Today's photos are from 1956 - probably somewhere around May or June, based on clues from a previous post. Yes, it's overcast and gloomy, but it's probably that crazy phenomenon known as "June gloom". Don't worry about it, capiche?
Here's a look toward the Dumbo attraction (the Pirate Ship is just out of frame to our right), but the thing that grabs our eye and shakes it around is the piles of dirt and the massive crane looming loomily. The Rainbow Caverns Mine Train was under construction at about this time, so that's my guess as to what's going on. Just so you know, the RCMT opened on July 2nd. Imagine being among the first to experience that ride!
Next is a view toward the Mad Tea Party. The ground is still wet from its morning scrubbing. Beyond the teacups is the place where the Mickey Mouse Club 3D Jamboree would open on June 16th - but it doesn't appear to be open for business yet. And another crane can just be seen above the castle's battlements. It's possible that some construction for the Skyway was also underway, since that opened on June 23rd.
Major-
ReplyDeleteConstruction-wise, things are all bustling-along. 'Fan I' is attempting to play hide 'n seek behind the Dumbo ticket booths.
Thanks, Major.
Major, it looks so strange to see great piles of barren dirt. But I guess that was a fairly common sight during Disneyland's first couple of years, yes?
ReplyDeleteIn the Teacups image, I can see (at least) three white-shirted Ride Operators overseeing the loading, unloading, and ticket taking. Plus, there had to be at least one more selling tickets in the booth. Whew! Seems like a lot of personnel just to operate one flat ride.
- Just Basted (keeps the turkey moist and tender)
Just Basted (good one!), I think the "white shirt" with his hands on his hips is thinking, "I bet I can stand in the dead center of the turntable, while it is in motion, and not fall down."
ReplyDeleteIn the same pic, the couple on the far right are "in hold" and are about to "tango" their way across Fantasyland.
- Tokyo Mutton!
I. for one, am impressed by the peaceful dozing Dumbi in the first shot. It really does seem like a nice time to be at the park, even though my favorite ride of that time wouldn't open for a couple of months. Park admission is cheap enough to where I can just come back time after time! I'm glad they love us loyal repeat visitors and would never throw us over for rich, spoiled folks with deep pockets and little sense! Ah, loyalty!
ReplyDeleteWonderful yet strange to see the park at that time. We didn't show up until the next year. If there was any visible construction going on then I probably would not have noticed. 7 years old and in Disneyland! I think that was the over riding mood. No time for remembering anything out of place.
ReplyDeleteStu, Yes, it would have been a nice time to be in the park. Time after time. Also a neat song. Loyalty you say? (Sarcasm noted). Not in today's world. Ask Frank Oz.
Thanks Major, nice way to start a Monday.
I love these “almost construction pics”, only wish the photographer moved in closer.
ReplyDeleteThe man on the left in picture 1 looks very much like my Dad might have looked then, straw hat and (looks like) work clothes. He never wore jeans, even for farm work. The shirt would be a heavy twill, either khaki or an odd blue-green, as this one appears to be.
A plain green trash can makes a solo appearance. No others to be seen, even in pic 2. I wonder if the numbers increased as time went on. Maybe the dwarves were making more down in the diamond mine? I know! Mickey chopped one in pieces post-Fantasia!
The Welch’s Juice Bar is calling to me, anyone else want a cold grape juice and ogle the centaurettes in the Fantasia mural?
JG
Nanook, that was definitely a time of “big things” constantly brewing. Fascinating to look back on!
ReplyDeleteJB, it sure seems that way, and the lucky guests kept getting better and better attractions. As far as I am aware, Walt was not so much into stage shows as attractions, with the qualified exception of the Mickey Mouse Club Circus, which we all know was a famous flop. And you’re right, I think these days they try to get away with the absolute minimum of cast members. Gotta save that money.
TokyoMagic!, I just saw a video of a young woman of a spinning-turntable ride, she was on the actual turntable, walking (dancing?) gracefully as the ride continued to spin. I’m kind of surprised that the operator didn’t halt the ride, but she seemed to be doing fine. If we could see the man’s head (the tangoing couple), we’d see that he has a rose clutched in his teeth.
Stu29573, don’t be fooled, there’s nothing more dangerous than rousing a sleeping Dumbi. Even if the Mine Train wasn’t open yet, I’d be thrilled to be able to explore *this* Disneyland. What a time! I’ve thought about what it would be like, including how much it would cost the average person to go back over and over. ‘Cause I’m a nerd!
DrGoat, I’m sure there must have been some construction going on in 1957, but I’m also sure that your young brain only had eyes for the wonderful stuff, and probably zipped over any cranes or piles of dirt. U suppose it was only a matter of time before Frank Oz would be replaced, but I would never have thought that it would be while he was still alive and healthy enough to still be doing those Muppet voices.
JG, I wonder if those construction crews worked around the clock? Maybe they had bright lights so that they could scoop dirt onto that hill when the park was closed. It could happen! I’m surprised that your dad never wore jeans on the farm, my dad said that they wore overalls when he was a kid - still denim, anyway. Tough fabric for tough work. You see those odd pea-green trash cans in the early days. At some point they were repainted with the more familiar designs, which must have been quite a process. Imagine any other part devoting so much time and effort to trash cans! I always love me a centaurette.
In the first photo we have a great view of the base of the umbrellas over the colored benches. Never really thought about the fact that they would have independent bases, but that's what we have with our patio table so it makes total sense to me.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, there, JG! Wait up - I'm right behind you! The juice bar is a fun childhood memory, and then, as you say, there are centaurettes. I've always been attracted to centaurettes, although I never actually horsed around with any. They do have a bit of a reputation for being hot to trot. Probably a good thing I was never saddled with that kind of relationship as I might have had trouble reining one of them in. More than happy to be in harness with the pretty little filly I finally teamed up with.
Horse feathers, Chuck!
ReplyDeleteSue, I knew you'd figure out some way to stirrup the discussion.
ReplyDeleteChuck, Maybe they wouldn’t have needed the weighted bases if the benches were solid… but that sure would make them heavy. I am afraid that I am going to have to fine you 500 golden pazoozas for those terrible centarette puns, there’s a reason we have laws. (I actually liked the puns).
ReplyDeleteLou and Sue, I GOT NOTHIN’.
Chuck, (in my best Dr. Smith from “Lost in Space” voice), “The pain… the pain…”.
Chuck, Major, all the centaurette humor seems pretty stable stuff to me.
ReplyDeleteJG
Tokyo Mutton! (I wonder if mutton in Tokyo is better than mutton in the U.S. of A.? Aussie mutton probably beats them both.), That couple on the right does indeed look like they're about to Tango thru Fantasyland. They both seem to be pointing at the same thing... but what?! I NEED TO KNOW!
ReplyDeleteStu, I had to wipe off all the sarcasm that dripped onto my keyboard after reading your comment.
DrGoat, our family first went to Disneyland in '57 as well; I was only 4 at the time and don't have a lot of original memories of the trip. I have a few (mostly ho-hum) slide scans for the Major, if he's interested.
JG, your dad sounds like my grandpa (my dad's dad). He never wore jeans either. Mostly (baggy) bib-overalls with one of those heavy twill, khaki shirts.
Chuck, does Mrs. Chuck know of your fixation with centaurettes? I was going to add to your horsey theme, but you pretty much covered it all, neigh, you galloped away with it!
The gloom in June
ReplyDeleteComes soon this afternoon.
This afternoon in June
Will soon have glooom!
There's always horsing around in the bridle suite.
Melissa, your comment was definitely a whinny, er — winner!
ReplyDeleteJB and Major, Dad (nor I) ever wore bib overalls.
ReplyDeleteMost of our neighbors wore the bibs. At least one fellow, I can't recall ever seeing him dressed any other way.
I don't know why Dad didn't dress like that. His work outfits were bought especially for work, and he looked more like a mechanic or a tradesman (carpenter etc.), like the man in the pic today. He was a sharp dresser for social occasions and wore a suit every Sunday to church. Once at a restaurant for Sunday dinner, a woman asked him if he was a minister. He looked like a city guy, except for the deep tan. I think that's why he liked Green Acres so much. I thought he resembled Eddie Arnold somewhat.
JG
JG, please stop! :-D
ReplyDeleteJB, I have heard that mutton is very gamey, so I’ve never wanted to try it. Lamb is a bit weird too. Hey, if you have slide scans from ’57, let’s seem them! I’m not sure my grandpa (and my dad’s side of the family) wore jeans, and they were all farm folk, at least for a while. Eventually my grandpa got a job at the local Hormel plant and I think his life was easier after that.
Melissa, you didn’t mention daffodils (the most poetic of flowers), but I will allow it.
Lou and Sue, OUCH.
JG, I never really thought about how my relatives dressed at the farm, but jeans just don’t seem like their thing. I feel like I always saw them in khakis of some kind. Of course by the time I knew some of these folks, they weren’t as “hands on” as they’d been when they were 30 years younger. Funny that the woman thought your dad was a minister just because he had a suit on. He should have just gone with it. “Bless you, ma’am.”
The gloom of June obscures the daffodils,
ReplyDeleteBut what care I? For I am full of pills.
Major, it was funny. She was being introduced, she had never met him, and he didn't fit her image of a farmer.
ReplyDeleteKhakis was a good description of his look. I didn't wear jeans either until very late high school.
JG
@Melissa, brings a whole new meaning to "bridal leather".
ReplyDeleteJG
This city kid wore overalls a lot around 1968. I even remember the manufacturer name: "Can't Bust 'Em". I think I bought them at JC Penney's. They used to have a "work clothes" area.
ReplyDeleteI thought Walt always had the crews put the piles of construction dirt away before guests arrived each morning, and then brought them out each night. Right after they changed every lightbulb so none were ever out. :-)
ReplyDelete