Hand-picked Honey, June 1962
There's just one photo today, gang. But it's a fun pic!
Here's a charming and helpful Disneyland Tour Guide, as she recites some facts about Tomorrowland. Another guide is in the background, maybe she was heading to the administration building on the far side of the park (where there were employee lockers, from what I've read). It looks like it was a chilly "June gloom" morning; Tex needs his coffee, even though he is used to sleeping on the prairie during a blizzard. You can just see a bit of the Monsanto House of the Future, not to mention oodles of attraction posters.
18 comments:
You're right...it is a fun pic, Major! And you know I like your post title. Who can forget that description from the Tour Guide article you posted? I can't!
I wish we could all step into this photo and go for a "vintage" tour of the park!
Tokyo, that is a fine idea! i would like one of those fancy capes, too. i dont remember ever seeing one before.
Any idea what they used the riding crop for?
That Matterhorn poster is a beauty. I remember the 'guides' walking around with their 'crops' held up in the air for the group to pay special to something, point out a particular sight or for easy finding in a crowd. Not sure what younger unruly guest thought... :: wink/wink ::
I can tell you this, they always were very professional looking and were a pleasure to see in the park.
I would love to find one of those capes with the Disneyland Guide patch.
Of course this is a fantastic photo with one of the cute tour guides of the time period.
Stunning Tour Guide! Red head kid on the left is clearly speechless.... Tex is too cool for words.
Hey that tour guide patch is ultra neato!
Very cute tour guide.
Chuck, I remember seeing the guides use the riding crops as a sort of flag. Since they are walking around in crowds they would hold the crop up so that tour participants could see where the guide was as they walked along.
TM!, I know you love those hand-picked honeys!
Nancy, if you wear a cape, you become an honorary superhero.
Chuck, the riding crops were used on very naughty boys. And for pointing!
Thufer, I don't think I ever recall seeing a tour guide at Disneyland, though I must have; if I HAD seen one, I'm sure I would have wished I could sneak into the group and follow them around.
Matterhorn, I wonder if any of the guides were allowed to keep their costumes. Who knows, one might show up in a thrift shop, like your gold-painted hat!
VDT, she IS a cutie! I'll have to go back and see if any other photos of tour guides show that patch.
Anon, you are right, when the park was crowded it might be easy to lose a 5-foot 2-inch girl... the riding crop would make her more visible.
Oh dear, she is eye-catching, no doubt about that. I'll look at the other stuff later.
I remember seeing the guides dressed like this, the costumes are very complex, psychologically, that is.
Thanks Major, this goes straight to the desktop.
JG
I so wanted to become a tour guide! I graduated HS in'66 and that's what I wanted to do but I had no encouragement from my parents so it never happened. I big regret on my part.
The cape and riding crop? Niiiicccceee (whip those long-haired hippes into shape).
It is a great picture, though. It's probably early morning (not a huge amount of people, plus Tex drinking his coffee), and the sun had not burned off he marine layer.
But, yes, that cape is fabulous.
Wow. Nearly 50 years ago. She's probably in her late 60s-early 70s by now. Nice shot. Almost feels like I'm part of the tour group.
Yes, I remember seeing tour guides holding their riding crops aloft to help their groups to follow (particularly in crowded conditions). Tour group participants used to get triangular tags to identify them as being on a tour (see http://vintagedisneylandtickets.blogspot.com/2008/01/guided-tour.html and scroll down a bit). When I worked at the Mouse House in the late 70s to early 80s, guides would often have the tags for their group tied to the riding crop. Why? I don't know. But they fluttered nicely at the end of the crop when held up high.
I'm with Tokyo, let's find a way to jump into that photo! I do remember seeing the tour guides and very much wanted to be one when I grew up BUT...I hated the plaid skirts. I went to parochial school and our uniforms were very similar red plaid and I HATED my uniform! Maybe I should look into it now - ya think they hire "seniors"???
I had forgotten they had attraction posters in the walk-up to Old Tomorrowland. I do remember seeing the tour guides leading small groups of people around. As a kid, I never understood that. Why would you need a tour guide? They hand you maps as you enter, and the park layout is simple and easily comprehended. Small wonder the service was eventually discontinued.
Great photo.
I always wanted to date a tour guide. I think the riding crop gave them authority!
Ack. She's wearing that bleeping rhomboid nametag. That one haunts me. It's so rare I will probably never find it. Anyone got one for sale? I will pay any price for a genuine one!
Tours are still available. Small booth on the left as you come under the train. It is loosely based on equestrian outfits. I saw one last weekend with a riding helmet sans chin strap but still with the riding crop. Apparently wearing a riding habit is quite historical for Disneyland.
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