Today's pictures aren't very exciting, but I had to use them sometime.
New Orleans Square Station is important because that's where the water tower is; water is as important to a steam locomotive as fuel. Oh sure, rich people put champagne in their locomotives, but water is good enough for me. Sometimes I'll mix in a little bit of Tang™ orange-flavored drink mix, but that's only for special occasions.
Once upon a time, you could amaze your friends with the news that there was a private club in Disneyland that was only available to a rich (and lucky) clientele. And it serves booze! But these days, everyone seems to know about it. I've loved this tasteful etched glass sign ever since seeing it in Christopher Finch's "The Art of Walt Disney".
There's the old doorway to the club's foyer; Club 33 is apparently going through some significant changes (Does that include the logo? I think I read that somewhere). I wouldn't really care about the changes, except that we ordinary Joes no longer have the Court of Angels to use as a quiet refuge from the crowds. I especially enjoyed it when it was decked out for Christmas.
I read on some DLRR message forum in the past 9 months or so that the water tower was being decommissioned in favor of a high-pressure water hose. According to this rumor, the water tower would be left in place for aesthetic purposes but not actually used (sort of like the water tower at the Toontown station, which was never functional to begin with). I don't know if this actually happened and can't seem to find the actual posting now.
ReplyDeleteI am also sad to hear of the repurposing of the Court of Angels, and was really disappointed to see some of the really nasty "get over it, who cares, nobody even knew it was there" commentary that was running around the Disney blogosphere around the time of the announcement. We can't all be happy with every change that's made with the Park, but we should at least be able to accept and respect that different aspects of Disneyland mean different things to different people, and even if something means nothing to you it may actually be very deeply meaningful to someone else. But I also understand that that's often what passes for discourse on the Interweb these days.
I understand the perceived need for a more controllable entrance to Club 33, though. While the "secret" entrance may have worked well for many years, unobtrusively blending in with the false doors along Royal Street contributing to the illusion of a real New Orleans neighborhood, as crowds have grown larger, they have expanded into all available space, and sometimes that ends up blocking the entrance. One my last visit to DL, I actually saw a stroller parked in that "out-of-the-way" corner in front of the door.
Chuck, I read the same thing. It is SO dumb, apparently the issue is the "danger" of having train personnel stand on a stepladder. Or something. Oh well. I've been surprised at how many people seem excited at the changes to Club 33 when, chances are, most of them will never get to see this exclusive area for the wealthy (or well-connected) few. And it sounds like a case of sour grapes, but the prospect of eating there has never excited me that much. I would certainly go if invited, but when all is said and done, it's a restaurant. It is fascinating to look at the Disney Facebook pages, so often I disagree with the general consensus on a particular subject! Makes me feel out of touch.
ReplyDeleteThere are several classic attractions that are getting "improvements" lately either due to direct comment by Cal/OSHA or for fear of action by the same body. I understand there are new handrails being installed in iasw, and the ongoing Alice refurb includes shortening the outdoor track, moving it closer to the show building, and possibly adding permanent handrails. I'm curious as to how many injuries have actually been sustained by maintenance personnel falling from the track since 1958.
ReplyDeleteWill they start handing out safety goggles and reflective belts to guests as they enter the Park?
My cousin had a membership to Club 33 paid for by his company years ago, and my wife and I had an opportunity to eat there back in '95. It was pretty cool to be in a "secret" place, the decor was awesome, it was interesting looking down on the crowds below, and it was fun peeking into the private dining area intended for the Disneys, but you're right - at the end of the day it was a restaurant, and while the ambience was nice, it wasn't the Blue Bayou. It also gave us a glimpse into a world we could never afford to live in - the place was so upscale it had its own "Club 33" logo paper towels in the lavatory.
The issue with the water tower is that there's apparently an OSHA regulation that says you can't stand on anything 30" off the ground without a railing in place. Meaning engine crews cannot climb on top of the tender deck to grab the water spout. So, using step ladder (with side railings AND a chain in front to prevent anyone from stepping off the top of the ladder), the crews now step up at the side of the tender to fill the tank with a water hose.
ReplyDeleteChuck - From the current work being done on Alice in Wonderland it appears that they're keeping the entire outdoor leaf-track intact, but modifying it with safety railings. At this same time the interior of Alice in Wonderland will be redone with new animation effects. In fact all of the Fantasyland dark rides will undergo a major re-do with state-of-the-art animatronics just in time for Disneyland's 60th anniversary. At least that's the latest report online.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Court of Angels, I can understand people being upset, but the majority of visitors will not notice. I've seen so many changes through the years, that it doesn't even phase me anymore when a long time tradition has been removed from the Park. While Club 33 doesn't interest me in general, I am curious to see what they do with the expansion this year.
Thanks, Steve! And seeing your name here reminded me to go place that order I'd been putting off for "From Plantation to Theme Park."
ReplyDeleteTang is one of those things that made our Disney trips special. Staying in our budget Motel with shag carpet, kitchenette, and Color TV, I could enjoy a morning feast of Svenhard's pastry, variety pack cereal, and Tang in wonderful 1960's splendor before heading off to the park. (Needless to say we were not Club 33 members.)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm a dope. What (and where) is the "Court of Angels?"
ReplyDeleteThe majority of visitors will not notice improvements to the interior of Club 33, either. At least before, there was a chance.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous-
ReplyDelete(Ultimately) thanks to Daveland, here's a link that has some pics and description. I'm certain you've known it all along.