You probably woke up this morning thinking that it was an ordinary Tuesday. But you are mistaken! Today is the 20th Anniversary of Gorillas Don't Blog - the blog with the dumbest name! Two decades, ye gods. Most of you know the story of the origins of this blog, so I won't rehash it for the umpteenth time, but I will say that I never imagined that I would still be blogging 20 years after I started this hobby (I guess it's a hobby?). I am grateful for the friendly community that has miraculously formed, somehow the trolls and weirdos have stayed away (probably because my readership numbers are relatively minuscule!).
My "saved" folder of extra-special scans is not exactly overflowing, but I chose a few really nice examples for you. Starting with this aerial view of Disneyland! I love aerial views. This photo is undated, but the presence of It's a Small World means it's post-1966. The Haunted Mansion? Post-1969. The Indian Village (where the Dance Circle was) is there, and that remained until 1971. I don't see anything else that helps (perhaps you do), so I will pencil in "1970" for now.
Here's the entire photo, with good views of the backstage areas to the north (left), some vacant lots that I assume belong to Disney today, HoJo's, the lovable Interstate 5 Freeway, the massive parking lot (along with the Harbor Gate), and more.
One yellow Mine Train trundles through the Rainbow Desert... notice the trestle bridge crossing that pond. The Mark Twain is well underway, and the Columbia is in Fowler's Harbor. I admit that it's hard to discern, but just above the "g" of my blogspot watermark, you can just see the round Dance Circle, and the roof of the stadium-style seating to the right of that.
To the left is the Global Van Lines headquarters, and to the right of that is the Roundhouse and the show building for It's a Small World. Small details such as the Pirate Ship and the Motor Boats are fun.
I put in this additional view at the last minute because I wanted to show you the large area that was behind Main Street and Tomorrowland. Along with the Peoplemover trains that are on the tracks, there are several in that backstage area (since the Peoplemover trains don't have wheels, does anybody know how the trains were moved when they were off the track?). Jungle Cruise boats are lined up at the dock in the Rivers of the World, and I think we can even see the white roof of the Carnation milk truck in West Center Street.
More parking lot! Along with various motels that I can't identify. There's the Grand Hotel in the upper right. But I'm most fascinated by that miniature golf course to the middle-right! Does anybody have any information about that? This is new to me (or I forgot about it, more likely). I tried to look it up on Google, but only found endless references to the miniature golf course that used to be at the Disneyland Hotel.
Now we're back on terra firma, with this rare August 1962 photo from inside the Monsanto House of the Future. It looks surprisingly warm and inviting (if a bit small); my guess is that the house had received at least one redecoration since 1957. This appears to be the "boy's room", with a toy sailboat, a relief map of California, a model of the Santa Barbara mission, a cool sculpture (is it "modern", or "primitive"??), and best of all, a wicker moose. I think that clock thing is also a radio and intercom, how did they squeeze so much technology into that one device? In the bottom right, a book with a red-orange cover...
... why, it's "Our Friend the Atom"! I know this is a tangent, but "Our Friend the Atom" is a 1957 episode of the television series Disneyland describing the benefits of nuclear power and hosted by Heinz Haber. It was part of the publicity campaign for peaceful uses of atomic energy, following Dwight D. Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" speech at the UN General Assembly in December 1953. The episode was broadcast on January 23, 1957, and repeated on April 24 of the same year. In 1956, Golden Press published a children's book, The Walt Disney Story of Our Friend the Atom, using artwork from the show.
Let's head over to Frontierland, for this lovely view of the Gullywhumper Keelboat, returning to the dock on the western shore. But the most interesting detail is that skeletal Old Mill structure, presumably there to give a sense of the scale (mills DO have scale!) of the final building that would be built there. Tom Sawyer Island opened to the public June 16, 1956, so I would guess that this photo is from early '56.
I'm always happy to see a photo of the Tomorrowland Spaceman. He towers over that woman… of course she didn't grow up with the 38% gravity of Mars. The little red flag on the Spaceman's antenna is a little silly, but it helps cars to see him when he's on his recumbent astrobike. Say hello to Screechy the Iggle!
And finally, here's a super nice look at a section of Old Tomorrowland, with the Hat Bar nearest to us. Notice the pile of Keppy Kaps, along with what seems to be beanies of different colors, and maybe cavalry-type hats (?). To the left, the Flight Circle, and out of frame to the right, the Rocket to the Moon show building.
That does it for this 20th Anniversary post. I would (once again) like to offer a grateful thanks to all of the Junior Gorillas for sticking with GDB for so many years, and for your fun and informative comments. I've been lucky enough to meet some of you in person, and have even met some in Disneyland, which has been amazing. I can guarantee at least one more year, since I have most of those posts already completed! This is what happens when you don't go outside.
E.jpg)
3 comments:
I’ve only a minute to comment, as I’m on the way to work. Thank you for all you do Major. You make our days a little brighter, even if it’s sometimes blurry.
20 years is a long time. Thanks for your sticking with it!
Major-
What a marvelous set of images-! The aerial image (from around 1971) captures a great number of favorite attractions amongst those of us lucky to have experienced them in the flesh, leading me to 'suggest' when all is said and done - including many beloved attractions that have disappeared - and those which have yet to materialize - this could still very easily be a [the-?] "golden year" for The Park...
Interesting to see the narrow 'shades' still in-use radiating-out from both the King Arthur Carousel and Fan 1. I had thought by that 'late date' that "feature" was long gone.
I'm thinking the "clock-radio-intercom-turbo encabulator" has utilized the clock 'works' cannibalized by WED Imagineers from an RCA clock radio from around 1957 - just about the time the House of the Future made its debut.
Maybe MIKE knows more-accurate dates, but based on how quickly new "structures" of all kinds appeared at Disneyland, I would think the wood framing we see of the Old Mill appeared much later than "early '56"...
That mini red pennant appended atop the Spaceman's helmet looks so silly, as if designed by a seven year old... (No offense to all the seven year olds who ply these pages daily).
20 years-! Where did the time go-? Twenty years is the china anniversary, so... the Franklin Mint-! Just where is the Gorilla’s Don’t Blog Tribute Plate Collection, I ask you-? (I understand the initial release was to feature images of the Disneyland Trash Cans-!)
It [GDB] was only supposed to be classic images from Disneyland – maybe Knott’s Berry Farm, Walt Disney World, local amusement parks and fun views in the US. But somewhere along the line I discovered so much more thanks to a community of frightfully-knowledgeable folks – who knew about all things: KBF; POP; Trains; Monorails; Architecture; Paint; Fiberglass; Trash Cans; Popcorn Wagons; Attraction Posters; Every Amusement Ride; Hair; Clothing; Grandma Purses; Babushkas; and even vest and sweater etiquette-!
Major – the thanks belong with you and your tireless dedication – complete with descriptive and often hilarious commentary – and your follow-up comments. My day is always brightened (or in my case, usually before heading off to slumberland) following reading each daily post. It’s a great place to be-! Thank you.
Melissa, we miss you-!
Somehow, GDB's anniversary date always comes unexpectedly for me. I never think about it, but then... WHOOMP, there it is!
In the aerial views: Like you (and most other Jr. Gs), I love seeing these bird's-eye-view photos of Disneyland. Especially from various years so we can compare and contrast (there'll be a pop quiz later) the changes. I find myself studying these images for longer than I was planning on: "Is that the Haunted Mansion?", "Is that Monstro?", "Is that a red, or yellow PM train heading into the CoP building?", etc.
I count 83 trashcans. A new record! ;-D
The HotF pic: The house looks neat (cool) on the outside, but man, is it small on the inside! Sort of the opposite of Dr. Who's TARDIS. The "boy's room" reminds me of pretty much of the inside of any camp/travel trailer. That sofa with the square foam cushions surely folds out into a bed. The built-in desk that could also serve as a keyboard musical instrument, a dining table, and probably a toilet!
My, the Gullywhumper looks a might drab. I'm guessing these Keelboats are the originals that were used in the series/movie? I do believe that "skeletal" structure is the support work for Fantasmic!'s Burning Dragon... unless I'm mistaken. 8-p
Wow, either that smiling lady is really short or the Spaceman is really tall! Probably a bit of both. I think Screechy has espied the Spaceman's helmet, and is aiming to add it to the clutch of eggs in her nest. This photo is exceptionally clear and crisp!
The Hat Bar: I take my hats with ice and a twist of lime. That's quite a shirt that guy has on at the Hat Bar! (Red and white angular pattern)
Many thanks, Major. GDB is a 'major' part of my day!
Post a Comment