Randos From September 1966

These are not just random, but they are pretty dull too. Like this very "meh" look at "It's a Small World" and it's canal boats as seen from the Disneyland Railroad. The ride must have been brand-new at that point, and Walt Disney hadn't passed away yet, which makes ya think.

And here's the four zillionth photo of Monstro the Insult Whale. "Whaddaya staring at, dummy? Take a picture, it'll last longer!".

Amusement Parks

I have a small batch of slides from various tourist attractions and amusement parks, and thought it might be fun to share a few of them today.

The first two are from a Florida amusement park called "Monkey Jungle". They are from 1964, which is when the U.S. was in the middle of the Space Race. Even chimpanzees got in on the craze, as you can see; this fella (I'll call him "Ham") is wearing a store-bought toy space helmet, and poses next to his vehicle made from a metal trash can. Just like the real NASA rockets! Looks like some trampoline action was there to simulate microgravity, and I see several bicycles nearby to simulate... um... bicycles in space?

Sure, baby chimps are cute, but I've heard stories of what an enraged chimp can do. Let's just say they are bad. This lady has no idea that she's in danger! The drum kit nearby was probably played by an ape. It had to sound better than those terrible Beatles, am I right?! Why don't they get haircuts!

And this last slide is dated "July 1972", and hand-labled "Geauga Lake". Two kids hang on for dear life on The Scrambler! According to Wikipedia, Geauga Lake was a theme park in Bainbridge Township and Auroroa, Ohio. Established in 1887... the first amusement ride was added in 1889, and the park's first coaster - later known as the Big Dipper - was built in 1925. 

The park was acquired by various companies over the years, and was even known as "Six Flags Ohio/Six Flags Worlds of Adventure" from 2000 to 2003. It was later bought by Cedar Fair, though the park (and its accompanying water park, "Wildwater Kingdom") struggled for years; today the park is closed, and Cedar Fair is trying to sell the land. A sad end to a historic amusement park.

This next one is a mystery. Yes, there's a double Ferris Wheel, which is pretty cool, and the slide is from the 1950's. But there's no indication of where this ride was located. Maybe YOU know?

I hope you have enjoyed today's random amusement parks!

Fun Friday

I have a random pair of nice images for you on this Friday! 

We'll start with this shot (from March, 20th, 1967) of a lady posing next to the famous Town Square water fountain (what's missing??), affording us a nice look straight up Main Street toward the misty castle in the distance. The photographer seemed to take pains to include the "Humdinger '67" sign, I wonder if they were there to see their favorite musical acts? I couldn't find any info about who was performing in March, but a few months later there was a special Grad Nite Humdinger that featured Neil Diamond, Tammi Terrell, Dobie Gray,  The Mustangs, and the Humdinger Dancers!

Next is this cool shot (from December, 1965) of Mark II Monorail Blue as it shushed overhead on it's way back from the hotel to Tomorrowland.

I tried to discern what the "Disneyland Information" signs said, and can only make out bits and pieces. "Operation Hours: Closed Mon. & Tue". Then they give the hours for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (illegible), as well as the hours for Saturday and Sunday (also illegible). The text at the bottom of the sign is a lost cause, though I imagine I can read the words "Please No Picnic Lunches", and possibly something about pets.

Not sure what that distant building is, it appears to say "CASUALTY" on the sign. An insurance company?

Main Street (and more), September 1983

From the team of Lou and Sue comes a group of photos that Lou took way back in 1983. September, that is. Lou didn't stray far from Main Street, except for the last photo.

First up is this Horseless Carriage. It's still so weird for me to see a carriage moving without horses pulling it! Those teenagers could easily walk to the castle, but they're playing it smart and taking a comfortable ride. The Sunkist Citrus House is to our left, it opened in 1960 and would be there until 1989.

The next two feature details of Main Street Station. The "Disneyland Railroad" sign is nice and all, but I still miss the "Santa Fe" signs, long-gone by 1983 (their sponsorship ended in 1974). 

I hope that someday they replace that awful old analog clock with a cool electric clock with an LED readout, just like watches in the 70's. 

I like this nice view of the Mad Hatter shop, with genuine 1980's people out front. The hats on display in the window are all very poofy, colorful, and large. I prefer something a little more tasteful, with mouse ears or perhaps made of coonskin.

You can't have a batch of photos from Main Street without a picture of a Horse Drawn Streetcar. The guests on board look like they're out of steam.

Meanwhile, over at the Fire Department... folks are loitering near the old Chemical Wagon. Two young ladies are admiring each other's shoes. Disneyland magic!

See? I told you Lou went to Tomorrowland. The days of "Sunshine Balloon" and "The New Establishment" were long gone, but now they had a hip 80's band to sing songs like "I'm So Excited", and "Shake It Up".

Thank you so much, Lou and Sue!

Snapshots, August 1968

Today's selection of vintage photo prints is so-so in quality, but you get five of them!

There's the famous It's a Small World topiaries. They come to life each night, and the next day the gardening crew finds the animals in different poses. TRUE STORY.

Some folks are enjoying the Snow White Grotto, with it's waterfalls and squirting fish, while others throw good money into the wishing well. "I say, Father, throw a hundred-dollar bill into the well, there's a good fellow". "Why you little! I'll throw you into the well!".

On a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being best, this photo of the Matterhorn rates about a "3".

Sleepy may suffer from acute narcolepsy, but that doesn't stop him from living his life to the fullest. For all we know, he's asleep in this very photo.

And finally, this photo is not very exciting, but at least it is bright and sunshiny, with a raft, a canoe, a keelboat, and the Columbia all in one image.

Not-Great Autopia

While I always enjoy a look at the various Autopias (Fantasyland, Junior, Midget, Tomorrowland), today's photos rate about a 3 on the Richter Scale. 

This first one was taken under gray skies, and the color is generally "blah", but at least it's an unusual angle. Somebody turned around to take a photo of dad driving a tiny car because he looks so silly. Looking carefully through the trees and other obstructions we can see (from right to left) the Moonliner, one of the curved domes of the "Rocket to the Moon" ride, and the "r" at the end of the "Space Bar" sign.

Next we have this view as seen from the steps up to the Tomorrowland Skyway terminal. It's not a terrible picture by any means, but it's kind of bland. Maybe because everything is far away. I do like that "Richfield" sign with the yellow space station, and I like the scraggly old berm protecting us from the outside world. Otherwise... MEH.

Monstro & Matterhorn, July 1969

It's Memorial Day, and while I know we are supposed to think about all of the men and women who have given so much, I can't help thinking mostly of my Dad. He's been gone for five years, but I am still so proud of him.

As much as I love Storybook Land and Monstro the Coughing Whale, I admit that it is pretty hard for me to get very excited about another photo of Monstro. But this pic is fun because of the bustling crowd (in their 1969 fashions). It almost looks like everyone is facing in the same general direction, maybe there was a costumed character (a short one like Mickey) nearby. Or not!

This next photo was damaged by a light leak, so I cropped it for your viewing enjoyment. It still worked out to be a pretty nice composition, with the Matterhorn looming above little tented souvenir stand and the swirling colors of the flowerbeds. I always love that metallic, sculpted wall, and there is no such thing as a bad photo of the Peoplemover.

Fantasyland 1984

Today I have some nicer-than-usual photos, courtesy of Lou and Sue! Lou was in the park in 1984, and he took a few shots of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

I love this first one, with all of those beautiful flowers in the foreground; the "Partners" statue wouldn't come along until 1993. As I've said, I certainly have nothing but praise for Walt Disney (or for Blaine Gibson, the sculptor), but man, I do not care for that statue. Just my opinion of course.

Ah, those 80's fashions. Where's the "Flock of Seagulls" hairdos that I love so much? Everybody in this photo should have one! I was more of a Kajagoogoo fan, but there was room in my heart for FoS too. Two guests are pointing at poor Pluto with one finger (each), a crime punishable by death. 

It's kind of nice to get this shot with no people, Lou must have timed it just right. Notice the new tree, what are the odds that it has since been removed? My guess is that it is long-gone. 

Are the dark rides considered to be part of the castle? To vote "yes", raise your left hand. To vote "no", raise somebody else's left hand. I hope you didn't have your heart set on riding "Snow White's Scary Adventures", because it was closed for refurbishing. I would have assumed that the ride had undergone some degree of refurbishment as Fantasyland was being rebuilt for the 1983 "New Fantasyland"? I blame teenagers!

MANY THANKS to Lou and Sue!

People

Who likes looking at vintage pictures of complete strangers? ME TOO!

Photo #1 is an undated picture of a smiling lady standing on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. See the world famous Steel Pier in the distance? I wish I could see the General Motors Exhibit, or play some games of skill while eating a handful of fresh-roasted Planters Peanuts. In spite of the bright sun and blue sky, it's obviously a cold winter day.

The life of a musician is not always glamorous; even The Beatles spent years touring small ballrooms and theaters all over rural England before they hit it big. This quartet of young men might be performing in a church meeting room or a gymnasium. I'd sure love to know if any of these guys went on to fame and fortune! 

And finally, there's just something about this photo that I like. Maybe it's the old car to our right. Maybe it's the old house (with multiple chimneys?). Maybe it's the weeping willow, looking a little worse for wear. The little kid is held by his grandmother (I presume), while mom wonders what to make for dinner. Meatloaf, or tuna noodle casserole? You can't go wrong with either. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's vintage People Pix!

Beauties From November 1958

Here are a few nice ones from 1958; it looks like it was a beautiful day! The sky is a lovely cerulean blue (Henry Fonda's favorite color), and there is a light breeze from the southwest. See how your left arm feels so nice and cool? This photo was taken at that exciting moment - ticket booths are so close you can taste them (mmmm, enamel paint). Main Street Station beckons, as do the attraction posters.

That's right, I said attraction posters! You didn't believe me, but now I have the last laugh. A "Big 10" ticket book was a mere $3.25 for adults, and that included admission. And while it's partly cut off, we can see that the "Jumbo 15" book was $4.25. Don't be a shnook, spend the extra dollar!

As you can see in the upper left, they also offered a "Golden 20" ticket book, and as far as I know these were only sold for a relatively brief time. Perhaps they were too pricey? Adjusted for inflation, $5.25 was equal to around $45 today (!), I'm sure most people were not willing to spend that king's ransom. A friend who has a few unused Golden 20 ticket books says that one sold on eBay for $1000 a few years ago. Mama mia!

Just to round out today's post, I am throwing in this nice photo of the Monkey of the Sea Pirate Ship at no additional cost to you.

View From The Mark Twain, 1950's

I have a lot of photos of the Mark Twain, and probably as many photos taken from the Mark Twain. But I somehow get a kick out of today's examples, with the silhouetted heads in the foreground. It gives it a "you are there" feeling! If only they were stereo slides. 

Looking at the busy steamboat landing, it almost feels like we're really arriving after a long trip. Kind of like the Queen Mary arriving in New York harbor back in the 30's. Notice the large bales of cotton;  I wonder if there was a pre-recorded spiel on the Mark Twain back in the 50's? In later years the narrator reminds us that in the South, "Cotton is king".

I realize that this photo should have been posted first if I wanted to share the pix in the order in which they were taken, but it's not quite as nice as the first one. Still fun though!

For Sue, here's a closeup of the Mark Twain ticket that the woman is holding!

A Pair From June 1969

Today's scans are from a lot of two (and only two) slides, from June 1969. Not sure how that happened! Did somebody really only take two photos during their trip to Disneyland? Maybe the other slides wound up in a separate eBay lot. We shall never know.

Anyway, this first one is kind of fun, featuring two tour guides in the parking lot - maybe they acted as greeters as guests arrived in their cars. "Guided tours here, getcha guided tours! Don't think you can afford to do it? You can't afford NOT to! Come 'ere, sonny, you look like a smart kid, tell your folks that you need a guided tour or you'll turn into a hippie. It's only three dollas, why you'd have to be crazy to pass this deal up! Three dollas, it's so cheap my bosses would fire me if they knew what I was charging. But I like the look of you so I'm giving you a special VIP price. Getcha  guided tour!". And so on.

Well, you passed up the guided tour, and I am still shocked. But a ride on a Horse Drawn Streetcar will help. Clippety-clop, as the kids say. That streetcar driver is hooking the traces up to the vestibule. I know my streetcar lingo!

More Views From The Peoplemover, November 1975

Today's photos demonstrate that not every photo taken from the Peoplemover is automatically a gem. But there are worse things to look at, right?

We've got an unremarkable view of the Matterhorn...

And an equally unremarkable view of the Sub Lagoon. Still, I applaud the photographer for taking too many photos instead of too few.

We're almost done with our journey, but before our train turns to head back to the station we get this glimpse of the entry to Tomorrowland, with the Plaza in the distance. 

Pack Mules, 1950's

So far I have not reached my limit on photos of the Pack Mules - every picture is aces in my book. 

First up, a flock of mules (and their burdens) returns from the Rainbow Desert - this was before Nature's Wonderland was a thing. There was a lot less to see, pre-1960, but I still wish I'd had the opportunity to enjoy it with my own eyes. Above the tunnel (where the Mine Train went) is the head frame above the mine (gold, I presume), and the short run of track so that the miners could dump the tailings. 

One girl had to give her pal a few last pats before the end of the ride. Love the detail of the boy with the Peter Pan hat!

Perhaps it looked something like this.

The mules have made their hairpin turn so that they can unload one group of guests and take on a new batch. That girl is still patting her mule, she's going to miss him!

Two From June 1970

Here's a pair of Instamatic photos (not Mr. X Instamatics, however) for your Sunday enjoyment. These are perhaps a little nicer than the usual Sunday offerings.

What a thrill it must have been for these kids (and a lot of grownups!) to see Donald Duck himself, meeting and greeting his fans out in front of the Bank of America in Town Square. He said all kinds of nice things to the children, but they couldn't understand a word. Minnie Mouse is behind the man with the Yellow Shirt (not to be confused with the Man In The Yellow Hat), while a group of folks behind Donald's blue hat are probably surrounding another character. How much do you want to bet that it was Mickey Mouse?

The entrance to Adventureland hints at the exotic wonders to be found within. A fearsome (but colorful) mask hangs from a pair of ivory tusks, which were probably recovered from the secret elephant graveyard that I used to hear about when I was a kid.