Snoozles™
It's Snoozle Time! The exclamation mark hopefully makes this all more exciting than it actually is. First up is this scan from September, 1960. I guess the photo was taken from the Monorail? There was nothing else (other than the Skyway, which is to our left) that was elevated like that. It captures a sort of general view of Fantasyland, with parts of various attractions peeking up above the trees, but nothing that serves as a "main subject". It's not such a bad picture, really, just sort of "Huh?".
Next, a sunny, bright, clear photo of Main Street Station from December, 1964 (the absence of any clear holiday decor makes me think that it was actually taken before December). So why is it a Snoozle? Well, maybe it isn't. But it's not that exciting. "Population 33,000,000", not too shabby for only nine-ish years of operation. Could Walt have imagined such numbers back in 1955?
8 comments:
Major-
"I guess the photo was taken from the Monorail?"
Absolutely. The Monorail beamway paralleled the front of the Midget Autopia queue area, as the Monorail headed back towards the Tomorrowland station. In many ways, this unusual angle is quite a joy to see, revealing the 'backside of the Storybook Land Alpine Mountains' and all the trees from Nature's Wonderland, not to mention the Skyway Fantasyland Chalet, the Pirate Ship and the tunnel from the Casey Jr. Circus Train.
Thanks, Major.
Like you said, not a bad picture at all, just lacking a focal point. It's got a little bit of everything, like a Chinese restaurant menu: 1 from column A, 1 from column B, and 2 from column C. The Pirate Ship's sails are partially unfurled, usually it's all or nothing. The Skyway Chalet looks a little odd from this angle; sort of roundish and leaning. At first I couldn't locate Monstro, but I think I see him through the trees below the Pirate Ship.
OK, I gotta agree, this one is a Snoozle. It's an excellent photo of the Station, with lots of clear detail. But we're not seeing anything special. Parts of the Station are out of frame (left, right, top, and bottom). And we only get a quarter of an inch of floral Mickey. Nice sky though!
These are either good Snoozles, or mediocre 'regular' pics. Thanks, Major.
In the first pic, I think we can see just a smidgen of the Midget Autopia's yellow "garage." Or was it a "barn"?
Thanks for this week's Snoozles, Major!
I think we can see just a smidgen of the Midget Autopia's yellow "garage." Or was it a "barn"?
Garn? Barrage? Tow Mater? Tow Motter?
Yes photo 1 is from the monorail, as Nanook confirms. A great panorama view of a lot of things, including the elusive back side of the skyway chalet.
Photo 2 captures detail of the Station, the Santa Fe and Timex signs, and the elaborate Victorian shingle patterns. Not dull at all, just focused.
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, I figured there was a small chance that the first photo was taken from Disneyland’s “Monster Truck Autopia”, with trucks that were raised up 30 feet. It’s mostly forgotten now, since it closed after only two days!
JB, I lack a focal point too, so I can’t be too critical. I wish I’d been to a Chinese restaurant where you could order things from different columns, but no such luck. I just went to regular restaurants with regular menus. It ain’t right! I guess the Skyway Chalet *does* look a bit wonky, I think I need to start correcting tilt on photos (unless there’s a good reason not to), in this case you’d only lose some stuff on the edge that doesn’t matter. A quarter inch of the Floral Mickey is all you need!
TokyoMagic!, wow, good eye, even looking for it I barely could see the Midget Autopia barn/garage (I always think of it as a garage).
Melissa, once again, Tow Mater proves his excellence and popularity. He should replace Lincoln on the $5 bill!!
JG, that first photo makes me really wish I could ride the Monorail. TODAY! I wonder if the person who took that photo was sitting up in the nosecone? Probably not, since photos from there usually got strange reflections.
These are fun, snoozly though they be.
I think the “tilt” we are seeing on the chalet is an optical illusion caused by the angle of the corbels or whatever you call the stepped supports immediately under the eaves of the launch and landing openings.
Thanks, Major!
^ That's what I was thinking, too.
Post a Comment