It is interesting to compare this photo from 1969 to this photo (undated, but probably 1965 or '66). At some point the old trams with the side seating were replaced with much bigger, more efficient cars that clearly held a LOT more people. They're still pretty nice, but lack the charm of those earlier versions.
The Christmas tree is still up in Town Square for the last Christmas of the 1960's. Here come the '70's! For Disneyland, that was a pretty great decade.
Regarding the first pic, I've totally experienced the frustration those folks on the left are feeling: "Aargh, there's a tram between me & Disneyland!!!"
ReplyDeleteI bet those kids are wondering if they can cut across an empty bench before the tram takes off.
All looks peaceful and calm as the wild and sometimes violent 60's are coming to a close.
ReplyDeleteLittle do these people know in a mere 8 months the Magic Kingdom would be overun with the hippie day takeover. A whole different kind of roach for the boys in white to sweep up off of Main Street.
Rich T., I didn't even think about the fact that the tram was blocking the way. It seems like an odd place to stop, right in the middle where guests would certainly go.
ReplyDeleteAlonzo, I've always wondered how that hippie invasion got organized. Who put the word out, and how did everybody know where to be an when to be there?
I've read that flyers were distributed nationwide to various counterculture groups "advertising" the event and even listing an agenda of events for the day. The Yippies are usually attached to descriptions of the day, so they may have done what organizing was accomplished.
ReplyDeleteThis will give you a good overview of Yippee Day. I worked it as a CM on Main Street. And of the trams, I remember riding both versions.
ReplyDeletehttp://davelandweb.com/yippies/
Chuck, I had also heard about the Yippies... the whole thing seems like a high school idea of hilarity.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I actually have a vintage LA Times front page section with a photo and article about the Yippee invasion, it is interesting to read a contemporary account.
Love the trampezoidal shape of the tram.
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