Thursday, July 08, 2010

1956 Fantasyland

How can it be gray and gloomy when you are in a place called "Fantasyland"? And yet, that's the way it is in these 1956 photos. Still, you get a pretty good look at the early "tent, shield and pennant" façade of the Snow White attraction. This was before they warned you that it was scary, notice that it is just called, "Snow White and Her Adventures". There's no line, so we may as well ride it!

Gramps is wondering, "Where the hell is everybody?". It is not quite "Omega Man" empty, but still...


Notice a bit of scaffolding surrounding Cinderella's Castle to the rear of the Pirate Ship. I said notice it!! (Sorry, too much caffeine).



5 comments:

Connie Moreno said...

I love going to Disneyland on gloomy days! Of course, its not great for photos but oh well...

Anonymous said...

While I do prefer the "new" Fantasyland facades (my age is showing here), the old ones were certainly cheerful and cost-effective, without really looking cheap.

Hard to believe how much the landscaping has grown up, but still, 50+ years is a long time.

Thank you Major, once again for a trip to my childhood. There and back again, a hobbit's holiday.

JG

Major Pepperidge said...

JG, the "new" Fantasyland is one of the rare times that an improvement is actually an improvement! I have a lot of nostalgia for the original FL, but the 1983 upgrades are beautifully done. Too bad we had to lose the pirate ship and Skull Rock...

Chuck said...

The photo of the 1:1 scale scaffolding surrounding Cinderella's Castle under construction was a complete surprise. I had always assumed that Storybook Gardens had been built using traditional medeival construction techniques by six-inch people in period garb.

Kevin Kidney said...

These are really wonderful. The marigold-colored bunting above the entrance to Snow White appeals to me in ways that shock even me.