Two Beauties
I have two orphan slides for you today - hopefully "better than average"! First up is this unusual shot of Sleeping Beauty Castle, with a kooky red and white construction fence, which can only be surrounding the area where the Carnation Plaza Gardens would open on August 18th, 1956. To the right we can see a Skyway gondola, and the Skyway opened on June 23rd, 1956, so that helps to narrow down when this photo was taken. In just a few months, the Plaza Gardens would swing to the sound of many of the greatest big bands of the era.
Next is another undated slide, but the presence of the Matterhorn means 1959 or later, and the round Skyway gondolas were replaced with the rectangular versions in 1965, so we're somewhere in that six year period. Anyway, I think this is a fun view, with a group of guests anxiously waiting to board the Tomorrowland Autopia. Because the Matterhorn appears to be relatively dark in color, I am guessing that this photo was taken in the early '60s, since it was eventually painted a lighter hue. Sadly, no bobsleds are visible.
Just for fun, I zoomed in so that we can see a few ticket books (in a shirt pocket, another in hand). The gentleman with the white shirt has a tattoo on his forearm, likely a souvenir of his time in WWII. Behind him, a man with a Keppy Kap (smoking a cigarette) is buying an ice cream bar on this warm day.
I hope you have enjoyed today's randos!
23 comments:
For a second I thought that toddler had the park all to himself. But then I noticed the guy to his upper left and a couple of people in the Castle archway. And of course, the photographer who took this picture. That's probably his/her kid wandering off.
It's a good thing that stripy fence is there to keep the kid away from the moat or the swans would be eatin' good tonight.
Can anybody tell what the graphic is on the kid's shirt?
Hmm. For some reason, the snow atop the Matterhorn looks more painted-on in this photo. It never struck me that way before. Is a puzzlement.
And look! Fudgie the Whale is frollicking behind the waterfall!
Thanks for the randos, Major.
Major-
Hmmmm.... 'red & white stripes'. Better not let Miss. Kim have a gander at those - it may give her ideas for a particular castle-! Too bad that sign appended to the construction wall isn't just a bit sharper, as it appears to be saying "Plaza Gardens..."
The gal standing next to the gentleman with the tattoo holding the camera seems to be sporting some sort of 'flapper' cap, festooned with 'fiesta' balls or 'dingle' balls.
Fun photos, both. Thanks, Major.
Yes, there's Fudgie, in all of his glory. And that's a pretty clear view of him. We can even see an eyeball. Or is that his blowhole?
Great orphaned slides today, Major. Thanks!
- Tokyo Maize! (You call it corn!)
The Mad Hatter would be jumping for joy over the hats in the second photo. I want a Gilligan hat with red dingle balls! How rare back then to see a tattoo on display and now so rare not to see a tattoo on display.
A Fudgie spotting makes everything alright!
They should make him the official Disney mascot, that mouse is pretty lame after all these years. Get with it and get hep, cats!
If only we could have seen "The Dent" too! But, alas, 'tis the wrong side. The red and white striped fence was actually erected to repel invaders from Liechtenstein. Long story.
Everyone covered these great old pics pretty thoroughly. I just can't get over that 'dingle ball' hat as Nanook pointed out. Those little red balls must be in almost constant motion, tapping out code on her forehead. Reminds of the thing my sister put on her horse to keep the flies out of his eyes, only shorter dingle balls.
Looks like the ice cream vendor is going to light that guys cigarette for him. Pretty sure that was verboten in the park, with the exception of the Tobacconist shop maybe.
Great pics, nice Fudgie. Good job Major.
Major, I like these random shots, but I am going to call them “unaffiliated.”
If pic 1 is dated 1956, then it is the earliest appearance of the Main Street-themed trash cans. All the photos I can date show the plain green up through 1957. Of course, these were probably rolled out one design at a time. Still, hooray!
What an odd collection of hats in photo 2. Only at Disneyland. That photo has the “you-are-there” energy for sure.
The striped fence is certainly Carnation. Now that I think about it, Purina never sponsored anything? Kal-Kan did the kennels, but no Checkerboard Square?
JG
PS,
Thank you all for the well wishes. They are greatly appreciated.
The Moving Finger having writes; and having writ, moves on. Hopefully somewhere else.
PB
JB, it’s true, that was a delightfully low-attendance day to be at the park! Delightful for guests, not for Walt. It almost looks like that kid is wearing a cape. I did try to zoom into the high-res image to try to make out that graphic on the back of the “cape”, but it was just too indistinct. The snow on the 2021 Matterhorn is much more detailed than the kind we see here, but it just looks wrong to my eyes. Congratulations for finding today’s “Secret Fudgie”.
Nanook, Miss Kim strikes me as more of a glitter or rhinestone person, but I realize that tastes do change over time. At this point, not much would surprise me. It’s always frustrating to be able to see a rare sign, only to not be able to read it. I noticed the hat with the “dingle balls”, I’ve never seen one before!
TokyoMagic!, that’s Fudgie’s beauty mark.
Alonzo, I honestly would love to know how much money the park could make just on sales of souvenir hats on a busy day! I’ll bet it was a LOT. I wonder how many of those hats went into a drawer or closet once the person got home, only to never be worn again? I have three giant flaming skulls tattooed onto my back, but most people never seen them because, you know, Disneyland frowns on “no shirts”.
Stu29573, I would rather have Fudgie for a mascot than the dumb “Duffy the Disney Bear” cash grab. Make it a Fudgie cash grab instead! Are you sure we weren’t repelling invaders from Luxembourg? I always forget which is which.
DrGoat, hmm, now that you mention it, maybe that had WOULD be super annoying. Unless those dingle balls are so lightweight that you don’t really notice them. It IS like the things that people (and horses) wear to keep flies away. There were so many smokers back then, I wonder if it was verboten to offer a light to a guest?
JG, I was going to say “unincorporated”, but “unaffliated” is better. Interesting observation about the trash cans, it feels like they have always been there, but of course we know that’s not true. I love those hats! The more the better as far as I’m concerned. I had to look up Purina and Disneyland… turns out that they sponsored the “Kennel Club” starting in 2001.
DrGoat, the most important thing to remember is to take long bubble baths. Or so I’ve heard. That is apparently the ultimate in relaxation. A jacuzzi would be good too!
I found definitive proof that those trash cans haven't always been there.
Too many great vintage clothes to even take in in #2. I especially like the red-hatted girls at right - the pink flowered shorts on the shorter girl and the peasant blouse on the taller. There’s something a bit Village of the Damned-y about the foreground girl with the yellow dress and Peter Pan collar.
I wonder if the ticket books were designed to fit in a gentleman’s shirt pocket or if it was just a happy accident,
Chuck, I think I see one behind that tree??
Melissa, the funny thing is that most of these clothes could be worn by people nearly 60 years later and nobody would look twice. In fact they would probably look a bit nicer than your average park goer! Note to self: buy more clothing with Peter Pan collars.
Re the Matterhorn: For decades it was painted with all the snow near the peak; only in comparatively recent years have they distributed snow almost all the way down (as it would be on the real Matterhorn, I believe).
Was there ever a Matterhorn sundae? It seems like a no-brainer, capping chocolate with a vanilla or whipped cream peak. And maybe a little bobsled cookie ...
Chuck, it's a crying shame that Walt took that perfectly tended orange grove and turned it into a mouse infested playground. They ruin everything! (had to say it)
@ DBenson-
Why yes, there was a Matterhorn sundae (specifically a Mammoth Matterhorn Mountain). "One of the world's largest sundaes. 5 scoops of ice cream, sliced pineapple, 5 different sundae toppings, sliced bananas, chopped almonds, whipped cream and cherry". That outta hold you for a while.
At least it was back in 1962. From what I can tell on-line, they've completely abandoned the idea of serving any items relating to an ice cream parlor, as it's now a "café". Figures.
DBenson, to add to Naonook's comment, the Matterhorn Sundae lasted at least until 2009. It was served at the Carnation Cafe and was one of those "can I have two (or three or four) spoons with that?" sort of desserts. Fun for the whole family!
Let to the party, have some comments: LOVE the red and white construction wall…it clearly communicates the brand…everything but the words EAT ICE CREAM DRINK MILK GO GO CARNATION!!! What a great place Plaza Gardens was in the day with Walt himself spinning around Mrs. Disney and Annette Funicello, The Osmonds, The Carpenters and many many others performing. Disneyland used to be a place of headliners, and Plaza Gardens is where I met Benji the doggie…but I’ve told that story before. Even in my time the Big Bands has their own groupies- who would swing dance every night during Summer. It was definitely a “thing”. I don’t see Fudgie…but I barely see the dent so there ya go. I do remember that big tree in front of the castle. It was there when I was peddling balloons, and was a great source of shade. The ice cream wagon was also directly underneath. It’s really odd to me in these older photos that the vendors are in really random spots…like yesterday’s bored guy…and the Tomorrowland cigarette vendor. Maybe the direction was…”just roll around the wagon until you find a crowded spot”…who knows…in my time it was verboten to have your back to “the audience” ever. Also…people can mug you when you aren’t looking. The Yacht Bar roof still impresses me a lot as an engineering marvel. That is a lot of weight to be suspended like that. I used to wear a hard hat in many iterations of career, and I will say for Mr. “you gotta light?” A plastic hat in the hot sun or any heated environment is no-bueno. The hat is cool…I’ve seen that in auctions, but to bumble around Southern California in? I’d rather wear the Fiesta hat. I like my Matterhorn with a bit more snow and a lighter tinge…but today’s mountain seems smaller due to the snow being overdone. This Matterhorn feels super gigantic. Great photos today!
I’ve never been able to see Fudgie, but then again, I’ve never found Waldo, either.
Melissa, Only those who are pure of heart, who clap their hands enthusiastically, and click their heels together three times can see Fudgie.
Fudgie is (usually) black, like vintage Monstro. See the dark area behind the (lower) waterfall? To the left of the water is Fudgie's body, diving head-first to the left. To the right of the water (mostly) is his tail fluke (partly obscured by the waterfall) whipping triumphantly in the air. Hope that helps. :-) Now, about Waldo, he changes his position every time you see him (unlike Fudgie). So, no help there I'm afraid.
I did it! I had to close one eye, but I saw Fudgie! Today I am a gorilla!
Yay! What's weird is, under different lighting conditions Fudgie is almost impossible to see. You'd probably have to close both eyes to see him then.
JB & Melissa, I confess I cannot see Fudgie. Undoubtedly it is tha “pure of heart” obstacle you cited.
JG
JG, check your email, when you get a chance.
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