Here's a pair of TOMORROWLAND BEAUTIES. My favorite! This first one is from June 1, 1961. Thanks (as always) to Jason's Disneyland Almanac, we know that June 1st was a Thursday, the park was open from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, the high temp was 70º, and it dropped down to 55º later. Attendance was a mere 7,903!! Our photographer must have been using a better-than-average camera, this photo is particularly sharp and clear. The color has shifted a bit, but it's still pretty, especially with the puffy white clouds and blue sky behind the Clock of the World. The flags of all 50 States lead out toward the Plaza - the sails of the Columbia can be seen in the distance!
Next is this not-uncommon view of the TWA Moonliner as seen from the Skyway, but this example captured the entire rocket (it's often cropped at the top) and it's nicely-centered. While undated, this must have been taken on a busy Summer day, there were certainly more than 7,903 people at the park on that day! The Art Corner is to the right, with those "Matisse"-like panels. In the distance we can see that the buildings along Main Street were actually large industrial sheds, artfully disguised.
NEWS BULLETIN: I happened to be looking for some information about some Disneyland tickets, and went to the old Vintage Disneyland Tickets blog (naturally) - one of my favorites from the good old days when there were many good Disneyland blogs.
Much to my amazement, I found that there were some new posts! In fact, since July, there have been six new blog posts, after an eight year hiatus. COOL!
So be sure to check it out, and leave a comment!
Major-
ReplyDeleteThat first image IS a beauty - right down to the 'two-toned' painted asphalt-!
Thanks, Major.
Wow, this really IS crisp! I was going to say that the photographer should've tilted his camera upward a bit, so as to get less slurry and more sky. But no, the way it is looks just right. It feels like we're there, walking toward the Clock.
ReplyDeleteI'm always taken aback when I see those "industrial sheds" in the background. "Hey! Where's Main Street?!" Such a contrast between those plain warehouses and the precisely curated confection that is the Main Street facade. Something must be buzzing and flying in the Flight Circle, people are standing around and watching.
Thanks for the Tomorrowland Beauties, Major.
Oh brother... I was Anonymous.
ReplyDeletePhoto 1 is sharp and clear, a great view of the World Clock and Cocktail Shaker. Little-known fact that I just made up, the Clock had a drinks dispenser offering martinis, manhattans, and gin-&-tonics, but only for Magic Key members.
ReplyDeleteBut my heart belongs to photo 2! What an excellent Moonliner photo!
Disney was good at getting multiple uses out of those industrial sheds. These were slated to be part of the proposed Industrial Shed Land, which failed due to lack of interest in industrial sheds, after which, the Main Street facades were added on the other side.
Major, thanks for this post! And thanks for the tip about VDT, I’m heading there now.
JG
These ARE beauties! #1 more than the other, but both with their own merits. #1: I had to get my bearings when I saw the Columbia in the distance...usually this photo is shown the other way, but this way is far more lush and "Park Like". It's interesting that they use perennial shrubs here...and not annuals...this is always a great cost savings measure...I don't know if they was the intent, but it looks great either way. I see the annuals there around the clock, and perhaps those marigolds were part of the inspiration for the "swirls" of 1967. "Flat top, camera bag guy" is there on the right..possibly from Germany (?) I really like those "Tyrollean" sweaters: so expensive. I'm a big fan of lederhosen as well, "Leather Pants"...also very expensive for "real ones", not "Spirt Store Halloween German Beer Drinker" costume. It's kind of like wearing a kilt...I do have a couple, and yes...I do wear them...I get a lot of looks...but the only thing people want to know is if I am wearing it "traditionally"....not sure why that is the first thing that comes to mind, but it does. Perhaps this post has entered "GDB AFTER DARK"....moving on...yes: the "Back side of Main Street" is not glamourous. You can't see the clapboard or corrugated metal....the Opera House (AKA Mill) was a very nicely finished building...utilitarian...as the "back side of Pirates" and the "back side of Mansion"....but the older parts, like "the back side of Adventure/Frontierland" well....did look rather..."Frontier" in nature. I think I have said "back side" too many times here...so will continue later on when "GDB After Dark" switches on. Thanks Major for the beauties!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, two-toned, just like my bowling shoes (which I am wearing right now)!
ReplyDeleteJB, it might have been nice if the photographer had panned up just a little, but I’m not too upset about it. Ya gotta love that slurry! I think it’s fairly amazing that the Imagineers made facades that are so convincing that most would never imagine that the buildings were really just those big steel “barns”. People are watching the Flight Circle because a man took off his clothes and is running around in circles.
Nanook, how do I KNOW it was you???
JG, in early photos, there is a little spigot, kind of like on a coffee urn, where adults could dispense perfect martinis. The Happiest Place on Earth, indeed. Industrial Shed Land almost made it, but the walk-around character, “Loose Nut”, kind of messed up the deal.
Bu, yes, the park really does look so lush, it’s surprisingly beautiful in that first photo. So many flowers and trees! As we know, they did use annuals in some places, as evidenced by the need to replant throughout the year. I’ve always thought that sounded like a lot of effort, but Walt clearly didn’t care, he wanted what he wanted. Marigolds sound like a good guess around the Clock of the World, but I’m bad at IDing flowers. You’re a big fan of lederhosen?? That’s a first! At least to me. Can’t say I’ve ever worn them. I did wear a hat with one of those “shaving brushes” on the side. Very handy, my face was always as smooth as a baby’s. Ha ha, I never expected a discussion of leather pants, but what the heck. I would look ridiculous, with my dumb “midwestern boy” appearance. I know that most “back sides” of the buildings were utilitarian and nothing special to look at, but I would want to look at them anyway! It’s like seeing something forbidden.
JG, thank goodness Walt came to his senses and abandoned "Industrial Shed Land" and went with Main Street instead. The story of early Disneyland is full of those averted disasters.
ReplyDeleteBu, I'll take your word for it that you wear your kilts "traditionally". But do you wear your lederhosen "traditionally"? That is, with a sprig of Edelweiss in your lapel. (What did you think I meant?) ;-p
Major, "People are watching the Flight Circle because a man took off his clothes and is running around in circles". Yes. Most people aren't aware that "streaking" has its origin in early Disneyland. Only on GDB!