SIXTEENTH ANNIVERSARY
Greetings, junior gorillas, and welcome to GDB's SIXTEENTH ANNIVERSARY! Old enough to get a learner's permit. What can I say, it's been a long journey to get here, but a rewarding one, thanks to YOU, the faithful readers. Without your participation, I wouldn't be typing this today. If Google's stats are to be believed (and why wouldn't they be?) you would probably be surprised at how few people visit this blog each day... but that's OK! I'm perfectly happy with the way things are. I could take obvious steps to try to lasso more eyeballs, but "More people equals more problems". Pepperidge's Law.
I was unsure about what to share with you on this occasion, but I remembered that I had a high-res scan from a somewhat-faded color transparency that has to be from 1955, and might even be from just before the park debuted to the public. As much as I might wish that this shot is unique, I'd say it's likely that the transparency is a duplicate. Just a hunch. Perhaps you've seen it elsewhere, but maybe not in as much detail.
Here's the entire image, with the parking lot, and a good sense of the surrounding area, including farmland and orchards. It's funny how the trapezoidal shape of that early park evokes some warm fuzzies in me. TANTALIZING TRAPEZOIDS.
Let's zoom in! There are quite a few cars in the parking lot, but I'd imagine that there were hundreds people frantically scrambling to get the park ready for its debut on July 17th. Because Bill Evans (along with Ruth Shellhorn and Joseph Linesch) planted the Adventureland jungle early, it is already in a nice state of development at this point.
The familiar shape of the Rivers of America can be seen, and the Mark Twain already sits at the dock waiting for passengers, possibly in mere days or hours. The site of the Rainbow Desert is just featureless dirt at this point (that ride wouldn't open until 1956). We can also see the Pony Farm (near the top, to the left), and the Plantation House (just below the Mark Twain). We can also see the Bandstand to the right, as well as an area with Indian teepees (to the right of the Mark Twain) which didn't last long.
There's Adventureland, with the Tahitian Lanai appearing to be complete. One jungle launch is afloat on the Rivers of the World. Is that the Carnation truck right below City Hall (in what is a backstage area)? Notice the abundance of vehicles parked in the Plaza, as well as on that road around what would eventually be Holiday Hill. If you look closely, you can see a tiny Casey Jr. Circus Train right near the Pirate Ship. Look at all that nothin' in the northeast corner of the park!
The ticket booths are ready for business, I hope you have a dollar for admission. We see a lot of Tomorrowland's backstage area here, including the Dominguez home, used as the administration building. There seems to be a crane near the Moonliner, and the Passenger Train (pulled by the E.P. Ripley, I presume) is at rest in front of Main Street Station.
Well, what else is nice enough to share on this momentous occasion? I suppose this next image is pretty sweet, a photo taken from the Disneyland Hotel circa August, 1963. There are the obvious details, such as the parking lot, and the Matterhorn, and even the McDonell Douglas Moonliner. But what else can we spot?
I always like seeing the sign for the miniature golf course that was once a part of the Disneyland Hotel complex. Not too long before, Holidayland would have been visible, but it was rudely removed and construction for the Haunted Mansion was underway. You can see the actual house looks complete, but the orange steel supports for the Disneyland Railroad pass above a tunnel that (I believe) is where guests walk as they view the portrait gallery.
Looking a bit to the right, there is another tunnel (some sort of maintenance access, I presume - or is it "Walt's Secret Entrance"??). The red foliage of the Swiss Family Treehouse is clearly visible, and to the right of that we can see more orange steel, early construction for a "Pirates" walk-thru attraction. A "thieves market" if you will. With low, low prices and top-quality meat and produce!
Wulp, that about does it for today. Sure, it was really only two photos, if you are keeping score. But they were good ones, don't you think? Thank you to everyone who checks in on a regular basis, and a big family-sized THANK YOU to those of you who take the time to comment, it makes this whole thing a lot more fun for me - and everyone else too. Everyone is so funny, smart, and NICE, it is proof that miracles still happen.
44 comments:
Major-
And to think I turned-down Walt's offer to buy Holiday Hill for 'dirt cheap'-! (It actually looks awfully green in this image). So many 'holes' scattered throughout The Park, just waiting for Walt and his Imagineers to 'fill them in' with unique and memorable attractions, adventures, shops and restaurants.
Major - thanks for 16 years of [always interesting] images - and the always delightful accompanying commentary - often loaded with wonderful people, doing fun things. GDB itself "... is proof that miracles still happen". And, I might add - without unnecessary glitter, sparklies, or pixie dust-!
Truly interesting photos, Major. I studied them for a half hour before starting this comment.
In the aerial view, is that Monstro being skewered by the tipppy-top of the Carousel? With so much stuff still missing or freshly planted it's hard to recognize a lot of the usual features in this early view.
As to Pepperidge's Law, "More people equals more problems" , I can see how having tons of extra people viewing and commenting every day could be a problem. Like: greater expectations from the masses. Which, in turn, would cause greater stress for you to 'perform'. Which would probably lead to early burn-out. Which means no more GDB, at least not on a daily basis.
So yes, things are nice just the way they are. And, while new members are always welcome, there are enough daily commentators to keep things lively and informative. GDB has a small-town vibe, where everyone knows everyone else. And that's a rare thing.
So, happy 16th, Major. And thank you for creating this small town for us to share everyday.
Hmm, for this special occasion, I was hoping that you woulda changed the background to pink and made the text blue. And animated gold sparkles could rain down from the top of the page. ;-)
I've never seen that first shot, before. I hope it isn't a copy and that you have the only one!
I don't remember ever seeing teepees in the area behind the Conestoga Wagon and Stagecoach loading area. I love seeing "new" (to me) things like that!
Is that a ticket booth, behind the east side of Main St.? It's sort of above where the Gibson (Hallmark) card store was located.
I like JBs idea for an (electric) blue and (hot) pink theme with animated gold sparkles, for just one day. Maybe you could do that for your 20th anniversary. ;-) Actually, I just miss how your avatar used to repeatedly wink at us. But I know Blogger is to blame for it not doing that anymore!
These photos and close-ups were perfect for an anniversary post, Major. Thank you so much, for all the work you put into each and every post, and for tirelessly posting every single day of the year. It is truly appreciated!
Thanks for all the effort over the last sixteen(!) years, Major. Mornings just wouldn't be the same without GDB. That first photo is impressive, indeed. I can't wait to pore over the details when I get back home this evening.
Thanks Major for a great 16 years! Has it really been that long? I appreciate that you usually respond individually to every comment made, so imagine how cramped your fingers would get if another 50 or 75 people posted comments!
That is indeed the E.P. Ripley at Main Street Station.
I agree that the orange bridge is where folks wander down the portrait gallery. But I also believe that as the HM doombuggies return to loading, they pass under the bridge while trying not to pick up hitching ghosts.
Thanks again for doing this every day.
So much to look at in today's pics.
Congrats on 16 years of GDB magic, Major. Your work is so appreciated by this reader and I'm sure everyone else. I can't think of a better place to spend a morning than your blog with its wonderful photos and community of fellow Junior Gorillas as Sue would say. Thanks for all you've done and still do. Your blog is the best!
Congratulations Major. Keep up the good work!
Oh...and Major, one more thing. While the photos are great, your humorous captions are fantastic. You come up with jokes I would never even think of. Do you work in Hollywood somewhere as a comedy writer?
Congratulations on 16 years, Major! You have an amazing work ethic. It's been hard enough for me to write a post every few weeks just for three years.
I feel like I learned a lot about the park from the first picture, especially the Indian Village on the Mine Train site. I can only remember seeing that area pre-Mine Train in Dateline Disneyland, when Davy Crockett rode over the hills to dedicate Frontierland. Seeing Fantasyland as such an “island” disconnected from Tomorrowland also puts it into a whole new perspective for me. And it's so great to see the new suburban homes and orange groves beyond the berm.
I’m reading comments about the commonly used SBC line art on yesterday’s post, and I was surprised to find it on our Disneyland ticket envelope that came in the mail.
Congratulations on your achievement!
Happy Gorillaversary to you,
Happy Gorillaversary to you,
Happy Gorillaversary dear Major,
Happy Gorillaversary to you!!
Thanks to Major and all the Junior Gorillas for making this such a fun place to visit, share photos, memories and stories.
I better go. I'm getting all misty and emotional :)
There may be only two photos but they are primo!
Congratulations on 16 years of fantastic information and good laughs and good friends (the Jr. Gorilla's). I don't comment much because most of the time I'm looking at the site on my Kindle and it's really hard to type anything of significance. Still have not replaced my lap top that went down last Fall because I can limp along just fine this way - Kindle most of the day and husbands computer in the morning.
Major, Happy Anniversary and Many Happy Returns of the Day.
Let me join with the other Junior Gorillas and say Thank You for your efforts, skill, humor and persistence in curating this blog.
GDB often makes my day, I very much enjoy the comments and sometimes amazing knowledge found here. There is always something new to learn here, for example that vehicle tunnel to the right.
Thank you also for introducing all to one another and creating this community, who are as dear to me as friends In Real Life.
What a score in finding this pre-opening aerial photo! Seeing things like this, I can’t believe this blog is free. I’ll come back later to go over details, but I love the little farm on the Howard Johnson site. I hope he sold out for a ton of money.
JG
Major. Congratulations on 16 years of, in my opinion, the best Disneyland blog around. I'm going to take a really good look at these photos later, work is calling me.
I hope you realize something we all know here... and that is your blog has filled a hole in some people's lives, like me, that have had and are going through rough times in their lives. Sue and I have discussed this and came to the conclusion that your blog brought a bunch of people together, from all ends of the spectrum, that love the park and would have never had this experience if it wasn't for you. A place to go just to inhabit the Disneyland we remember. Old, middle-aged or young.
A big thanks for hanging in there for 16 years.
I agree with DrGoat's opinion and sentiment. GDB is the best Disneyland blog around. It's the "E" ticket of Disneyland blogs to me.
Also thank you to the contributors of this blog like Lou and Sue, Mr. X, Mysterious Benefactor, Irene and her brother, the Devlin family, 1937Fan, Chuck Hansen, Huck Caton, Steve Stuart, Warren Nielsen, Mike Cozart and whoever I forgot to mention. You've all made great contributions to this blog which I have enjoyed immensely. Thank you all and Major too.
HAPPY SWEET 16, MAJOR!
On my 16th, my mom gave me a beautiful corsage with little pink and white roses—and some sugar cubes were also attached. I wore it all day. I hope you’re doing the same. :o)
I echo what everyone has already stated so well; this blog and community of Jr. Gorillas has brought so much fun and laughter into my daily routine. I can’t thank you enough.
‘Lou & Sue’
Impressive photos for an impressive milestone. Congrats on 16 wonderful years, Major, and here's to many more! As others have already said, your blog brings a much-needed bit of light and laughter on even the darkest of days. Thank you to you and the community of Jr. Gorillas for building such a lovely little space on the internet for us all.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wow - almost as old as my youngest son... Crazy. Seriously David, your blog is one of the original standard bearers of this sort of thing, and so consistent in terms of both quality and hysterical commentary. Here's to another 16! - CDM
Nanook, I am assuming that Holiday Hill was purposely planted with shrubs and trees to help make it a feature rather than a bug. Thanks to you for all of your fun participation!
JB, I love me some aerial views, and early ones are that much better. So fun to look at all the empty space, and to think about what was to come. “Pepperidge’s Law” is real! I have consciously avoided sharing my stuff on other platforms, specifically because I like the more intimate aspects of the blog. I don’t have a need for big numbers or jillions of clicks. Hm, as for changing the background, I’ve toyed around with the idea of getting away from the black background, but so far I’ve just stuck with the tried and true.
TokyoMagic!, those teepees were only there for a short while, in fact I think that they were gone in about a year. That ticket booth kind of looks like the ones that were at the Teacups and the Dumbo ride, good eye! Speaking of eyes, I miss the blinking avatar too, it made me mad that Blogger wouldn’t allow it anymore. Thanks, TM!
Pegleg Pete, check in later with your thoughts, if you can!
Steve DeGaetano, it sure has been that long! Sometimes it’s a case of “it seems like 25 years”, and sometimes it feels like “time flies when you’re having fun”. I do try to respond to comments when I can, though “real life” sometimes prevents me from responding to absolutely everything. I love views where you can see any kind of construction at the park, particularly during the “Walt Years”.
K. Martinez, thank you so much! I’m so appreciative of all of your kind comments and support.
TommyTsunami, hey, I’m glad that you checked in! Thanks to you and your brothers.
Steve DeGaetano, ha, no I don’t work as a comedy writer! I sit in a darkened room and stare at the wall, mostly.
Andrew, you are at a stage in your life where so much is going on, that it is understandable that you have less time to blog. As I’ve said many times, I love “Bayern Kurve”, and am constantly amazed at the depth of your knowledge about old amusement parks and their rides. So glad that you found GDB and that you felt comfortable enough to participate!
dis220, thank you!
Grant, Gorillaversaries are much better than unbirthdays! Thanks for the nice comment.
Irene, you are one of a handful of Junior Gorillas that I have actually met, and of course I am so grateful that you chose to share your brother’s photos with GDB. I didn’t even know you could look at blogs on a Kindle, but… whatever works! Thanks Irene.
JG, I’m very glad to know that GDB helps to make people’s days a little better, as corny as that sounds. My sister thought I should try to monetize the blog, she has lots of ideas! But the idea of turning the blog into a big sales pitch is a big turnoff. It won’t happen. Sorry sis! Thanks to you for participating, and for sharing many of your own photos and scans to help keep this choo-choo running.
DrGoat, I can’t believe you are putting your job before GDB! What kind of crazy world is this? ;-) I’m not sure how the GDB community “happened”, but I hope that it is at least in part because I try to keep things positive (I don’t always succeed, but I try), and friendly. Who needs more hostility in their lives? NOT ME. This blog is aimed at a very small niche of fans who love Walt’s original park and all of the creative people who helped to make it a reality. Thanks Peter!
K. Martinez, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that GDB is still going, when most of the others stopped publishing new stuff years ago. I’m definitely grateful to everybody who has contributed their personal photos and scans of collectibles to help add to the mix. Posting every day means there is room for everybody and almost everything!
Lou and Sue, thanks to you of course for sharing so many of Lou’s incredible photos, what a treasure trove. It’s like finding King Tut’s Tomb! But most of all, thank you for your comments, emails, and friendship!
SunnieDaze21, wow, thanks so much for your moving comment! I truly appreciate it.
Chris Merritt, I can hardly believe it myself when I think about 16 YEARS! It’s been so fun to meet many people (like you!) that I would have never met otherwise, a real life-enriching experience. Thanks Chris.
Major- Congratulations & Happy 16th Anniversary! I can't express it any better than what JG, DrGoat & others have already conveyed. GDB is a special place.
-DW
Happy 16th from loooooong-time lurker
Finally got a chance to really check out these photos. Fantastically wonderful images.
I'll echo K's comment on thanking all those people who contribute their photos and memories. Well done! Also to thank all you great people who comment and share your expertise, memories and laughs. My day is woefully incomplete without spending time with you all.
Thanks again Major!
Nanook, is that a tan and white Studebaker Hawk just to the left and above the g in gorillasdon'tblog in the last photo?
thank you for your hard work and your wonderful site. I look everyday and love it! the photo could be a practice for the televised opening day. tv cameras were suspended by cranes and that could be why cranes and forklifts are there. your site always reminds me why that park and its creators stimulated imaginations so much. thanks again. major p. for president!
GDB at 16 - the age when blogs start getting all moody and start backsassing you. Be perspired - your car insurance rates are about to go up.
What can I say about this place that hasn’t already been said? I cherish my daily visits to the Virtual Market House, our conversations ‘round the digital stove (pass me a pickle, would you, Ken?), and the true friends I have made here. You make this possible, Major, and my hat is off to you. What the…? Dadgummit - need to glue the toupee back down…
But enough of this chit chat, yick yack, and flim flam. On with the pictures!
I agree that first photo was probably taken just days before opening. If you zoom in reeeeeeeaaaaaallllllyyyyy close, put your tongue in the left side of your mouth and squint your right eye, you can see them labeling the weeds in Tomorrowland.
Note the long maintenance or construction shed backstage between Tomorrowland and Main Street, to the left of the Dominguez House. Parked just above that is a bus. No time to give it a detailed analysis, but on first glance I’d say that was definitely manufactured by one company or another.
There are large windows I have never noticed before on the backstage side of the Red Wagon Inn. Did those open onto the kitchen?
Interesting details: the Harbor Boulevard exit and overpass are being constructed alongside and over the Santa Ana Freeway…and the fact that at the time this photo was taken, that was a surface-level access to the freeway, probably controlled by a stoplight or possibly a 4-way stop.
Check out the gigantic access doors on the backside of Snow White and the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. You could fit a dinosaur through one of those, although that’s not the right place for Primeval World. If only they’d had time to plan it a little better, that really could have been a memorable attraction that could stand the test of time. Missed opportunities…
Loving the original Indian Village. LOVING.
In the second picture, that’s the Douglas Moonliner - McDonnell won’t merge with Douglas until 1967, when the united company will loan their name, logo (based on the earlier Douglas logo), and sponsorship dollars to Flight to the Moon.
I don’t think that orange steel to the right is early construction for the Pirates walk-through - the hole in the ground was close to the Rivers of America, and this is on the other side of the RR track. I think this is a construction material staging area that we have seen in other pictures before. So, I guess you are right - this is definitely related to early construction rather than an early view of the construction site.
Whoops - gotta run back to class! Here’s to many more years of fun here on GDB!
CORNSARNIT, AUTOCORRECT!!!
“Be prepared - your car insurance rates are about to go up.” Although I guess that thought would make anyone perspire…
Andrew, good to hear from you! So, it sounds like you're about to make that Disneyland trip after all!
Grant, that "Happy Gorillaversary" song just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it. ;-)
As many here have said, GDB is primarily a Disneyland blog; and a good one. But we get treated to all the other side trips as well! Those other places, people, and events cleanse our palate so that the Disney photos taste all the better!
Major, I like the black background. It's easy on the eyes.
Oh, have you tried re-uploading your animated GIF avatar to make it wink again? I'm sure that's the first thing you tried, right? Or maybe Blogger will only accept avatars in .jpg or .png format now?
Chuck, "Dadgummit" sounds like an excellent name for toupee glue: "Hey, Dads! Tired of your rug flapping in the breeze? Get yerself a tube of Dadgummit toupee glue today! (Also sold in industrial-sized barrels.)"
And once again, you regale us with your vast knowledge of vintage busses... thank you.
JB and Chuck, I'm a Dapper Dan man, myself.
Wanted to agree with others above citing the benefits of GDB for curative powers over depression and loneliness. I can credit at least some of few shreds of sanity I still possess to GDB pictures and commenters reminding me of the good and happy parts of my past. Better than therapy and much less expensive. And it still works that way for me.
JG
@ DrGoat-
I'm a bit unsure to which vehicle you are referring. At this resolution level, it's a bit tough to figure stuff out. The tan and white vehicle, in the second row, just to the right of the dark blue/green vehicle [might] be a 1958 Chrysler. The (light tan/white) vehicle, whose tail end is literally covered-over by the "g" [might] be a 1959 Ford. It's possible the 'tan' vehicle to the left of [the Ford] is a Studebaker - or maybe a Ford Falcon.
And the bright red vehicle in the back row [could] be a 1960 Plymouth Valiant.
Congratulations on 16 years! I can't believe it's been that long already, wow.
I'll say it again: this is my first stop every day, because the photos always bring me joy. I usually miss the comment party but I'm here just the same.
Very nice photos today, thanks for sharing!
JG,
Who could be a FOP man anyway. That movie has a good line for almost every situation.
Happy Anniversary! My mornings are definitely not complete without my daily visit here. The day just wouldn't be the same without vintage Disneyland or vintage other places to check out! Thank you for all your work. It is much appreciated! :-D
"Pepperidge at 16" starring Lance Kerwin. Congratulations! I checked the site this morning at 3am EST and wish I had the time today to really study the photos! Even with a quick glance my DNA is itching for a mini novel without punctuation or grammar! Tune in for the lowdown tomorrow. What a bright spot this blog is on my morning. You have done wonders for my memory recall! My therapist has a lot of material. Thank you.
DW, thank you so much.
Anon, thank you for lurking!
DrGoat, I try to imagine what GDB would look like without the comments section, and know that I would have moved on to other things long ago without the interaction between all of the people (“the usual suspects”!) that helps to make everything so much more fun and rewarding for all of us.
Anon, you might be right about the TV cameras, though I’m sure that cranes were also being used for regular “crane stuff” as well at that point, since we’ve all read about the flurry of activity that happened trying to get the park ready for the public! If elected President, I promise a soft serve ice cream machine in every home.
Chuck, I so glad that you have found so much happiness checking in on the daily posts here, ranging from the light and silly to the informative and interesting (I credit the readers for the latter). And instead of gluing your toupee on, may I suggest double stick tape? I wish I had a photo of one of those signs indicating what kind of weeds were in Tomorrowland - or better yet, I wish I had one of the actual signs in my collection! I’ll bed that construction shed was being used as a lumber mill (though I’ve read that the Opera House also served that function for years). I would assume that those windows you referred to might be for the early private club that was a part of the Red Wagon Inn, but it’s just a guess. No surprise that work was being done on the nearby roads, that has to have been a key aspect into the whole concept of Disneyland, getting the (hopefully) tens of thousands of people to and from the park every day. You are right of course about the McDonnell Douglas name, my fingers just automatically typed the full name. I still think that the orange steel to our right might be early Pirates/NOS construction, but I have been known to be wrong once or twice over the last 16 years!!
Chuck, at least it didn’t change the word to “buttholes”.
JB, I’ve received one or two emails over the years saying that the white type on the black background was hard on the eyes, but I didn’t want to change it just because of a random complaint or two. And I haven’t tried re-uploading the animated gif for a while (I used to try it regularly), after a while I just had to come to terms with the fact that Blogger didn’t like gifs for the avatars.
JB, with the bizarre things going on in this country, it is easy to get discouraged. It certainly happens to me. It’s nice to think that a community of people devoted to Vintage Disneyland can be so helpful - a little oasis in the desert!
Nanook, you kids and your cars! I assume that DrGoat was talking about the car slightly up and to the left of the “G”. Whatever that car is, I want it!
Tom, I can’t believe it either. So glad you still check in, thanks for the nice words.
DrGoat, once in a while that movie pops up on TV, and I always wind up watching it all the way through. It’s odd, but really good!
DKoren, thanks so much. I wish many of those other old Disneyland blogs were still around, but on the other hand, but I also understand the burnout that they probably experienced.
Bu, ha ha, I know Sue would love to read your mini-novel, but I would too! THANKS.
Happy late anniversary Major!! Now back in the day, at Disney you would have had a parade in honor of your “15” anniversary ……
Then part of it would be continued into your “16” and the parade would be shortened to a cavalcade …. “Singing , Dancing , Gorillas Don’t Blog!!” Or “Gorllias Don’t Blog ….looks like we’ve started something…”
I would have posted last nite but we’ve been having crazy winds and a outta-control fire in Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach ….. I’m in Aliso Viejo - wedged nearby . Didn’t know if I was gonna commute to work today or evacuate …. My area is ok …. WHEW!!
“…….. unless the wind changes…..”
CONGRATULATIONS!
Happy Anniversary! Keep up the good work!
Dennis, Levittown, NY
Yes(!), Bu, I really AM looking forward to what you can add to today's photos. As I've mentioned before, everyone's comments make the images 'come to life.'
Glad you're safe, Mike! And may the winds die down, and rains fall.
I agree with the other Jr. Gorillas. You can't stay blue while reading this blog. I STILL chuckle over lots of past posts and photos and comments...like "Windy"...and Mike in his saloon photo...
"Be perspired." And "butthole." hahahaha!
Mike Cozart, I would be happy to have a parade in my honor, using repurposed floats from some earlier parade. Admit it, a gorilla-themed parade sounds pretty fun! Oh no, I’m sorry about the fires near you, I hope you are OK! A few years back I had to get my mom out of her house, we spent the night in a Walmart parking lot sleeping in our cars. You could see fires burning on the hills all around us, while fierce winds rocked our car. Thank goodness my mom’s house was OK, but man, that fire got close!
Stu29573, thank you!
dennis, thanks very much!
Lou and Sue, it’s been quite a day, so many kind comments, what can I say. Thanks to you and all the Junior Gorillas!
"Sixteen candles.."
GDB rules.
Thanks for all your hard work keeping the blog going.
Oh and that early view of Disneyland is so beautiful.
I have an hour on the train this AM and have spent the entire ride doing forensics on these photos. The first one is quite amazing. My first thought was “wow- no wonder no one thought this would work, or even get built as the entire concept is implausible. Movie studio makes amusement park? Huh? Then I think of the possibly hundreds and hundreds of people who had to be gathered to lead individual projects within the massive project. Do you look in the yellow pages for “parking lot designer” (that is a thing, I re-designed the parking lot at the Queen Mary after Disney took over.). Then all the food service people- commercial kitchens, pony wranglers, etc etc…it’s mind boggling. The Pope house is back there with the Pony farm- I’ve mentioned it before, and it’s still on property over on Ball Rd- you can even drive up to it. It’s been restored but it was super cool back in the day when it was a random house sitting back stage next to horse corrals. That little “ticket” booth behind Main St is probably on stage- it is where first aid is now. First aid was in a couple of trailers even in my day- but from the front looked like “real buildings”. The windows on the Red Wagon/PI are on the side of the Inn Between employee cafeteria. The red and white Carnation can be behind city hall is a mystery- that area is super tight. I’m wondering if you could continue along that road as you could in my time- you had to go underneath the train- that particular spot on really rainy days always got flooded. Trapping cars behind Main Street. The pedestrians had an elevated sidewalk, but sometimes that water got really deep and we had to call divers to unclog the drains. Overall, the Park looks small…but isn’t that what happens when you look at things every day- the architecture of the trapezoid was so strict back then- that is some very fine engineering and surveying. The train tracks seem to disappear over there on the right- the employee road is still there- but looks like it’s a dirt road and probably was. There has to be some remnant of the Dominguez house still in the ground or around and about. I wish when I worked there I had a bit more curiosity in my DNA, I would have investigated more and definitely would have picked the brains of all of those Club 55 people. Cora Lee (something) was a ticket seller. She was smoking her cigs in the Adventure/Frontierland break room outside…I saw her “55” name tag and started a conversation “it must have been so exciting…blah blah blah” …she responded (VERY DRYLY)…”it wasn’t so exciting actually. We didn’t even know what we were doing. It was like taking money and putting it into cigar boxes basically” she then said “not much has changed” Ha! Back then I was a horrified 18 year old…I suppose I was expecting a fountain of pixie dust to come out of her mouth. ….(more to come)…..
Bu, I'm looking forward to your "more to come"...
Gee, get busy for just one day, and you can miss some big moments at GDB��
Got to THANK Major, and all the merry makers around here��
Cheers��
A little late, but congorillatulations to 16 years, Major and Junior Gorillas.
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