Here's a neat shot of the old Chemical Wagon, jam-packed with riders (and plenty more waiting their turn). Notice the sign with the map of Fantasyland.
Here's a zoomed-in view, just because details are fun.
Here's a zoomed-in view, just because details are fun.
In olden days, no churros were to be had. It was popcorn, or ice cream bars, or nothing! But popcorn is OK with me. I love this colorful view, and the vendor practically glows in his white costume.
Every day was "Dapper Day" back then!
Every day was "Dapper Day" back then!
I love how a visit to the park was a 'dress-up' affair. I always had visits with my children to be an excuse to get and wear their 'Disney' outfits. Never formal but always new, nice and worn properly. Packing their new duds and getting up early in the motel room to wear them for the first time are some really wonderful memories for both my children and me.
ReplyDeleteThat Chemical Wagon does not look too comfortable. Having to stand up as the horses pull it along.
ReplyDeleteLook at that big open space next to the castle.
Just over the mound of dirt, you can see a wood structure being built. I think that is the show building for the Mine Train under construction.
ReplyDeleteI really, REALLY enjoyed these!
ReplyDeleteThat last photo reminds me of the new Pan Am television series (not really recommending it, but the clothes and music are touching). I don't remember the real world being this perfect...but there it is!
ReplyDelete@Debbie V. The dark events of later years almost scrubbed out the world of youth, but thanks to the Major for posting photos like this, I can revisit that perfect world and remember bright happy times.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably still not what anyone would call sane, but looking at pictures like this sure helps. And it's cheaper than therapy.
JG
Thufer, it must have made the whole Disneyland experience so much nicer when everyone looked so neat and tidy. When I was there a week ago, there were so many slobs.
ReplyDeleteOC Native, it doesn't look like much fun, does it? They are really jammed in there. And yes, I forgot to mention the piles of earth and the construction. I believe you are correct about it being Mine Train related (possibly the Rainbow Caverns show building).
Connie, I'm glad you liked these!
Debbie V., it didn't last long, but this does look pretty perfect. Of course the real world outside of Disneyland had its problems... we just like to remember all the good stuff.
JG, these photos are the kind of thing that got me into collecting Disneyland images; yes, they are from Disneyland, but they also reflect a different time in our history.
In answer to the questions that nobody asked, on Sunday, April 29, 1956, Disneyland was open from 10 AM - 8 PM and had a total attendance of 13,322. Interestingly, in the spring of 1956, Sunday rather than Saturday was consistently the highest attended day.
ReplyDeleteProgressland, I've often thought that folks in some of these older photos looked like they'd come straight from church. Now I know that there might actually be something to that!
ReplyDeleteBoy, they sure got ‘em crammed in the Chemical Wagon!
ReplyDeleteDon't you sad, boring, repetitive old men have something better to do than put down people (who you deem to be slobs)? Maybe you have a Tea Party meeting to attend? Or maybe you, Major, could spend your time finding some more interesting pictures than what you usually put on here? It's getting old.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! I agree with Thufer and the Major. Let's get back to the good old days when people weren't slobs, and the women wore skirts, and the gays were thrown in jail, and the blacks knew their place!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, aka Troll, why do you look at this blog if it bores or offends you? I know it's not for everybody, and nobody is forcing you to look at it.
ReplyDeleteClearly if I like seeing vintage pictures in which people dress nicely, it means that I want gays thrown in jail and minorities oppressed. Your logic is flawless and I hang my head in shame.
Hey trolls, there's a whole internet out there for you to roll around, so get out of here, if you don't like it.
ReplyDeleteWe can see your world out the window, we don't need your commentary added.
And don't mess with Thufer. He's three times the man you'll ever be.
JG