Today I have two square-format slides from 1966, taken on a gray day. I get so used to seeing sunny days at the park that it is a bit odd to see it so wintry, with guests wearing coats and sweaters.
We'll start with this shot taken from the steps of the train station, looking north on Main Street. A handsome horse waits patiently as passengers unload from their Streetcar. A banner welcomes members of the U.S. Air Force.
After heading up Main Street, we've reached the Plaza. Say, it looks like there are three fly-boys in front of us. Thanks for your service, fellas! Babushka alert (not on the airmen). Am I seeing things, or are there climbers on the Matterhorn? I think I spy two red dots toward the top. Notice the yellow, peaked roof of the little souvenir stand, and an Omnibus hiding to our left.
I like the second pic with the Matterhorn, Alpine Gardens souvenir stand and palm trees together. That combination of elements doesn't exist in that spot at Disneyland anymore. Funny that you mention sunny days at the Park because as a youngster I remember more overcast days at Disneyland than sunny ones. Thanks, Major!
ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDeleteThat second image is a beauty - especially with so few people-!!
I hate to bring this up, but I'm having a bit of a problem wrapping my head around the "5/1966" date. Seems to me we should be easily spying the House of the Future (still standing until December 1, 1967), not to mention what appears to be the new entrance to the "new" Tomorrowland.
I'm just sayin'...
Thanks, Major.
Nanook, I was thinking the same thing about the date. And Ken, I remember many overcast days at the park too. If there was even a slight threat of rain, many people would just stay home and the park would have a very light crowd. Oh, those were the days!
ReplyDeleteK. Martinez, it’s funny that you recall so many overcast days; I can only think of one visit to the park in which it wasn’t warm and sunshiny.
ReplyDeleteNanook, once I read your comment I knew you had to be right; so I had to dig around and find the original slides, and sure enough, the date stamp says 1968, not 1966. Arg.
TokyoMagic! I assume that people still stay away in droves if there is any drizzle or sprinkles; if you live close enough to the park to visit spontaneously, that would definitely be the way to go!
Oh Major, I wish they stayed away in droves. My last visit to the Park was in January, mid-week, and it rained all day. Crowd levels were still about 70% all day. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteMajor, Even though it wasn't all sunshiny on those days, it was still warm. I always thought it might've been the June gloom or smog.
ReplyDeletePatrick Devlin, maybe it's one of those things: Everyone knows that the park isn't so crowded on rainy days, so NOW that's when they go. The system is broken!
ReplyDeleteK. Martinez, the June Gloom definitely makes sense. While sunny photos of Disneyland look the best, I'd almost rather be there on a June Gloom day.
Major, I think you hit the nail on the head. I remember going to the park on Super Bowl Sunday for many years, and it would be a very light crowd. NOT ANY MORE!
ReplyDeleteMajor, sadly, despite the warm welcome for members of my own service, there isn't an Airman in sight. Those are Marines in the second photo; the Air Force discontinued the long-sleeved khaki shirt and introduced blue wheel caps in the 1950s. If you asked them where the Air Force was that day, they'd probably tell you "the golf course."
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind filling in for all the missing Airmen that day. In fact, I'm a volunteer for that duty...