Pacific Ocean Park, September 1959 - Part Two
We're back in Santa Monica, circa 1959, for a continuation of our visit to POP.
This lad is checking out one of the legendary Banana Trains, from one of those attractions that I wish I could have experienced! According to the official guidebook you'll "...Cross a beautiful waterfall, then board a gay Banana Train run by a carefree beachcomber. You'll see cannibals, monkeys and other inhabitants of the South Sea jungles. You'll have an exciting ride up the side of the mountain and into the heart of a volcano. You'll encounter a tropical storm and go through an exotic land lush with tropical planting -- all aboard the Banana Train."
Dad and son pose by the sign post extolling the wonders of the "Deepest Deep" (that arched building just visible in the background). "Join the hunt through the darkness of a subterranean lagoon for a beachcomber who 'disappeared' years ago and the treasure he left behind". Those pesky beachcombers, they're worse than bears.
Well, I don't have the foggiest idea what this is! There just isn't that much info out there. If I didn't know better, I'd have guessed that this was Freedomland. It looks very "Frontierlandy", and I'm not even sure where something like that would have been located. Help!
9 comments:
I really wish I could have seen this park AND the Banana Train! Looks like the engine was located in the back of the train...sort of like Expediton Everest at Animal Kingdom.
hehe in the top pic it looks like there's a train buff in the making in that boy. :)
Can't guess on locations, I'm seeing this place for the first time on your blog.
Personally, riding a gay banana train run by a carefree beachcomber sounds like my idea of heaven!
A young boy mesmorized by a train. Hmm! my kind of kid. Great pics of a very cool place. Thanks Major.
These are great. Your final shot is really unique. Best guess would place it near the Fun Forest. Chris M might know for sure. Thanks for the look.
The kid is thinking "Yeah, compared to Disneyland, this banana train is pretty gay."
Sorry. Had to be said.
There is absolutely nothing gayer than Disneyland ... colorful, creative, artistic, showy, over the top ... This banana train's got nothing on the Tiki Room! LOL!
That's right! gay means something awesome, not something bad, and that means Disneyland is truly the gayest place on earth!
Heya Dave -
That area with the Indian was the "Fun Forest" - a separately ticketed "mini-land" within the park, designed to appeal to little ones. It didn't last too long - and had several strange competing themes...
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