A Selection From April, 1973
After scanning a batch of slides from 1973, I found (as is often the case) that there were very nice views, some bad ones, and then the examples that fall somewhere in between. Your monocle won't fall out (well, maybe Chuck's will), but you might push your fedora back on your head and say, "My, my!".
Like this one. Most of us like a view of the old, classic Disneyland sign - a sign that quickened the heartbeats of so many fans over the years. In this case we're seeing it from a speeding Monorail, which explains the motion blur (hey, it could be worse). Across the street is the Saga motel - it must have been Norse-themed. Beds had animal hides as blankets, and the staff wore helmets with horns. I hope you like fish for breakfast - not salmon and eggs, that would be expensive. How about fish sticks and eggs?
The old garden apartments at the Disneyland Hotel had a special kind of ambiance - they were a modest two stories, and were surrounded by beautiful gardens (by the looks of it, the plants were mostly the kind that did well with less water). This one would be a winner if it wasn't so darn dark.
And finally, another view as seen from a Monorail traveling at near-light speed, zipping past the chalet from the Matterhorn queue. At least two bobsleds are visible, which is good luck. In the distance, the Carousel of Progress, the Skyway, and even the Grand Hotel.
I hope you have enjoyed today's oddball collection!
21 comments:
Major-
Oh goody - the Spring Fling is in full swing at Disneyland. (Just don't try to see it on a Monday or a Tuesday).
Thanks, Major.
In the first pic, directly above the Volkswagen Bus on Harbor Blvd., is the sign for the miniature golf course, which was located at the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Freeman Way. And just a little to the left of that, and to the right of the Saga Motel sign, we can see part of a little orange house with a blue roof. That was one of the miniature golf course's "little buildings."
My, my! (I don't have a fedora but, my, my! anyway.) In the first photo we're very fortunate indeed to catch a glimpse of the Saga Motel. Famous for the fact that Icelandic adventurer, Snorri Sturluson stopped here on his way to Newfoundland in 987 AD (he had a room on the second floor). Here, he wrote a large part (the reindeer's share) of the Old Norse Sagas, known as the Eddas. He spent a day or two at Disneyland to unwind after his epic trek from Iceland. There wasn't a lot to do in the Happiest Place On Earth in 987 AD but it's thought that he climbed to the top of Snow Hill and flew kites. After writing the Eddas at the Saga Motel, he stocked up on churros and headed east to Newfoundland; the rest is history.
On the extreme right edge of the last picture there is another bobsled careening around the lower flanks of the Matterhorn. That makes three of 'em; especially lucky!
Thanks for today's historic photos, Major.
Thanks, Major. Not only did my monocle fall out, but it rolled under my youngest’s foot and was crushed to dust. I don’t know how many times I’ve told him not to wear his hob-nailed boots in the house, particularly with his swim trunks and snorkel, but you know how teenagers are. To add insult to injury, I dropped my fedora in the piranha tank (the one in my study, not the one in the conservatory) and I can’t find my chainmail gloves (I think I may have loaned them to JG with the rest of the suit of armor). This is just not my morning.
The three vans in the first slide reminded me of a childhood visit to Disneyland in 1975 or 76. When we arrived at the Parking Lot, we saw signs telling us that it was “Van Day,” and there was an unholy concentration of vans all parked together the likes of which I’d never seen and would never see again (except at Paul Sherry’s Conversion Vans in Piqua, Ohio). Our 15 ft, 8 in fake-wood-paneled 1972 AMC Ambassador station wagon never felt so small.
With that foreboding lighting, the photo of the Garden Apartments looks like they would do well with less water…and more human flesh. I’d like to suddenly see more images like that.
I think there are actually four bobsleds in that last picture - the one JB points out and three more empty ones (two orange and one red) in the queue next to the Fantasyland load area, which appears to not be operating that day. It’s April, so we’re talking off-season crowds, although attendance may have been greater if a few less guests had strolled through the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel’s Garden Apartments.
This was the Disneyland that I visited just two months after these pictures! (If you had any gate shots, you would see the promo posters for my visit. Strangely, none have survived). We stayed at my great uncle's place in L.A., so no Saga Motel for me (although we did wear horned helmets and sing about tales of conquest until the wee hours- the neighbors loved my great uncle).
Great pics today!
Mid-Twentieth Century kitsch is so appealing: bright, humorous, and mouth watering, as in the crossed confections of the Candy Cane Motel, seen to the right of the small "d". If only some '60s movie had captured the area at its peak, in Technicolor.
The Disneyland Hotel Garden Suites did promise an orange tree outside every patio, at least on the ground floor. On an upper floor, you would have to lean over the balcony to grab some fruit, like Lucy Ricardo in Hollywood.
Odin’s Beard, Major! I nearly dropped my horn of mead seeing these! The Saga Motel came up in my screensaver yesterday.
Tokyo, you can see the Melody Land sign too, with the “tossed” letters.
I’ll write more later, gotta go warm up the sleigh.
Chuck, the armor and gloves are at the cleaners. I’ll get those back to you after they’re pressed and the Rustoleum is touched up. Thanks for that. Nothing like armor to lighten the atmosphere at a deposition. You can borrow my pike and claymore anytime.
JG
Nanook, I actually have attempted to collect Spring Fling items (talk about a niche subject), though I haven’t found that many.
TokyoMagic!, thanks for pointing out that sign for the miniature golf course! I would have never known that that is what it was. This wasn’t the Disneyland Hotel miniature golf course, I assume?
JB, “Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat’ is also an appropriate response. I’m glad to learn about the history of Snori Sturluson, not many people know about the Norse history of Anaheim, but it’s time that everyone knows. I would much rather have a ship’s hold full of delicious churros than those hard ship’s biscuits, wouldn’t you? Mmmm, cinnamon-y. Yes, THREE bobsleds means that it is going to be a fortuitous day!
Chuck, luckily for you, you have a drawer full of monocles, because you are surprised so often that they tend to fall out on a regular basis. That’s the reason I have a closet full of wigs, because mine tends to fly up into the air whenever I am shocked. My favorite (the blond afro) blew away during the Santa Ana winds, I still mourn for it. “Van Day”, how awesome, was that an actual park event? I love it. I wonder how word of that got out to van owners in the Southland. The Emergency Broadcast Network? It’s true, those spiky (and occasionally purple) plants outside the Garden Apartments look like they came from Venus. I feel like if I wait longer, it will turn out that there are a dozen bobsleds in that third pic!
Stu29573, so your first visit was in 1973? That was a great time to go, for sure. It was right around when my family left California (sadly) for Pennsylvania, and I liked Pennsylvania a lot. But I always missed all of the things that I’d grown to love in SoCal. In a way, having a relative who lived close to Disneyland is even better than staying in a motel, even though those motels look pretty awesome.
Stefano, I agree with you, and as I have pointed out, it’s funny that Walt (and others) saw this strip of motels as a terrible eyesore; now I’d love to slowly stroll along and take a million color photos of every detail! My relatives in the midwest always wanted a box of oranges from my grandma’s house (she had over 40 citrus trees!) for the new year, meanwhile we didn’t know how good we had it, with huge glasses of fresh-squeezed juice in the morning, as much as we wanted.
JG, to prevent dropping your mead (in the future), I suggest drinking it with a crazy straw. Jeez, I sure missed a lot of details in that first photo, thanks for pointing out Melodyland. I only have antique samurai armor, so Rustoleum doesn’t really work for me. A little goose grease on each metal piece keeps it shiny though!
I stayed at the Saga Motel twice during my visits to Disneyland. The place was nothing special, but it sure was close to the Disneyland parking lot entrance which was good because I'd walk the parking lot to the Disneyland Maingate an hour before opening and it was usually quiet with only a few people waiting. This was before the days of crowds of people showing up super early and forming long lines.
Love the third pic. Great shot from the monorail. Thanks, Major.
And just next to the crisscrossed candy canes (of the Candy Cane Inn), which Stefano has pointed out, there is a blurry silver arch. That was part of the Cosmic Age Lodge. The Cosmic Age was torn down, but the Candy Cane is still standing today, although majorly remodeled.
Major, yes, that miniature golf course was different than the Disneyland Hotel one. This was a "Golf 'n' Stuff course. Here's a vintage postcard showing a little better view of the sign. The sign also had a panel with the company's mascot, which was a king swinging a golf club, wildly.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0a/be/1d/0abe1d2747e3b2c5944f1942497b21ba.jpg
Major, now that I think it through, I remember my dad explaining that it was a special promotional day for van clubs, which I am now reading were a huge deal in SoCal (and elsewhere) back in the '70s. As a family we just always referred to it as "Hey, remember that time we went to Disneyland and it was 'Van Day?'"
I know I have those other monocles, but that particular one had a lot of sentimental value. It was a gift from Mr. Peanut.
Remember when vans had lions “painted” on them?
Remember Mr. Peanut Peanut-Butter Maker?
Just reminiscing...
Sue, my brother was given the Mr. Peanut Peanut Butter Maker for Christmas of 1967. And we still have it! It was an awful lot of effort, for such a teeny tiny amount of peanut butter, but it was still fun to make it.
Tokyo and Sue, I remember seeing that peanut butter maker toy, but never saw it in operation.
I do have a pretty vivid memory of buying some peanut butter that was made while we watched, from the vendor in the Farmers' Market at 3rd and Fairfax. It was hard to eat because the oil and solids separated and had to be constantly stirred up.
That shop had all kinds of butters, almond, peanut, cashew, pistachio, etc. Pretty exotic to a little hick from the sticks like me.
Also, Tokyo, I played miniature golf once at that course across from Melodyland. The Sunday School went to some event at ML and then Disneyland, of course, and hit the golf course in the morning before the drive home. I don't recall much about it other than that we went there.
I hope Chuck can replace his monocle. I've basically just moved to using a jewelers loupe full-time, especially when wearing armor.
Major, peanut oil works wonders on samurai armor. Did I tell you of the time that I saw George Lucas' collection of samurai armor? On second thought, I had better not say any more about it.
JG
K. Martinez, being that close to the park is a big selling point! I would love to have done a multi-day visit with my motel a brief walk across Harbor Blvd. I’m sure many of those motels were not that special once you were inside, but there’s something about all of the themes competing with each other that makes it fun to look at today.
TokyoMagic!, neat! It’s a bummer that the Cosmic Age Lodge was torn down, imagine if it had somehow survived as a time capsule for that space-age mid-century design! I’m not sure I was ever aware of a Golf ’n Stuff course right near the park. Thanks for the link to the postcard, I think I have a copy of that one.
Chuck, of course vans are still around today, but you’re right, in the ‘70s they were a huge deal. I might have mentioned the one that our neighbor had when I lived in Huntington Beach, it was entirely lined in burnt-orange shag carpet. I thought it was the coolest thing! Wow, a gift from Mr. Peanut himself, what a treasure.
Lou and Sue, I used to see some wild airbrushed designs on vans, though I don’t recall lions. Maybe some white tigers though!
TokyoMagic!, while we didn’t have a Mr. Peanut Peanut Butter Maker, I remember my mom trying to make home-made peanut butter. I guess she just winged it and didn’t use a recipe, and we realized that it needed both salt and sugar to taste the way we wanted it to taste.
JG, there are quite a few of those Mr. Peanut contraptions on eBay, they must have been popular! I also have a vivid memory of that place at the Farmer’s Market where they made peanut butter - they had photos of VIPs such as President Eisenhower at the shop. The smell was amazing! But you’re right, the peanut butter always separated, which was kind of a bummer. I wonder if that Golf ’n Stuff was just your average mini-golf course? Or did they have any Disneyland-themed holes? I didn’t know George Lucas had samurai armor, but it would not surprise me. If that “Lucas Museum of Narrative Art” ever opens, I’ll bet some of that armor will be on display.
Sue, I can't recall the lions either but there were some great Aztec priests with extraordinary costumes with pyramids a go-go here in Tucson way back when.
Question: what was the "stuff" in Golf n Stuff...and I am pretty sure it was "N" stuff...not AND stuff, right? I remember the little course well...only because there were U turns and whatnots that I would make there...I never played there, there was way too much after work partying to do to be bothered by "N" stuff. But maybe that N stuff was better than knocking over a lifeguard tower at Laguna Beach? I dunno...I think the police came when that happened. No one was in it at the time, so no worries anyone. Telling law enforcement that you worked at Disneyland did help in some situations- perhaps since they work in public service they felt some connection. And now that I am remembering, there were more than a few times police were involved in all kinds of things...I'm not sure I was that bad of a kid...DISNEY MADE ME DO IT! We all did have a lot of steam to blow off, or wanted to anyway. The Stovall hotels were museum worthy. We didn't think so back then, but now there would be historians gluing themselves to buildings to save them. At least save the decor and furniture inside. The garden rooms at the hotel I find now quite lovely...but back then we scoffed at them...you might as well and stay at the Saga if you are going to be in those digs. I miss a "normal" looking Disneyland sign. How totally iconic. They ruin everything. The one after this one seemed a little bulky up top too..like a weightlifter who doesn't work their legs...all torso on two sticks....not a fan. This one was great. When people drove in that were lost or wanted to get to the hotel we put I think a red flyer or something on their windshield...this would let the other P-Lot people know that they were to be directed out. There was another color for a drop off. And there were the usual suspects of Limo drivers and taxis that did not want to pay. They had to pay. They were doing business on our property, so they paid:Reluctanly. In a few short years I would descend upon the Anaheim...and as a Norseman I'm not sure what you guys are talking about. There was a large German population at the time- the name Anaheim was familiar, so I guess that's what drove them in. That was the legend anyway. Lots of legends! Thanks for taking me back!
DBenson, oh Aztec priests would be good on a van. Ditto a unicorn or Pegasus!
Bu, the “stuff” was probably an arcade with video games, pinball, and Ski Ball. And when I was a kid there were mini-golf courses with trampolines, and sometimes little race cars. Why would you ever need to go anyplace else? Knocking over a lifeguard tower in Laguna Beach… this is why we can’t have nice things. I’ve only seen postcard and brochure images of those three classic Stovall motels, and each one was a mini-masterpiece. I love that they made an effort to create a fun atmosphere. I miss the old Disneyland sign too, and never felt like the replacement was better. Interesting about putting the red flyer on the windshield if people drove into the parking lot by accident, I’m sure it happened more often than we might think. I wonder how many of those old Anaheim fruit and walnut orchards were owned by families with German ancestry? Not the Dominguez ranch!
I just remembered that there was another "Saga Motor Hotel" in Pasadena, on Colorado Blvd. The font for both of the hotels' signage was identical. The Saga in Pasadena is still standing, and looks like most of it's mid-century modernness has remained untouched (with a few exceptions). But someone just had to go and paint it an ugly "Tomorrowland '98" shade of brown. According to the Los Angeles Conservancy, the sign has been designated as a "Pasadena Historic Sign".....whatever that means. I hope the entire motel has some sort of "protection." Here's a vintage postcard:
https://www.visitpasadena.com/imager/s3_us-west-1_amazonaws_com/pasadena-2020/images/Main-Images-biz/945x596-Saga-Motor-Hotel_bc0d2157d501d4729a3d5631708a6b2e.jpg
Major...I just sent you some background on one of those Van Days. Yes indeed they did happen and were sanctioned. It was a big deal! KS
I know what you mean, Bu. The overhead shot of the pool of the Marina makes it look a little pointless. However, knowing that it tied in with the Queen Mary makes more sense.
I went to the Queen Mary in 1973, and, in fact, still have a ceramic bank from there. My only real memory is having a huge blueberry sundae in a tall glass with TONS of whipped cream on it! Obviously that made quite an impression!
Thanks Lou and Sue!
And Major too!
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