Monorail & Tram, November 1969

I'm guessing that our photographer just disembarked from the Monorail, since the station is off screen to our left. The yellow Monorail is on its way back to Tomorrowland, but first passengers will enjoy a look at the vast parking lot. According to a rigorous study that I just made up, every person on board the Monorail spent at least a few seconds searching for their own car. In the history of the park, not one guest could actually see it from the highway in the sky. Note the candy-striped roof of the Anaheim jitney down below. ("Jitney" is the word of the day).


After an arduous walk downstairs, we are at eye-level with the tram. You can see many of the same folks that were visible from up above. It's very strange that there is not a woman to be seen. Maybe this was taken during a "He-man Woman-hater's Club" meeting (as immortalized in "The Little Rascals).

Indian Village & Entrance

Here are two undated slides, probably from around 1956/57. They were taken on a cloudy day, with dramatic stormy skies. There's the peaceful Indian village...it looks like their tipis are brand new...there are no pictograms painted on them yet, and they are as white as can be. If you look at later photos, they are distinctly brown. The Indians themselves are busy with all kinds of activities, from grinding corn to preparing hides to painting their toenails. To the left we can see the mountain lion on top of the rock...I never knew that there was an innocent, unsuspecting deer below him, eternally waiting to be pounced upon.


Earlier in the day, the whole family posed in front of the Train Station and the flower portrait of Mickey. The park looks bright and clean, as does the family! You can see Walt's hand car parked out front, as far as I know it is still there today. Population ten million...now that was a long time ago.

Progressland At Night

I would imagine that, like Disneyland, the New York World's Fair was a beautiful place at night. It only makes sense that General Electric's Progressland pavilion would take full advantage of the lighting possiblilties. The graceful dome covering the pavilion lit up a night in a dazzling display: "If you come at night, Progressland's spectacular outdoor lighting will add to your enjoyment. The building's dome, lighted in multiple colors, will appear to revolve. Watch it for up to 14 minutes -- you won't see the same pattern appear twice." Look at those crowds!


Just for kicks, here's a look at the Unisphere at night. Silhouetted in front of it is the sculpture known as "Rocket Thrower", which I believe is still in place. You can see the Sky Ride in the distance. The Bell Pavilion would be behind us.

Matterhorn Bobsleds, August 1961

The Matterhorn is still one of the most amazing concepts for a roller coaster, even though it is nearly 50 years old. The idea of building a mountain so that you can bobsled down the icy slopes, through caverns and alpine meadows, careening past waterfalls and splashing through ponds...it's just cool!

In this first photo we see one bobsled coming down a rushing stream (I honestly didn't remember this part - - then again I think I always wind up in the back because I'm tall) towards one of the ponds that will absorb some of the momentum and allow them to come to a safe stop. To the right, I think the forground bobsled is unloading. Look at the back end, it looks pretty beat up! Whiplash for everybody.


Here's a look at another bobsled (or possibly even the same one seen in the first picture?), hurtling past us. Yee-haw! Wish I could ride it right now.

Sunday Puddin'

Is it Sunday already? We'll I'll be! That means it's time to post some random photos for your viewing enjoyment.

First is an early photo of the Mark Twain as it makes its way past the Plantation House (out of frame to the left) and Harper's Mill. It really does look like it's heading into the wilderness, with nothing but trees and emptiness ahead. The Mark Twain was actually powered by 7500 genetically enhanced hamsters hidden inside the boat. Steam? Don't make me laugh. The "steam" is the condensation from their tiny exhalations. You won't find this kind of inside information on other Disney blogs!


The load dock for the Jungle Cruise is pictured here, circa 1969. Look at how lush the Jungle is...pretty convincing, thanks to the skillful army of gardeners and designers. And Miracle-Gro, of course.


Did Native Americans keep bison as pets? This is an odd addition to the Indian Village in my humble opinion. If it was a real-live, breathing, slobbering buffalo I could understand why people might want to look at it. But real ones poop and do other un-Disney things. So he's merely a stuffed buffalo, as well-groomed as a velveteen rabbit. They even built a shady cover for him so that he'll be comfortable on hot summer days.

Indian Dancers

Where else could you go for some authentic Indian dancing? Well, forty years ago there were probably a number of places (since the country was just crazy about Westerns). But I'd like to think that Disneyland was the best. Members from several different Indian tribes participated, sharing their various dances. In this first slide, we see the "lost contact lens" dance. (Well, there I go, I've probably offended somebody...)

I get a kick out of looking at the crowd almost as much as the dancers themselves. Notice the two cub scouts just to the right of the Indian, looking out from under the fence.


These slides are undated, but judging from the rest of the lot, are from around 1957 or '58. I think it's kind of disappointing that there isn't this kind of thing at the park anymore. I would guess that people would still watch and be interested...an it would be a piece of living history that would help make Frontierland feel more authentic (unlike Pirates on the island).

Freedomland, Part 4

Back to Freedomland we go! Please see my past three posts featuring photos from this park if you missed them.

First up is a great view of the fire that wiped out Chicago, reenacted every hour for the pleasure of arsonists of all ages. "At the sound of the alarm, the local fire department races its hand-drawn engine to the scene of the conflagration. But the heroic efforts of these fearless fire-fighters are not enough. They need help at the hand-pumps - your help." So sayeth the 1962 guide book!


Here's a view taken from an Ore Car, looking down on the Santa Fe Railroad. It looks like it has just left this station, and is crossing a small trestle (is that the park entrance passing beneath it?).


Freedomland had two 110-foot sternwheelers (the "American" and the "Canadian")! "You'll sail past the smolding city (of Chicago),with music on each boat for singing and dancing all the way." The one in the center has gone 'round the bend, and it looks like it is heading towards Borden's Farm. Elsie the Cow lived there...people just loved that cow, ever since her popular exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair. She exuded warmth, compassion, and milk.


Stay tuned for more Freedomland photos!

More Mystery Park, 1965

Here are some more views of the "mystery park" that I blogged about last week. While it's hard to see, the ocean is visible to the far left. Or could it be another body of water, like the Salton Sea? Nah, my vote goes to the good old Pacific. Meanwhile, check out those awesome cars in the background! Every one of 'em a classic.


This ride is much better than that crummy Autopia at Disneyland! For one thing, look at the sheer variety of vehicles you could choose from. And no noxious gasoline fumes. And....well, I guess that's about it. I still can't decide whether the guy with the mop of red hair is a dutiful, much older brother, or a youthful father. Either way, he is almost always pictured paying lots of attention to the kids.


In this photo I imagine him saying, "Look, it's not that scary, see that girl riding it?". Love the old fashioned, classic Tilt-A-Whirl in the background.


And finally, just because I liked it, here's a fun shot of the ferris wheel. Carrot Top is hard to miss, there he is waaay up high. This reminds me of my first ride on a ferris wheel at a carnival somewhere. It was scary at first, but then I realized that it was actually pretty fun. That other ride in the background might have freaked me out, though!

Disneyland trip, April 1962 (continued....)

Once again, I've programmed my wayback machine to April, 1962 so that we can drop in on our all-American kids during their trip to Disneyland. That lucky girl is holding a delicious fudgesicle...I sure hope she doesn't drip on her spotless dress! Older brother either wasn't hungry or he wolfed his down already...in either case, he's happy. Mom bought him pants that are too long because he's been growing like a weed! I'll bet he's pretty proud of his watch, too, carefully winding it each morning (like I did with my Snoopy watch).

In the background, the little Frontierland bandstand can be seen, as well as Rainbow Ridge, and to the right, Casa de Fritos is just in the frame.


Next is a cute portrait of this crime-fighting duo in a giant teacup. My guess is that this is before the ride, I hope sis manages to keep that fudgesicle down.

Disneyland, Nineteen Fittys

There's no "Main Street" like Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A. in the 1950's! I never seem to tire of looking at photos like this. Note the signs on the lamp posts heralding the opening of the "Alice in Wonderland" attraction, the "Columbia", and the "Grand Canyon Diorama". You can just see the banner stretched across Main Street, also advertising the diorama.


Here's a fuzzy photo taken from the Pirate Ship's poop deck (heh heh!), looking down into Storybook Land. It looks like the land of storybooks is still pretty rough, perhaps not even operating yet...this might even be pre-Skyway. The two boats that are visible are clearly not ferrying guests through magical miniature environments.