Four From 1996
1996! There was a brand new game called "Pokemon", Atlanta GA hosted the Summer Olympics, The Ramones played their last show, and "Braveheart" won Best Picture at the 68th Academy Awards. Now you know.
The Candy Palace? A palace for candy?! This Main Street shop has been a popular destination for many years. Not for me though, I've never been inside to tell the truth. I do sometimes look in the window and watch the confectioners make various treats. Roger Rabbit is in the window, perhaps because this picture was taken in April. April = Easter (usually) = rabbits, see?
When Dumbo's Flying Elephants was moved from its original location during Fantasyland's 1983 redo, the ride's appearance was enhanced with the elaborate toylike mechanism seen here. I think I've read that this was originally intended for Tokyo Disneyland. Look at all the trees behind the attraction, it looks so nice.
Speaking of trees, howsabout this beautiful big magnolia tree located in the Hub? I love magnolias, they always make me think of my grandma's house in Encino, California. Does anybody know if this tree is still at the park?
Storybook Land is about as charming as a ride can get, and yet it isn't cutesy. Here's a boatload of guests about to be eaten by Monstro - before his facelift, tooth veneers, botox injections, and collagen lip enhancements. He's not blue either (though he looks blue-black here).
10 comments:
As much as I miss the Pirate Ship and Skull Rock, I do love the way they created a Dumbo area with the flying elephants, Casey Jr. and the Band Organ all together. It's a beautiful area.
Would have been great if they could have moved Hook's ship back toward Small World or something...
The "16-elephant" version of the Dumbo attraction in this pic was intended for Disneyland Paris, not Tokyo Disneyland. It replaced the "10-elephant" version which resided there from 1983-1990.
Due to mechanical problems with the original, Anaheim needed a quick replacement. Disneyland Paris wasn't to open in 2 years, so Anahiem received it instead.
Didn't one of the Dumbo vehicles actually fall off in 1990?
TokyoMagic!, From what I understand, a bracket support broke. Not sure if that means the Dumbo vehicle actually fell off. Maybe someone will chime in with more information.
It's hard to believe they re-used the original 1955 Dumbo ride when they re-themed it for the New Fantasyland in 1983.
Rich T - I think I remember reading somewhere (maybe Chris Strodder's "Disneyland Encyclopedia") that the original plan was indeed to move Capt Hook's ship back towards small world. I want to say that they found problems with rotting wood under the waterline and decided that the ship couldn't be moved. Several pieces were saved and reused elsewhere in the park.
Is my memory playing tricks on me, or did the 16-elephant version always have a fountain? I seem to remember it being installed during a 1994 or 1995 rehab, but am not 100% sure. Anybody know?
Oh, and Roger Rabbit was in the Candy Palace window in February of that same year with a Valentine theme: Candy Palace Window February '96
Chuck, the Dumbo fountain has been there since 1983 when New Fantasyland opened. The 16 elephant unit was installed in 1990..
Rich T, believe it or not, my first ride on Dumbo was….last year! Guess what? It was fun!
K. Martinez, ah, Paris, that was it! I wish I had spent a few minutes to research it, but what can I say, I was lazy.
TokyoMagic!, I have never heard about a Dumbo vehicle falling off… holy crap! That would be a big deal.
K. Martinez again, did they really use the original old Dumbo in 1983? I guess I assumed that it was all brand new.
Chuck, that is pretty much what I've heard about the pirate ship as well. Not sure if I believe it 100%, not that it matters what I think…
TokyoMagic!, at least he is wearing a different outfit….
K. Martinez, thanks for the additional Dumbo info!
Sorry this post is a tad late: Despite what we've all read about--Disneyland had NO intention of keeping the original Fantasyland Jolly Roger Pirate Ship--it was in such bad shape. WED/WDI did try and save some elements for historical value, but were damaged when being removed. The plan was to rebuild a slightly smaller ship to be part of a Pirate Cove ticketed play area (ala Tom Sawyer Island)Again the intend was that a guest would have to use a ticket. The area was to also have a juice/beverage service area aboard the new boat. When it was decided to created a Alice In Wonderland section and relocate the teacups and center the carousel etc, the Piarte Cove play area was placed and hold and considered for an new area about where Dumbo Circus had been considered. At around the same time a Black Cauldron attraction was being developed to go in the same area (it would have allowed guests to select their course thru the attraction. It went as far as to have a complete design team -- "An all-new ride thru for Fanatsyland with a young adult orientation -a participatory experience with the impact of Pirates of the Caribbean and the competitive, repetitive qualities of the best computerized arcade games" ........."Changing demographics and increasing sophestication requires that Fantasyland provide an alternative to the dark rides and familiar character we all grew up with"
The film was a disapointment and Disneyland shyed away.....
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