Hooray for more slide scans from Keith Schad! By now you know that these are from late 1971.
Most guests who were armed with cameras found it hard to resist the visual feast that was the façade of "it's a small world", with its stylized representations of architectural styles from around the world. And then there's the wonderful mechanical clock that performs every 15 minutes, with a parade of dolls wearing the costumes of many different countries. Oh, and the topiaries of course!
You've gotta love that mid-century style! Onion domes, pagodas, the Eiffel Tower, and other shapes that are less specific, but add to the complexity of the scene.
This last one is perhaps my favorite of the 1971 batch, this fantastic Skyway view looking down upon Monstro the Whale. Everything is bathed in a golden afternoon light, and the leafless trees allow some views toward the Motor Boat Cruise and the Peoplemover. Not to mention "Big Blue" at the top center!
MANY THANKS to Keith Schad!
What happened to the idea of having the topiaries spin around and "dance"? Didn't Walt show a model of the topiaries "performing" in an episode of "The Wonderful World of Color"?
ReplyDeleteIn the last pic, it looks like they hadn't yet added the large solid panels to that northernmost curve of the PeopleMover track. I suspect those were added to keep guests from having a view towards the backstage area? Just to the left of the Monorail train, we can see the spur track leading to the storage and maintenance building backstage.
Thank you so much, Keith, for sharing more of your family's photos with us!
More really nice photos from Keith!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the Clock is just finishing its parade of figures from many nations. Or is it just starting? Seems like they come out of the front doors and exit through the side doors, like they're doing here.
My, that giraffe topiary is looking mighty skimpy... and pale. OMG! It's turned into a ZOMBIE!
In the last pic, Monstro is looking his shiniest and fiercest. He needs to get more sleep; he's got bags under his eyes. I wonder what those under-eye folds/appendages are for?
Looks like Skull Rock is just out of frame. Isn't that little waterfall spilling out of one of his openings?
I agree, this photo is something special; a rare angle. And we get to see bits and pieces of so many attractions.
Thanks again, Keith and Major.
To the child me Small World was the Weird New Modern Thing attached to Fantasyland, then full of 50s-flavored facades on attractions themed to movies made before I was born. Now I'm fond of it but still regard it as the New Modern Thing, since New Fantasyland was largely about replacing the thrifty "tournament tents" with detailed architecture matching the films' period settings.
ReplyDeleteLove that last one. Not only do we get to see everything you pointed out in your commentary as well as Skully’s ear irrigation, we also get a glimpse of the Tuna Clipper’s crow’s nest. Just plain stuperendifinous!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I have a hankering for some tuna, but it’s breakfast time. Why don’t they make tuna-flavored oatmeal? Guess I’ll hav to make my own…
Thanks again for sharing, Keith!
Great pics from Mr. Schad. I especially love the last photo where Fantasyland and Tomorrowland overlap and blend into each other. It was one of my favorite areas of the Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith! Always enjoy your pics. Thanks to you too Major!
Mmm, now I want tuna oatmeal, Breakfast of Champions.
ReplyDeleteThose a fine views of IASW, I’m kind of like DBenson, it’s always The New Thing, I remember the long line when it was new. I didn’t care much for it as a kid, but now, Old Me knows the back story and can appreciate the style.
The last one is a doozy, however. So. Much. Goodness. We can appreciate the odd promenade of little shacks and stalls lining the path to the distant IASW. That stretch seemed oddly unfinished and random for so long. Disney has finally given up and just calls it “Parade Route”. I could look at this one pic all day.
Thank you Keith and Major!
JG
I was having kind of a cruddy morning, and these lovely pictures pulled me right up out of it. Thanks, Keith and the Maj!
ReplyDeleteIt will probably never happen, but I keep holding out hope that the Florida version of it's a small world will get moved to a location where there's room for a more elaborate load area and clock.
So much goodness crammed into that last shot! Monstro is truly the Prince of Whales, and they should put a little crown around his blowhole. Dig the feller in the blue Mr. Rogers cardigan posing like Captain Morgan on the rockwork.
TokyoMagic!, yes, Walt did show topiaries spinning and spinning. It looked sort of silly to me, but hey, I guess I’d be used to it now if they’d done it. This must have been many years “pre-IASW”. Interesting about the panels you mentioned, there were so many opportunities to look backstage, I’m surprised they cared in that case.
ReplyDeleteJB, I think you’re right, the clock “show” looks like it was just ending. I remember finally getting on IASW, and just as our boat was moving, the music for the clock would play, and I knew we were going to miss the show. So disappointing! But forgotten almost as soon as we were in the actual ride. I think that Monstro had those bags under his eyes in the movie “Pinocchio”, no wonder he is always so grouchy. And yes, Skull Rock is just out of frame to our left.
DBenson, I always thought that the gigantic plaza in front of IASW was the weirdest. Did they really need that much room? Maybe they did at one time, but now they’ve filled it up with souvenir stands, lights/speakers, and other junk. And I know the tournament tents were done to save money, but I think they look kind of nice in old photos!
Chuck, I hope that Skully doesn’t get that brain-eating amoeba… although it is unknown whether he has a brain anyway. The crow’s nest can be rented for $1400 a month in SoCal. I’ve often wished for meat-flavored items, such as gum. Tuna oatmeal is a stroke of genius!
K. Martinez, there is something fascinating about seeing Fantasyland turn into Tomorrowland - sort of a blurry line! The old Motor Boats were technically ”Fantasyland”, but I always thought of them as “Tomorrowland”.
JG, I was pretty little when IASW went in, so I don’t really remember a time without it, but it was such a huge addition to Fantasyland - quite a contrast to the classic little dark rides that we all know and love.
Melissa, I’m sorry you were having a cruddy morning, but am glad that Keith’s photos cheered you up! Yeah, don’t hold your breath for Florida’s IASW to move. Even though I always thought they had so much room there? It’s always amazed me that the Orlando “Pirates” ride is actually shorter. If anything it should have a few extra scenes! Like one with the pirates riding motorcycles.
Major-
ReplyDeleteIt really is hard to top the unique angle of the last image. There's so much loveliness to study.
Thanks, Keith.
The original reason for the large approach to Its A Small World was about staging and dramatics …. The panorama of the facade was to be the focus of the area and a draw in . Walt hated that small world was wedged in where it was in New York and the facade was somewhat blocked but other fair pavilions ….. he said that would NOT be the case when it comes to Disneyland .
ReplyDeleteWDW had a few motorized topiary’s …. And there were plans at one time to bring the plaza Swan boats back after a few seasons of being closed …. But sling the route were to be motorized and animated Disney scenes …. But that never happened .
In a early 80’s Disneyland Line there is a feature on the landscapers of Disneyland and that a dozen or so topiaries were being tested -“ that will move “ and be used for the fantasyland entrance to the upcoming Discovery Bay…..
Also the space where the small world facade went was intended for The wizards palace and the entry to The Rainbow Road To Oz attraction was gonna go … infact the earliest designs that evolved into its a small clock started out as the OZ Palace .. maquettes fir the animated ( AA figures) are shown in The Nickel Tour Book and Marc Davis Disneyland OZ concepts in the Marc Davis book He Drew as he pleased.
ReplyDeleteTwo boxed note card sets of 4 images canceled for exhibit THE DISNEYLAND THAT NEVER WAS included four Edison Square interior vignettes and Claude Costed Rainbow Road To Oz atmospheric paintings including the WIZARD OF OZ PALACE … which is a slightly less 60’s modern Small World Clock in multiple greens and brass …..
In the last image, IASW looks like a miniature building in Storybook Land.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great shots - thank you for sharing, Keith, and Major, too.
Walt did show topiaries spinning and spinning. It looked sort of silly to me, but hey, I guess I’d be used to it now if they’d done it.
ReplyDeleteMajor, now that I think of it, I believe he described the animated topiaries as a future addition to Storybook Land!