Fantasyland, May 1984
Our friend Lou Perry went to Disneyland and he took a LOT of pictures during this 1984 trip - shared generously by Sue B!
All of today's photos are from Fantasyland, which had just undergone a major overhaul the year before. We lost the Pirate Ship and Skull Rock, but we got a lot of nice things too. The "Alice in Wonderland" ride was updated too, not opening until April 14th of 1984, when the rest of the "New Fantasyland had opened the previous May.
The Mad Tea Party was moved so that it was adjacent to the "Alice" ride, I'm glad they have each other for company.
Just like Lou, I have always loved these giant, shiny cups and saucers.
I never really thought about it before, but the passageway through Sleeping Beauty Castle appears to be a lot narrower than one might expect. Maybe 20 feet from end to end? A skilled balloon vendor is managing her wares - I'll bet it's harder than it looks.
The "Mad Hatter" used to be on Main Street, but they lost their lease and moved to better digs right right next to the castle. You can see the Hatter himself through the window.
I'm sure Lou was mighty impressed with the New Fantasyland, full of rich details. Here's the entrance to "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", with a statue of Thaddeus J. Toad above the entrance (note to self: I need more statues of ME). Notice the wonderful weathervane to the right.
Topiaries aren't just for "it's a small world" anymore; now there's a plump elephant topiary right next to Dumbo's Flying elephants.
Speaking of flying elephants, there's a whole herd of them now. Are they called a "flock" when they are in the air (just like real elephants)? I never noticed the stork bearing bundle, see him beneath Timothy Mouse.
And... one more general view of the same area. Enjoy those 80s fashions; shorts and tube socks are coming back in style, just you wait and see.
MANY thanks to Lou and Sue!
19 comments:
Yay! More "Lou Perry Pics®"
That little elephant topiary had a twin, whose trunk is visible in that same pic (far left, and just beyond the crowd of people). Unfortunately, the twin topiary was a victim of Disneyland's "Project Starcrap." That was the project in which management got rid of as many trees and planters as they could, in order to widen all of the walkways throughout the park. They did this in anticipation of the crowds that would be arriving for the opening of Wookie World. The crowds never came.
That last pic is showing the same spot (21 years later) visible in last Wednesday's GDB post. That was the photo of the area just outside the entrance to Skull Rock Cove.
For that second pic, Lou was standing in almost the same spot that my dad was, when he took this pic, one year earlier. The construction wall is still up in front of "Alice," in my Dad's 1983 pic:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1iHZJOAq2U/X5E0AGketMI/AAAAAAAATAs/ZqFSAe9Cu0sUF1K1gsIWcKkOJS4r3C5TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s689/Summer%2B1983.jpg
Thank you Lou, Sue and Major!
Sue, please tell Lou thanks for brightening my day! These are wonderful! I still think Disneyland beats WDW in the Fantasyland catagory (even with no Pirate Ship and even factoring in WDW's 7 Dwarfs Mine Train) I'd say I would love to be there now, but until the Gov decides to open, there ain't no point. Still, today, in my mind, I can visit.
Interestingly, the flat "leaves" around Alice appear to be different now. I guess it would make since that they needed replaced at some point.
You mentioned the Mad Hatter on Main St, Major, but how could you forget the "Mod Hatter?!" Thanks, Lou and Sue.
More wonderful shots from Lou. So much bright color and goodness.
I loved the '80s. So much happened in my life and we went to the Park often throughout that decade.
That kid in the stroller really has an eye for those balloons. Mom thinks if she just ignores him he will forget about those. She's right. The Carousel is straight ahead. The perfect distraction.
Tokyo, Your Dad and Lou were on the same wavelength. Both shots are great. And yeah, you hit the nail on the head. Project Starcrap indeed. Gutted the Park to a certain extent.
Thanks to Lou via Sue and the possibly absent Major.
TokyoMagic!, aw, it makes me sad that they tore out that second topiary elephant for “Galaxy’s Edge”. I have to wonder if those crowds that everyone was expecting will eventually materialize in a year or two? Jeez, it’s hard to believe that the last shot is in the same place as that Skull Rock photo from a few days ago. What a change, and not for the better. Thanks for the link to your Dad’s photo, that’s very cool! His is such a nice picture I thought it was one of those Pana—Vue slides.
Stu29573, I am biased (a LOT), but I have always found Disneyland’s Fantasyland to be much more charming than the one in Florida. I’m sure there are plenty of Floridians who disagree! Somebody on Facebook just came back from WDW, and it sounded like a very weird, fascinating experience.
Andrew, I think you are right about the leaves being replaced; in fact one blogger actually acquired a leaf or two for his home. Pretty cool! And... I don’t remember the “Mod Hatter”!
DrGoat, the 80s were still a good time at the park (though the ‘70s of my childhood are nearest and dearest to my heart). You’re right, that kid will forget the balloons as soon as they are out of his eyeline, and then he’ll be wanting something else. Ice cream maybe. Every time I read about Disneyland not reopening, I think, “Oh no!”, and then remember that I probably wouldn’t go anytime soon anyway.
TokyoMagic! That's cool that your dad took that picture from the same spot. Thanks for including it!
Andrew, I wonder how many versions Disney made of those Alice leaves?? Maybe Mike knows and will chime in.
Andrew, also, don't forget the "Med Hatter" and the "Mud Hatter."
Major, btw, I really never realized that the Mad Hatter moved from Main Street to Fantasyland. I thought there were two shops, at the same time. I guess I'm not that observant.
I see an empty tea cup in pic #3 - my 1984 self will gladly hop on for a spin - come join me!
In front of Mr. Toad's, the waste can says "Thank You" instead of PUSH. That's the first time I've noticed a "Thank You" in that spot. A very polite waste can.
Major, TokyoMagic, Stu, Andrew and DrGoat: I'm heading over to see my dad in a couple hours and will read your comments to him. Thank you, as always!
Sue
The woman in the first Teacup photo looks like she is about to give her stomach contents the old heave-ho. the guy in the Mr Toad scan looks a little like Kooky of 77 Sunset Strip. Lend me your comb. The Shining ruined topiaries for me. Ya just can't take your eyes off em, I tell ya. Thanks Lou, for these great photos and thanks to Sue and Major for sharing them.
Above, I almost included a comment to DrGoat, in response to his "possibly absent Major" statement...I was going to say, "Don't kid yourself, the Major's probably hovering now and carefully watching us!"
How true, I see!! (Hi, Major!)
Thanks, JC Shannon, too! I see that a few of us were all commenting at the same time.
Sue, definitely give Dad our thanks. Always a virtual trip back to the Disneyland we love, thanks to Lou.
Yeah Sue, I should have known better. The Major is always present.
Major, Evidently, Orange County and most of California need to be in the "yellow" tier to even consider re-opening. I've heard the numbers (via Freshbaked), and it's literally impossible for the foreseeable future. Like many months at the very least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykwo0vzEbs0
Our last trip to the park was in 2013 and to be honest, I don't think I'll ever get to the park again. Health reasons and then there's Covid and the crowds. My memories will have to sustain me. I can live with that at this point.
If not Postcardworthy, these are at the very least Guidebookworthy!
I love these pictures, Lou and Sue.
For my part, this remake of the Mad Tea Party is one of the best aspects of the New Fantasyland, and these pictures capture it very well.
I thought there was always a Mad Hatter in Fantasyland, but maybe I'm wrong. It could happen.
The giant leaves on the Alice queue were fascinating to me as a kid. They were one of the first things that I recognized as being made of "real" materials. The original leaf ribs were made of concrete reinforcing steel, with the classic "deformed" texture, which I recognized from concrete construction projects with Dad and his brother. I can imagine an old-school "Imagineer" with a torch, cutting and shaping this inexpensive and readily available material to work it into the magical plants.
Of course, now and in 1984, the ribs are smooth-surfaced metal and made up bespoke for the purpose. Some of the magic is lost by this approach to perfection.
Photo 4 clearly shows the pink, pebbled pavement we discussed in an earlier post. See how the castle arcade has it's stone pattern, and the pebble look takes over again as you step through.
I'm glad Mr. Toad got the excellent Manor House treatment that he deserved. I do love this little ride, in spite (or because) of its free interpretation of the story.
Thanks Again, Major, Lou and Sue. I echo Dr. Goat's comments here. The pictures are as good as travel today.
JG
Major, I should have mentioned that that last photo wasn't taken FROM the exact same spot as last Wednesday's photo, but it is a photo OF the exact same location. If Lou was standing at the "6 o'clock" position, taking that photo, then last weeks photographer was standing at the "9 o'clock" position....more or less! Monstro would be out of frame, just a little bit to the right, in Lou's pic.
I also forgot to mention (and JG was right) that there was a second Mad Hatter shop in Fantasyland. It was located between Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Peter Pan's Flight. That is the location which relocated over to the other side of Mr. Toad. The other Mad Hatter Shop on Main Street still exists. And the "Mod Hatter" in Tomorrowland, which Andrew mentioned, became the "Hatmosphere" at some point. Now that same little souvenir stand is called the "Winner's Circle." No creativity there!
By the way, in that Mad Hatter shop photo of Lou's, there is a stealthy Skyway pylon, hiding behind the tree on the far right.
The original Fantasyland Mad Hatter Shop can be seen here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/GreatGorilla/7-58-Nb-10.jpg
And a close up can be seen here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/GreatGorilla/8-1961-MadHatter.jpg
The original Mod Hatter stand in Tomorrowland, can be seen here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/Gorillamydreams/NewSkyway.jpg
And the Mad Hatter Shop on Main St. (which is still there today), can be seen here in one of Lou's pics from 1983:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlN8Mq-1o-A/XlRLfTQGicI/AAAAAAAARx0/PmMiwKRFeRI58RpvZ29Nfxza4f5CLFucwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/GDB%2B035%2B9-83%2BDL%2BMS-4.jpg
So many hat shops with the same, or similar names!
Am with my dad now and just read him all your comments. He said, “I’m so glad you appreciate my pictures, and am certainly glad I took them. I had a lot of fun taking them and am thrilled to share them with you!”
My dad thinks our Major is the best, and I agree!
Sue
Lou and Sue, to be honest, I also thought that there were two “Mad Hatter” shops, though it did occur to me that maybe there was just one but that it had moved at some point. I am always surprised when there is an empty Teacup, can they be individually “out of order”? You’d think that there would be somebody to ride it. I like the polite trash can, but I also like the ones that order you to WASTE. You must obey. I hope Lou is well!
Jonathan, my totally unscientific estimate is that 40% of guests do not like the spinning Teacups. It’s that inner ear thing. Nobody wants to barf at Disneyland. I know that the book version of “The Shining” had topiaries that came to life, imagine what they could do with CGI these days. In a way, the hedge maze was still a cool scene though.
Lou and Sue, oh I am always watching. Like Big Brother. 2 + 2 = 5! And I often respond to comments only to find two or three more by the time I’ve finished.
DrGoat, I’m kind of with you. I am OK with my Disneyland memories. That’s not to say that I will never visit the park again, but it doesn’t have the appeal that it used to for me. I guess it’s for “the kids” and the true fanatics (which I thought I belonged to).
Melissa, sometimes you’d see the same photo on a postcard AND in a guidebook!
JG, even if there’s no “Mad Hatter” shop, there is still plenty of opportunity to buy a funny hat. I like the idea of the old Alice leaves being created by somebody on the spot, even though I’m sure they had to follow a pattern. Still, they looked great. I can’t fault them for making them smoother and nicer today, even though I agree that some of that funkiness is lost. I like Mr. Toad’s Tudor-style home, and hope that it is never removed for some ill-conceived, more-recent IP based ride.
TokyoMagic!, oh OK, I gotcha. No wonder I was confused. Thanks for the clarification and the additional info on the two Mad Hatter shops. And oh yeah, the “Mod Hatter” was in Tomorrowland! I was thinking of the villain from the 1966 “Batman” TV show, but that was “The Bookworm”.
Lou and Sue, aw, I’m glad Lou is doing well and that he is happy to see his photos on GDB!
@Tokyo, thanks for those links!
Sue, give my best to your Dad, hope he is well.
Cheers Major, have a good time wherever you are!
JG
Thanks, Lou & Sue!
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