Sunday, September 10, 2017

Entering Disneyland, October 1963

Disneyland has been surrounded (in large part) by unlovely chain link fence for decades. If it had been up to me, I would have had it electrified, but... nobody listens. A big metal fence is not the most welcoming thing in the world, so I like that Walt and his crew decided to soften its appearance by planting a whole bunch of roses along part of it. Plus, the thorns are yet another line of defense (all natural!) to keep sneaky teens from getting in for free.


There's the familiar old train station (well, only eight years old at this point), looking wonderful in the bright October sunshine. The sky could hardly be bluer. 


9 comments:

K. Martinez said...

The first pic is a nice unusual shot. If one weren't a Disneyland geek they might not know where it was taken. The bluest blue skies up here come in October. Nice set today. Thanks, Major.

Nanook said...

Major-

Those roses are lovely. And they may just be the Carousel Rose variety.

And as far as blue skies are concerned, I believe the line is: ♬ The bluest skies you've ever seen in Seattle.

Thanks, Major.

TokyoMagic! said...

Where those poisonous roses, like the poisonous oleander bushes that Walt planted around the perimeter of the parking lot?

Nanook said...

@ TM!-

I think Walt got a 'free pass' in the rose department - relying on the thorns to provide "the poison". But just as with the design of California Freeways - that extensively-used oleander plants to provide both a visual and sound break - Disneyland used those same plants to provide similar functionality. And what the heck - they grew so easily, too-!

Steve DeGaetano said...

The best-looking train station ever, if you ask me. And even better shown here in here in her original colors; the dark forest-green complementing the red brick and the pastel yellow trim and grey shingles softening everything. Notice the center door is open a bit...

Major Pepperidge said...

K. Martinez, I think we might get our bluest skies in March or so; but then again, just weeks ago I was hiking and I noticed the beautiful intense blueness!

Nanook, is that line from a song that I might recognize?

TokyoMagic!, they should have planted poison oak around the park. Even if a person managed to make it through, they would regret it forever!

Nanook, I don’t think anybody would blame Walt for wanting to keep freeloaders out. Yes, oleanders are pretty, and they seem to be just about indestructible, so it makes sense to use them in the park (and along the freeways).

Steve DeGaetano, I wish I was more familiar with comparable (real) train stations from the peak days of train travel; I’ve seen photos of many little modest structures, but there must have been some real beauties in some of the larger towns. Perhaps that door is open to let a breeze through?

Chuck said...

Major, that line is from "Seattle," the theme song to the TV series Here Come the Brides, starring Mark Lenard, David Soul, and Bobby Sherman. It was a hit for Perry Como in 1969 (Bobby Sherman recorded a version, too). The lyrics are even occasionally true.

Nanook said...

@ Chuck-

You saved me the trouble.

Chuck said...

Nanook, no problem. It's actually one of my favorite songs. Seriously.