The Tomorrowland Stage

I always love photos of bands playing at the fabulous Tomorrowland Stage! In this case we have "The Better Half" (circa August 1972), which appears to have been a quintet - four guys and a gal. Normally the woman was the singer, and if you were lucky she rocked a tambourine, but this one is playing a baritone saxophone! Which makes her extra super cool.  I think I'm in love.

Down on the dance floor, some kids have a front-row seat, while some of the Seven Dwarfs slam in the mosh pit in the most disgraceful way possible. Oi! Oi! Oi! 

In the background, the lovely Carousel of Progress building, in shades of blue and white.

There's no band in this picture (from September, 1974) but we do get a good look at the swirling, psyechedelic design on the terrazzo floor. The guy to the right is suitably impressed. "Far out, man. I'm going to grow my hair and stop bathing". In the distance, the "Flight to the Moon", with some covert Peoplemover action as well.

Hotel Disneyland, February 1965

Today I have two photos - portraits? - of the Disneyland Hotel's "Tower Building" (eventually named the "Sierra Tower"). The photos are from 1965; the tower was built in 1962, and the 118-foot tall tower added some 150 guest rooms to the Hotel complex. The exterior elevator was a distinctive feature, but it divided the building in such a way that, when the large sign was added at the top, it could not read "Disneyland Hotel". Instead, the pseudo-European moniker "Hotel Disneyland" was used.

Not long after these photos were taken, the Sierra Tower was expanded (it was called the Tower Annex, though it connected with the Tower building, to our left in this photo) adding another 160 rooms. 

Honolulu in the 1950's

I finally decided to scan some vintage slides taken in Hawaii - Honolulu to be precise - in the 1950's. 

Here's a pretty view taken from "The Punchbowl"... a large volcanic crater that is also the location of the National Cemetary. The most prominent feature that we see is Diamond Head, a long-extinct volcanic cone that is familiar to so many people. While much of the adjacent area has been developed to some degree, it still has a pleasant, almost small town vibe. 

I looked online to see what this view would look like today, and found a pretty close match. The shrub to the left appears unchanged, but as for the rest of Honolulu... wow. So much for paradise I guess.

Now we're down on the beach at Waikiki, with the historic Moana Hotel looming over all. The Moana opened in 1901, and was the very first hotel on Waikiki, starting the tourist boom (prior to that, people had stayed in bungalows and beach shacks). Although there have been some additions to the property over the years, the main building seen here was restored to its original glory in 1989, and it is considered one of the premier hotels in the area.

Christmas in April!

Today's photos are from the 1956 holiday season; this first image was taken from the steps of Main Street Station, looking toward City Hall. At the bottom of the photo, carolers in Dickensian costumes attract a small crowd - they must have been singing some of the least popular Christmas songs (like "Silver Bells", man do I dislike that one). In the distance a lady appears to be wearing a choir robe, though it might just be an overcoat (!).

Here's a closer look at the simple plywood cutouts displayed in front of City Hall; the style resembles certain old Christmas card illustrations.

Say, that lady was wearing a choir robe! I guess you all owe me an apology for thinking that I am insane. I forgive you because it is almost Christmas (only eight and a half months to go).  There are more singers - some of them appear to be children. I had a theory that the kid's voices were needed to replicate the squeaky sound of The Chipmunks, but it turns out that those rodents did not make the scene for another two years. Garlands adorn the Emporium, along with more plywood cutouts. I love the color and the general activity of Town Square in both of today's photos.

Vintage Postcard - Riverview Park

Today, Ken Martinez continues his series of vintage amusement park postcards with a park that I am totally unfamiliar with, even though I am a Chicago boy (I moved away when I was a tadpole, so I have a good excuse). Here's Ken:

Chicago's Riverview Park

Chicago's Riverview Park is considred legendary among amusement park enthusiasts and old time Chicagoans. It operated for 64 season from 1903 to 1967 on 74 acres, making it one of the largest and most popular parks of its time. It's also a good example of a premier traditional amusement park that failed to survive through the modern theme park era.

Here is the Red, White and Blue Entrance to Riverview Park. At one time there were seven roller coasters operating at the park, six of them wooden and one a steel Wild Mouse. All together 19 roller coasters were built at the park throughout its 64 year history.

Pictured here is the Riverview Park's Carousel, a five-row Merry-go-round built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1908. When the park closed, it was saved from demolition when it was purchased by Six Flags. You can still ride this carousel, but not at Riverview Park.

When Riverview Park closed, Six Flags purchased the Carousel and then restored it and moved it to Six Flags over Georgia (pictured here) where it's still in operation today.

The Coaster everone came to ride at Riverview Park was "The Bobs". This black and white cardboard photo was probably sold with a set from a vending machine. I remember cards like this as a child.

Here is the entrance to "The Bobs" which was considered the premier ride at Riverview Park. It had a reputation for high speeds, sudden drops and hidden turns, and was considered one of the most tortuous devices ever created for an amusement park.

The Silver Flash (formerly Pippin) was similar to the "Comet" roller coaster also at the park, in that unusual covered coaster trains made to look like modern streamliners were used. It must've provided an interesting ride.

Chicago was stunned when it was announced in October 1967 that Riverview Park would close forever. In the 1960's the Park would experience increasing crime with pickpockets on the midway and purse snatchers in the dark funhouses. Ultimately the land was worth more than the park's revenue, so it was closed and the land wold for development.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Chicago's famous Riverview Park.

Information Source Material:

Funland U.S.A. copyright 1978 by Tim Onosko

Roller Coaster Database  http://recb.com/

http://www.riverviewparkchicago.com/

THANK YOU as always for this cool article about a park that I'd never heard of! There is much more to come from Ken Martinez, so stay tuned.

More Devlin Family Photos - Part 10

In today's Devlin family photos, we've moved from January, 1962 to three years later. Let's see, carry the one, divide by Pi, and multiply the remainder by seven... by golly, it's now January, 1965. Math. Maybe you should try it sometime. 

Many of the photos in this batch feature (as the hand-written labels say) "Mama" and "Grandad". I can't help but think of my own wonderful grandparents and our trips to Disneyland when I see these photos. This first one is neat because M & G are posed next to the old-fashioned Bekins wagon, with its artwork featuring some spirited horses - horses that will go crazy and run down the street with your possessions! Now this is odd, because I believe that Global Van Lines had moved into the Bekins spot by 1963, and this is a full two years after that, so... what gives? Perhaps this was a case of a roll of film sitting undeveloped in a drawer for a few years.

Just up the street, the grandparents have discovered the colorful Flower Mart, which appears to be especially bustling. Who knows, maybe the park sold truckloads of artificial flowers. Something tells me that Grandad is being a good sport (as usual) while Mama checks out this side street. If he's like my grandpa, he wants to ride the Matterhorn!

Thanks as always to the Devlin family.

The Disneyland Band, November 1955

We're back in 1955 again (along with Marty McFly), to enjoy some Kodachrome images of the Disneyland Band. Amazing color!  I love the warm afternoon light, it really makes the reds and yellows pop.

There they are, those lovable moptops from Liverpool. I think. They are gathered 'round the flagpole (and near the plaque that quotes Walt Disney's dedication speech). To this day, scientists do not know why certain musicians are drawn to flagpoles, but it makes it easy to catch them, make crucial measurements, tag them, and release them back into the wild.

Vesey Walker is mostly obscured to the left; we can see the Maxwell House cafe and can almost (sort of) see the sign for International Street (but we can't see the sign for the International House of Pancakes).

Now the band is heading up Main Street toward the Castle; lots of folks have gathered to watch... you don't see a sight like this every day. Unless you work at the park of course. Nearly all the gentlemen are in coats and ties, while the ladies wear dresses. Children wear Kevlar™ body armor and bowler hats.

Walt Disney World, November 1971 - The Contemporary Resort

It's time for more photos, taken by "Mr. X" during his visit to Walt Disney World in its first weeks of operation.

The Contemporary Hotel was (and still is) an impressive sight, and it became almost as iconic as Cinderella Castle. Notice the crane - there was still plenty of last-minute construction that needed to be completed. A Monorail is coming - or maybe it's going!

In later years, some nearby structures were removed, and a 15-story tower was added. 

Inside the vast atrium of the Contemorary Hotel, the Monorail sits on the track near some kooky yellow acrylic "trees" (long gone, now). As a kid I always thought that the concept of moving the Monorail right through the hotel was the coolest thing ever; in fact I still think it's pretty cool!

I decided to zoom in on this shop; thanks to the wonderful "Passport 2 Dreams Old and New" blog (check out the amazing history of the Contemporary Resort HERE), I found out that this shop was known as "Plaza Gifts and Sundries". If I was there I would buy three gifts and four sundries.

Having Fun at Disneyland, May 1966

Here are two not-very-exciting (but perfectly nice!) photos, from 1966. 

If you go to Disneyland, you have to take a photo of the castle. It is the law. You don't want to break the law, do you? DO YOU?? This lady appears to be having a swell time. She not only has her sweater, but a pink jacket, just in case it rains. She's also vain and doesn't want her picture taken with her glasses on. And she loves long walks on the beach, movies, and she hates phonies.

There she is again, standing on West Center Street. She's a particular fan of that ornate sign - probably hand-painted by some skillful craftsman. The reason she is smiling is because she sneaked a few leeches from the Upjohn Pharmacy into her purse.

At the Airport, 1950's

I need to start scanning more non-theme park stuff for my "Anything Goes Saturdays"! What I really need is more slides, but they're just too expensive these days. So... I'll use what I have.

It's back to the airport. I wish I knew which airport, but have no idea. Maybe one of you guys can figure it out. A woman and her little girl watch passengers de-plane. I believe that the aircraft is a Douglas DC-7 - as always, correct me if I'm wrong. I wonder if they are waiting for Grandma and Grandpa, visiting for Christmas (since the father presumably took the picture)? 

This next one is from a different photographer, but is probably from roughly the same time period. I love this dramatic angle looking aft along the polished fuselage, with the control tower peeking up above the tail. Once again, I have no idea where this picture was taken.