Just Another Miscellaneous Monday
Here's an unusual shot from Adventureland (January, 1963)... it almost looks like a photo that somebody took by accident. But it's still pretty good for some vintage people-watching, and you get a rare view of the front of the "Big Game Safari" shooting gallery.
Sometimes you just want to take a break during your visit to Disneyland. Find a shady bench, and take a load off your feet, and show off your souvenir hat if you have one. If I had a hat like that fella's, I would definitely wear it to "Dapper Day". The lady's blue fuzzy number has a suitably "Disney" quality (though I can't explain why, exactly). And ma'am, your polka-dotted head scarf is nice too. Wonder what that construction wall is for?
It looks like that raft is about to collide with the Columbia, but don't you worry. The razor-sharp prow of the Columbia will slice right through that raft with no problems whatsoever!
14 comments:
I'm always amazed at how nicely everyone is dressed back in the 50s and 60s, and how few overweight and obese people you see. Times have certainly changed, and not necessarily for the better in this regard.
~~Dee
Big Game Safari - the only "real" shooting gallery I ever got to experience since they didn't take tickets and my mother is so frugal.
The Columbia was built with a rotating, conveyor-belt-like series of sawblades on the bow just for emergencies like this one. Unfortunately, the design feature wasn't copyrighted and had to be removed in 1977 after a successful lawsuit from Toho Productions alleging it was too similar to Megalon.
Thanks, Major. That Adventureland shot is intesting indeed! You almost never see that stretch of buildings in photographs.
@Chuck. Drat, I never saw the saws! I hear they also had extendable pontoon arms to collect the debris. Now that's thinking ahead rather than just having custodial deal with it.
@Major: I am please to see the exterior of the shooting gallery, but I shall rejoice with bells on when somebody can find a photo of the interior.
I suspect the construction walls are for the Red Wagon/Plaza Inn. The patio was an after-built expansion.
Chris Jepsen has a photo and notes here:
http://ochistorical.blogspot.com/2009/09/red-wagon-inn-disneyland-yesterland-dca.html
Anon, the clothes just add to the feeling that Disneyland was a special place, and going there was definitely a special occasion!
Chuck, you sure know your Kaiju! I can't keep track of 'em all.
Pegleg Pete, even though the Jungle Cruise was photographed a lot, Adventureland is by far the least photographed "land".
Katella, believe me, I would be thrilled to find a nice shot inside the shooting gallery! And I think you're right, construction on the Plaza Inn makes perfect sense given the time and location.
My Dad had a hat and a sweater just like that guy, but I don't remember him wearing them together.
I like that strip of buildings in AVL. I had forgotten about the shooting gallery, but recall now that I liked it better than the Frontierland one, but the one at Knotts, most of all.
Nice picture of the rafts and the Columbia. I often wonder if the rafts are on tracks, they seem to be so casually handled by the cast, but how do they manage crossing the track for the bigger ships? I assume Columbia and MT are on the same track...but is this true?
I don't recall the rafts departing from that location either, must be really old pics.
JG
Where do I begin????? First pic, WOW! I had forgotten about that shooting gallery and it was the weirdest feeling to suddenly have dozens of memories come flooding back into my brain! I remember that as I kid I loved the shooting galleries and especially liked THIS one.
Pic two: That lady with the hat is channeling her inner Mary Poppins. Check out her boots! Also look at the ground. YUCK, it's dirty! Do you think the construction walls would come out THAT far for the addition of the Plaza Inn's patio? Just wondering...
Pic three: *insert heavy sigh here* In the distance you can see not only a keel boat but THE FORT LOOKS WONDERFUL. Sadly, today it is in ruins.
As the photo's date indicates it to be from June, 1965 and the Plaza Inn opened on July 18th, Katella Gate is most-assuredly correct about the purpose of the construction fence. The concession was about to be handed-off from Swift Foods, Red Wagon Inn to the Disney-operated Plaza Inn, complete with alfresco dining. Now, if I could only find the Paul Bunyan chilled meat platter, consisting of husky slices of baked ham, turkey breast and Swiss cheese with potato salad... Yes, I always prefer the "husky" slices-! (Sounds more like an adverb lifted from a menu in one of today's casual dining establishments rather than from the 1950's).
@JG, yes the Columbia and MT use the same track - the only track in the Rivers of America. All other craft (canoes, rafts, and the late, great Keel Boats) are/were free floating. As a canoe CM in the late 70s - early 80s, I did enjoy telling guests that although we were not on a track, we were connected by wires to the ceiling, and then look up. A rather large number of people would fall for it and look up, then chuckle at getting pranked.
The Big Game Safari was a great shooting gallery, though I remember being a better shot with the open, iron sights at the Frontierland gallery.
Connie, I only have fuzzy memories of the shooting gallery, but I do know that I thought that the Disneyland shooting galleries were the COOLEST. And now that you're mentioning it, that does seem kind of far for the Plaza Inn. Hmmm....
JG, ya gotta wear the hat and the sweater. They go together like hot dogs 'n mustard. And the rafts used to depart from as many as 3 different locations back in the old days (I think).
Connie, I only have fuzzy memories of the shooting gallery, but I do know that I thought that the Disneyland shooting galleries were the COOLEST. And now that you're mentioning it, that does seem kind of far for the Plaza Inn. Hmmm....
But then I read Nanook's comment. I'm so confused! ;-) But thanks for all of the great Plaza information!
RemainSeatedPlease, can the Twain and the Columbia operate at the same time? I assume "yes", although I've never seen it.
that lovely shot in Adventureland has made me very hungry for a chicken skewer....yum!
the Columbia is just gorgeous; it was one of the 2 things i HAD to experience when i finally got to Disneyland, the other being the Matterhorn...
@Major - I've seen both the Columbia and Mark Twain operating at the same time on busy days. And at least as of 1995 (last time I saw it), they were both operating at the same time as part of "Fantasmic."
@RemainSeatedPlease - I love your story about the wires and the guest reaction. It's people like you that make the world fun.
I've read stories about CMs on the rafts who, when faced with guests who would loudly tell their neighbors that that the boat was on a track, would take the startled passengers on an impromptu, meandering cruise around the Rivers of America just to prove that they really were in charge.
As a former Canoes and Safari Gallery (among others)CM (1970-1977), I will say that I used the "canoes on a track" spiel. And while I have a great memory of the interior of the gallery, I also remember the ricochets!! Ouch!
Columbia and MT were both running on one day of our recent visit in September.
Thanks for the infor on the rafts, I always thought they were on a rail. The operators are very skilled then, to bring them up so casually and accurately.
Our pilot held up to let Columbia go by, very exciting to see that up close.
JG
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