How many lagoons is too many? I don't know the answer, but what I DO know is that two isn't enough.
Here's the Submarine Voyage's lagoon (circa 1961); is a lagoon still a lagoon if it doesn't have water? More questions to keep you awake at night. I'm always fascinated by views of this area without the blue-green water. Imagineers place hundreds of brightly-colored corals (real? plastic?), seaweeds, anemones, seashells, and other stuff to simulate a thriving reef. Notice how even the track has some stuff applied to it as a sort of camouflage.
A tank of compressed air can be seen at the bottom edge of the picture, I am guessing that it was used to power a spray gun - it would be much quieter than a compressor.
Zooming in, you can just see a worker in front of a cavern entrance - this really gives you an idea of just how big this area is.
And howsabout this beautiful shot of the Pirate Ship lagoon, featuring old Skully? The picture is from 1979, and those palms and other tropical plants are have grown to be impressive and lush.
There's a mermaid lagoon seen in the Peter Pan ride; can you think of any others?
So I'm guessing there wasn't a construction wall around the Sub lagoon during it's refurbishment? That vantage point is too low for the photo to be taken from the Skyway.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Skull Rock makes me oh-so happy! :-)
I don't know about mermaid lagoons on other attractions, but there are mermaids on other attractions like the Submarine Voyage and "it's a small world". There are also mermaids in Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteThe Skull Rock Lagoon photo is a beauty. Thanks, Major.
Two lagoons of blue
ReplyDeleteToo many is too few
The underbrush
Is getting lush
At two lagoons of blue
Agreed on the awesomeness of the Skull Rock picture. you can practically hear the water splashing. I don't recall seeing many other shots from that particular perspective, with that composition.
Major-
ReplyDeleteMy best guess is that tank is for oxy-acetylene welding or cutting (the acetylene-? tank being obscured from view). But yes, a tank of compressed air would be far-quieter than a portable air compressor.
Skull Rock seems just perfect for either Easter or Passover (it *IS* Kosher, isn’t it-??)
Thanks, Major.
Legend goes that Skull Rock denied Monstro thrice before the cock crowed.
DeleteThere's also the old Motor Boat lagoon. Or is that a lake?
ReplyDeleteIs that first photo from the same lot as these photos?
Both of these photos increased total world happiness by 8%.
On hot days I really appreciated standing behind the waterfalls of Skull Rock. Those little areas removed from the crowds have just about disappeared. KS
ReplyDeleteSeeing the sub lagoon drained, shows how much work is involved in the underwater illusion. When they pumped it out, where did the water go? Skull Rock was such a brilliant idea, and a grand place to eat your tuna melt. This photo is postcard worthy in this guy's humble opinion. Major, I say you can never have too many lagoons. But seriously folks, where did all the water go? Anybody know? Thanks to Major.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great photos, Major!
ReplyDeleteThe 2 'drained' photos of the lagoon do indeed reveal the 'brains' behind the ride, as well as the hard work to achieve that great artistic effect. Is that a worker just in front of the cave entrance? With the magnification, I couldn't be sure if it was a human head or a sea growth. ;-)
Also, regarding the submarine track, about how much room did the sub need for negotiating that curve? I see that there seems to be more clearance around the curve, and it reminded me of the 'big boy' railroad locomotives that 'swung out' over the curve quite a bit.
The inviting lush greenery around Skull Rock would entice many a weary park visitor! Ahhh! :)
TokyoMagic!, I remember seeing the drained lagoon when I was a kid, and there was only a low wall - low enough that an 8-year old could look in. It felt like they knew that people would be interested!
ReplyDeleteK. Martinez, mermaids do love a nice lagoon, so I will accept “It’s a Small World”! There are mermaids in “Pirates” in Florida??
Melissa, night views of Skull Rock are rare, but they’re my favorite because that’s what I remember most vividly. However, it definitely looks wonderful in today’s image.
Nanook, I thought of a tank for welding, but, other than the track, I didn’t see anything that looked like metal. You’re probably right though, it makes more sense.
Chuck, gosh, now I’m not sure, “Motor Boat Lagoon” somehow sounds familiar. And no, the first photo is from a different batch, though clearly from the same rehab event. Good memory! 8% is a creditable amount, I’m glad you are happier today.
KS, someday when there is a VR Disneyland circa 1961, I’m going to stand right in the Skull Rock grotto and feel the mist from the waterfalls!
Jonathan, I have always assumed that the water was sent down the drain, so to speak. It seems like a terrible waste of many thousands of gallons of water, but maybe drought wasn’t such an issue 50+ years ago. If I had access to my “E-Ticket” magazines, they might provide the definitive answer about the water; maybe somebody else will know.
Clyde Hughes, yes, that is a worker in front of the cavern entrance - I point him out in the text! I would assume that the subs would not be able to take tight turns, since they were over 50 feet long. Good eye on the extra clearance at the curves. It kills me that we lost that lovely Skull Rock lagoon…
@ JC Shannon-
ReplyDeleteThe Disneyland Waterways are divided into two distinct systems: 'dark water' & 'clear water'. To quote from The "E" Ticket... "Clear water is found in the indoor boat rides like Pirates or It's a Small World, in the "splash rides" like the Matterhorn and Big Thunder and in the Submarine Lagoon, where people view sights underwater. Dark water (the green stuff enjoyed by the ducks and swans...) is everywhere else, providing a great deal of scenic beauty for canoes, boats, steam and sailing vessels which follow this "natural" coarse. Clear water systems are closed, contained within their individual attractions, and no amount of imagination can extend them beyond their locations. Disneyland's dark water system, on the other hand, is interconnected, flowing throughout the Park..."
So, as helpful as that information is, it doesn't specifically-address just exactly where all that water went during rehab. One might guess - especially "back then", it was merely allowed to 'go down the drain' - but you never know.
Major, I'm going to agree with Nanook here, that tank appears to be part of a welding rig, although usually there are two tanks, one for oxygen, one for acetylene.
ReplyDeleteMaybe in the "drygoon", only one tank was needed.
I'm guessing that the sub rail or maybe the fish anchorages needed some welding work.
JG