Parade, 1980, Part 2
We're continuing our look at some teensy tiny slide transparencies, just over 1/2" in width. You'd get lots of images on a roll of film, but the quality suffered. Still, these photos from Disneyland's 25th Anniversary parade are pretty fun.
Oh boy, a beautiful hula dancer! Pretty racy for Disneyland, but I'm not complaining. The Tahitian Terrace (from whence she came) was still going strong, I sure wish I'd seen the whole show and enjoyed some Polynesian-inspired cuisine.
It's very cool that they brought one of the classic Stagecoaches out of storage for this parade, they'd been retired for 22 years at this point. The Matterhorn in the background makes for a humorous anachronism.
Winnie the Pooh never did care for pants, and somehow it worked for him. He'd run for President in 1972 (losing to Richard Nixon) and 1976 (losing to Jimmy Carter) but was ultimately happy to enjoy civilian life in the 100 Acre Wood.
The Fiddler Pig has had twenty cups of coffee so far, and it shows. He hasn't blinked for an hour. Behind him, the Practical Pig ("Old Grouchy") radiates disapproval.
Here's a neat closeup of one of the genuine antique circus wagons that Walt Disney acquired - I believe that they were used in parades as early as 1955 for the Mickey Mouse Club Circus, though I read that others were acquired for the filming of "Toby Tyler, or 10 Weeks With the Circus" (starring Kevin Corcoran, aka "Moochie"). I know that some were displayed near the tent where "Professor Keller's Jungle Killers" thrilled guests. It's all a blur! Like the Stagecoach, it's fun to see a bit of Disneyland's history looking so wonderful.
There's one final blog post from this batch, coming up!
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EXTRA! EXTRA!
GDB friend Mike Cozart sent along a photo of the mysterious object seen (indistinctly) in one of Stu's photos on July 13th. Here's Stu's picture, just as a reminder:
And here is the photo provided by Mike:
Mike said: So that Tomorrowland marching band that used to perform in front of mission to mars was called TRANSTAR… they were much smaller than the larger MAGIC KINGDOM KORPS that also performed in Tomorrowland.
But it was MAGIC KINGDOM KORPS that played Themes like JETSONS , INDIANA JONES and STAR TREK etc ..,
For a short time MAGIC KINGDOM KORPS was called TOMORROWLAND BRASS.
Mars closed in 1993 … but you can see guests waiting in the inside lobby
Someone asked if the TRANSTAR “shuttle” was suppose to be a Starspeeder . No … but it was just typical of the designs of that era . Even the STARSPEEDER 3000 was based on the Ford Aerostar Van.
They really do resemble each other!!
THANKS MIKE!
7 comments:
Major-
Three cheers for the Stagecoach and the Circus Wagon - both looking quite spiffy. And more thanks to Mike for providing these extra images.
Thanks, Major.
Like AMERICA ON PARADE , I can remember the DISNEYLAND 25th ANNIVERSARY PARADE like I saw it just yesterday.
Hmm, yes. These small images are a bit 'soft' looking. But not bad at all. While I like the colorful Polynesian costume, I can't help but think that an authentic costume would have much less color. The lei and floral headdress would still have colorful flowers, but the skirt would be mostly tans, browns, and greens... and not be made of plastic Easter grass (or whatever this is). But I do like it!
That's not the Matterhorn in the background, Major. The Stagecoach is making its way over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the Oregon Territory. (Ignore any Swiss bobsleds you might see.)
I suppose pants were just too difficult for Pooh to manage, with his expanded waistline and short arms. It "worked for him" because he isn't anatomically correct. "Nothing to see here, folks. Move along!" We also see Tigger and the Industrial Strength Pig. (And a Skyway bucket.)
Hahaha. Fiddler Pig really does look 'lit'.... Scary even! I think he's rabid.
The circus wagon is awesome! And looking at the dark interior, it was also a steam calliope.
So we weren't far off when we said that the 'vehicle' looked like a Starspeeder, (to me it looked like a Star Trek shuttlecraft). Thanks for the picture and the explanation, Mike.
Nice photos, Major. Thanks.
Even though MISSION TO MARS was still operating in that TRANSTAR photo , when it did close the entry lobby of MARS was open for a short time for Magic Kingdom Club Members as lounge - they gave free bottled water and allowed guests to sit inside one of round “DC-88 MARSLINER” cabins and relax … no film or music - it was kinda odd but guests did sit inside and cool off.
When I was trying to remember TRANSTAR’s name , lots of friends I asked remembered MAGIC KINGDOM KORPS / TOMORROWLAND BRASS …. But nobody remember TRANSTAR ….. but I was able to find them listed in entertainment guides.
JB is right about that "circus wagon" being a steam calliope. An article in the Summer 1980 issue of Disney News Magazine stated, "The most memorable unit of all is the appearance of a six-horse team of prize black Percherons pulling the shining 1907 steam calliope that was first seen in the 1955 opening of the park."
Again, I loved this parade and it's theme song, "Disneyland Is Your Land." I think that's a better anniversary slogan than "Celebrate Happy."
Thanks, Major!
Here's some info from an article in the Winter 1979 issue of Disney News Magazine: "Following it's time-honored custom of leading crowds to the circus, one of the few steam calliopes available anywhere in the world carried on that tradition when Disneyland opened in 1955. This same vehicle has a claim to fame in England as well as distant points in the U.S. In 1920, it was in the Howes Great London Show and in Palmer Brothers Parades in 1921. It attracted crowds through 1926 when it was remodeled and sold to actor cowboy Ken Maynard's Diamond K. Circus in 1936. The historical instrument underwent further refurbishing in 1936, and again for Disneyland's 1955 opening. Recently, the calliope's sparkling splendor was restored so that Disneyland's guests might enjoy it in daily parades and private parties throughout 1980."
The article also stated that in 1981, the calliope would be sent to WDW for it's Tencennial celebration. And I believe it returned to Disneyland once again, and was used in the "Circus Fantasy" parade in the late 80s.
"Celebrate Calliope."
Looks like Fiddler has had more than coffee...just saying...I like these big head pigs, they were so massive....Like Mike, I remember this parade like yesterday, and thought it would be a better theme...since Walt wrote the lines...to use again for the 70th...catchy tune, etc etc...a very Disneyland "Sound". The parade was wonderful with the trumpeters....so many horses...musicians...performers...including the Hula girls, Can Can dancers...etc etc. There are a few videos on YouTube. The Calliope was it's own "thing" and very talked about in employee magazines and such. It has a long story on it's own, and quite a historic relic. Instead of being in some warehouse, they should probably show it at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota...which is an AMAZING place...er "Compound"... The calliope has it's own history, and of course layered onto that is it's film history, and Disneyland history...and why is it not in the parade this year? Or is it.! ..I remember that Stagecoach being very lovingly restored...I'm having a hard time processing that this was 45 years ago. I knew that Starspeeder looked familiar....Don't get behind one of these vehicles on the road...chances are it's going 35 in a 55...Mini Vans were a new "thing" in the 80's of course, and we showed a "Safari" at the GM exhibit at the Main Gate...which got a lot of attention as it was customized inside. It was kind of fun to drive. Like the pig: time for more coffee! Thanks for the trip back to 1980...I need the button that says "I WAS THERE".
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