Tuesday, February 02, 2016

More Night Photos, The Magic Kingdom, November 1971

Continuing a series of night photos from the Magic Kingdom just weeks after it opened (given to me by "Mr. X"), we see this nice photo of the Market House. I know so little about WDW, and am just assuming that this Market House was on the east side of Main Street, roughly where the Disneyland version was. Is this incorrect? I'm also guessing that guests could buy snacks and coffee there, but you can tell me.


We finally leave Main Street, and head to Liberty Square, where the Riverboat Landing is located. You can even see the brightly-lit "Admiral Joe Fowler" beyond the fancy (Greek Revival?) structure. I love that the sign tells us that we'll need a "D" ticket for a ride! Looks like there is plenty of room, let's GO.


10 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

Once again - the clarity and color from this set of images continues to impress. As for the Market House location, it sits where the Gibson Greeting Cards/Hallmark Communication Center, and now Disney Clothiers resides at Disneyland.

Thanks "Mr. X" & Major.

Scott Lane said...

All I really remember about the stores on WDW's Main St is that, although individual storefront facades on the outside, they were actually just 2 large buildings. There was a "back hallway" that ran the length of the 2 buildings on the east side that I would use to avoid the afternoon crowds on the street if I was headed to Tomorrowland. If I was zooming to the HM or POTC, the Penny Arcade (on the west side) had a back door that let you out by the Crystal Palace.

TokyoMagic! said...

If you look closely at the boat in the second pic, you can see that the guests are going to be loading onto the second level of the Riverboat. There is a lower level to the landing/dock and guests exit the boat on that bottom level while guests are loading up above.

Chuck said...

You can tell it's a brisk November night - look at all the jackets, sweatshirts, and sweaters.

According to Weather Underground (http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KORL/1971/11/25/WeeklyHistory.html?&reqdb.zip=&reqdb.magic=&reqdb.wmo=), sunset was at 5:28 pm Thanksgiving Weekend 1971, and on Thanksgiving Day the daytime high was 66°F at 1 in the afternoon, dropping rapidly after 4. On Black Friday, the temp dropped below 70°F at 6, and the following day dropped into the 60s at 8. The only day that weekend that didn't drop below 70°F after dark was Sunday the 28th, although it was chilly before 11 am.

K. Martinez said...

Poor Admiral Joe Fowler. She wasn't long for this World.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, it always amazes me that Mr. X gave these to me with apologies because he thought that they weren’t any good. I told him they are great!

Kennth Lane, so the stores at WDW are not as divided as the ones in Anaheim? Of course, some of the shops at Disneyland are connected in places. I never knew about the back hallway, thanks for that bit of info.

TokyoMagic!, interesting, I didn’t notice, but you are right, they are boarding on the second level. I had no idea! Kind of cool. Now I wish I had a better shot of the whole landing so that I could see what it looks like. Do you know if they still load two levels?

Chuck, you and your research! Actually, looking at that cold-weather clothing, I expected those November temps to be lower than the mid-60’s and up. Still, it’s all relative; in SoCal that would be considered cool.

K. Martinez, Admiral Joe was a “she”?! ;-)

TokyoMagic! said...

Major, the last time I was there (2011), they were still loading on the second level and unloading on the lower lever. Here are some vintage and fairly current pics that show a side view of the two level landing: Magic Kingdom Steamboat Landing

Dean Finder said...

I can confirm that you still board the riverboat (the Liberty Belle) on the second deck, and exit on the bottom deck.
Wheelchair access for boarding and exiting is on the bottom deck - the exit lanes are ramps back up to "street" level.

Major Pepperidge said...

Thanks for those links, TokyoMagic! Your photos are very helpful. The two-level loading makes a lot of sense.

Dean Finder, thanks for the confirmation! It's always great to learn some new detail like this (new to me, anyway).

walterworld said...

The Liberty Belle steamboat was originally named the 'Richard Irvine' after one of the executives of the Disney corporation. It was renamed in the 90's I think...