Randos
Some might classify today's photos as "randos", others might say that they are "leftuggies". Neither group is wrong!
This first photo would be pretty great if it didn't suffer from that dreaded problem... blurriness. It's August, 1959, and we're looking up a very busy Main Street, with two Streetcars and a Horseless Carriage to keep people from feeling too confident about walking in the street. Love that banner (and the masonite signs on the distant wires) for the "spectacular new attractions" that had been added in 1959. I don't need to list them, you know them as well as I do. The kid in the foreground is wearing a sweater (or coat?) in August, who knows what that's about. But I like his clamdiggers.
Considering how much activity surrounded the Submarine Lagoon, our photographer (in May of 1981) managed to capture... well, not much. The "George Washington" and "Patrick Henry" (in the shadows) are heading toward the waterfall entrance to the dark ride portion of the Submarine attraction, and a single red Autopia vehicle can just be discerned crossing over the water, but otherwise things look pretty serene.
I'm still on a secret mission, but should be home very soon!
13 comments:
In picture 1, how come that banner doesn't mention the Submarine Voyage? Maybe it lists it on the left, which we can't see.
Danged guests are blocking our view of the Happiest Trashcans On Earth! I count maybe four.
In picture 2 there is also an aqua colored PeopleMover train going by.
And wow! How lucky we are to be seeing a gray whale about to breach in the lagoon! You can see its blowhole just under the surface. It just came from Mexico and is heading for the Alaskan feeding grounds with a stopover here in Disneyland.
And what the heck is that red plant-like thing in the water to the left?
Major, I think you already blew your cover by telling us you were on a secret mission. Thanks for today's images.
JB, I see it, I see it! I see the gray whale! I wonder if he got to meet Fudgie, during his stopover in the park? I suppose Fudgie was already gone by 1981. I love your "Ricky Rat" avatar!
There appears to be a lit floodlight of some kind hanging from the bottom of the Monorail bean on the left side of the second image. It looks in this image to be the same color s the PeopleMover train (which is why it caught my attention), but it’s too low to be another PeopleMover train peeking through the tree. I’m guessing its reflective innards are reflecting the turquoise color of the lagoon back at us.
Coats and Clamdiggers is the name of my bubblegum cover band. You can catch us performing at wherever we manage to land our first gig. That’ll happen just as soon as I recruit some band members and learn to play an instrument. I grew up watching TV so I know how this rock and/or roll thing works. I just have to believe in myself and my friends and be nice to the kid with freckles and braces. Should take about a week, maybe a week and a half tops if it’s a two-part episode. I’ll keep you posted.
JB, the attractions listed on the left side of the banner were Submarine Voyage, Monorail, and Fantasyland Autopia. You can see the whole thing (here) or another example over the left-hand entrance tunnel (here).
JB, I think there are three cans on the right, but only one visible on the right. Some day we will have a definitive count.
The red stuff is probably a branch of coral that grew too long.
The whales return to the lagoon was a major conservation victory for Disney, comparable only to the habitat restoration that brought the migratory anadromous salmon back to the Rivers of America. Unfortunately required the removal of the mermaids.
Chuck, you are right about the floodlight, there were a number of these on the monorail beam, shining down into the lagoon, lighting the way for the whale migration. You can see the highway lighting in the overpass is still on, maybe it was a June gloom morning and the lights haven’t switched off yet.
Major, don’t forget to check the dead drop on the park bench across from the embassy for further orders, the newspaper is in a plastic bag due to the heavy rain. Have a good trip, and thank you for these coded images!
JG
I’ve been told that if you’re swimming anywhere in Hawaii during the whale migrations, you can hear them singing when you put your head under the water. I wonder if today’s whale is singing any Disney tunes for the submarine guests??
I just got this text from Chuck - he said he was unable to post a comment from his phone:
“Sue, it’s singing ‘Whale of a Tale’ from ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.’”
Btw, Chuck, you have to use a smart phone, not a rotary.
Leftos? Randuggies? The former sounds like a lost Greek island and the latter like an extra from Gidget.
The reflections on the water of the Sub lagoon are lovely. You don’t see too many nighttime photos of it; I had to go searching for one to even get a mental picture.
My strongest memory of the whale-watching cruise I went on at Cape Cod is that I was too seasick to enjoy the whales we saw. I guess I’ll never be a good sailor like Donald Duck.
Tokyo, That's an interesting question: Is Fudgie still there today? They probably did something to him when they covered up the Matterhorn's nostrils (how does it breathe?!).
You noticed it, you noticed it! You noticed my new avatar! ;-) I'm still in the process of modifying it, though it will continue to be Ricky Rat.
Chuck, I'm holding my breath excitedly in anticipation of the first Coats and Clamdiggers TV special! I've already set my DVR.
Thanks for the links, I figured it had to be there!
JG, you're probably right about the coral. Don't those polyps know anything?
Disney Corp.- Always thinking of wildlife conservation. I'm guessing they have to fit special goggles onto the whales' eyes to prevent damage from all the chlorine?
Sue & Chuck, Ha! "Whale of a Tale" is a pretty lively tune. The whales normally sing reeeally slooow songs. How do they manage all those quick notes? Maybe they divide the notes up between them like handbell choirs?
Melissa, a Moondoggie reference! Is that the first here?
I'd be surprised if Donald was actually a good sailor. I think he just likes to wear the uniform.
"I'd be surprised if Donald was actually a good sailor. I think he just likes to wear the uniform.
JB, correction: He only wears half a uniform.
Maybe that's why he doesn't wear pants - he got seasick on them and they're still in the laundry.
Sue, Half is better than none I guess. (Except he should have worn the other half!)
Melissa, For 86 years?
"For 86 years?
Donald should've done the 'Martinizing' method. It only takes one hour.
@ Sue-
You're hot today-!
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