It's time for a "Snoozer Sunday" installment; and while I have over 140 scans in my folder, I had a hard time coming up with any real losers. Not a bad problem to have!
So I feel like this first one is odd, but interesting enough to avoid the "snoozer" category. As you can see, we are looking across a grassy meadow toward some mysterious jets of water. Of course I assumed that there were whales spouting just beyond those bushes, but realized that it was actually some geysers from the Rainbow Desert (as seen from the Disneyland Railroad). Pretty cool! The grassy area has been referred to as the "Small World Meadow" by some, but I don't know how official that is.
Also seen from the Disneyland Railroad is this much-less unusual photo looking past some of the familiar topiaries and that queue for "It's a Small World". Looking closely, the water trough has no water, and there is a worker in white coveralls seemingly working on the railings.
Sooo, there's a desert in there somewhere? Nah, I think you were right the first time, Major; definitely whales spouting... blue whales, I think.
ReplyDeleteThis really is an odd scene. I don't think you've shown us any others like it. A less knowledgeable person would probably never realize this was Disneyland.
In the Small World pic, I like how some of the guests are standing in the background, sort of bewildered, staring at the facade and empty canal: "We came two thousand miles to see the little dancing dolls, and this is what we get? Well, I never!". I fell sorry for them. I also like the milkiness of that mountain; whatever it's called, I forget. And we can see a Skyway bucket, plus the Rocket Jets tower. Oh, and on the right we can see the Flying bird-men of Papantla getting ready to spiral down that tower.
Nope. No snoozers here, Major.
I know I've heard the "Small World Meadow" reference before, but I think that was for the grassy meadow behind/north of Storybook Land, and east of the backstage service tunnel that goes under the R.R. tracks. I wonder if this area was ever called anything different, like the Frontierland meadow? As Bu would say, someone knows. Maybe Mike Cozart or Bu will be able to tell us. If I squint really hard, I think I can see Danny Kaye coming out of the bushes on the far left. And he is singing. Plug your ears, everyone!
ReplyDeleteIn that second pic, we can see the backside of the IASW refurbishment sign. We can also see the Fantasyland Caricature Stand (with the orange trim along the roofline), on the right. The Rocket Jets' central rocket looks a little bit like the tip of the Eiffel Tower, from this distance.
Thanks, Major. I agree with JB....no snoozers, today!
If I hadn’t been told where that first photo was taken, I’d assume I was looking at a golf course sprinkler system in action.
ReplyDeleteI have a vague memory of asking my dad if the geysers erupted every time a train went past. I know by my last childhood visits I understood that the magic was by design. I think that’s when I started appreciating the craft that went into building an immersive show environment more than the show itself.
That giraffe needs a haircut.
Nothing to snooze about this Palm Sunday, Major!
Someone left the sprinklers on. I was recently looking at grass samples as I wanted to recreate this grassy field...it is a very particular type of grass. When I worked in Northern California there was a grassy patch like this near the office: but it was natural, not planted. It always was a nice remembrance of my time looking at that particular patch of grass at Disneyland. My thoughts at the time: that I saw this grass: twice a day, every day until it was TRE'd, was "wow" "that could really be something" "like another Pirates" "or another Haunted Mansion"....but, like DCA, "I liked it better when it was a parking lot." hence... "I liked it better when it was a grassy field." There was no official name for it as far as I know, and the reason there is a nice photo of it, it because it was the last thing you saw before you entered the it's a small world facade. Or as I like to say "Fuh-Kade". I do remember the scene of Danny Kaye singing about "An-uh-heim" while strolling through the grass. There is another video of Walt strolling through grass too...but I don't think it's this grass. My experience in this area is only in a post Big Thunder period, so I have no recollections about geysers and such. it's a small world looks like it's in a big rehab...when they drain the water it is a big deal. Actually DRAINING the water is a big deal, as they just don't pull the stopper and let it go into the drain. There is an entire hierarchy about water draining and I remember the Disneyland Line had a story in there about how it was done, and which water went to what places, etc. There is an almost-never-told story about at the opening of Small World: children from different countries were invited to bring a jug of their own water to put into the Small World waterways. There is the same story about the Rivers of America- with jugs of water from major American Rivers. There is no story about the Jungle Cruise to my knowledge. They use that Walt photo: with him at the Small World opening, and the kids have all these fanciful jugs, but they story is never mentioned- that I have seen anyway lately. The back side of the IASM entry is rather white looking and not "dressed"...the current "exit through the gift shop" is abominable, but I think think all that white needs to be "Blaired" or "Crumped". Just my POV. Giraffe does need a haircut...it seems that they always needed haircuts as there would be stray branch that would shoot out. These topiaries got very regular attention, but Mother Nature usually has her own plan. Thanks for the Sunday Snooze Major!
ReplyDeleteThe first pic takes the prize! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI miss that open space that the "Frontierland" meadow and Small World Meadow provided. Nice tranquil parts of Disneyland gone forever.
Thanks, Major.
Indeed, Ken, there are no longer any tranquil places in the Park today. All the quiet experiences are gone. The most we can hope for is an out of the way table at Hungry Bear.
ReplyDeleteMajor, I’m sure these were taken during the brief period when the Submarines ran through Natures Wonderland, as described on the “F” Ticket.
We can see the painters ladders in the IASW waterways. The attraction was still open as a walk-through during the drought in the 70’s.
The second photo is from the time when the Skyway buckets were stored in the Matterhorn. You can see one heading in while none are coming out the other side.
Geezers!
ReplyDeleteTwin geezers, Melissa! :o)
ReplyDelete—Sue
@ Bu-
ReplyDeleteHERE"s an image from that 'water-filling' day.
@ Sue-
Score one for you-!
Nanook, thanks for that link. Note that the girl standing next to Walt is wearing a sash that says “Russia,” not “Soviet Union.” Interesting. The lass in the kilt seems to have a lighter complexion than even the iasw facade. Not a criticism…just an observation.
ReplyDeleteThe meadow was created as a result of diverting the original path of the railroad to IASM. It provided a nice buffer between the train and MT and yep, has since been repurposed from a tranquil to trampled area. KS
ReplyDeleteDid you ever think that you’d already responded to comments, and then it turned out that you hadn’t?
ReplyDeleteJB, sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between whales and geysers. Jacques Cousteau never could get them straightened out. I wonder if the Small World clock was still doing its thing every 15 minutes? It could explain why those people are staring. Or it’s like you said, they are supremely disappointed. “Flying bird-men of Papantia”??
TokyoMagic!, I have only just realized that there used to be too many grassy meadows at Disneyland, and I for one am glad that they are all gone. Especially since the one in today’s photo has made me a laughingstock. I’ll never be able to show my face at CERN again! The Fantasyland Caricature Stand, I forget, didn’t you have a caricature drawn there? Not many people know that Gustave Eiffel designed the Rocket Jets.
Chuck, the only Disneyland geyser that I remember is the one that rumbles and rumbles, and then… well actually I kind of forget. Does only a tiny “burp” of water come out? Or none at all? Where am I? Palm Sunday, I guess my mom will have one of those little woven palm crosses when I go to her home tomorrow.
Bu, I think my mom’s neighbor has this kind of grass in their front yard. Why? Does it require less water? It looks pretty unkempt to be honest, the lady who lives there likes whirligigs and pieces of ceramic tile in her yard. Reminds me of some homes that I used to see along the roads in the midwest. Bowling balls on sticks. I’m sorry, but you can’t say “Fuh-Kade” on this blog. Did Walt stroll, or did he saunter? It’s important. Somehow I like knowing that draining those geysers was a complicated process. It’s comforting. That giraffe was one of the first punks in SoCal.
K. Martinez (hello Ken!!) if nothing else, that first photo is very unusual, and that’s saying something after all these years. Sadly, there is no use for open spaces at Disneyland, in fact it’s amazing to me that even in 1974 there were still undeveloped fields.
JG, I didn’t wander over to the Snow White Grotto, but I was hoping that it was still tranquil. That chiming bell, Adriana Caselotti’s distinctive singing voice. If only Walt had been a visionary, he neglected to put ANY submarines in Frontierland. What a hack! I heard that they filled the IASW canals with Mountain Dew during the drought, but you know how the Internet is. (Meanwhile, I’d love to walk through that ride!!).
Melissa, what are you saying? Many people think I am still youthful.
Sue, are they fraternal twins?
Nanook, what do you know, “children from many lands”!
Chuck, Kilt Girl actually looks pale green! The ultimate in pallor. JEALOUS.
KS, I’m kind of surprised that they were OK with a grassy meadow. Sure it looks nice, but I’d think that by that point they’d be thinking of ways to make land useful.
Major, here's a YouTube video of the Flying bird-men of Papantla:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBX2gRZcaLE
Actually, here's a better example:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GES58b-lJ80
Nanook, I love that picture of Walt at IASW. Thank you for adding the link.
ReplyDeleteJB, The Flying bird-men of Papantia...I learned something new, and got dizzy watching them. ;o)
Major, that first scan is unique. We love unique.
And the Matterhorn looks like someone sifted a LOT of powdered sugar on it. Reminds me of the Matterhorn macaroons you can purchase in Disneyland, with lots of white frosting - yummy!
Thanks, Major.
Major, sorry I forgot that you had asked if I had a caricature drawn at the Fantasyland caricature stand. I did! It was in the summer of 1976, and here it is:
ReplyDeletehttps://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkGsvRdTW6k/YRpGw3bApUI/AAAAAAAAUIQ/Jm1F2oTv7F4JUtfDA0y-J0CMDahl7pDogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1108/DL%2BCaricature%2B-%2BSummer%2B1976.jpg