Fantasyland Details, 1956
Here are two nice slides featuring some great details from Fantasyland. Maybe you've heard of it?
Let's start with this picture of the sculpted bas-relief on the stern the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. I'm not sure when this sculpture was eventually painted to be more colorful, but in this 1956 view it almost looks like wood darkened by the elements, or even bronze. The photographer cut off the head of the mermaid, which is almost unforgivable!
Before there was "Tinkerbell's Toy Shop" (1957 to 2002), there was "Fantasy of Disneyland". I love that our photographer was interested enough in this sign to use a precious frame of Kodachrome. And I can see why, since it's a beauty, with that genuine wrought iron. I can't tell if the paint on the iron is actually weathered, or if it has been artfully painted to look old.
It's fun to see the patterns and colors of the Peter Pan attraction in the background.
21 comments:
Major-
These are merely two examples why Disneyland 'wowed' those folks who decided to "... leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy". Even if most guests didn't spend the time to really look at the details, they couldn't help but feel it on a subliminal level. Hats-off to Walt and his imagineers once more.
Thanks, Major.
I had no idea that there was a different shop in that space, prior to it being the Tinkerbell Toy Shop! Does anyone know what went in there after 2002? I believe the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opened in 2009, so I also didn't know that there was something else in that space from 2002 to 2009.
Nice pics today! Thank you, Major!
@ TM!-
Would you believe it was the Once Upon A Time Princess Shop prior to becoming the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on April 17, 2009-? Well, you should.
Ah, the Pirate Ship. Was there ever a fast food joint do mourned? And rightfully so! It was a piece of art! R.I.P.
That's "so mourned." Energy drink first, THEN comment...
More nice pics today. I especially like the second one. Thanks, Major.
Wow!! I never knew that location wasn’t always called TINKERBELL TOYSHOP!!
The aft of the Jolly Roger looks unpainted with just a a wood primer. When it opened the ship featured a simple skull & crossbones - but I’ve only seen the elaborate version in the many color scheme and the sponsor-removed gold pain over version.
Some out-of-the-ordinary details today!
I miss the Jolly Roger, and Skull Rock as well. I am almost positive I need that sign for my collection. I am glad that someone took time and film to document the little details like these. Thanks Major.
Proof again of the artistry of early Disneyland. This was going to be my comment even before I read the previous comments. So, obviously, many are affected alike.
True genius. I truly miss Walt Disney, the man. Sometimes, when a person passes away, there is a definite hole left, unfilled. It feels different; it is different. Disney tried it's best to carry on, and did a pretty good job but it became more and more business and less and less Walt. Damn.
More scans, Major. I really need this.
dz
Sure, they cut off the mermaids had, but that Chicken of the Sea logo is front and center. Priorities!
Major, these photos are a great combination to see together. These really illustrate the obsessive level of detail in the original Disneyland.
I have never seen the "primer-only" version of the Tuna Boat. It looks like a hot rod waiting for the final candy-apple red and pinstriping.
And don't get me going on the sign photo. Just wonderful. Look closely at the cornice of the bay window to the left. You can clearly see the sheet metal flashing edge over the wood molding, and the little nails, almost tacks, that hold it in place, and the carefully mitered corners, soldered watertight. A very old-school detail that is rarely seen anymore. The lack of this craftsmanship makes lots of work for forensic waterproofing architects who come in to repair the resulting damage.
Looking more closely, just below, on the green wood trim, you can see a finish nail, which was probably added post-construction to hold up holiday decorations and garlands.
The raised grain on the rafter above looks like it may have been sand-blasted lightly, a technique to raise the grain and give an aged appearance to new wood, or perhaps just vigorously wire-brushed. All the details work together to present the appearance of a past age, and all the years between.
I'll also take a moment to praise the subtle, yet realistic, color schemes, even though the keystones on the arch are always "red-beige-brown-red-beige-brown", which is a little unlikely.
Thank you so much. I could look at photos like this all day.
JG
Nanook, it’s nice to know that, even early on, some people like this photographer noticed the little details! I agree, folks might not really be aware of those details, but they all add up to an overall richer experience.
TokyoMagic!, after 2002 the shop started selling Thighmasters and Pocket Fishermen, Veg-o-Matics, hair in a spray can, and “in the egg” scramblers. It was the best store in Disneyland.
Nanook, a princess shop? In DISNEYLAND? I don’t believe it!
stu29573, all you have to do is look at the Pirate Ship. As you said, it was a work of art!
stu29573, I’m glad I never make mistakes! ;-)
K. Martinez, I agree, that second one is a pip (as my grandma used to say)!
Mike Cozart, I think I have a few other photos of like THIS ONE from 2012. Maybe you’re right, the bas-relief on the Pirate Ship might be getting prepped for the colorful paint.
Jonathan, I know that some early signs wound up in the homes of the consignors and survive to this day - who knows, maybe somebody has that “Fantasy of Disneyland” sign, and maybe they will give it to me for free.
dzacher, I’ve always wondered what it is about certain people… others are drawn to them, and in Walt’s case, they wanted to do their best for him, almost like they wanted a father’s approval. What did he (and people like him) have? I sure don’t have it, ha ha!
Melissa, Maybe the eventual colorful paint job on that sculpture was to make the “Chicken of the Sea” much more prominent!
JG, ha ha, the Pirate Ship looks like a “rat rod”. Those old-school wood workers and metal workers were real craftsmen, it is amazing how they seemed to effortlessly build anything required of them, AND make the thing beautiful and sturdy. When I took a tour of Warner Bros. Studio, they take you through the wood shop, and I thought, “This place must be heaven for a talented carpenter”. Reading the book, “The 55ers”, it is interesting how many people started at the park as sign painters or something, and through the years they’d be promoted to supervisor, and often were moved to Florida for the opening of WDW, where many of them retired. These people could have a full, happy career working for Disneyland! Good eye on that nail for holiday decor (I’m sure you’re right about that). Sand-blasting is common for wood, though at Knott’s they also sometimes charred the wood with a blowtorch and THEN sand-blasted it. I think I’ve read that ammonia can make new wood look old, but I’ve never tried it. I’ll see if it works on my mom’s walnut table!
Amazing photo of the Fantasy of Disneyland sign!
Nanook, thanks for that info. I should have known it would have to do with either Princesses, Pirates or Pixar!
Major, I hope they also sold "Mr. Microphones" in that shop. I can just picture guys using them on the Skyway, as they passed hot babes going in the opposite direction. "Hey baby, we'll be back to pick you up, LATER!"
@ TM!-
Yes - The Three P's® !
That 2012 post you linked to also features exactly two pictures from 1956...of the Fantasy of Disneyland shop and the Pirate Ship!
Loving this like everyone else of quality breeding and upbringing.
Wow, looking at the 2012 post, that was the one with the link to the Fantasia mural. Still a big favorite!
Major, if you keep going, between you and Daveland, every square inch of Disneyland will be documented from multiple angles. Amazing to see.
Major, just saw your comment about the charred wood. I have done a couple of projects for an architect that favors the charred wood for siding for ultramodern houses.
It's always an exotic species, usually from SE Asia, reclaimed wood, and then we describe the sorting, milling, and flame-treatment to match architect's samples for appearance.
It's an odd look that doesn't appeal to me, but there is definitely a following for that weirdness.
JG
TokyoMagic! If those wild-and-crazy guys used Mr. Microphone on the Skyway to tell the passing Skyway babes they'd be back to pick them up later . . . wouldn't they also have to tell them "where"?!
Sue
Considering the creative reuse of some things for the early days of Disneyland (e.g Beverly Hills lamppost base for the flagpole), I wonder if that wrought iron was made for Disneyland, or repurposed from some sign in a scrapyard or backlot.
@ Dean Finder-
Make that the West Adams district of Los Angeles.
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