We're still slogging through the worst of the slide lot from August 1969. They're not a total loss though!
This one is sort of odd - our photographer was standing on the remains of the old Monsanto House of the Future - pretty much just the foundation and fountains, along with the reflecting pond that surrounded part of it. So in that respect this is a little bit interesting.
I understand why that trough is carrying water to the waterwheel (to keep away vampires). But why is that side-trough allowing water to spill out of the side? Just for looks? Would it have controlled the amount of water so that the turn-rate of the wheel was consistent?
It really looks as if the Jungle Cruise boat is about to be swallowed by the jungle in this image. Tiny nozzles sprayed A-1 Steak Sauce on the passengers, which didn't bode well.
Large crowds in the distance in August of 1969 can only mean that they were all there for the opening of the Haunted Mansion. Just imagine! The old fishing dock is now the old smoking dock.
I am still away from home, but I'll be checking in at least once a day!
Major-
ReplyDeleteThe "offramp" partially diverting water on that overshot water wheel dispenses water to passing horses of General Custer's cavalry, should they be in need of a drink.
That "tunnel" technique you see in the Jungle Cruise image seems to be a staple of various Disneyland attractions. It's in the Storybook Land Canal Boats with Monstro the Whale, Submarine Falls swallowing the subs, The tunnel at the beginning of both Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland. Then there are the Matterhorn's bobsleds which first enter the tunnels to the lift hill to be carried up to their run. Even the Fantasyland dark rides have 'tunnels' or portals to what's inside.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that even the entrance to Disneyland has two tunnels "portals".
ReplyDeleteI keep looking for my family in these pictures.
ReplyDeleteThat first shot is definitely uninteresting... except for the location and the knowledge of what used to be there, which makes it almost awesome.
Nanook, I think that the water was so that General Custer's horse could take a shower. Just a theory.
ReplyDeleteK. Martinez, you are right about the use of tunnels as transitions; I think John Hench likened them to entering a dream realm (I am paraphrasing badly), with the tunnels delineating the border between the "real world" and the fantasy world within the ride.
Tom, who knows, maybe someday we'll find a picture with your family!
Tunnels and holes as a transitional metaphor have a long history in mythology and symbolism. The image is present in all cultures in various forms.
ReplyDeleteA striking example is the Hopi and Pueblo legend image of the birth of the Human race, climbing up out of a hole in the earth into the World. The ceremonial Kiva was an explicit reversal of the process, descending again to the spirit world for reconnection to beings there.
Hadn't thought about this at Disneyland, but, yep, there it is... over and over. Alice, Space Mountain, IASW, Pirates...
Thanks.
JG