Plaza Gardens, July 1961

Disneyland has lots of places to catch a nice lunch, and here's one of them. The Plaza Gardens is right at the end of Main Street, and as you can see, it has plenty of old-fashioned ambiance. I love the cheerful candy-cane red and white striped decor. If only you could order something appropriately "yesteryear", like a Moxie, or a grape Nehi, or maybe even a cherry phosphate. You're in luck if you want a burger or a Coke, though!

The family walking towards us is weighing their options. Meanwhile, each of their three little girls received identical souvenir hats so that nobody feels left out. You can also see four custodians (can you say "summer job"?) in crisp white uniforms, making sure that the restaurant is spic and span. I wonder if this was a full-service eatery, with waiters and tableware, or was it a "counter service" place?



Here's a second view (from the same day), even the trash cans look spiffy. If you were lucky, you might hear the Disneyland Band playing nearby during the day, and in the evenings various Swing and Jazz bands livened things up. And don't forget the dancing, for those folks who hadn't spent enough time on their feet!

Sunday Grab Bag

This is a great, busy view of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, as seen in 1955. Some of you may recognize the kids posing out front (with mom nearby so they don't wander off) from past photos, such as this one. There's lots of activity...and no other children in sight!


Eleven years later, Vesey Walker is still doing his thing, conducting the Disneyland Band in their spiffy white uniforms. The Opera House is in the background, showing "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln" (still relatively new in 1966). Surprisingly, Vesey Walker did not retire until 1970, 15 years after his initial two-week engagement!

Tomorrowland & Jungle Cruise, 1963

Here are two photos from July, 1963. First up is a nice view of the Submarine Lagoon, complete with one sub returning from the "dark ride" portion of the attraction, headed back towards the loading dock. I love the use of waterfalls as a sort of "curtain" to hide the interior of the cavern, as well as churning up water around the sub itself so that it looks cool whether you are just watching the subs or if you are actually in one. Overhead, the 4-car red Monrail passes by.


I am a sucker for these shots of the Jungle Cruise launches, looking back towards the dock! It's hard to believe that Main Street's hub is only a few steps away from this scene (OK, more than a few, but you know what I mean).

Clock of the World

Good old Kodachrome, I love the way that legendary film stock preserved rich, saturated colors so that photos look like they could have been taken yesterday (only better). Like this picture, for instance. Transforming it to a jpeg causes some of the color information to be lost, the actual slide looks even better.


There's the familiar Clock of the World, surrounded by 50 flagpoles (sans flags), one for each state of the union. In the old days, the flags were in a different location, and formed a star when seen from above...obviously a signal to the space aliens who observe us and probe those unlucky few.

The Plastic House of the Future is there, too. In the background are several spectacular attraction posters, including the super-rare Red Wagon Inn poster and the Frontierland "tri-level" poster featuring the Stage Coach, the Mine Train, and the "Mule Pack Ride". I want that one!

Dance Circle, November 1969

The Indian Dance Circle is deserted at this time of day...maybe the performers were on a well-deserved vacation, since this was the "off season". Here we get a view from the stands, looking down at the circle itself. It's kind of nice to get to see it without a crown. A curious boy is taking a peek inside the large tipi...let's hope that if somebody is home, that they are "decent".


Now a young woman tries to summon the flames by beseeching the fire gods. Or something. The boy from the first photo is nowhere to be seen...maybe he's inside the teepee!


Is it possible to do a square dance in a dance circle?

Autoparts Harmonic, New York World's Fair

Here's one of those "what the heck is it" photos. If you don't know, it would be hard to guess. Of course there is that helpful sign, informing us that this is none other than the Autoparts Harmonic Orchestra.

According to the VIP guidebook, "...guests are serenaded by the Parts Harmonic Orchestra -- the likes of which they are unlikely to see or hear again. It's immediately apparent there are no musicians, yet the twelve instruments bob and weave as they play. Not so apparent is that all instruments are made from actual Ford automobile parts. Brake cables stretched between a drive shaft and part of a Galaxie frame become a harp; trumpets are fashioned from sections of an axle. A xylophone is created from rear spring leaves, and a banjo is shaped from a differential housing."

Also, "...guests may also note the absence of an orchestra leader. The beat of the music is kept by electric windshield wipers which move in unison on each music rack."


I believe that Rolly Crump had a lot to do with the design of this display, and if you look at the bass violin, it has a "face" that certainly looks like his work.

The music that was played by the Autoparts Harmonic was a version of their theme song, "Get the feel of the wheel of a Ford", it sounded like it was played with various antique auto horns (the kind with the rubber bulb)...not something you'd want to hear very often!

Viewmaster 20,000 Leagues Walk-through

Here are some scans of some amazing photos from a vintage Tomorrowland Viewmaster packet, showing the rarely-photographed "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" walk-through in color (and 3-D, if you have the reel!). The first Tomorrowland packet devotes an entire reel to this extinct attraction.

Check out this amazing model of the beautiful Nautilus, Captain Nemo's submarine. Harper Goff hatched a brilliant design that is believable and uber-cool. Steampunk! I believe that this model was quite large. Behind it is Peter Ellenshaw's lovely matte-painting of Vulcania, the flooded volcanic crater where Nemo had his hideout.


The designs for the diving suits were also cool, especially the helmets (not pictured here) that resembled seashells. You could almost imagine that in a few moments, some of the sub's crew will come down those steps and "suit up" for a dive.


Here is the bridge of the Nautilus. For some reason it looks like a toy miniature in this photo. Once again, there is plenty of believable detail, including brass gauges and dials, riveted pipes, levers, and other props that recall early ocean liners...and yet it all looks so much cooler here!


I hope you all enjoy these Viewmaster scans...sometimes I feel like these are "cheats", but you can't deny that they are great vintage images. And isn't it nice to see them so big?

More Black and White Publicity Stuff....

Here are a few more examples of vintage publicity stills. First up is this great shot of the Mark Twain, still under construction. Piles of lumber are nearby, and there are a few craftsmen on board. Wonder what that thing is on the bow that resembles an upright piano?

In the distance you can see one of the towers that had a time-lapse camera place at the top...this footage was used in many Disney TV specials. A little bit to the left of that is...Main Street Station? I think I can see it poking above the brush.


Walt is trying his hand at trout fishing on Tom Sawyer Island. Can anybody identify the two gentlemen with him? Walt better catch something, or those guys are gonna get it.

Adventureland, September 1971

I don't spend nearly enough time blogging about Adventureland! So today is an attempt to make up for the neglect.

Among the many exotic sights that you'll see during the Jungle Cruise is this mysterious Monkey God. His temple is in ruins, nearly devoured by the jungle growth. I'd like to believe that he is guarding some incredible treasure! But to get it you have to pass that icky spiderweb, and spiderwebs are gross. So I guess the treasure is safe for now!


Further down the river, we pass yet another ruined statue. This giant head is covered by the vines of the strangler fig...the expression on the stone face seems benificent, and yet meloncholy as well. What happened to the civilization that was capable of such artistry? (See, I get carried away)!


And finally, we leave the jungle and head inside the Enchanted Tiki Room. Is that Jose overhead? Even though he's an animatronic parrot, I can't help but wish I had a hat on.


Thanks once again to the Graziano family for sharing these great slides!

Disneyland, August 1960

Happy Friday, everybody!

Sometimes these slides remind me of all the things I've never done at Disneyland, despite my many visits. Like riding on the Columbia. I'll tell myself that it was always at drydock, though I don't really recall. This is an identical recreation of the original Columbia, which was the first U.S. ship to sail around the world with a robot crew.


This next photo brings several thoughts to my mind. Look at that magnificent steamboat, and the Disneyland band with its bright costumes and shining brass instruments. Let's hope that the boat doesn't hit a Keel Boat or something, or Vesey Walker is going to fall backwards right into the river!


And finally, we get a look at the Living Desert in Nature's Wonderland. Not much to say about this one! Watch out for them tumblin' rocks, though.