Two Beauties From July, 1963
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
I have a pair of really nice photos from July of 1963, we can pretend that they are from the 4th of July, 62 years ago. It'll be just our secret!
Photo #1 features this colorful view from the Plaza looking toward the entrance to Tomorrowland. There's the fearsome ice cream vendor who will only let you pass if you can answer three riddles. Then you'll proceed along the Avenue of Flags, toward the mysterious Clock of the World, and then "America the Beautiful" to our left. Not much else is visible here, except the Douglas Moonliner. It sure looked like a perfect day to be at Disneyland.
Next is this unusual view from what I believe was the dining area for the "Fan 1" snack bar. Cloth shades were deployed to help keep guests comfortable during the summer heat, and to keep vampire bats out of women's hair. In the sunlight, the Dumbi whirl around and around, never stopping!
10 comments:
Major-
"Not much else is visible here, except the Douglas Moonliner".
I beg to differ... I believe I can see the yellow/blue sunshade extended across the "midway" between the two, main show buildings. 1962-1963 seems to be the 'periodization' when that item was 'unfurled'. OH... and Telstar-!
Thanks, Major. And a Happy 4th to one and all-!
We also get a pretty good view of the Telstar satellite atop America the Beautiful. At first I thought the lady next to the fearsome ice cream vendor was barefoot. But I guess she's wearing pinkish shoes.
Fearsome ice cream vendor, "NONE SHALL PASS!"
That risque blue umbrella has lifted its fringe to give us a peek of what's underneath.
"the Dumbi whirl around and around, never stopping!" An interesting concept. I guess it could be done like the PeopleMover platform. That skirt around the Dumbo ride couls rotate at the same speed as the Dumbii.
Nanook, ah, I was wondering what that yellow and light blue thing was. Couldn't have been the PeopleMover track in 1963. And the Monorail didn't slice through Tomorrowland like that.
And I see you mentioned the Telstar satellite... at the last minute!
Nice, and somewhat unusual photos today, Major. Thanks.
The top of that Telstar satellite resembles a TYPEWRITER ELEMENT.
Happy 4th of July!
Sadly, I saw on the news that someone in Simi Valley, California, was NOT careful with fireworks - a few hours ago. Have fun, but please BE SAFE!
Summer 1963 was my first visit to Disneyland and I remember parts of the experience well even to this day.
Both of today's pics are EXTRA wonderful. Tomorrowland was a warm and welcoming place. The Fan 1 pic is my favorite though because it's such an unusual view. I love views like this that give me a fresh take on vintage Disneyland. Thanks, Major.
Oh, I forgot. Happy 4th of July to all. Have fun and remain safe.
"Fan 1" and "Fan 2"....not for Fantasyland, but for the fans that spewed clouds of hamburger smoke all the way over to to Tomorrowland. In general, I think the entire park smells a little "hamburger-y"....but I also think the entire Southern California area smells like hamburgers. Maybe it's me? Luckily, I do like a good burger, and perhaps the "eau d' cologne d' Coke Terrace" has stuck into my nostrils for the past 40 years...could be. This looks like a busy July day. Wow. I'm sure at that time, it wasn't that "normal"...and from what some "Club 55" members told me, "we were flying by the seat of our pants". Large crowds, if you are not prepared for them, can become large angry crowds. We all "braced" for the impact of July 4th, and the stories are quite legendary. When you have to park in "M" or "Z"....and they use the old hotel tram to take you to Harbor House....you know it is going to be epic. 4th of July did not disappoint. I think that a "safe" shift would be a day shift on a popcorn wagon, as (usually) popcorn was not popular on warm daytimes. However...at night...this changed...DRAMATICALLY...and during winter...people love popcorn all day long. I can see the vendor with his crowds of people, however this is the first time I've seen the wagon pointed in that direction. Normally, it faced towards the Hub. I see a lot of people at Fan 1, however....I don't see anyone cramming a hamburger into their mouth...what gives? The picket fences on Dumbo are delightfully charming, and it's inspired me to paint some pickets in my yard that color instead of white. I am also enjoying the pink color of the exit sign. Looks like Timothy has his disco ball in place...I'm wondering if they were disco balls back then before disco? Maybe they just called them "mirror balls"....in any case, I hope everyone has a safe and sane holiday weekend! Thanks Major!
Happy Fourth everyone!
Photo 1 is very appropriate with the flag front and center. The young man in thank shirt to the left is taking his version of this photo too. Very sensible.
The crowds in both pics are so large that the trash cans are nearly obscured. Bright colorful views too. The ladies by Dumbo are displaying classic era examples of 60’s clothing patterns, abstract, daisies, and a blue tapestry or paisley. My Mom would approve.
Years ago, I volunteered in an Elks Club hamburger stand for the Fourth parade. It took several days to get the burger smell out of my mind and memory.
Timmy’s disco ball is just the Fantasyland version of Telstar.
Thanks Major!
JG
“Thank shirt” ?? = “dark shirt”
Thanks autocorrect…
JG
Nanook, oh gosh, somehow I missed Telstar! I always love seeing that. The other sunshade doesn’t get me too excited though. :-)
JB, I’ve always kind of wondered how Telstar moved. Did the entire “boom” rotate in circles? And did Telstar itself spin? I wish I knew. Barefoot at Disneyland, I can’t even imagine. “Ma’am, I’m afraid you have a severe case of popcorn toe”. I feel bad for the people who voluntarily boarded the Dumbo ride, they didn’t know that it would never end.
Lou and Sue, Simi Valley is very nearby! Based on the size of the fireworks that people light off from their backyards, I’m not surprised that a house eventually blew up. Some of those “chrysanthemum” mortars are professional quality and HUGE.
K. Martinez, I am amazed at the memories of the Junior Gorillas, I must have bumped my head, because I remember very little, even of visits from years later!
K. Martinez, happy 4th to you too!
Bu, well, maybe I’m used to the aroma of hamburger smoke, but I don’t think it is omnipresent in SoCal. I wish it WAS! When I shop for groceries near the In and Out restaurant, the smell always makes me want to stop in. Which is the idea, of course. I’d expect July to be busy, and looking at the Flag, there was a nice breeze to help keep things somewhat comfortable. I always feel so bad for the CMs when I am there on crowded days, it looks like a miserable task dealing with so many people. I seem to remember that days like Thanksgiving used to be dead, but now all the locals go and it’s a madhouse. Interesting, I never thought about popcorn not being as popular when it was hot, but I guess it makes sense. The vendor in photo #1 is an ice cream vendor, unless I am not seeing a popcorn wagon? I think you’re right though, usually it is parallel to the Plaza. I’ve seen disco balls referred to as “mirror balls”, so I suppose that is what they were called before Donna Summer was around.
JG, it always amazes me at how much nicer a good photo is when it is a bright sunny day. Sure, you can have good ones on an overcast day, but the sun amps up the colors and makes everything feel more festive and welcoming. I wouldn’t mind smelling grilled hamburgers for a few days!
JG, ha ha, I was wondering what a “thank shirt” was! I thought maybe it was a tank top.
Loving the second photo today because that is what it actually felt like to be in Fantasyland then. I can just about taste the Welches grape juice from here.
MS
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