Dumbo & Toad, April 29 1956
Fantasyland is the most "Disney" of all the lands (as many folks have pointed out), and it's hard not to feel warm fuzzies when looking at some old photos of the place.
The picture below is unusual. Not great, but unusual. King Arthur's Carrousel is to our left, Dumbo's Flying Elephants and the Pirate Ship are in the background, and a couple of families are gathered at the table - time for lunch! - with a tiny orange tree nearby. If Charlie Brown had an orange tree, it would look like that. Notice the lady, seated to our right in the pale yellow dress, with the Mamie Eisenhower hairdo! Mamie's husband Dwight was our President at the time, y'know.
This slightly-askew view shows the façade of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (I am so glad that we still have our Toad!), while a small crowd of spiffy guests watch the teacups go 'round and 'round to the right.
This slightly-askew view shows the façade of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (I am so glad that we still have our Toad!), while a small crowd of spiffy guests watch the teacups go 'round and 'round to the right.
10 comments:
Wow, the Dumbos with the flapping ears....and before the addition of Timothy or the mirrored ball. Oh, and I want that shield above the Mr. Toad sign!
The second photo captures perfectly how I feel immediately after a good spin on the Mad Tea Party...
Two classics! First photo, I want that ketchup and mustard dispenser for my kitchen!!! Second photo, WOW, great Mr. Toad facade shot, love all the details - thanks Major!
Hello Major,
Some interesting photos from 1956. You know. About the orange tree. I know imagineers often will say they try to leave something from the past as part of a new attraction.
I think it is a crying shame that those in charge of Disneyland did not save at least one of the original orange trees or perhaps a row of 5 or 6 of them (even if they needed to be transplanted) as part of the landscape of Disneyland. I mean they could have planted them along the walkway to the left side behind Storybook and on your way Small World. A little plaque saying these are 5 of the original trees that stood on this land before Disneyland. Some added interest. Mind you, I think 95% of people who go to Disneyland today and especially those who are 35 years of age and under couldn't care, but I think it would have added some historical interest to the landscape.
My parents and my two older siblings went to Disneyland the first time in 1958. I remember my mom and dad telling me in 1967 or so and a few years after that to my other younger siblings in the 1970's that Mr. Toads was one of main attractions at Disneyland back in 1958.
I remember the old Fantasyland when I was a kid. It had a more carnival and Balboa Beach Fun Zone feel to it back then. It is much more attractive now. There was too much concrete back then and it was devoid of any trees or plantings. However, back then you didn't notice, but it really stands out in sharp contrast now.
The title of this post sounds like an English pub.
"Oi, come down to Dumbo & Toad for a pint, mate!"
@ OC Native. I agree, with the exception of the loss of the pirate ship, the "New Fantasyland" is a big improvement on the old one, IMHO.
I kind of miss the colorful signs, but gladly trade them for the more lavish theming.
JG
"Spiffy guests", indeed-! Although I'm not certain that the 'saddle shoes/sport jacket combo' isn't a giant fashion DON'T. What's the George Gobel line... "Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?" The saddle shoes may be Disneyland chic, but the sport coat may be a bit over the top - even in 1956 America.
And as for those ketchup/mustard dispensers, I know I've seen them somewhere recently. But where-?
TM!, now that you mention it, I did not even notice that the mirror ball and Timothy are not present in the Dumbo photo. And yes, I want all of the dark ride shields! Wonder if anybody saved them when Fantasyland was redone.
Chuck, that's what you get for eating a Pluto burger less than 30 minutes before riding the Teacups.
VDT, I thought you were joking about the ketchup/mustard dispenser, but there it is!
OC Native, of course I agree with you. Orange trees don't last forever, of course, but there are ways. Even if they saved ONE nice tree, and included a sign, I'll bet many visitors would find it interesting.
JG, I thought all pub names had to refer to boars or lions, but toads and Dumbos are good too!
Nanook, I admit that the saddle shoes look a bit odd, but he was trying to be an individual. George Gobel, there's a name that a lot of people won't recognize! As for the ketchup and mustard dispensers, maybe Vintage Disneyland Tickets can help!
My eyes immediately went to the mustard and catchup dispensers but then I noticed the Dumbos - just HOW did you get in??? They don't have an opening like today's Dumbos do.
That guy in the saddle shoes is PIMP!!
love how colorful these two images are. i have been wanting a pair of saddle shoes for a few years now...loved them as a kid! they are a bit more expensive these days, so i am saving up my allowance!
I don;t care what the dign says; I refuse to waste paper!
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