Fantasyland, September 1983
Here are a bunch of Fantasyland scans, courtesy of Lou Perry and Sue B; they are from 1983, when the New Fantasyland really was new. Incredible that next year will be the 40th anniversary of "New Fantasyland"!!
This first shot gives a pretty good look at the toylike clockwork mechanism at the center of the Dumbo attraction. Am I crazy or does it hint at the future Steampunk look for Tomorrowland in 1998?
I don't remember those rocks in the background at all, I guess they were just a sort of visual "white noise", to me anyway. We can just see the body of Monstro the whale, before he turned cartoony and blue.
Dumbo must be at least seven feet up in the air. Thrilling! Amazing that there isn't a rope to keep children from being flung out due to the intense centrifugal forces.
Very cute to see the father with the boy in his lap, a ride on Dumbo is probably one of the first Disneyland attractions that many kids get to experience.
Now we're over near King Arthur Carrousel, with a new '80s color palette of blue and violet. New Fantasyland had debuted on May 25th of that year, but guests from all over were still flocking to see the refurbished buildings. To the right, just above the castle turrets, I believe that we can see the raised platform where Tinker Bell would land after flying down from the top of the Matterhorn.
Look at all the people! it's so great to see the Skyway still going strong; the chalet is almost swallowed by the evergreens, but it gives it a nice "European forest" vibe. The Skyway would close 11 years later.
And finally, here's a look at the wonderful façade for "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", they did not skimp on the details. I miss the old Medieval Fair tents, but you have to admit that this looks pretty fantastic. And I've always loved that statue of Toad above the doorway. Those folks in line think that they are almost on the ride, but there's a LOT of line to go!
Thanks as always to Lou and Sue!
29 comments:
There's my dad's brother, again, in front of the Carrousel - facing us, holding a camera, towards the right. He was always a lot of fun - very silly and entertaining. I may have the pictures he took that day...I'll have to do some digging.
I'll check back later.
edna turnblad in line there
Major-
That's definitely the platform where 'Tink' lands. The only thing missing is the mattress (no kidding-!) that "eased the blow" upon landing. I've always loved the facade on Mr. Toad. "Semper Absurda".
Thanks to Lou and Sue.
Major, those rocks with the water trickling down them are basically what "replaced" Skull Rock. Aren't they lovely? So much better than having Skull Rock there. The only thing that could make them better is if they painted them hot pink and electric blue, to match the Castle.
There wasn't a rope across the opening on Dumbo, but there is a "lap strap." You can see it across the laps of the riders in the fourth pic.
Major, you are correct about that being the landing tower for Tinkerbell. It was new that year, too. Tinkerbell hadn't flown since the summer of 1976, because in early 1977, they removed the Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland, and her landing pad went with it. She made a return in the summer of '83, for the opening of the New Fantasyland.
Thank you Lou, Sue, and the Major, too!
Hey, Nanook, your birthday party is still going on, on the previous post. Some long, late night partying!!
In the first two pics: The rocks that Major has never seen before look a lot like a small version of the Vasquez Rocks, seen in countless western and sci-fi movies and TV serieseses. Well, a small portion of them anyway. I wonder if that's intentional? I think I see a Gorn and a Zanti misfit or two amongst the rocks.
In the third pic: By zooming in, I can almost, but not quite, read the sign with the control lever/button to raise and lower Dumbo. Does anybody know?
In the fourth pic: The couple in the Dumbo behind the father & son don't look like they're enjoying the ride very much... or at all. Everyone else is having a wonderful time, but not these two.
In the fifth pic: You must be right about Tink's platform, Major. We can see the zip-line going right to it.
Bottom right corner; is that Tootsie?
In the last pic: Hmm, I'm not too keen on the drab, dark brown/khaki trashcans. They look sort of like war surplus, not very fantasy-like.
Sue, I noticed that guy with the camera, looking at us, and wondered if he was a relation of yours. I vaguely remember seeing him in at least one other photo, Town Square, I think.
Tokyo!, "Aren't they lovely?". I'm hearing that in Marvin the Martian's voice.
Thanks to Lou Perry, Sue, and Major for the fantastic Fantasyland fotos.
JB, that isn't Tootsie, it's Dorothy Michaels, the star of Southwest General. ;-)
Lou and Sue, at first I thought you meant the guy with the mustache in photo #6. “THAT’S Lou’s brother??”. If you find your uncle’s photos, that would be very cool.
Max, Tracy must be nearby!
Nanook, do they still use that same platform? And is it still just as visible? Or have trees blocked it?
TokyoMagic!, you’ve convinced me… I’m GLAD that they removed Skull Rock and replaced it with those generic rocks. I mean, they aren’t as great as those weird rocks that were at the entrance to Tomorrowland, but then again, what could possibly be as cool? I guess a “lap strap” makes sense, plus they made the seats extra sticky so that you would be “glued” in place. Somewhere, I have a nice photo of Tink’s old landing pad, it’s a remarkably rickety structure. That new one is just uninteresting enough for people to not notice it.
Lou and Sue, some people are going to have SUCH a headache. Here I am responding to comments at 3:42 AM, make of that what you will.
JB, I am very familiar with Vasquez Rocks, we used to drive past them on the way to the Sierra Nevada mountains, and I always thought of that Star Trek episode with the Gorn. “I shall be merciful and quick!”. If I am ever chased by a Gorn, I will know how to cobble together a makeshift gun. I can’t read that sign, but it probably says something about Gorns. I think the boy in the dad’s lap is smiling, or maybe he’s grimacing, sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. “Tootsie” - one of those movies that everybody seems to love - except me. My cold, blackened heart is immune to its charms. I think those trash cans are supposed to look like they are crafted from wood. Real old-world artistry!
TokyoMagic!, what the heck is “Southwest General”? And what does Dorothy’s brother Lorne think about it?
I could have sworn that tower was put up to provide early warning of incursions of Those of Whom We Do Not Speak coming from the Woods, but the zip line screams “Tink.” Literally. It was annoying guests so much, they had to replace it. Maybe the tower serves both purposes.
Southwest General was the soap opera that Dustin Hoffman’s Michael Dorsey starred on as Dorothy Michaels.
Great shots from Lou, as always. I loved the Dumbo ride as a kid, and Lou nailed it here. I once saw a flying elephant during the war, but that's a story for another day. Thanks to Major and Lou and Sue.
Fantasyland and Tootsie. There is a real connection there...for me anyhow. My first reaction to the Carrousel photo is "anxiety". I remember that after Fantasyland was closed for what seemed an eternity ("..and Fantasyland is closed") the crowds that came after (in Fantasyland anyway) looked like this. I can hear the music of the Carrousel, the Dumbo Calliope, the "here we goooooo!" in Peter Pan, the noise of the dark ride mechanisms, and...the crowd. Fantasyland was not serene. It was the antithesis of serene. Expect to lose a few people after you enter the Castle, make your way around the right...after a spiel in front of the Sword and the Stone (or IN the stone)...you always lost a few despite how plaid you were. Fantasyland was pretty however when it was guest-free, or at least less-guest-less. The official word was "In the new Fantasyland the Imagineers have created the land the way Walt always wanted"...and then we'd go into "ran out of money" "put up banners"...blah blah blah...that old chestnut. The story would always seem to switch around from Tomorrowland was left behind way more than Fantasyland...but you speak what is written...the end. There are certainly some short shorts in these photos- I guess I had mine too in the era of Dolphin shorts. There are some foreign sailors in the Skyway photo- I remember these guys...it is possible that I even remember THESE guys. They usually travel in larger "packs"...but you can see them there in white with black shoes kind of looking like a sweeper. They are looking at a guidebook probably. One has a squared off boatneck collar and over his heart there is a blue anchor emblem. They also have white web belts. I remember this costume (err..uniform) very specifically and the collar was unlike the sailors that usually visited the Park...back in the day when the Park was filled with sailors and nuns. It's funny how one thing can take you back 40 years. Um...did you say 40 years of the "New Fantasyland"?! Honestly, it feels like 100 years ago AND yesterday all at the same time. Another throwback are the Disneyland wax cups. I can actually taste the wax...it got kind of crumbly at times if you drank from the side of the cup. Blond mom is there with 5 cups in the cardboard carry all. Short shorts and dad with stroller and diaper bag wondering if the day will ever end, and contemplating how much it will all cost by 6 o'clock closing. It looks like Summer...so maybe it was a midnight closing. More time, more $$. "WE HAVE TO GET ON THE ROAD TO BEAT THE TRAFFIC" "IT"S A NIGHTMARE TO GET OUT OF THIS PARKING LOT"...actually, I don't remember it ever being a nightmare getting out of the parking lot. Getting IN was sometimes a nightmare during private parties as everyone would arrive at the same time and traffic would actually back up on the 5 from Harbor Blvd. When the traffic was backed up...it was a hugh sigh of "what am I driving into"....when it was traffic backed up, Disneyland security and APD on the street directing traffic, security checking employee parking tags, and the "Happiest Place on Earth" sign simply saying "PARKING LOT IS FULL". That was an entirely different level of anxiety. Dumbo was impressive at the time, steam punk was never impressive. Good design never incorporates trends, as they are too short lived. Tootsie wanted front of the line on Dumbo. Ovitz was called, who called Eisner, who called Lucille, who called Susan, who called Linda, who called the Small World souvie stand, who called me...and for the time it would take to wait in line in Dumbo, we entered through the exit...depicted in Lou's photos here. Thanks Lou and Sue for the morning trip to 1983! I'm exhausted....and Fantasyland is closed.
JB: interesting about the Fantasyland “Vasquez” rocks theory…. While I’ve never heard that before it’s interesting that New Fantasyland featured another non/Disney Hollywood (Beverly Hills actually) landmark tribute : the famous Spadena “Witch” house . The New Fantasyland restrooms west of the Village Haus and facing the Skyway Chalet is a salute to hollywood’s first storybook exterior built set for a 1921 silent film HANSEL & GRETAL by Willat Studios. So there could be more of a possible connection to your Vasquez rock observation…..
One of my favorite things about the New Fantasyland in 1983 was the upgrade to Dumbo the Flying Elephants. It was like this giant wonderful mechanical toy dropped into Fantasyland.
Thanks Lou & Sue and Major too!
Max, So the Turnblads graduated from Tilted Acres to Disneyland?
I couldn't help but scan the crowds for family members, I never find any. One day.
Nice crowd shots Sue. I noticed your Dad's brother right away for some reason. Looks a bit like Eldon Tyrell in Bladerunner.
Loved Disneyland around that time. I always tried to make Mr. Toad my first and last ride every day we went there. Missed going to the park in the late 70s, so we made up for it in the 80s. Fantasyland always lured me in and we never missed a ride on the Carrousel and every other ride or shop. I guess I could say that about the whole park.
Thanks Sue and Major, brings back some fond moments.
MRaymond, me too. Never once.
Vibrant and exciting pictures for sure. Thanks Lou, Sue and Major.
I often admired the bland design of the Skyway buckets, they seemed to fit nicely in both Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Would have been fun if Imagineering found a way to change the style from Future to Alpine Cuckoo Clock and back as they passed through the Matterhorn, kind of like Batman and Robin changed clothes while sliding down the Bat Poles.
Interesting Vasquez Rocks theory, Major. Another filming site for Picard series also. Star Trek must have had a lease there.
JG
JB, I think the trash can is a very dark wood grain, not just plain brown,but I agree, it’s not a cheerful look, and the only example I recall since I started obsessing over trash can designs.
JG
JG,…and Bonanza, and Lassie, and Mission: Impossible, and Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers, and… ok, I’ll stop. But I think you’re right about Star Trek - pretty sure every Trek series (except the animated ones) as well as both movie franchises and Galaxy Quest all shot there.
Vasquez Rocks was a popular site for filming, and I did my time there. Even though it appears far away it is still inside the legally/Union termed "Studio Zone". In extremely simple terms, they don't have to pay you more money inside the Studio Zone which is a 30 mile radius going outward from the intersection of Beverly and La Cienega. There are a couple of minor exceptions. That 30 mile radius includes a wide variety of shooting locations...beaches, mountains, desert, all of LA's residential, city...etc etc etc. I think you go a couple of miles north of Vasquez rocks and you are out of the zone. Disneyland might be just a few blocks outside of the Studio Zone. Vasquez Rocks seems odd in Fantasyland, maybe it was as simple as "what do we do where we yanked out Skull Rock?" "Just put some other rocks there..." Overall, Fantasyland seemed like a big upgrade and unfortunately, there were a few sacrificial lambs.
Chuck, thanks for answering Major's question about Southwest General. And don't forget that a very young Geena Davis and Jessica Lange, also "worked" at the fictitious Southwest General Hospital.
JC Shannon, I've never seen an elephant fly, but I've seen a peanut stand. Sorry, I just had to say it.
Bu, geez....so Dustin couldn't just stand in line for Dumbo, with the rest of us schmucks?
Oh, and here's a close up view of what those orange and white wax/paper cups look like:
https://meettheworldinprogressland.blogspot.com/2009/01/vintage-disneyland-cups.html
JG, I love your idea about the Skyway buckets changing styles midway through the ride. Let's make it happen!!!... Oh wait. First we'd have to make another Skyway ride... and clear out the Matterhorn's nostrils again; that alone would take several truckloads of Kleenex. And we'd have to force the Yeti to relocate to a different level in the Matterhorn... Um, all that is too much work. I think I'll just have a (Pyrex) bowl of ice cream, instead.
I'm thinking how that Skyway bucket quick-change routine could possibly work for real... I suppose the outsides of the buckets could be covered with LED lights, like a TV screen. And the Future/Alpine skins could just be flashed into place after the buckets roll over a simple switch inside the Matterhorn. Easy-peasy!
Chuck, there’s no reason that the tower can’t have more than one function. I’m forgetting, are you making a reference to The Village? In my memory that was an OK movie, with some very good scenes and some “blah” stuff. Thanks for the Tootsie info, I haven’t seen that movie since I watched it in the cinema in 1982.
Jonathan, I hope to someday hear your story about the flying elephant!
Bu, if the crowds from 1983 stressed you out, imagine the poor CMs who have to deal with daily crowds NOW. As I have mentioned many times, my last visit to the park was so crowded (on a nothing-special day) that I have resisted going back. There is a slight chance that I may visit this year, but we’ll see. Short shorts were just a thing back then, not sure where it came from. Professional tennis? Dophin shorts, I have never seen a sea mammal wearing shorts. I can’t imagine making the drive all the way down to Anaheim and discovering that Disneyland was “full”. At least Knott’s is within reasonable driving distance, I guess I’d head over there, but it would probably be busy too.
Mike Cozart, I am familiar with the “Witch House”, but would love to see what those restrooms look like, I have either never looked at them or never made the connection. Most of the New Fantasyland is so neat and tidy that the crooked shutters and eccentric shapes of the Witch House would be very interesting to see.
K. Martinez, the old Dumbo ride was pretty minimal, so I do like the fancy “clockwork” mechanism for the upgraded version
MRaymond, SOMEDAY!
DrGoat, I never knew that Tyrell’s first name was “Eldon”. Maybe they even say it, I feel like I’ve watched that movie 15 times at least. I love it when people have traditions like yours, riding “Toad” first and last. I remember riding on the Carrousel with my date, and a little kid was staring at me as if seeing a “grown-up” (I was probably 20) on the Carrousel was the strangest thing he’d ever seen.
JG, it’s not surprising that the odds of seeing ourselves or our family are pretty slim - so many years, so many days, so many people! I’m trying to imagine what an “Alpine cuckoo clock” Skyway gondola would look like. Ornate carved wood? Maybe some hand painted decorations?
JG, I wonder if the thinking was that they wanted the trash cans to kind of blend in?
Chuck, at least we can be pretty sure that Lucy never filmed an episode there.
Bu, as many times as I have passed Vasquez Rocks, I’ve never gotten out of my car to climb around. That’s something I should do someday! I’ll drag my buddy with me, we go on hikes when we can find the time. It would be nice to see someplace novel. I think the designers were just trying to make some random rocks look interesting and took a cue from those tilted rock formations in the desert.
TokyoMagic!, it’s funny how some things just don’t work for me, and Tootsie was one of them. I remember sitting in the theater listening to people laugh. I can’t really pinpoint what I don’t like about it. But as I said, I haven’t felt the need to revisit it in 40 years.
TokyoMagic!, Dustin Hoffman is better than all of us, and we are lucky to be able to breathe the same air as he!
TokyoMagic! I have one of those too!
JB, they would definitely have to open up those nostrils, but wouldn’t it be worth it? And if they made the gondolas a bit bigger, maybe they could hold a wheelchair. Put in some plexiglass so that nobody can drop pennies or spit. Hey, why haven’t they ever had the Yeti climb the outside of the Matterhorn? That would be cool!
For those who couldn't get enough Tupperware from yesterday's post - there's always this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbPjGl0vii4
Major, survey says…DING! DING! DING! I was afraid that a Village reference might be too obscure, but I should know better with this crowd. I had a similar experience watching it - some seriously awesome scenes, but the overall product seemed to be missing something. Maybe I was expecting too much. I remember critics lambasting it when it was first released, but I understand its reputation has improved over time. Probably worth a re-look. I think I actually own a copy…
And while I can find no evidence that Lucy herself ever shot an episode there, without her support in seeing Star Trek off the ground, there would have been no Star Trek anything shot at Vasquez Rocks…or anywhere else.
Mrs. Chuck just pointed out that woman in the pink ruffled top walking away from us to the left of Sue’s uncle in the Carrousel picture (Renew! Renew!) is also walking towards us in the Skyway photo. She also pointed out that there are no lids on any of the drinks in any of the pictures.
And I would be most remiss for not thanking those who made today’s post possible, the Dynamic Duo, Lou & Sue!
Chuck: no lids in 1983…just the wax coated paper cups…there was a very fine line balance between appropriately “icy” and “it looks flat”. Those who wanted “no ice” I could never understand. “Here’s your warm Coke”. The ice gives it the “Coke Look”. I don’t think or can remember if we even had diet Coke from the fountain. - so no need for a “lid designation system”. Cash only please. However, we did take checks…and foreign currency. No receipts. I don’t even think they put the tape in there for a receipt. Just more mess. Probably why internal theft from those Sweda registers was so high. Champagne wishes and Coke Terrace dreams on this fine Tuesday night.
Nanook, I'm very interested in that Tupperware video you linked. I'll look at it later, when I have more time.
Bu, how did you rope in those wandering guests??
And, referring to your last comment, don't forget Traveller's Cheques. Those were a real pain, weren't they?!
Chuck, whoa! We just WALKED THROUGH(!) that pink lady, I think. That's the first time we experienced this on GDB, from what I recall.
Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments. And thank you, Major, for sponsoring today's trip to Fantasyland!
Nanook, pretty groovy! Except of course, for the part with Anita Bryant. Geez, she was everywhere back then, huh? Like fungus. Too bad someone didn't have a nice big Tupperware bowl full of whipped cream or meringue ready for her!
@ TM!-
Miss. Anita was merely the icing on the cake-!
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