More Matterhorn, August 1964

You can't escape the gravitational pull of the Mighty Matterhorn... it draws you closer, just like the Death Star's tractor beam. In this first photo, we are in a Skyway bucket (soon to be changed to the rectangular versions), and have just left the Tomorrowland station. Below, the Monorail and Sub queue areas.

Now we're aboard one of the Matterhorn's groovy little bobsleds. Remember when they were bright yellow? I don't either, but pictures don't lie. I can imagine the suspense as the riders wait to round the bend and enter the tunnel where the first big chain lift is!

Paul Bunyans!

I loved the folk tale of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox "Babe" when I was a kid; still do, come to think of it. Bunyan created the Grand Canyon by dragging his gigantic axe behind him, and the Great Lakes were dug by him so that Babe would have an adequate watering place. And of course Babe was blue because he had been caught in a fierce blizzard. It could happen. 

One of the more famous statues of Paul and Babe can be found in Bemidji, Minnesota. My grandparents lived in Minnesota, and I visited Bemidji at least once when I was a kid. In fact I am almost positive there are photos of me standing beneath Babe's big friendly noggin; wish I could find them.

These charming statues are seen in their original location on "Lookout Hill" in Spruce, Michigan. They have since been moved and can now be found in Ossineke, MI at the corner of U.S. 23 and Nicholson Hill Road. They have a great "folk art" character to them, don't they?

Now we'll head all the way to the west coast to Klamath, California. That's waaaaay up the northern coast, only about 20 miles south of the Oregon border. Klamath is the home to the "Trees of Mystery", a tourist attraction that allows folks to walk through that impressive hollow Redwood trunk, which leads to a trail that shows other giant redwoods, as well as strangely twisted trees ("....shaped like pretzels and DNA strandoids"). This statue of Paul Bunyan has been replaced with a different statue, and is now accompanied by an anatomically-correct Babe (if you know what I'm sayin'), which allows for plenty of amusing photo opportunities.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit with the Paul Bunyans!

Flying Saucers, May 1963

Happy Friday everybody! 

I don't know about you, but I could use some Flying Saucer action today. If only I could eat a frosted strawberry Pop-Tart on a flying saucer, it would be like heaven! Here are two nice bright pictures of Disneyland's short-lived (only about 5 years) saucers as they bounce, glide and skitter across the cerulean blue surface. You can clearly see the boom that contained the other set of saucers which loaded and unloaded while the others were in motion.

Cerulean blue....! 

New York World's Fair, May 1964

Welcome to the amazing 1964 New York World's Fair!

Here's a terrific photos of one of the giant inflatable "moon berries" (that's what I call 'em, anyway) that could be found scattered about the Fair grounds; I love them because they are so strange and wonderful. Placed atop snack bars (brought to you by The Brass Rail), they could be seen from surprisingly far away. Also, buy a souvenir hat whydontcha. 

Did you know that New York is a state, and not just a big city? It's true! They even had their own pavilion. See it HERE! Underneath a colorful canopy you would see a giant terrazzo map of New Yawk. And apparently they had performances there on occasion as well, such as this choir.

The Chrysler pavilion looks like it was a lot of fun... there was more eye-candy than the typical pavilion, and that is saying something. From this angle you can see the giant red "zookeeper" from the Autofare zoo; in the middle is the giant walk-thru engine; and just to the right of that, in the middle of the moat, is the tower that displayed the "flags of many nations". 

All of the people sitting on those benches are trying really hard to be inconspicuous as the stern Fair cop walks his beat. You don't want to make him angry. I'm not sure what that structure is behind the cop, but that very square building to the left is the United States pavilion. And we can't ignore the moon berry!

Random Scenes, June 1969

Here are some very typical (boring?) photos from a small bunch from the summer of 1968. These people could have been in the movie theater watching John Wayne's "True Grit", but they were frightened by his eye patch.

The castle. It's pointy. And it is haunted by the ghost of Paul Lynde. He looks exactly the same as when he played "Dr. Dudley" in "The Munsters".

This would have been a nice picture of the Columbia except that 1/3 of the photo is slurry-coated pavement. Notice the mysterious "Man in White", with his toolbox full of syringes.

"Dutch angles" are used in films when a director wants to impart a feeling of disorientation or unease. Of course I feel disoriented all the time, so this photo makes me feel right at home. New Orleans Square is definitely the least-represented land in all of my Disneyland photo collection, so I'm always happy to include a picture of it, even a wonky example.

Fentier Village, Salamanca NY - November 1966

Today we're going to visit a little western-themed amusement park that was in Salamanca, New York (about 40 miles south of Buffalo). The slides were labeled "Frontier Village", but the correct name is "Fentier Village". Founded by businessman Ned Fenton Jr., Fentier Village was the realization of a dream; he and his family had visited dozens of "wild west" amusement parks around the US and Canada, until he decided to build his own version (much of it based on his personal concepts). It opened in 1966.

You can see that everything looks pretty new and raw in these photos. The park was open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and according to one online article, averaged 1000 visitors a day.

There were gunfights in the streets, of course... you can't have a "Wild West" park without gunfights! And there were performances with can-can girls in the Red Garter Playhouse - five shows a day, seven days a week; more on extra busy days!

I love this beautiful little train, so shiny and new. Notice the bright yellow "atomic breather" on the side! Back when "atomic" practically meant "magic". I wonder where this beauty is today?

I wish I had photos of some of the other features, such as the stagecoach, and the incline railway, which allowed folks to access several levels of the park on the hillside. 

"Lassie", the world's most famous Collie, appeared at Fentier Village - the biggest celebrity draw the park ever had, bringing almost 5000 people in a single day.

I love the sign for "emergency rest rooms". Hey, when ya gotta go....

  

Sadly, Fentier Village only survived four years, closing for good in 1969 - apparently a result of New York State's plan to build I-86 through the property. As you can see in this Google Maps image, there is still a smattering of structures remaining.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Fentier Village!

In Fantasyland, September 1959

The "Alice in Wonderland" dark ride opened in Fantasyland in June 1958 (so it was only about a year old at this point), and a fine addition it was! I really love this ride, though I have occasionally read or heard from people who think it needs to be replaced. No way, José! As far as I know, it is the only Alice dark ride in any Disney park. The caterpillar ride vehicles are all the reason I need to keep the attraction around. The giant translucent leaves are super cool too.

And who doesn't love the Mad Tea Party? Even if you don't like riding it (because it gives you the barfs), it is fun to just look at. Especially these days, and at night, with the beautiful colored lanterns overhead.

Leftuggies

It's time to serve up some warmed-over "leftuggies" - photos that need a home and a hug.

Inside the Grand Canyon diorama, you'll find this mountain lion. Don't be a-scared, he just wants to play. I don't know about you, but the fact that there are lions in the United States is kind of amazing to a city boy like me.

Still in the diorama, a dramatic storm has just ended, and we're treated to a glorious sunset. Even the big horned sheep admire it, and they don't like anything. 

I'm one of those weirdos that actually likes "It's a Small World". The song doesn't really get stuck in my head either, which probably means that I'm a little "slow". But I'm OK with that! Anyway, here's a scene from the Emerald Isle, where they apparently spend a lot of time in hot air balloons.

Anything Goes Saturday - Hither and Yon

It's time for another half-assed "Anything Goes Saturday" here on GDB!

Since 1893, people have been enjoying the sights and smells of the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm. That's in Florida, folks. And guess what, you can still observe hundreds of cuddly reptiles with their unblinking, hungry eyes. I know, I know, alligators can blink - but this one can't! Notice how Albert lets leaves accumulate on him so that he will blend in with his surroundings (I do the same thing). From the expression on grandma's face, she is not so sure she likes being this close to Albert, even when he's dead. Be cool, grandma! Favorite detail: the little girl (dressed for a Sunday outing?) happily skipping in the background.

Now we head north to Toronto, to Exhibition Place - a 197-acre that "...includes expo, trade, and banquet centers, theater and music buildings, monuments, parklands, sports facilities, and a number of civic, provincial, and historic sites. From mid-August through Labor Day each year, the Canadian National Exhibition is held." The CNE features "... games and a midway, among a host of attractions." So now you know! Mostly I just like this fun vintage photo of the midway; the "Kitty Kats" game to our left has a cat that reminds me of Scratchy!

Fabulous Tomorrowland, June 1968

Check out this beautiful view of the New Tomorrowland, from the summer of 1968! I think this picture was taken from the upper level of the Carousel of Progress building. Folks are enjoying their burgers and fries (and Coca Cola) at the Tomorrowland Terrace, while the yellow Monorail glides above them. The stage in the foreground is in its "down" position, but if we're lucky, Sunshine Balloon will play a bit later.

A new stage has appeared next to "Flight to the Moon", and it's full of squeaky-clean young folks. It's the "Kids of the Kingdom"! They sing groovy songs with positive messages, unlike those long-haired hippies you see everywhere. Notice the construction going on next to the little ticket booth below... any idea what that was for?