Two Beauties From July 1958!
Happy Friday! I have some super nice scans for you today, along with a few zoom-ins. All included for one low low price. You know, sometimes I wish I had better stuff to share with you on a regular basis, so it feels good to have a couple of really exceptional images for you today.
Take a look at this beautiful shot of the Junior Autopia. So bright and clear and colorful. As Jed Clampett would say, "Wheee doggies!" (the man was a poet). If you were an adult, you just had to cool your heels while the kids enjoyed an exciting ride in vehicles that were identical to the regular Autopia cars - except that blocks of wood were affixed to the gas pedals so that those short legs could reach them.
Most of you probably know that the Junior Autopia was located on a parcel of land that is now occupied by "it's a small world" (hey, no caps, K. Martinez!). I kind of love the grass and trees - real estate is too precious to waste on something like that today. There's even what appears to be a survivor from Disneyland's original orange groves.
Zooming in, you can also see the Viewliner's Fantasyland station to the right (with the pink banner sign). The old gas pumps are awesome. I really want to ride that gold/bronze car!
But wait, that's not all! I also have this super deluxe, very awesome and unusual photo taken from one of the trails that criss-crossed "Snow Hill", looking down upon a very fantabulous Tomorrowland. So great!!
Again with the zooms?! Ya gots yer Yacht Bar with its daringly-angled roof - from this vantage point you can see that it was stuck on a rather plain, boxy structure, but it made all the difference. To our extreme left is the Tomorrowland Viewliner station. The Skyway looks great, as does the Moonliner - you can even see the Disneyland Railroad's yellow passenger cars in the distance!
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I feel like I should break the bad news now... tomorrow is April 1st, but I don't have anything extra fun prepared for you, sadly. I had ideas, but none of them really worked out. Inspiration just didn't strike. Sorry, folks!
8 comments:
Major-
Some mighty fine images you've got here. Definitely some wonderfully-unique angles. And based on the total lack of crowds, it's hard to believe we're looking at a July day.
Thanks, Major.
Looking at the Tomorrowland photo, I can see how Carousel of Progress gave the "land" it's backdrop and blocked the outside world. Sort of like assisting the berm to hide the commercial development along Harbor Boulevard. In today's photo you can really see the horizon and beyond. Great set today! Thanks, Major.
Really fine shots. You had me with the gas pumps.
Nanook, I agree, it looks more like an off day than a middle-of-summer day as far as the crowds go. Of course it is always possible that they were actually taken in April (or whenever), in spite of the date stamp.
K. Martinez, I never thought about the Carousel of Progress blocking the outside world like the berm… not sure how intentional that was on the part of the Imagineers, or if it was just a plus.
DrGoat, they are pretty cool!
I can even see a stand of eucalyptus in the distance.
Wow, these are some special views for sure. Thank you, Major!
Look at the bare dirt next to the Autopia track, bad show!.
The pic of Tomorrowland takes the biscuit, though, Jed. That view can't be duplicated any more unless you are a construction worker completing the renovation of the bobsled.
The most appealing part of the Yacht Bar to me is how the flagpoles poke through the canopy to become the supports for the sign. Love that detail.
JG
Re the light crowds.
I read somewhere recently that the park was not particularly successful until the completion of the 1959 construction (subs, monorail, Matterhorn) and that it's continued operation was even in doubt.
The Tomorrowland upgrade with three wildly audacious attractions boosted attendance and success was assured.
At least according to the commentator I read. Not sure if true.
JG
Debbie V, even today you can see stands of Eucalyptus is certain areas, such as Oxnard where there’s more farming done.
JG, I wonder if there was a reason for the bare dirt - it looks intentional, don’t you think? I’m glad you liked these… response seemed kind of tepid compared to what I was expecting!
JG again, while I have certainly seen many photos of a very uncrowded Disneyland in the early days, I had never heard that it was in danger of closing. That doesn’t mean that it wasn’t the case… I just never knew about it. The 1959 expansion was definitely a big change for the character of the park.
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