Setting our wayback machine to March 1956, we can head on over to Fantasyland for a peek at the Mickey Mouse Theater. What I wouldn't give for that shield over the entrance! Wonder if some lucky collector has it hanging on his wall (I'm looking at you, Matterhorn1959!). The famous 3-D Jamboree would not debut here until June, and the place was renamed the "Fantasyland Theater" in 1964. For now it looks like you could relax in air conditioned splendor and watch some classic Disney cartoons.
This dark and murky photo shows the old Pavilion Lanai. It looks like the "Haunted Lanai" here. "Aloha, foolish Haoles...". There, I did it again! A haunted Adventureland attraction. It'll be big I tell ya, BIG!
Hey, you know what sucks about spending a week in the mountains? NOTHING!
I'd love even just a copy of each of the Fantasyland attraction shields. I would hope that they ended up in the archives and not tossed out.
ReplyDeleteNever really noticed it but the roof of the old theater is more "themed" than I realized - I just figured it was all facades and curtains, but that brick work looks pretty convincing as an extension of the castle.
ReplyDeleteI just spent 13 days at a lake in the mountains and I can guarantee you, NOTHING sucks about it :-) - Enjoy!
While you two lake hanger outers are rubbing it in that you're not at work, I AM. Working hard...posting on my favorite blogs, LOL. These are very cool photos and I don't remember much about the Lanai. I DO remember that I was always in a hurry to get to either the Matterhorn or the Flying Saucers...until they took them out, that is.
ReplyDeleteI do not have a shield yet...I know where the Snow White shield is now held.
ReplyDeleteYeah, here we are, working hard, posting comments on your blogs, making you look good...
ReplyDeleteand this is the thanks we get..
glad you both had a good time.
JG
those blue tables dont look right with the rest of that lanai pic. maybe in the daylight...
Right now, I could use some air conditioned splendor while watching some classic Disney cartoons. Lugging around 60+ lbs of gear in a heat index of 102 isn't as much fun as it sounds.
ReplyDeleteLost Fantisyland signs? Peanuts! Where is Uti? And how much will it cost to have her delivered to my door?
ReplyDeleteThe old Mickey Mouse Theater(1955-1963), then the Fantasyland Theater (1964-1983) Today it is now Pinocchio. I know people like to harken back to the good old days. Fantasy Land looks much better today then it did prior to the 1983 renovation. Just compare the pics of the two. It was much, much more simpler with a beach carnival look to it.
ReplyDeleteLoved your postscript so I'll add my own:"You know what sucks about LIVING in the Sierra?Not much".Seriously,your comments truly put things in perspective for me.After a while,it's just "home" and you get irritated with the small inconveniences,but you have to stand back and realize how lucky you are to live here and make your living here (tourist industry in my case).For God's sake I'm 12 miles from one the gates to Yosemite and haven't been in "The Park" as we call it for over a year.
ReplyDeletelast week it was ghosts in Fantasyland, this week its a haunting in Adventureland....
ReplyDeletei like where you are going with this!!!
Halloween is my favorite holiday
TokyoMagic!, there was a pin set that I think reproduced many of those original shields...
ReplyDeleteVDT, for the sake of total honesty, the mosquitos did make the mountains just a little less than perfect! But hey, that's nature for ya...
Matterhorn, I wonder if all of the shields survived?
JG, I do appreciate the comments, for sure!
Chuck, why don't you have somebody else carry your 60 pounds of gear? ;-)
Katella, I think I've heard that Uti was rescued from the trash heap by an Imagineer, if you can believe that.
Anonymous, I have to agree that today's Fantasyland is pretty terriffic.
Dave, you are lucky to live up there... I had a long break with no visits, and forgot how much I enjoyed it.
And Nancy, I love haunted stuff, even though I am a die-hard skeptic. Ghosts are just fun! Thanks as always for your nice comments.