate ship and Skull Rock and found another place to relocate Dumbo!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking pictures of Monstro and Scull Rock. Really beautiful for casual shots.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photo of the tuna boat area. The best I have seen.
ReplyDeleteagree, these are very nice. yes, i have eaten under those awnings as well, (good times and good eats).
ReplyDeletein the second picture, look above where monstro's blow hole would be. see the guy standing next to the track? hummm, wonder what that's about? i don't recall ever seeing a 'security type' person on this attraction before.
Ah, all beauties indeed. Maybe that's a maintenance man next to the tracks? 3rd photo has a great perspective with Small World & the monorail beam in the background. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSecond Photo, at the margin at the 10-11 o'clock position. Yellow and white plywood walls, assorted tables and umbrellas. Close to where the boats are parked for the night.
ReplyDeleteIs this a break area?
It sort of looks like that mystery man in photo #2 is a maintenance man, is he wearing blue coveralls?
ReplyDeleteAnd Katella Gate, I would like to know the same thing; it appears to be a construction area, but the umbrellas seem to throw that theory off...
That area with the walls and the umbrellas is where the tracks for the train used to be. If this is 1966, then the tracks would very recently have been relocated just a little north for the addition of Small World. To this day, there are still gates there that lead to the backstage area where the boats and and Casey Jr. Trains are stored. There is even still an old train tunnel back there beyond the Skyway building. If you look at old aerial shots, you can see that the train used to run directly behind Storybook Land.
ReplyDeleteThat boy is definitely Opie, but that definitely ain't Aunt Bee! That woman looks like she's about to kidnap that boy for a ransom!
ReplyDeleteOh, man, that shot of Skull Rock!
ReplyDeleteJust the best.
Is there any way I can post the last pic to my twitter pic page? I would of course credit the great Gorillas Don't Blog as the source.
ReplyDeletelovely shots today...
ReplyDeleteMonstro is always a favorite and LOOOVE the metal strollers..big thanks for those!
Skull Rock is one of those things that i actually do get upset about being gone....never got to eat the tuna there :(
Nancy: Perhaps it's best you never had sandwiches at Scull Rock. I ate tuna there often and it was life-changing.
ReplyDeleteTo this day, if my sandwiches aren't cut four ways on the diagonal and skewered with little pirate swords, I am positively miffed.
Really. And don't get me started if tea isn't served to me in cups and saucers.