Friday, September 06, 2013

Monstro, February 1962

I love this first picture from Fantasyland, showing the Pirate Ship, Skull Rock (barely), and Monstro, all from an angle that one doesn't normally see. The last pink rays of sunlight add a dreamy air to the scene. Since this is February, it's probably only about 4:30 - the park generally closed by 6 o'clock. A few brave souls in sweaters, jackets, and even a few babushkas, loiter in this quiet corner of  the park. I wish I could step into the picture and walk around!


Did you know that when the park closes, Monstro actually shuts his mouth? 



15 comments:

Nanook said...

Major- If Monstro closes his mouth upon the Park's closing, how does he brush his teeth-??

Nancy said...

That first picture is beautiful! Love the little bit of greenery on the upper corners, beautiful light and those orange and blue umbrellas are a favorite of mine! :-)

Alonzo P Hawk said...

Winter pictures are welcome here (108 in Phx today). The return of babushka Friday. Thanks Major.

K. Martinez said...

Awesome first image. I love the open look and feel of Fantasyland here.

The volcanic benches around Skull Rock Lagoon were so cool. I'm glad they still have them in the Enchanted Tiki Room's garden area.

Extra beautiful set today. Thanks!

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, he lets those little shrimp clean his teeth, just like I do!

Nancy, that first one is a goodie!

Alonzo, it was 103 yesterday, so I am almost in the same situation as you. I am SO looking forward to cooler weather.

K. Martinez, it seems hard to believe, but as far as I know this is the only photo in my entire collection that was taken from this angle. Which makes it extra special.

Nanook said...

@ Major-

Of course it's shrimp-! That musta been what my dentist kept saying, but I thought he was saying "chimp". I'd already had a bad experience with a "helper monkey".

Finally - clean teeth-!

GDB - the helpful blog. Better than Hints from Heloise any day-!

Thanks, Major.

Nanook said...

Hey -

What is that sign, pictured at the very far left of the Monstro image-? "PHILLIPS", followed by two other words. Hmmmmm.

PsySocDisney said...

Alonzo I feel you, I'm in Phoenix myself! Staying inside and viewing vintage Disney stuff helps beat the heat. WE CAN'T ALL LIVE IN A COOL POOL AND A SHADY CAVE LIKE YOU, MONSTRO.

K. Martinez said...

@Nanook -

I saw that too! I thought it was Phillips Milk of Magnesia in the barrel for Monstro after digesting guests all day long.

Nanook said...

@K. Martinez - Touché-!

Melissa said...

I love how the spiky/curvy bits on the fence behind the switchback evoke not only the waves of the canal’s water, but also Monstro’s magnificent chompers. And, at some point in history, wouldn’t the stripey lighthouse be bringing out similar stripes on the pirate ship’s sails?

He sort of looks like a Bond villain emerging from his lair in the second picture.

Monstro, the prince of whales;
Monstro, he’ll spin you tall tales.
Pretty babushka, you’ll think you can win,
But never believe him, he’s luring you in!

Monstro, the prince of whales;
Monstro, and when your boat sails,
Deeper you’ll drift in his watery lair,
Held in the arms of the rabid March Hare,
And just when you think you’ll break free,
Whose tartar-caked grin do you see?

Monstro, the prince of whales;
Monstro, his will never fails!
Bring your kid brother to sit on the rails.
Come in the winter and pray for a gale.
Try as you like, you can never prevail over Monstroooooooo,
The prince of whaaaaaaales!



steve2wdw said...

Well I'll be.....a kid sitting on the switchback! I thought that only today's kids were lazy, but here we have proof that their malaise existed years ago too.

As usual, great shots....thanks for posting!

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I used to let a chimp clean my teeth, but one day he put on a top hat and monocle and told me (with a British accent) that he was quitting.

Nanook again, the sign is for a musician named Paul Phillips (I only know this because we get a better look at the sign in another photo). He later gave birth to the trio known as Wilson Phillips.

PsySocDisney, my weather app says it is 104 right now. Ugh. When I talk to someone who says, "I like hot weather!" I want to punch them.

K. Martinez, all Monstro needs is some fiber, if you know what I'm saying.

Melissa, I need to know what tune goes with your lyrics - you probably hinted at it, but didn't pick up on it. (It isn't "Goldfinger", is it?)

steve2wdw, I don't know if the kid is lazy… he appears to be with the 3 adults who are hogging the bench. And I'll bet they've all done a lot of walking and standing that day!

PsySocDisney said...

I love dry heat, it's humid heat that's insufferable. Please don't punch me.

Melissa said...

This one doesn't really have its own tune, per se. It's sort of bits of Goldfinger, From Russia, with Love, and Thunderball tossed together and mixed with bathtub gin.