A Pair From May, 1960
I have two pretty nice scans from May, 1960. Don't let the overcast skies get you down! After all, it's water vapor, and we are 50% to 60% water (or in my case, Mountain Dew Baja Blast). You might think that I'd be tired of this view, but au contraire, mon frere. (That's right, I speak the French tres bon). It's still fun to peer down upon Fantasyland, with the Fan2 tent closest to us, and the Pirate Ship still in its ce-ment pond (but no critters) just beyond that. Enjoy the glimpses of Storybook Land, and even some backstage bits.
Here's a lovely view the Columbia, possibly taken from this bridge. It's a swell perspective, with the Plantation House to our left, and (I guess?) people in the lower left waiting to catch a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. The mother and two girls didn't get the memo that red was fashionable two or three years earlier. How embarrassing!
13 comments:
Major-
Ahhh... for the days of taking personal responsibility - not a railing in sight surrounding the 'pond' underneath the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. Today's poor, 'helpless humans'-!
As for red not being fashionable for clothing even in 1960 - I'll have you know even now in the 21st Century, my wardrobe still sports a few red jackets and a red shirt-! (You should see/hear the 'loud applause' my outfits receive while walking around... not to mention adoring 'fans' yelling-out "Mr. Fashion Plate... we love you-!")
Thanks, Major.
I enjoyed your sailing ship display,Major.
Thanks!
Pre Skull Rock! I think we can see just a smidgen of Monstro on the right. I like this photo! Even though the gloom is trying its best to get me down... it just isn't working! Take THAT, gloom! Yeah, there is no one-thing to draw our attention, but there's plenty to see!
I think it was mostly red coats that dominated the late fifties, but I'm sure there was 'spillage' into other articles of clothing. Oh, by the way... Where are we standing? To get this elevated view? The roof of Aunt Jemima's? The Columbia is churning up water astern just like the Mark Twain. They must have a paddle wheel just under the surface. ;-p
Nanook, the adoring 'fans' may be yelling out, "Mr. Fashion Plate... we love you-!" But they're sniggering behind your back, muttering, "OK boomer". But you already knew that; hence the quotes around 'fans'. :-D
Two nice ones today, Major. Thanks.
@ JB-
I know of no such things. Folks only snigger in front of me, knowing it unwise to try that trick from behind-! (In addition to 'knocking 'em dead' on the runway - I also have eyes in the back of my head-!)
^ OK boomer... says this boomer. :-p
That first picture was taken in the lull before the last summer before JG’s Rocks and Old Skully. Construction started in October 1960 and was completed by December.
After your commentary about the ce-ment pond, all I can think of is Donna Douglas dressed as a pirate lass. Trust me - there are worse things to be stuck thinking about.
Ah, the Columbia, yard arm lanterns swaying in the breeze! Providing yet another opportunity for me to remark on her nice spanker!
“Fantasy, is a land here at Disneyland … where fantasy comes true before your eyessss”…what a great shot. I truly am captivated by a pre “New” Fantasyland…even though at the time the “New” seemed “so much better”…now, I feel the opposite. There is so much more life in the ‘55-‘82 Fantasyland, and this photo is a great example. What are those things to the left of the Skyway steps? Anyone know? I do enjoy seeing those steps today, and even though demolishing the chalet was criminal, I’m happy to see a small piece. And the steps, if you have seen them, are embossed with wood grain. Such a wonderful detail. I was a bit mesmerized by the raft dock and the Columbia…I couldn’t wrap my mind around it until I saw the bridge…”ahh…a scene that I never experienced…but I kind of like it… a lot. As my mind wandered, I thought that a trip to the real New Orleans would be a more authentic and less expensive option…of course without Pirates, and Ghosts and Tiana, and a very loud water show. I’ve plugged the “real” French Quarter on here before, and it deserves another one. A place unlike any in the US. (Avoid Bourbon St. See it, then get lost in the “Quarters”. Also: bring a wash cloth. It’s hot. Very. You will sweat. Like.::(TMI) dripping…but a wonderful place, with amazing food to boot. The Disneyland version is pretty neat too. Thanks Major!
Oh, photo 1! What a great view! Thanks for the shout-out Chuck, I love those rocks, but it is good to see the Pirate Cove before the rocks. Incremental improvements. And a scattering of pink striped trash cans.
Also, thanks for clarifying the J. Nartubez matter in a recent post. For some odd reason, I missed both of those posts, and the whole thing has been a mystery to me for over a decade.
In photo 2, it looks like a raft is stored up the creek from the dock? Those docks sure moved around a lot. The crates and dynamite kegs earned frequent rafter miles. The two young ladies are enjoying cold drinks at the far left of the photo. I wonder how much those soda cups are worth today?
Thanks Major!
JG
Ok! Great idea time!
What if they put the Sky Ride back in, but instead of buckets, they make them pirate ships like in Peter Pan's Adventures? And then for the return trip to Tomorrowland, the cast members could do a quick "reskinning" of the vehicles to make them spaceships! Brilliant!!! Brilliant, says I!!!
Where's my medication?
Pic 1 has a Roller Coaster Tycoon vibe. I like it.
Thanks, Major P
Zach
@ Bu-
"What are those things to the left of the Skyway steps?"
I'm not quite certain to what you're referring but, if it's those rectangular 'do-dads' topped with pennants, look no further than HERE - they appear to be one half of the anchoring points for the sunshades partially surrounding Fan 1.
Nanook, it is pretty amazing to see areas so wide open and potentially hazardous (for those who are looking at their 1960 cell phones). I know that not only do you own at least one red jacket, but that it is a close replica of a red windbreaker seen in a famous movie!
Budblade, ha, I guess I did that on purpose! :-D
JB, I apologize to Monstro for showing a photo of his smidgen. This is a family blog! The gloom is there, but I know I’d be having plenty of fun on that day. “Where are we standing?”… I literally address that in the paragraph! Click on that link to the bridge. Nobody calls me a Fashion Plate EVER.
Nanook, folks think you are joking, but I’ve actually seen the eyes on the back of your head!
Chuck, well… it just so happens that I shared another photo (from this batch, I think) where I realized that Skull Rock (etc) should be there by May 1960. I didn’t think of it for this one though, so you get full points and a year’s supply of beef jerky.
Steve DeGaetano, “…her nice spanker”. I keep telling people, this is a family blog!
Bu,is that first quote from Walt? I always feel a bit guilty not loving the 1983 “New Fantasyland” as much as the original, in spite of the fact that the Imagineers really did do a beautiful job with all of those dark ride buildings. I can’t hate it! But as an official Old Fart, I do miss that simple 1955-1982 version, with plenty of evidence of budgetary constraints. I’m not sure exactly what you are looking at to the left of the Skyway steps. The rectangular things? If so, I am actually kind of flummoxed. It’s not a wall exactly. Goal posts for kicking field goals? I’ve mentioned that I declined to go to the real New Orleans (pre-Katrina) because I didn’t want to see that city during Mardi Gras… as a rule I tend to avoid drunk people. I’d still like to go I guess. “Bring a wash cloth”…!! Like Pavarotti, or Louis Armstrong!
JG, in the case of the Pirate Ship cove, I’d say that was a big improvement in just a matter of months! From a featureless “swimming pool” to a beautiful tropical lagoon with a drooling skull. Who could ask for more? Yes, the rafts launched from the end of that waterway that led back to the jungle river, it is now covered. I wonder if the dynamite was justified as possibly being used to remove snags from the Big River?
Stu29573, I would be “for” a new Sky Ride, no matter what the new vehicles looked like. Ha ha, I like the idea that the pirate ships would need to be reskinned for every trip back to Tomorrowland!!
zach, I only played “Roller Coaster Loser”, it’s all I could afford.
Nanook, NICE! I think Bu was referring to those rectangular doo-dads, good job.
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