SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

They said it could never happen! They said I was crazy!  Well, both of those things are true, and yet, here we are at the 17th Anniversary of GDB. That's a long time (nearly Andrew's entire life). My "colorful" prose might make it seem as if it has been more like 27 years. I apologize for nothing! I've saved a few choice filets for you on this important occasion (Bob Iger will probably call me soon, so I'd better type fast). 

Let's start with a real beauty, this magnificent photo of the TWA Moonliner. Postcard Worthy! I hope nobody was smoking a cigarette right near the rocket, they could accidentally send it into space (yes, that's how rockets work, leave me alone). 

How about a nice zoom in for a look at the guests? You can see the Skyway in the background, along with the Space Bar. I hope they are not out of moon cheese sandwiches. I just love this scene! 

Next is an interesting scan from a slide dated "10-62", presumably taken from the Disneyland Railroad as it passed the large construction zone, part of what would become New Orleans Square (and some of Frontierland?). To the right we can see lots of red steel beams. The story goes that "Pirates of the Caribbean" was going to be a walk-thru attraction (a "Thieves Market"), but after the New York World's Fair, Walt saw the advantages of a boat ride (similar to what was used for "It's a Small World"). And that steel had to be ripped out. Never mind the expense! That's how Walt rolled.
 

Let's zoom in to the back of those humble sheds, which at least partly had the temporary window service restaurant where guests could get fried chicken (a holdover from the Chicken Plantation restaurant). I don't believe that this area behind the sheds was open to the public, though it looks as if they could easily stroll in from that wide open fence near the Swiss Family Treehouse.

This unusual view is part of the pre-show for "America the Beautiful", with a map of the U.S. (I recognized it immediately, not to brag). Area codes are indicated on each State, with some places requiring divisions within a State (California has 8 of 'em). Presumably the lights demonstrated how a call might be routed from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. It could require a detour through Indiana! Don't worry about it. 

Now we have a rare view from inside the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry. Along the wall is series of inset dioramas in the shape of various laboratory flasks. It reminds me of my moonshinin' days.

Notice that the large flask to the right has images of the House of the Future, also sponsored by Monsanto. There's even a "plan view" of the house, complete with furniture.  I love how these displays resemble the graphics one might see in a science textbook from the late 1950s.

I started this post with a lovely view of Tomorrowland, and I might as well finish with one too... from a few years earlier than the first one too. Notice that the Phantom Boats are listed on one of the signs in the distance (above the head of the lady in red)... that puts this before August, 1956, when the Phantom Boats closed. Love that Clock of the World.

There you go! Thanks SO MUCH to all of the GDB regulars, especially those who take the time to comment and help to make this little community so much fun. I've said it before, but without you guys, there would genuinely be no point in doing this, so I am grateful. Best of all, the Junior Gorillas are all nice people! I've been fortunate to meet some of you, and it's been great every time. 

I've continued to acquire slides, so I imagine I will keep going for a while, barring some disaster. So please keep checking in. Year 18 starts TOMORROW!