Aerial BUPIX
I have some fascinating photos, courtesy of our friend Bu! Aerial photos, which are always fun to scrutinize. Bu said that he took the photos myself in my Uncle’s plane… when it was legal to fly over the park… we went for lunch in Catalina after that. I should have appreciated it more back then, I only realize now that things like that aren’t typically “normal” in people’s lives. It seems so glamorous saying it now. Have to dig through my memory for the year… but probably 77/78… So cool! I would have loved to fly in a low plane over the park back in those days.
First up is this most-distant view, with housing tracts and even a baseball field below us. That one community looks like a microchip on a circuit board. Imagine living so close to the park that you could take a five minute stroll to the turnstiles! The massive parking lot was still there, and there's no Mickey's Toontown; I believe that the field to the left of the Disneyland Hotel is the old driving range, though I'm not entirely positive. Yesterland says that the driving range was shut down in 1978, which is right around when Bu thinks he took these pictures, so it seems to check out.
Now we're closer, and looking at the park from the north end, facing south. A considerable parcel of land was being used for various outbuildings - warehouses, offices, and such. It looks nearly as big as the park itself. Melodlyland can be seen at the top left, and the convention center near the top center. The Global Van Lines headquarters can just be seen in the lower left.
The iconic Disneyland sign just sneaks in at the lower right corner! And we can see many familiar landmarks, including the entry gates, and... well, you know them all as well (if not better) than I do.
Ominous clouds shade the park. What does it mean?? We can see the three towers of the Disneyland Hotel, as well as the Marina; it looks like some of the garden rooms are still present. And we get a better look at the Global Van Lines building at the bottom of the image - they sponsored the Main Street lockers for years.
And finally, we get a good look at Tomorrowland, with the Subs, Autopia, Peoplemover, and even the Motor Boats. Space Mountain looms large, and the Carousel Theater still had "America Sings". Elsewhere, Big Thunder shows up nicely with its red "sandstone". Near that is a large grassy field at the north end of Fantasyland. We can even see the Haunted Mansion.
MANY THANKS to Bu for sharing these wonderful aerial photos with all of us!
19 comments:
"Oh my God. I'm back. I'm home. All the time, it was... You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!".
Thanks Major, it's also way cool to see the Global Van Lines building standing right before the Harbor Blvd exit...
Thank You Bu, for sharing these images-! Seeing aerial views of Disneyland are always such a treat.
Thanks, Major.
It looks like Big Thunder is still under construction. There appears to be some dirt around the back and side of it, as well as the construction trailers in the back of it. I forget when the main "butte" was lowered by crane onto the steel framework. That could narrow the date/year down further, since that seems to be in place here. Mike C. probably knows.
Thank you for the super cool aerial pics, Bu and Major!
Wow, not only does Bu show us what Disneyland life looked like backstage, he shows us what it looked like from above! What's next, Bu goes underground and shows us Disneyland's Utilidors? [crosses fingers]
It's interesting how the Castle is very dim and hard to spot in these photos. Granted, the Park was more or less in shadow in these pictures, but still...
Major notes that, "ominous clouds shade the park". That's because of the approaching ice age; we can see a huge white ice sheet creeping toward the Park in most of these pics. ;-D
I can see Fudgie!... Well OK, I can't... I can't even see the waterfall that he hides behind. And apparently, he was already 'removed' by this time... I can't see any Bobsleds either.
Major says we can see the Haunted Mansion in the last pic. I suppose that small, dim, gray blob on the right is it? With the show building behind it?
Thank you to Bu for these aerial shots of the Park (lucky guy!). And thanks to Major for narrating our tour.
BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD is definitely still under construction in BU’s shots. There were so many expansion plans underway at WED at this time like a NEW FANTASYLAND , DISCOVERY BAY, DUMBO CIRCUS ….and a NEW TOMORROWLAND…. EPCOT CENTER slowed down some of these projects and pushed others to the front burner before most of them being shelved when Eisner arrived in 1984.
To the northwestern corner of park starting behind BEAR COUNTRY , you can see all the original support buildings for Disneyland ( all demolished to make way for GALAXYS EDGE starting with document control ( blueprinting) , facilities & engineering, the mill shop , the sign shop , aging & graining , the paint shop , extra decorating storage for wallpaper and awning/shade material …then paint storage …the buildings perpendicular - running west-East to the first row of buildings running south -north is THE CYCLE SHOP and included the paint spray booth and vehicle /fiberglass finishing… the trash can painting and repair , and a ride vehicle mechanical repair shop . This building made of corrugated steel was the original storage shed for locomotives #1 & #2 of the Disneyland railroad and was one of the very first buildings constructed on Disneyland property. ( remember that while you drink your blue milk and take your picture with Chewbacca ) even to the day of its demolition, original DLRR rail ran from a disconnected siding and right thru the length of the entire building.
The buildings directly behind COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE include the staff shop … and the original character figure fabrication . Here fiberglass, plastic , foam , was attraction parts , ride vehicles , building pieces were casted and finished . Metal fabrication was also done here. Submarine voyage fish , doom buggies and jungle cruise animal moulds were stored and prepared for casting and molding. The building north of the staff shop included a machine shop and a storage area for pavers , tiles and some park details like park benches and lamppost … being fabricated , repaired or stocked for future use or replacement.
Beyond the CYCLE SHOP is Winston road - a backstage entry road. And along that is the original “boneyard” where large pieces of old equipment was stored … replaced jungle cruise boats , old skyway buckets , retired park benches, Autopia cars , rusted giant Alice In Wonderland garden leaves and flowers , broken popcorn wagons … a Disneyland treasure trove! Later this area became more landscaping and gardening space and the boneyard was mostly moved down Ball Road next to the giant Decorating main building.
All of this was demolished and relocated off property just for GALAXYS EDGE .
To the right of the boneyard ( landscaping) is parade float storage ..and one of 2 garages for Main Street Vehicles, parking lot trams and security and support vehicles . Here they are inspected, repaired , fueled , and washed .
The buildings between parade storage and the area were Toon Town was built included lots of general storage , property control ( another Disneyland treasure trove) Figure Finishing - where audio animatronics were repaired and finished ( for years the sea serpents and mermaids from Sub Marine voyage sat out here as well as the discarded heads of MAX - BUFF -MELVIN from Country Bear Jamboree .
Mike, just north of Winston Rd. and that small employee parking lot, we can see the rehearsal hall building. I believe that was demolished when West Street was realigned (for the new parking structure and in preparation for DCA).
These photos are amazing! And having all the details about the buildings is even better!
Thanks, Bu, Major, Mike and all!
TOKYOMAGIC: yes I forgot that the rehearsal hall and some WED/WDI offices were demolished for DCA parking and road reconfiguration long before GALAXYS EDGE ….. many of the warehouses that were storing all kinds of past park signs, props , parade and event decorations and banners were cleared out and sold very cheaply Thru Disney’s Official Disneyanna Conventions in the “ Mickey’s Attic” sales room and thru “DisneyAuctioneers” on EBAY. The original decorating building was also demolished in preparation for DCA and the West street reconfiguration. Very little of Disneyland’s backstage would be familiar to Walt Disney and the original designers …. But in all fairness … that was 70 years ago …but prior to GALAXYS EDGE construction so much 1955-1975 remained virtually the same. All gone .
Thanks for all the building designations Mike! I remember all these buildings now...it was quite a different "Park" behind the berm...and a little ramshackle actually! I totally forgot about Winston Road: which led to the Surplus Sales...and all the goodies...very long gone...and the rehearsal hall where I was told "no" to becoming a character...although I made it through 2 cuts. That was an ENTIRE day audition, and you had to learn a dance routine. That is where I learned "wizards"....which is named for the "skip" when Dorothy + friends skipped down the Yellow Brick Road. It's actually an interesting dance move if you watch it closely. Another part of the audition was to be an animal, but in character of a Disney character: at their choosing. I was Grumpy as a lion....BUT...you had to do the dance routine WHILE being that character. It was a panel audition...probably 10 people from entertainment. There was also a mime you had to do, in character, with props. And why did I want to be a character (?). Who knows, and my life would have taken quite a different path...maybe, probably. Back to the flight: as we flew around LA, I remember that I just wanted to see Disneyland and the rest was kind of "meh". My uncle was a big flying enthusiast, and still is....so as he was geeking out....I was more "WHEN DO WE GET TO DISNEYLAND?!" As we approached, I remember thinking that the Park felt so very small, and even though the photos are fuzzy, it was kind of a clear day. Once we got over to Catalina, it was clear and sunny. The "Airport in the Sky" in Catalina, is not really that near to Avalon, and my Uncle wanted to hang in the little pub they have at the airport and talk to other "plane nerds". The airport was made by leveling two mountains and it is quintessentially "Catalina". We had a burger (you still can have one too...) and went on our way again... back to the Torrance airport via the coastline: flying over the other islands in the chain, Marineland, our house, etc. Have no idea where THOSE photos are...and perhaps I only kept the Disneyland ones (?) What great memories these photos have stirred up! Thanks Major!!!!
I have to come back to these later, this post is like finding a piece of the Rosetta Stone. I love aerial photos, thank you Bu!
I will point out in passing the odd bent building of IASW and the combination monorail / DLRR train shed.
Thanks Major!
JG
Well, I can certainly see the Mansion's show building! Also easily spotted are Space Mountain, Big Thunder, the Matterhorn, and, the Storybook boats. After that I have to start looking for details.
These are fun! And, of course, completely impossible today. Thanks Bu!
Folks, I see that Blogger has done its Blogger thing again and messed up some of the images (the last one, for instance). Sorry about that! I’m away from home so I can’t fix it, unfortunately.
Anonymous, I enjoyed your quote from one of my favorite movies - Casablanca. The Global Van Lines building was pretty cool, too bad it was torn down.
Nanook, like you, I love aerial images of the park!
TokyoMagic!, aha, good eye on the Big Thunder construction. Somehow I didn’t notice that. I see that the attraction debuted in September of 1979, so most of the construction must have taken place in that year.
JB, Does Disneyland *have* Utilidors?? I know there are one or two underground dining areas, and the place where Walt’s frozen body is stored, but otherwise… nada. I agree, the Castle somehow disappears in the photos, in spite of the fact that it is relatively big. I’m OK with an approaching Ice Age, but am not looking forward to the heat death of the Universe. Yes, I plan to be there. I kind of wish Bu had his negatives from these photos, I’m sure we would get clearer images! But (like my own family’s negatives) they probably went right into the trash. You have to know where to look, but that scary blob is the Haunted Mansion.
Mike Cozart, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it kind of kills me to hear about so many cool “lands” that were conceived, only to remain in “Neverland’. I’m sure some were just reconsidered as “maybe these aren’t quite what we want”, while others were victims of economic downturns. You mention a lot of buildings that were torn down for Galaxy’s Edge, where did all those employees move to? I assume there is some sort of campus nearby? Ha ha, I still haven’t had the courage to try the blue milk, and I’ve heard that the green is even weirder. Gosh, imagine getting to explore the boneyard? Maybe I’ll take a souvenir or two! This Skyway gondola would look great in my breakfast nook. I’m glad to hear that the parade floats were washed. I never thought about it before! “Sanitized for your protection”. If only Disney knew how much some people would pay for those decaying old props. They could have made a bundle!
TokyoMagic!, a rehearsal hall! I’ve never heard of that before. I guess they had to work out “Light Magic” somewhere!
Lou and Sue, yes, these were a lot of fun. I have some non-Bu aerials to share with you someday!
Mike Cozart, I can’t help wondering how many wonderful things were destroyed that people like us would have treasured, but that “normal people” would have zero interest in? I’ll bet a LOT of stuff got destroyed. I got a few things from Disney’s eBay auctions, one really good thing, and another pretty good thing. I do remember wishing at the time that I had more money to spend!!
Bu, ha ha, I’m sure that “wizards” step comes in handy every day. Just do your little skip into McDonalds! People will love it. I wonder why they didn’t want you to be a character? I’d think you’d be good at it, but I also think it might have been grueling. I always think of what it must be like to be in one of those costumes on a hot day. Nowadays I think they are more aware of things like that, and probably allow more breaks or shorter “onstage” stints. Based on your description of auditioning to be a character, I would have failed. Who knew that they required improv training! I sure wish I’d been able to fly over the park with a camera loaded with tons of film, it would have been amazing. I don’t understand the “Airport in the Sky” in Catalina. Why is it called that? I’ve watched a few videos of people hiking the entire length of Catalina, it takes two to four days, depending on the trails taken, and looks kind of neat. I think I’ve seen hikers go to an airfield for a hamburger, probably the same place you went. Thanks, Bu!
JG, the shape of the IASW building is so familiar to me now, I find myself looking for it out of habit. I’ve always wondered if they will ever enlarge the “roundhouse”, but it seems to have served its purpose for decades with no problems.
Stu29573, yes, looking for details is a big part of the fun in these aerial photos. I have four or five nice aerials already scanned that I am saving for special occasions!
Speaking of Ruth Buzzi: At 88, RIP Ruth Buzzi: and here she is with another amazing entertainer: Sandy Million Dollar Duck Duncan. Note that as they run and scream around the Haunted Mansion: there is no Omnimover yet....some very interesting forensics, fortuosity and what seems is plywood/or dirt on the floor: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nathan-eick_disneyhistory-disneyland-disney-ugcPost-7324514523187474432-WKzb?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABkDloIBl5osTePldtSWFyfE8sN1qu_1oHw&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=mail
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nathan-eick_disneyhistory-disneyland-disney-ugcPost-7324514523187474432-WKzb?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABkDloIBl5osTePldtSWFyfE8sN1qu_1oHw&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=mail
I had seen that before, but it's been a LONG time! It's interesting about the missing Doom Buggies. I'm sure the track was there, but it looks like they put plywood over it and threw a carpet runner at one end, so the brain thinks it's all carpet.Thanks for sharing, Bu!
MAJOR: I don’t know if they “wash” parade floats but the service garage is for the Main St. USA attraction Vehicles, parking lot trams, security vans, delivery trucks , golf carts etc. they are what gets repaired , fueled and washed .
Disney DID make lots of money when they cleared out those warehouses in the 1990’s … it’s just the prices for that kinda stuff was rather low. Disney collecting was still ceramics , watches , animation cells , limited edition things … used park artifacts still hadn’t caught on yet …. It’s was “what on earth are you gonna do with that!? “ “who would want a fake tombstone from Disneyland!??” … “those posters are so big and 50’s ugly!! Nobody is going to buy those - besides they don’t even have Mickey Mouse in them !!” ( that’s a serious quote when it was first proposed to sell the old stock of attraction posters at the Disneyanna Shop in the early 80’s!! Eventually merchandising saw the park related interest after the Disney Gallery Opened in 1987 and started selling original attraction posters for 300.00 each ( and 35% off if you were an employee.
When BU’s pictures were taken Disney park used items had a strict company policy to be stored or destroyed… WDP’s didn’t want these things out in the public for proprietary reasons and also for legal /safety reasons. There are some exceptions at property control sales …. But it wasn’t till the mid 90’s Disney seriously began to let big stuff go to the public .
Disney had considered relocating their entire wardrobe and costuming department into the old Global Van Lines building … and brining their fabrication building from Fullerton on to property … but eventually most of costuming ( now called creative costuming) was re-located to Florida starting in the late 1990’s ….
All those warehouses and workshops and backstage employees were sent down the road to newly built facilities and some to existing rented buildings.
Great fun, images and info today. thanks. Got that ‘new mountain’ smell.
MS
Amazing photos and commentary today! About all I can add is you can see all three campgrounds on West Street. Track along the street north (to the left) of the Park in the first photo and you can see Vactionland and the KOA on the west side of the street and the other campground where I got a glimpse over the fence of America on Parade floats next to the Rehearsal Hall in October of 1976.
Thanks so much, Bu, and for everyone else’s commentary!
Bu, I remember the Wizard step! I think they put it into every single audition, whether it was for casting a parade or for casting characters in the park. In addition to auditioning and getting hired for Fantasy On Parade, I went back and auditioned for the Main Street Electrical Parade & American Gazette Parade. I was given a part in the latter one, but called a few days later and reluctantly turned it down (long story, but I have told it in one of my "Fantasy On Parade" posts).
I also went to a "Character" audition, held in that same rehearsal hall. The pantomime I was given was, "Cinderella as a stripper." Okay....I'm kidding! But seriously, I was given "The Wicked Witch as a secretary." I also remember being there all day.....and being surprised at how long the process was. I was ultimately not hired for the character department, but I actually consider it a blessing, today. I have spoken to people over the years with ruined backs from being a character and wearing the heavy heads. I also spoke with a woman who plays "Minnie Mouse" and "Pinocchio," and while dressed as Minnie Mouse, she was punched in the stomach by a teenager. If I remember the story correctly, the kid ran off towards the exit and they never caught up with him. So in addition to extreme heat, being soaked with sweat, and a bad back, those cast members put up with a lot of abuse! Not to mention potentially being wrongly accused by guests, as having "grabbed" them inappropriately, and then having to go to court and hoping that you or the company can prove your innocence.....just like that one "Little Pig"!
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