Two From March, 1963
It's time for more so-so images, for your mid-October Sunday! I know you've been looking forward to it, and even rescheduled your brunch with Cher. She was cool about it.
There are a LOT of photos that have been taken from the Plaza looking toward the Matterhorn; it's not really the best angle on this iconic landmark, but it might be the first time the photographer has gotten a pretty good look at it. We're all so used to it after more than 60 years, but what a sight it must have been back then.
A bobsled can be seen in that open tunnel, bumping the cromulence of this image by 30%.
Near the base of the Matterhorn is a lagoon full of submarines, just like the real Matterhorn in Switzerland. They need to protect the vital chocolate supplies. There's not a person to be seen, almost as if the ride is closed, but the photo was taken from the queue, so I assume that it was just a fluke that the place looks so deserted.
15 comments:
At first I could see no guests in any of these pictures, but in the second Matterhorn you can see two guests faces and part of a green and yellow bobsled in the cavern open to the right of the waterfall top!
On Friday I passed Disneyland on Harbor using the entrance to the 5 South right there next to the DLRR Roundhouse/Monorail storage and everything was totally dark!! You couldn’t even see that Disneyland was there - EXCEPT the totally black silhouette of Matterhorn Mountain against the dusk sky. So sad.
Maybe Mike is getting at something... these could be photos of the park now. They've just restored the holes in the Matterhorn (including the Skyway), as well as the c. 1960 Tomorrowland, complete with grey subs and the House of the Future! Some essential CM has commandeered these images to sell on eBay.
Just had a random thought - did any sub skipper ever forget to close one of the hatches before taking a sub for a spin? I imagine it would get pretty wet inside passing under one of the waterfalls.
Mike, that would be an unreal image. At times I've wondered what Disneyland would look like in a post-apocalyptic world. You've seen it (before all of the trees and grass became overgrown).
Ah, yes, the chocolate. Few people know that the real Matterhorn is home to thousands of chocolate mines. They are worked mainly by Keebler elves. Originally, Disney was going to replicate the mines in their version, but building the Matterhorn framing out of chocolate didn't work, as it kept melting. Plus birds, mice and other critters ate it regularly. So sad.
Major, there is a lot to love about both images today. I agree the popularity of this view is at least partly because it is the first clear view of the Mountain exiting Main Street. The bit of bobsled just adds to the value. Nice framing of the HOF too. The lamp post helps with the chronological dissonance that is the essence of the old Park.
It’s easy to see why the Matterhorn omits the chocolate components of the original, but the interior shows its Swiss inspiration by running like clockwork.
I wonder if the sub photo is for the first ride of the day? Sea Wolf has the engine hatch open, and George Washington has the passenger hatches open, but both are on the outboard quay, not the one for passenger loading. The sub we will board is just visible to the extreme right and the name is out of view. I think the gangplank for the front hatch is raised up in right foreground.
Chuck, the subs have floor drains in case that happens.
We all complain about the crowds, but I will be happy to see the crowds return someday.
Thanks Major and GDB Team.
JG
I suspect the photographer's subject was the trash can named PUSH. Lucky for us it included the Matterhorn, an attraction poster, a peek at the Monorail track, HOF, and colorful umbrellas. And curbs which are all gone now, I think.
I noticed the number D-302 on the Seawolf and was poking around the web to see if that was significant in any way. Not really but I learned that all the names have been changed (Except the Nautilus- still D-301). Seawolf (302)is now the Neptune and the old Patrick Henry is now the Seawolf #308. Triton is still in there somewhere, too.
Thanks major
zach
Mike Cozart, yeah these are spookily devoid of people, I guess that back in those days, if you wanted no lines, you went to the park in March! I have to admit that as much as “no people” sounds kind of nice, I actually do like the energy of some sort of crowd. It’s too bad you couldn’t stop and take a photo of the darkened roundhouse and silhouetted Matterhorn - very apocalyptic!
Andrew, I would love it if they were putting Disneyland back to the way it was in the 1960s during the shutdown! What a surprise for the fans when they go back. Disney should give you a raise for that idea.
Chuck, oh man, now that would be a blunder. I’d like to believe that even if the skipper forgot to close one of the hatches, that some other CM would notice. But as we all know, “stuff” happens.
stu29573, you have clearly read Fred R. Glut’s book, “Disneyland’s Dark Chocolate: Secrets of the Matterhorn”. Disney tried to stop the publication, but the truth must be known! We all remember when miners broke through a previously-sealed cavern, only to release the ferocious abominable snowman who had been in hibernation for 19 years.
JG, I didn’t really consider the lamp post, but I suppose you’re right, it’s sort of a halfway step between the “not quite Main Street” of the Plaza and the Home of Tomorrow. They should add the smell of chocolate to the Matterhorn ride, kind of like the factory ride at Hersheypark! I believe that the Sub photo is later in the day rather than earlier, though as always I could be mistaken. Those permanent gangplanks were a great idea, sturdy and foolproof. Though it wouldn’t shock me to hear that somebody, at some time, fell into the water somehow! I agree, it will be nice to see photos of Disneyland full of people again. I probably won’t be there, but still, it will just feel right.
zach, didn’t WDW have a walkin’ talkin’ trash can called “PUSH”? I could almost swear I’ve heard about it on podcasts. That just goes to show you how iconic the classic old trash cans had become. I was wondering if all the names of the subs had been changed from the old cold war names to something a little less threatening, but hey, Seawolf is still kind of intense!
Major, if it's "not really the best angle on this iconic landmark" how come there is a Kodak Picture Spot right there? Huh?!
So-so, sleepy Sunday shots, these aren't! I want my money back.
I especially like the first one. If PUSH was a couple feet over to the left - it would look like he was trying to stand under the umbrella.
After taking a second glance at that first shot, Major, I think you need to use your artistic skills and add arms to PUSH - one reaching out holding the umbrella and one reaching out holding the Kodak picture spot sign.
I think the House of the Future looks very natural in front of the Matterhorn. Perhaps Disney had it right the first time, placing it in Tomorrowland and wrapping the Monorail around it.
It seemed that even with those sub hatches closed that there was a certain amount of moisture that came through at the waterfalls. I'm not sure if it was intentional but those subs look very realistic with their areas of slight rust. If done today they would be Royal Blue with a touch of sparkle.
Sunday Night, I know what you mean, but HEY, the Picture Spot is a good 40 feet away! How far away can you be and still have it count as part of the Picture Spot? A question for philosophers and weirdos like me.
Lou and Sue, why are you speaking like Yoda? Are you from the Dagobah system? If so, which high school did you go to? On an uncrowded day like that, why not put the trash cans under the umbrellas. It’s something to do.
Lou and Sue, er um! Don’t you know that I have many meetings with important celebrities today? The Kardashians for instance, the most important people on the planet (apparently).
Omnispace, I’m sure part of what makes the House of the Future fit so well is that we are used to seeing it there. Or maybe it’s easy to imagine that it is some sort of “Swiss Modern” architecture? I remember that whenever they opened those hatches, a little water would spill in, which always seemed to reinforce the idea that we’d been underwater - at least it did when I was little.
The Submarine Voyage opened with all its subs named after real-world Nuclear US NAVY Submarines ..... at the time very futuristic. They included ; NAUTILUS, SEAWOLF, SKATE, TRITON, ETHAN ALLEN, PATRICK HENRY, SKIPJACK, GEORGE WASHINGTON.
In 1985 a major redesign re-themed the attraction’s look to marine - scientific exploration and after a few “test color” schemes the subs were repainted to a exploration “National Geographic” yellow. And several of the subs were renamed to match the new theme better. They included
NAUTILUS, TRITON, SEAWOLF (remained) NEPTUNE, SEA STAR, EXPLORER , SEEKER, ARGONAUT were sailing by 1986.
The Submarine Voyage opened with all its subs named after real-world Nuclear US NAVY Submarines ..... at the time very futuristic. They included ; NAUTILUS, SEAWOLF, SKATE, TRITON, ETHAN ALLEN, PATRICK HENRY, SKIPJACK, GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Mike, correction: 7 of the subs were named after "real-world Nuclear US Navy Submarines," and 1 was named after a "real-world Nuclear US Navy Sofa."
;)
LOU AND SUE: hmmm the US NAVY SOFA could only be the ETHAN ALLEN ?? Built in the Ethan Allen “Carriage-House Interiors “ shipyard??
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