Amusement Park Mysteries

I love random vintage photos of Amusement parks; naturally it's great when I know which park is pictured. But I can't always identify the location, and that is intriguing too. Once again, I will call upon the GDB super-geniuses to help nail down the places in these images!

This first one is dated "June, 1979", and shows a swell miniature railroad chugging through well-manicured scenery, with a curved Romanesque folly (no idea what it is). The locomotive is almost certainly a "C.P. Huntington"-type from Chance Rides, or at least that's my guess - not that this helps a lot, since those are at MANY zoos and amusement parks around the country. They are still available for sale! FYI, these are not steam locomotives, but instead can run on gasoline, diesel, or even propane.

This locomotive has the name "Auguste Chouteau", Wikipedia says he was the founder of St. Louis, Missouri, a successful fur trader and a politician. He and his partner had a monopoly for many years of fur trade with the large Osage tribe on the Missouri River. In addition, he had numerous business interests in St. Louis and was well-connected with the various rulers: French, Spanish and American. So I thought perhaps this train might be one that operates at the Saint Louis Zoo (they have their famous Emerson Zooline), but I can't find any photos of a locomotive with Chouteau's name on it. What I have found is the names of Daniel Boone (#45), Pierre Laclede (#46), Lewis & Clark (#47), Ulysses S. Grant (#48), Charlton Tandy (#49), and Emerson (#100), and the newest, an electric-powered loco named for abolitionist Mary Meachum.  

Next is this fun photo from July, 1974, taken from what is probably a beachside boardwalk - BUT WHICH ONE? The colorful Sky Glider, like the one still found at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, moves overhead, while the intriguing Spook's Shangri-La makes me wish I could experience it right now! Otherwise there aren't any other details that help as clues. I'm sure one of YOU knows where this is, though!

EXTRA! EXTRA!

GDB friend Chuck Hansen sent the following photo, a picture of him ...at the controls of Zooline #49, the Charlton Tandy, on October 10th, 2011. Thank you, Chuck!

Autopia Beauties

Folks who know me well can always tell when I'm about to post nice photos from Tomorrowland. They'll notice a twinkle in my eye, some extra pep in my step, and I might even whistle a merry tune. My gosh, it's annoying! But I gotta be me. 

Let's begin with this scan, dated "March, 1964"; casual Disneyland fans (how I pity and despise them) might not appreciate the wonders of this photo, but the Junior Gorillas are hip to the jive. We're in the queue at the Tomorrowland Autopia, with plenty of Mark VI vehicles set aside - March was the slow season. Richfield sponsored the Autopia, and it was kind of clever to add a billboard - the kind you might see along any busy road in America. I love the golden space station, with a "pass-thru" deck for rockets to land and take off. The gas pumps were another necessary detail that also added some veracity to the scene.

Next, it's May, 1966, and we still have the Mark VI vehicles, only there seems to be a lot more turquoise paint jobs. "Sandy and Paisly" was written on the slide mount, I'm guessing that Paisly was the  young girl. I don't have a lot to say about this picture, except that I like it a lot.

BU TOUR GUIDE PIX

Well! Today's post turned into something much bigger than I ever anticipated, thanks to GDB friend Bu! As most of you know, Bu was a Tour Guide back in the good old days; when I met him in person about a year ago, he handed me a bunch of envelopes full of photos and documents from his personal archives that he was (presumably) happy to be rid of, and I was happy to receive! Among the many photos (some of which you have already seen) was a set of group portraits of Tour Guides from six different years.

When I decided that it was time to share some of those, I sent a jpeg to Bu and asked him for a few stories or memories, if he had any; I expected three or four notes. Instead, he provided a fairly comprehensive list of names, and personal recollections that he had of almost every person. WOW! After 40+ years, a few people were not included, but it's pretty astonishing that this was all in Bu's brain! I tried to organize it in a way that makes it as easy as possible to figure out who's who. Any errors are definitely my fault - if there are corrections or additions from the Junior Gorillas, please chime in.

Here are Bu's comments on the initial scan: That was my second year of plaid: 1983.   1982 is when Cicely was out (off to the Ambassador Program), and new mgr: Larry was “in”.  It was quite the transition as Cicely was very much a historic “Walt" fixture.  Larry was from the Parking Lot (et al) and was great fun to party with.  We all drank a LOT in those days.  His kids went to work at the park, and then his grandkids…and I think I remember reading a newspaper article about that…will have to look it up.

I made an annotated version of the photo:

I figured that it would make things a bit easier to deal with if I broke the photo down into three sections. Here's the left section!

Don: Don’t have too many memories: but I think he went on to become a major historian and a big educator in prominent colleges.

Kara: Another top 4 Ambassador contender.  Her dad ran a major drug store chain in California.

Richard:  Guy next door went on to Disney University, then to the University at the Studio, and eventually overall head of WDCo HR until his retirement fairly recently. Richard and I did a photo shoot for “Disney Imagewear” when Disney was plugging itself as a uniform maker to other companies.  We did the shoot in Marty Sklar's office at WED…I think I’ve told the story about them sewing me into my costume (Contemporary Resort front desk) and them having to reach through the fly of my pants to make sure my shirt was totally tight with not the slightest hint of a wrinkle. The things you endure as a model.  I think we actually had to change right there too…those costume people don’t care as I remember, as they just want their costume looking perfect.  I’m not sure if Major has posted that particular photo yet…

Beth: Many of us attended her wedding which was the day of Candlelight.  It caused a big ruckus.  Do not show up late on this day.  Ever.  A long story for another time.

Peggy: From "Lost and Found". One of the few with a “nickname” name tag which was VERBOTEN.  Her name was Margaret, and I learned from her that Peggy is a common derivative of the name “Margaret”.

Dorothee:  Guest Communications ‘sup, and daughter was face character Snow White. I think there have been pictures of her here on GDB. She would get the complaints and the compliments.

Addie: Guest Communications: I worked with her a short time before she moved on to the film business.

Brigitte: Took me to the most amazing party in Malibu that was featured on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.  The Fifth Dimension provided the music, Lions tigers and bears (really) and a seal swimming in the pool.  Don’t forget the helicopter rides…

Allison: Taught me how to make cookies with no recipe.

Chiaki: Went on to a gigantic PR firm.

Ellen: Later became Disneyland Ambassador.

Kay: "Lost and Found" lady.  Her daughter was a TG before my time.

Louise: Her large family was a well known old Anaheim family: the Truxaws.  The family lived in what is now “The White House” restaurant in Anaheim.  The house was built in 1909.  Fun fact: ultimately the “Cosmic Inn” Stovall's bought the house later.  There’s some interesting stories about the house: check it out. When it was raining, she always remembered to tell me to “remember my rubbers”.

Maureen: Taught me the “essence" of sparkle.  She did it very well.

Don: The guy who developed the original Fast Pass and IT guy before IT was a thing, and we conducted business basically in a little more than cigar boxes. Best buddy at the time, and for a long time. 

Larry: Hired me - he’s in the blue suit in the top row. Supervisor.  Succeeded Cicely (Rigdon).  Big shoes to fill.  His kids and grandkids both went on to become Disneyland Employees.

Bruce: I did “dip” with Tour Guide Bruce (tallest guy in the back row in the center) at a party at Sally’s house, and after my head stopped spinning, I think I was hung over for days afterwards….(haven’t done dip since: so much spitting!!).

Sonia: Her sister was also a “legacy” TG who moved into Marketing that I did some photo work for modeling.  Sonia went onto a lovely life of caring for animals in need.

Karen: Major radio DJ in LA since the late 80’s and still going strong.

Jan: Also Disney University/HR.

Mindy: Disneyland Ambassador.

Sharon: Went on to marry a GM exec the year we were giving away cars.

Erin: A favorite.  Had many good times together, and she later married another TG and former WDW JC Skipper.

Sally: Her dad directed the Tonight Show, Greg Louganis trained in her backyard Olympic size pool.  She also taught me to make bread.

Suzn: Knew the SOP like the back of her hand.  Don’t challenge her, she knows.  Despite that, a very warm heart…and also made the cones for the original “cone shop” when it was down past the Market House.

Cindy: Now big wig at Paramount. She was with Mrs. Disney on her very last trip to Disneyland on the 4th of July (just prior to the Eisner/Wells regime)  along with the Millers (there’s a lot of them) and watched the fireworks from the balcony of the apartment.  It’s a very sweet story where Mrs. Disney was holding Cindy’s hand and said as the fireworks went off: “I miss my Walt”...  We partied hard at many clubs in OC, and still made it into work “normal”.  Danced till we dropped.

Tina: I remember “Teen Queen”…and I’m not sure why.  She was the one that informed me “NO READING IN THE PHONE ROOM”.  As we were to sit and wait for the phone to ring ONLY.

Lori: Went on to the Disney University and a long career in HR.  Won a fortune on game show “Press Your Luck”.

Kathy: Was a classic Hungarian beauty, and spoke it fluently.   Old school TG from the 70’s.  Comp booth queen.  Knew all the Disney execs from her years in GR.  A class act.

Pam: I don’t remember her too much, but she went on to Cast Activities at the Studio after being in the top 4 of the Ambassadors. I think she has a blog of her own…from a slightly different perspective than GDB. Forget the name...

Maria Elena: Driven career woman: I am SURE she is running something big now.

Ricki: Not sure where she went onto…but was featured in a couple of Company publications.

Diane: Went on to a long career in the Airlines.

Lori: Was at Disneyland for 40+ years into the 2000’s, in many leadership positions. Also: VIP tour guide to anyone who was anyone.   Still looks exactly the same btw. In fact, many of these ladies still look exactly the same... Lori had the ability to coax amazing stories from celebrities.  She should have probably gone into investigative reporting.

Deanna: Her family had one of the oldest houses in Orange County. It looked haunted, and it was super cool, and we had the most amazing Halloween party there: with TG’s in extremely elaborate costumes.

Wayne: I’m sure he went into politics.  Worked as an intern for a major (and controversial) OC Government official during his time at Disneyland.  Wore a lot of “Polo” cologne.  It was popular then.

Matt: Pretty sure he still works in transportation at the Studio - will have to look that one up. He was with Guest Relations for a long time prior. Worked in GR for a while, then went to the studio in Transportation (I think) where he is still (I think).  Taught me how to tie a Windsor knot.

Kellie: Coke Terrace to Guest Relations to Lawyer.  Statuesquely tall. A co-fan of Sheila E’s “Glamorous Life” and the Thompson Twins.

Bu: “Yours truly”

Janet: Married a project manager from WED who headed Star Tours/Capt. EO, Euro Disneyland, etc etc.. Another party girl.  Taught me how to classically dance, do a back flip…first one to have a cellphone before it was even a “thing” as her dad was a big wig in Military.  She would bring it to the beach and people would freak out.

Anne: There is a story here, but I don’t remember: I will though.  Something with a celebrity? 

Alexis: Another classic OG: Still looks EXACTLY the same.

Johanna: A task master for sure.  Don’t mess with this one.  Rules were meant to be followed.

Patty: Won millions from the CA lottery

Barbara: Went on to Character Fan Mail (yes, it’s a department) and then onto documentation (where anything legal or otherwise printed is written and vetted), and then a long career with Disney. Has done some Disneyland history podcasts, 

Robin: I remember her, and there is kind of a “famous” Disneyland photo floating around that features her: will have to look that up.

Cecile: Won the Showcase on Price is Right: boats and cars and things. Another top 10 Ambassador contender.

Cathy: Old school TG. Small but mighty, and heads her own modern dance company.

Robin: The most amazing penmanship; she addressed all the envelopes for the invitations to the Candlelight Procession.  YES!  Everything was hand written!

In addition, Bu mentioned that all of the Tour Guide photos were taken by Renie Bardeau. Renie took many famous publicity photos. Like this one!

And this one, possibly the last official photo of Walt Disney.

I can't thank Bu enough for all of his help with today's post! I know there's a lot to absorb, but I have the feeling that the Junior Gorillas are going to enjoy it. There will be other Tour Guide portraits to come, but those probably won't have the level of info that this one has - I can't do that to Bu, it would be too cruel. 

More From Keith Schad

It's time for more slide scans from GDB friend Keith Schad! These are from the 1971 (or possibly early 1972) batch. And all are from Tomorrowland's Submarine Lagoon.

Speaking of submarines, here's the Skate. Named after Sir Albert... no, no, I can't do it! It's too mean! But trust me, the sheer effort involved in stopping myself has caused me to pull a groin muscle. It's always nice to see a Disneyland sub in the beautiful lagoon, but it's even nicer when you can see the Carousel of Progress building. And the Rocket Jets. 

Here's a nice shot of the Matterhorn, from those golden days when there was still a Skyway passing through. I'd hoped we might see Fudgie, but as usual he is shy. It seems like he should be there though! And hey, there's a bobsled, and you know what that means. GOOD LUCK.

And finally, a view from the Skyway looking down into the lagoon, filled with coral and mollusks, crustaceans and fishies. Notice the crabs just above Keith's name. "Patrick Henry" was not named after the  early-American patriot, but rather after Walt Disney's dentist.

 MANY thanks to Keith Schad!

Flawed But OK

I have two less-than-perfect scans for you. But they're not "SNOOZLES™"! It takes a trained eye to tell the difference, but I am an MIT graduate, so you know you are in safe hands. 

First up is this regrettably-blurry photo (dated "June 1958") featuring the Viewliner, as it sat at its little station in Fantasyland. I love the Monorail, but have to admit that the Viewliner looks very appealing, with the cheerful salmon-orange paint (remember, the Tomorrowland Viewliner train was painted sapphire-blue), and the charming landscaping of early Disneyland. Notice that several grown men seem to be particularly entranced by this attraction!

Next is a somewhat odd photo taken out in the vast parking lot, circa October, 1979. Did the photographer like the bus (perhaps that's how they got to the park)? Or did they want a photo of the Monorail track, even though no streamlined train was passing? Or maybe the Dodge pickup truck is theirs. We'll never know! But i still kind of like the photo in spite of everything.

Tomorrowland Skyway Terminal, 1994

Today I am pleased to share three photos taken by GDB friend Mike Cozart taken the day or two before the Skyway closed forever. Interesting there is very little crowd. The Skyway closed on November 9th, 1994 - not one of Disneyland's finest moments. 

I didn't remember that the Tomorrowland Skyway terminal was so blue, but then again, my memories are pretty fuzzy after nearly 30 years. What would you call the architecture style? Industrial? Bauhaus? Mid-century modern? Kinkade Kozy? Maybe a mix of all four? It is pretty strange that the crowds are so low, but it gives us a better look at the station.

Maybe the word wasn't not out about the ride's imminent closure? I am pretty sure there is a video on YouTube showing a ride on the Skyway on the last day, so that person was aware at any rate. I believe that a poster for the Super Speed Tunnel is next to the man with the white shirt (I'm imagining that I see a checkered flag motif but I could be mistaken). 

This third image is amazing, I never thought I would get such a good look at the old Skyway station. It looks so clean! I didn't remember all the blue paint, but it's a nice touch. Back when Tony Baxter was still with Disney, he would say that they needed to find a way to get guests up in the air again, but something tells me it's not going to happen.

MANY THANKS to Mike Cozart!

Jungle Cruise SNOOZLES™

I am sorry to say that it is time for more SNOOZLES. It's like eating your vegetables, it has to be done. 

All three of these are from April, 1974, and feature "way too dark" images from the Jungle Cruise (we see a lot of Jungle Cruise photos on Snoozle Sundays, I admit). 

We'll begin with this elephant, found over at the Sacred Indian Elephant Bathing Pool. It's hard to see here, but Mama Elephant is sheltering her baby, who is squirting water from its trunk. 

More pachyderms at the Bathing Pool! The elephants should have had a video arcade too, with Ski Ball, Pac Man, Asteroids, and Space Invaders. And one of those claw machines.

It's too bad this is a crummy photo, since all of the "headhunters" have been removed from the Jungle Cruise. I have no doubt that it is for the best, but I will always have fond memories of these scenes from my childhood.

Universal Studios, August 1966

Many of you know of my love of Universal Studios, California (back then, it was the only one!). I scanned a batch of slides from August, 1966 - I'll share half of them with you today.

First up is this nice view taken from the top of the hill at Universal City - those who don't know might be surprised to learn that Universal Studios Hollywood is on very hilly terrain - there is an upper lot and a lower lot - the soundstages and much of the backlot is on the lower area. As you can see here, the famous Prop Plaza is at the bottom of this image, with some backlot stuff beyond that, and then Lakeside Golf Club past that. You can also see some Grade A smog.

Zooming in to the left side of the Prop Plaza, we can see such things as some vintage vehicles, including a fire engine and what looks like a gangster's car. Above those is at Stagecoach that guests could climb aboard, and the backdrop (on rollers) would pass behind it. Toward the middle are some trees surrounded by foam rubber boulders. And, something I have never seen before, a very large space capsule, because we all went to orbit in 1966.

Continuing to the right, we see more vehicles, another smaller capsule, a WWII fighter plane, and PT-73, the Navy PT boat from McHale's Navy. And we can just see the end of a Glamor Tram!

Here's a nice shot of some kids aboard the previously-mentioned stagecoach.

Elsewhere along the tour, kids get to experience MOVIE MAGIC by standing in an artificial snowfall. But don't worry, it's just safe, warm asbestos. Three of the kids have their own cameras, including what might be a Polaroid (to the right).

Everyone loved to take pictures of the wild west stunt show, especially when a lilly-livered varmint got plugged full of lead and plummeted to his death. I'm kind of surprised to see that guests could stand so close to the landing zone. This stunt still looks pretty dangerous to me!

And lastly (for today), here's a tropical lagoon, with a small native village right on the sandy shore. Could that be another PT boat behind the branches to the right? Maybe the studio was able to acquire several of the real thing after WWII? It's possible, although I've read that most were destroyed after V-J Day. 

Zooming in doesn't reveal a whole lot of useful details, but we can see some dugout canoes, round thatched huts, and a few larger huts that would now sell for $1.2 million in Southern California. Come for the pictures, stay for the sassy commentary! 

Stay tuned for PART II of this series from Universal Studios!

More Motels 'n Stuff

It's time for more fabulous photos from Lou Perry (shared with us by his daughter, Sue B.), featuring vintage Anaheim Motels. Plus one "non-motel" image! These motels have become beloved by fans of Disneyland, and of mid-century design (kitsch?). These are all from September, 1961.

First we have this wonderful Pixie Motel, located at 1016 West Katella Avenue, "across from Disneyland, next door to convention center. Near Angels Stadium". What more could anybody want? I mean, and ice machine, sure, but I'll bet they had one. Note that the motel next door is the Magic Lamp, also photographed by Lou (years later). 

Here's a vintage postcard. The sign is a work of art!

Looking around online, I found this ashtray that shows a motel that looks just like the Pixie, only it's called "Sandy's". Just up the street from the Pixie. Baffling.

Next we have the Wanderlust Motel, at 1701 South West Street (on the corner of Euclid and Katella). This motel was torn down to build the Emerald Hotel, which is now the Pixar Pier Hotel. With the close proximity to those power lines, guests woke up with a San Tropez tan! 

Vintage postcard time, the motel has a newer and less-cool sign.

The Wanderlust had particularly wonderful matchbook graphics!

And finally, NOT a motel, but Oscar's Drive In. It was located at 1160 North Kraemer Boulevard, and was part of a chain of restaurants. One website said Oscar's was THE place to see and be seen on date nights. Guys would cruise through the parking lot showing off their car and girl, and then find a prime spot to peruse the scene while enjoying a 25 cent hamburger and a 10 cent Coke. (I am assuming that they were referring to another location).

Here's a photo of one Oscar's restaurant.

THANK YOU, Lou and Sue!

Ticket Booths and More

I always enjoy a good photo of "pre-Disneyland" - the parking lot, the ticket booths, the turnstiles, and all that jazz. So today's scans are just what the doctor ordered!

This first one is undated, and shows a few folks, tickets in hand (presumably), heading into the park. FINALLY. If the clock on Main Street Station is to be believed, it is only about 1:30, but it looks like late afternoon, so this might be sometime in the winter (everyone has a coat, after all), when the sun sets at around 5:00 PM. Why get there so late?? It's nice to see the yellow passenger cars in front of the train station. Hmmm, there's a sign to our right, I sure wish we could get a better look at it.

This next photo is dated "September, 1962, and once again we are out by the (little!) ticket booths on a beautiful day (though perhaps a bit breezy?). A nice lady poses for her portrait ("Take your sunglasses off, Margaret"), she wants to head straight to the Matterhorn. "I heard there's two tracks and that you have to play basketball halfway through the ride!".

Hey, there's that sign again, this time to our left. It's so frustrating that we can't see it!

Luckily for us, Davelandblog has a great photo (used with permission) of that very sign, in a photo dated "August, 1962". See at on Dave's blog HERE. As you can see, the sign advertises (warns?) guests that they can expect construction around the park, particularly in Adventureland, where the Sacred Elephant Bathing Pool was added to the Jungle Cruise, and where the Swiss Family Treehouse was being hatched. The Tahitian Terrace also debuted that year, and there were additions to the Indian Village. Lots of big changes were going on!