Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Omnibus and Monstro, October 1962

You can't tell here, but the kid in the foreground actually closed both eyes when taking a picture. Ansel Adams did the same thing, or so I've just made up. Did you know that the prefix "Omni" is Latin for "all" or "every"? So the Omnibus was for everyone. Not just the royal family or Batman or whatever. Still, the wearing of a top hat is encouraged.


Monstro thinks those canal boats are like potato chips. He can't eat just one! And the people are like bean dip. Delish! The normally-colorful, flowerful sign for Storybook Land is bare dirt, which isn't very storybookish at all.


8 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

Damn, I sure miss the Skyway. What a great shot of Story Book Land and the surrounding area. You can even spy the orange diamond pattern of the "helm roof" sitting atop the old Fantasyland Train Station.

Thanks, Major.

Anonymous said...

Major, the aerial photo of Story Book Land is awesome! Little known fact: Monstro had a bit of British heritage in him, so in true Titanic fashion he also preferred women and children first.

Bill in Denver

Alonzo P Hawk said...

Great aerial photo. The dirt sign was from the little known phase when it was called Storybook Land-scaping. Right side boat occupants were required to reach out and plant a flower as they passed by. Short lived promotion as the union soon put an end to it.

Connie Moreno said...

Both shots are great but your commentary sends them over the top!
:-)

K. Martinez said...

The "Storybook Land" dirt reminds me of Happy Valley after the singing harp was stolen by the giant. Too bad they didn't incorporate some scenes from the Mickey and the Beanstalk segment of "Fun & Fancy Free" into Storybook Land. I think at one time they thought of including it or at least the sleeping giant from that film. Or maybe that was from the Mickey Mouse short "The Brave Little Tailor".

I'm still trying to figure out where on the Plaza Hub the snapshot was taken. Anyone know?

Anonymous said...

Wow! Waterfall, babushka, umbrellas, strollers galore, trashcan and a WHALE! Best photo of early Storybook Land ever.

DZ

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I totally agree…. such a simple ride, but the chance to view Disneyland from way up in the air was so wonderful and relaxing. "Helm roof", that's a new one on me. Named for Matt Helm?

Bill in Denver, if you could see his other eye, it would be wearing a monocle! Very British indeed.

Alonzo, that's a brilliant idea. Have the guests do the landscaping as part of the ride… cuts down on labor costs, and makes the experience "interactive".

Connie, thanks!

K. Martinez, I'm sure you've read that in early plans, Storybook Land was supposed to have the head of a giant poking up behind some hills. Not sure if it was going to be Willie (or whatever his name is). A super-tall beanstalk would be a good addition. Maybe?

DZ, I'm glad you liked this one, though I must have better shots than this! Still, it's always nice to know that people are enjoying the photos.

Melissa said...

Wow, I've never seen Monstro from that angle before. He looks even more whaley (Whelsh?) from above.

I was about to call babushka on the lady just above the GDB watermark, but I'm not sure I can really tell what's going on there. It almost looks like a white mantilla of some sort. Or maybe the hood of a really loose jacket?