Adventureland, March 1981
I have two nice photos from 1981 Adventureland. A mere four years before the Indiana Jones Adventure debuted. Other than occasional upgrades to the Jungle Cruise, not a lot tended to change in Adventureland.
Here we see the Swiss Family Treehouse, which had opened in 1962. As far as I was concerned, it was an attraction I wanted to visit every time. In this photo there is a covered area out front, I wonder if a CM stood there, and the management took pity and provided some shade? The tree's red leaves had by now been replaced by more standard dark green leaves - presumably the older ones had started to age out in the previous 19 years. It's interesting to consider that this image was taken about halfway through the treehouse's existence, it would be around for another 18 years, until Tarzan came along in 1999.
And here's a familiar view of the exterior of the Enchanted Tiki Room building, with those four Rolly Crumpish carved wooden shields to ward off evil spirits, and probably werewolves too.
26 comments:
Awwww! I miss this version of the treehouse.....AND also the open area in front of it. That area is so cluttered up now with the new entrance/tree they added out in the middle of the walkway. I have always wondered why they didn't just keep the original entrance and exit, when the treehouse was re-themed to Tarzan.
I like the early eighties pics of DL, Major. The park was still very nice and hadn't been totally ruined yet (just partially, with the removal of Nature's Wonderland Mine Train).
- Tokyo Malice!
I have always loved the signage on the Swiss Family Treehouse. And check out the orange pantsuit with the pink design and cuffs on the lady to the far left! I think she’d probably had that suit for a while by 1981.
In the Treehouse photo, it's interesting that the Robinsons built that little canopy out of oars... Like they'll never need THOSE again to, I dunno, get off the island someday? Actually, those crafty sons, Fritz and Ernst, got carried away with their treehouse project and dismantled a perfectly seaworthy boat. Oops. But they got a wonderful treehouse!
Is that a Disneyland bag under that guy's arm? Any guesses as to the contents?
I wonder when the dark green leaves replaced the red leaves?
I wonder why the photographer didn't move to his/her right a couple feet so that the whole Tiki Room sign could be seen. I guess he was focused entirely on the shields and the thatched roof.
Nice photos again, Major. We've been getting a lot of better-than-average images lately. :-)
- Jabbering Bandersnatch
Four years before the Indiana Jones Adventure, or maybe fourteen. Who knows? It was before the premiere of Treasure Planet. Before that, nothing really mattered. ;-)
Nice set today, Major. Thank you.
The second picture is my favorite, today. Do I spy a couple of cute little tiki babies? (That reminds me...Mike C. still owes us a picture of his tiki bathroom.)
Thanks, Major.
- Lou & Sue & Tiki Babies, too
I didn't know Tarzan was such a huge "Hit" to warrant his own treehouse, nor putting another tree in a walkway in an already congested area (?) DeRuin is DeDazed and DeConfused! I loved the Treehouse and everything about it. If there weren't guests behind me giving me anxiety to go faster I could probably hang out all day. Instead of a ridiculous and silly "Disney Suite", let people sleep over in the treehouse- kick Tarzan out and bring back the Family Swiss! Besides other things, the tree is quite an engineering marvel. Not sure if this would be attempted in todays world. That tarp is probably for the employee...to not get soaked in rain, or baked in sun. The treehouse had it's own costume that was quite unique with a jaunty little cap. Tiki Room I didn't discover until later in life. Back in the day the cast members would be of possibly polynesian/asian descent. I don't remember any boys there- only very pretty ladies who fit the costume as designed. I think later there were guys with orange hawaiian shirts (?) Something is going on with that awning there on the Tiki Hut...looks all sloppy and catty-wompas. It's a look. Strangely, I do remember that tree/bush blocking the sign. Was it a plumeria, or another exotic? It was quite tended to and you can see how it was pruned through the years by looking at the trunk. Looks like the Tiki roof needs a little bit of help- it probably hadn't had a re-thatching since it opened. Looks very authentic! There is a little Tiki God on the right...is that from Peter and Bobby Brady...is that TABOO!?
Like last year, just because I think it intersects with the interests of some Junior Gorillas, I wanted to share the link to the "fiftyyearstoolate" Tumblr and their annual roundup of Vintage Halloween Kids: https://fiftyyearstoolate.tumblr.com/
Yeah, it's all so wonderful isn't it? Then a few years later the new regime would arrive and Disneyland would never be the same. Good or bad depends on one's point of view, but it was inevitable.
Love the Enchanted Tiki Room exterior pic. Thanks, Major.
Melissa, Thanks for sharing the "fiftyyearstoolate" link. Some great stuff there. I love the commercial ad drawings and the B&W photo of the two children staring into the Jack O'Lantern.
Major, I agree, the Treehouse was a must visit. What kid doesn't like a decked out treehouse full of cool gadgets. Those tiki gods were also there to ward off corporate greed and franchise money grabs. Crap! It didn't work. Oh well. Thanks Major. I want to see the tiki privy as well.
Major, these are brilliant. All the best of the old Adventureland. I can hear the rubber snakes in the thatch from here.
Tarzan was a stupid story, stupid book, and made a stupid movie, and then promotion of a stupid movie destroyed a brilliant attraction based on a good story. It's like Gresham's Law except fiction.
For my part, I think Swiss Family is ready for a re-make and the promotion of the re-make could be used to dump Tarzan. They could have Johnny Depp and Dwayne Bathtub fighting Barbary pirates or something... that would sell a lot of plush.
I hope the Tiki Room never changes in any meaningful way. It's just a good, basic story that could be slightly embellished here and there. I do see that wheelchair access has been improved, and the snack area restored, which is good. Tiki stuff is coming back in a big way, hopefully to stay this time. Maybe they don't ruin everything.
Also, "Crumpish" is now my favorite word.
JG
TokyoMagic!, I don’t understand why you don’t like clutter. It’s so great! The way you are right on top of other people, with strollers going over your toes, and people bumping into you. I love it. I agree, why DID they changed the original entrance?? There must have been some rationale for it.
Melissa, ha ha the orange and pink definitely makes me think of 1967, though I suppose it must be from later than that (?).
JB, I figure that the ship the Robinsons were on had multiple extra oars. Plus in the book they do build a small boat (from pieces that were on the ship) and sail it around the island (if I recall correctly). It’s been a while since I read that book! That is definitely a shopping bag, it looks like it might contain something soft like a shirt. Just a guess! No idea when the green leaves replaced the red ones, unfortunately.
Chuck, “Treasure Planet”, I still remember thinking what a GREAT idea that was, since “Treasure Island” was one of my favorite books. I didn’t hate TP, but did find it to be a bit disappointing, ultimately.
Lou and Sue, I have always wanted to own one of those little tiki babies. They made repros of them at some point (the 50th, maybe?), and even those go for a lot, but I am snooty and want one of the originals. I’ll settle for nothing less!
Bu, you know the story goes that the Swiss Family was evicted because kids did not know the story. I’m sure they also liked the idea of tying it in to some new Disney IP (or Edgar Rice Burroughs IP?). I even like Disney’s Tarzan movie just fine, but am not wild about the conversion of one of my favorite Disneyland icons. I never think that many people have to worry about rain in Disneyland, though it does happen of course. Just not that much, and certainly not that much over the past few years! Drought city. And yes, if a CM happened to be Asian, it was more than likely that they would find themselves working in Adventureland. I’ve noticed that in older photos. I think the wonky nature of the Tiki Room photo is more because the picture itself is skewed slightly.
Melissa, funny, I was just looking at the “fiftyyearstoolate” Tumblr the other day!
K. Martinez, as with anything, there is always some good, and some bad, but (because I qualify as an old fart by now), I find the removal of some of my beloved classics to be painful.
Jonathan, I remember my dad being frustrated that we wanted to visit the Tiki Room. “It’s exactly the same as last year!”. I think he didn’t want to climb all those stairs. We didn’t care if it was the same, in fact we wanted it to be that way.
I bet they provided that shady employee spot to make up for the fact that they had to hear the “Swisskapolka” for hours on end. Those poor CMs probably heard it in their sleep! And now it’s in your head, too mwahahaha.
Celeste
Here's how kids can remember a movie...Walt Disney Productions had this nailed...re-release the same movie every 7 years. Duh. These movies were built for a big screen...and even though homes have big screens...nothing compares with popcorn, sticky floors, the smell of Coke syrup..and a big screen. Both times I saw Swiss Family Robinson it was a re-release. What a great way to churn $$ and get a new generation who will understand Swiss Family Robinson. Then you have the parents, who grew up with it, who take the kids...everyone wins...and the tree house is back to one! Get those blossoms ready for the re-do. I guess we should all be grateful that it wasn't torn down for some George Lucas/Pixar/Marvel/ABC et al. pile of poo trackless 4D overly elaborate all immersing billion dollar "thing". and...I rant...there is a reason that Dumbo is a popular ride...all it does is goes round and round for a few minutes...it has nothing to do with going round and round.
Well said, Bu!
Thanks, Melissa - that’s a fun site!
Bu, I saw most of the Disney "classics" on re-release at the local drive-in. They had a "Family Night" every week, and there was usually some Disney movie or another on the bill. I've always had an irrational resentment of The Apple Dumpling Gang because there was something I wanted to watch on TV that night instead of going to the drive-in. And now, I can't even remember what it was I resented missing!
And another movie memory that I'm kind of ashamed of in retrospect is the first time I saw the trailer for Treasure Planet. I can't quite remember what feature I was there to see, but I think it may have been the first Lord of the Rings. I was recovering from surgery at the time, and a little loopy from the pain medication, and when the TP trailer played the whole concept just seemed so ludicrous to me that I let out a huge, ugly laugh, like "HAAAAAAA!!" Luckily, there were only a few other people in the theater.
While Asian descent seemed to be the preferred CMs, I can attest that not all were...including me. Imagine...after working for months on high capacity attractions on hot days(like the JC), then finding yourself assigned to Tiki for a weekend was like taking a vacation to the Islands! I loved wearing the Hawaiian shirt. One fellow...an ex-WWII Marine BTW...spend many days there as the lead. Hank Block was his name and we all loved the codger. Now, many times, as part of the rotation, we also went to the Treehouse to provide the CM a break or lunch. I so was hoping to see Earl Archer in the photo at the turnstile...Mr Treehouse. We always wondered how he kept that knit hat on his bald head. It was a great place to people watch. But Tiki...oh what a skate position it was. KS
Earl! I remember him, and yes...that was HIS costume...very much so...I am sure there are photos of him, he always seemed to be there. I don't remember Hank...but probably if I saw a photo I would...the name is familiar. Have to dig up those old sweeper yearbooks that have pictures of everyone. I can see Tiki being skate after months on another attraction- especially JC where you have to be "on"...waking up Jose always seemed a little wooden...did that go to a recorded spiel instead of human later?
I can't speak for DL, but the last time I was at WDW they were still waking up Jose "by hand."
KS, I think you have just provided me my first memory connection with a CM by name.
I do vaguely remember the Treehouse entrance at least once tended by a man wearing a knit hat, it must have been Mr. Archer.
From your comments, you were undoubtedly around somewhere on my visits too, in one of your many roles. For my part, I will say that you were both my canoe pilot and JC skipper at various times, but of course, I can't confirm either one.
Let me say "thank you" to you and your compatriots who worked hard to make my childhood visits memorable.
I really appreciate and enjoy these comments from the CM's that add to and sometimes trigger old memories like this. Thank you very much indeed to all of you former CM's.
JG
Major, I don't hate TP either, but I prefer corncobs.
Bu, your comment about the re-release experience mirrors some of my formative (and most cherished) experiences growing up. I couldn't wait to see that next Disney animated re-release (along with a classic supporting feature or whatever lackluster 1970s screwball comedy happened to be current) and the only box of Milk Duds in my life until the next re-release or Hallowe'en, whichever came first. My first viewing of Swiss Family Robinson was in a double feature with Old Yeller in around 1975, and they ran both movies continuously all afternoon and into the evening, just like an old-time Saturday matinee (without the cartoon or newsreel). Sticky floors were a given, particularly when moms like mine encouraged me to just throw my trash on the floor, the only place that was ever encouraged or allowed other than a ball park. I'm embarrassed to admit that I was well into my 20s before it dawned on me that those large trash bins near the auditorium exit might be intended to be self-serve.
And for BU and KS and Amazon Belle and Huck Caton (if you're lurking today) and the unsung thousands of others who read this blog, I'll echo JG's sentiments and say "thanks" as well. The caliber of employees back in those days really made a difference and helped make my childhood memories of Disneyland happy and lasting ones. Not that there's anything wrong with today's employees, but it's just a chronological impossibility for them to impact my childhood memories now.
I agree, Chuck. All you wonderful past Disneyland employees made my Disneyland trips the BEST! And I absolutely love all your stories. Thank you!
I just read that Ruthie Tompson (Disney animator) passed away Sunday, age 111. She worked on Snow White...that’s going back quite a ways...
Celeste, I honestly wonder if the CMs get so used to that music that they don’t hear it anymore?? I hope so for their sakes.
Bu, I’m not sure when they stopped releasing movies like Swiss Family Robinson… I guess with the advent of VHS and later, DVD, it wasn’t such a sure thing that parents would show these movies to their kids. I saw SFR at a drive-in when I was little. It seemed long to me, but for all I know it’s only 90 minutes. I liked it though! And let’s face it, that treehouse was so cool that it really didn’t matter if kids knew the movie - they could use their imaginations. No need to bring Tarzan into it.
Lou and Sue, Melissa only knows fun sites.
Melissa, my mom used to take us to the local library on weekends to see movies. I remember seeing Fantasia there, and we saw a John Wayne movie too. I want to say it was “Big Jake”, but am not completely sure. I’ve never seen “The Apple Dumpling Gang”! One of the things I did not like about Treasure Planet was the way they changed Jim Hawkins to a skysurfing radical dude. Musker and Clemens often used things like that to quickly establish a character as “cool”. I can totally understand your reaction!
KS, I didn’t mean to imply that CMs in Adventureland were exclusively Asian. I just meant that if a person happened to be Asian, I believe that it was more likely that they would be assigned to a position in Adventureland. I wish we had stories from people like Hank Block and Earl Archer, think of what they experienced!
Bu, very cool that you remember Earl Archer too. Was he generally there in the 1980s? If so, my slide collection is pretty lacking. But Lou and Sue have lots of photos of the park from the ’80s! The last time I went to the Tiki Room, they still woke Jose up.
Melissa, yes; “My siestas are getting chorter and chorter!”.
JG, gosh, I don’t think I knew any CMs by name, not counting a performer like Rod Miller. I know I’ve seen lots of photos of “Maynerd” over by the Haunted Mansion. And I guess now that I think about it, we’ve seen Captain Mike on the Columbia and the Mark Twain. I guess there were more than I realized! I’m sure that KS and others did work very hard, but it sure sounds like it was a rewarding place to work, too. Lots of camaraderie, or esprit de corp, that sort of thing!
Chuck, corncobs, eh? I don’t know, they seem so newfangled. There was a period in my life when I definitely looked forward to the rerelease of certain Disney films, particularly the animated classics such as “Snow White”, “Pinocchio”, and “Fantasia”. For some reason that stale popcorn aroma really takes me right back to childhood cinema visits, and as you said, sticky floors were a given. Years ago (I’d say 15 years at this point), I’d gone to the park and was so impressed at the level of courtesy and competence in the CMs that I actually wrote a letter saying as much. I never did get a response, which kind of surprised me, since I wasn’t complaining, I was complimenting!
I just reread today’s comments...great stories and insight!
TM! Wasn’t it you who filled us in on the behind-the-scenes making of theater popcorn?? It was enlightening, to say the least.
Chuck, you mentioned Amazon Belle (‘Matthew—Always Your Pal’)...I’m just hoping he’s OK, as I’ve been watching for him to comment on a number of blogs—but haven’t seen him in a long time (at least a year). Does anyone know what’s happened to our pal???
Yep, Major, I have more 80s pictures to share, and I’m still hoping we find more Jr. Gorillas in them!
Sue, it wasn't me who talked about theater popcorn. That was someone else....or maybe it was a couple other people, but now I can't remember who. I think I might have triggered that conversation, by sharing how Knott's would make us save the already-popped/unsold popcorn at the end of the night. They would make us put it in a trash bag and then the next day, the opening person would have to dump that old popcorn into the bin, and then pop a fresh batch and mix it all together to sell to the customers.
Folks...On behalf of the CMs of my time, thank you for those compliments. I think our generation were primarily those who grew up with Disney...watching the weekly program. We felt a part of his dream. And management attempted to live up to it as well giving us some latitude in allowing a degree of harmless shenanigans. It was indeed work...sometimes a bit overly repetitive as you might imagine. It took a village. Folks like Captain Mike and Earl and Hank made it a career...the level of which is harder to do nowadays due to the pay scale. All are gone now and some of the magic of the time left with them. Many of us 'younger folk' continue to stay together through social media. I have many more CMs I call 'friends' than those I went to high school or college with.
SFR...I remember seeing the movie on its original release in 1960. Never thought some 20 years later I might even 'bump' Earl and be the 'gatekeeper' of that treehouse in Disneyland. You never forget something like that. And to this day...the continuing joke that occasionally circulates amongst us is "How did Earl keep that hat on his head?" It's still unknown. And yes, he was good at preventing us from knocking it off. He and many others are memorialized on a FB page that was created a few years back by one of the alumni. We get interesting comments and submissions from families of the CMs which keep us informed and provide humorous anecdotes. And also reminds of the passage of time. Wow...I had a lot to say on this one. KS
Major: it would be very odd that any letter would not be responded to, as it is SOP to respond to everyone and there is certainly a team to do that. How very strange. I am flattered by the kudos from people thanking all of us for our service- it was a different world back then- I think we were just allowed to have more fun with each other, which translates to the guest experience. I'm sure HR has very specific views about how you interact with each other in and out of the workplace now. In the 80's it was the wild west. The focus on guests shifted after I left...and became very over-the-top due to the then leadership. Apparently, there was a huge push to be totally gushing with how you interacted with guests. It honestly felt a little artificial to me, but that's just grumpy ol me!
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