On Board the Monorail, September 1972

Here are two more photos taken while aboard the Disneyland Monorail, circa 1972! We've got one of those sweet nose cone seats. (See two previously-posted photos HERE). 

As you can see, we are zipping along the beamway, with the vast parking lot on either side of us. Say, there's a tram! I've seen so many older photos of the parking lot that it is almost a suprise to see that bright yellow muscle car to the right. Dead ahead - the sign for the Disneyland Hotel, and the two towers - the Sierra Tower and the Marina Tower.

You can more clearly see the reflection of one of those classic paper bags...

... like this one. Only the one below is sad because it is empty.

Oh my goodness, we're almost there! I can practically taste it. It tastes surprisingly good. There's lots to enjoy about this photo, including the cars (a Pinto wagon, in classic "butterscotch"), the groovy people moving hither and yon, the Travelport, the palm trees, and oh yeah - the Hotel Monorail station.

So-so Sunday, 1957

Here are a pair of "blah" photos, as befitting a sleepy Sunday.

I've always wondered about this stuffed bison on display over in the Indian Village; maybe someone figured that the average person had never seen a real buffalo before, and they would be thrilled to be this close to one? The person to the right (mostly out of frame) is a kid, and he seems to tower above the bison, so was it a stuffed juvenile? If so... weird.

This isn't really a terrible photo, though the humans insisted on moving, which resulted in blurriness. Maybe they were moving at supersonic speeds! Just beyond that fence was the corral for miniature horses, which as far as I know were only there for display. Perhaps they marched in some parades.

Hawaii in the 1950's

Like so many other places in the world, I wish I could have seen Hawaii in the 1950's. Servicemen returning from the Pacific after WWII helped spread the word about that tropical paradise, resulting in the proliferation of tiki bars and bright, colorful clothing. Also, every kid in America was wearing a coonskin cap and eating a big bowl of poi. We've all seen the photos. 

This first photo shows the Princess Kailulani Hotel as seen from Kalakaua Avenue. This hotel was built by the Matson Line (famous for their island cruises), and it opened in 1955. At the time it was the tallest building in Hawaii at 11 stories.  These days it is the Sheraton Kailulani Hotel - it has expanded considerably, but this building is still there. Notice the building to our left, with the "canoe prow" roof...

....Well in this photo, we can see the canoe prow(s) down below us, which means that this next view was taken from the Princess Kailulani Hotel, looking toward the venerable Royal Hawaiian Hotel... the "Pink Palace". This famous pink stucco edifice is one of the oldest hotels in Waikiki, opening in XXXC, and even today it is considered one of the most luxurious places to stay. Look at that blue, blue Pacific ocean, and the virtual forest of trees - how many of those have survived to this day? 

More Tomorrowland Construction

Lucky you... it's time for two more fantastic photos of the 1967 "New Tomorrowland", under construction! 

Both shots were taken from the Disneyland Railroad. Look at this amazing view, as the Peoplemover track is being built (teeny tiny men are working, in spite of the diminishing sunshine). Scaffolding and stacks of lumber are everywhere - I think it's safe to say that the Autopia was down on this particular day, though the Skyway appears to be up and running. Notice the Christmas star atop the Matterhorn. In the foreground, guests prepare to board our train (or else they'll have to wait for the next one).

Now our train has moved forward a bit; to our right is the Skyway station... you can see part of the track that the buckets moved on to turn around. What a mess... it looks like a construction site alright! There appears to be a light perched atop the Skyway station - with the shortened winter days, it appears that work might have continued into nightfall. 

There are bundles of rebar, presumably for concrete columns... possibly for the structure that held the Peoplemover station and the Rocket Jets? Let's hear your thoughts, wise ones. 

Lovely Frontierland, May 1958

I have a small group of slides from 1958, taken by someone who was clearly enamored by the beauty of Frontierland (out of 11 photos, 9 are from that location). It didn't hurt that they were treated to a blue sky with puffy white clouds, adding to an already lovely landscape. 

Where, oh where are all the people? I see a one cast member (red shirt, cowboy hat) aboard the raft at the landing on Tom Sawyer Island, and another person near the distant fort, on the path near the river. Perhaps, for some reason, the island was closed to guests. A second raft is in the lower left, apparently unused. 

Your pal Major Pepperidge (that's me!) loves to point out how amazing it is that this scene is right in the middle of Orange County, California, and not Missouri.

The next photo was taken from the upper level of the Mark Twain, facing Rainbow Ridge and the corral (home of the Conestoga Wagons, Stagecoaches, and Pack Mules). With the exception of a Stagecoach driver and a couple of "Redshirts" on the Mine Train, there are no other people. It's downright spooky!

Devlin Family Photos - Universal Studios, 1970's

Here is the second of two posts from the Devlin family's vacation photos from Universal Studios! 

This first one shows some of the streets of "New York". Pay no attention to those un-New Yorky hills! Presumably, matte paintings would be used for long shots. It's easy to imagine this scene coming to life with the addition of vintage vehicles, plenty of extras, signage, moody lighting, and everyone's favorite trick - spraying the street with water. If you have no water, just empty out a bag full of white mice (rabid, if available). New York Street has been destroyed by fire three times - the last fire was in 2008. Say, now that I think of it, where were YOU in 2008? Your eyes suddenly got all shifty!

I can almost imagine a mob of gangsters stopping by this hardware shop.  Even criminals need an extra key once in a while. Because shenanigans.

Now we're on Brownstone Street, named after Sir Reginald Brownstone IV (Harvard, class of '02). The level of detail is amazing. At one time this street had "residential" buildings on one side (presumably what we're seeing here), and "commercial" buildings on the opposite side. Now the commercial buildings have been removed and there is a park in its place. 

This next view from a tram, driving past a mysterious structure. What is it? I see chimneys. And columns. I know, it's a museum about the history of corn! 

Hmm,  maybe I need to rethink my initial hypothesis.It appears to be the thin façade of a house, with orange flames leaping out of the top windows. The Magic of Hollywood (brought to you by Space Food Sticks, from Pillsbury)! I wonder why that double-decker bus is parked there; maybe it brought a lot of  British firefighters? "I say, old bean, in my day these house fires just weren't done. Bad form". "Indubitably. Please pass the clotted cream".  Aaaaand.... scene.

Here's one final view from a higher vantage point (as you can see, Universal Studios is on some hilly terrain); more red buses, what gives? Was the flaming house ever used in an actual film or television show? Steve Austin probably walked past it in at least one episode (he walked a LOT). In the distance is the amphitheater for the stunt show (cowboys punchin' and shootin', smashin' and a-crashin'!) as well as the broken stone tower from "The War Lord", a movie that I don't believe really exists.

THANK YOU to the Devlins for letting me share these great vintage photos!

New York World's Fair, July 1964

I really needed to scan some more non-Disney slides, so I dragged out my box of World's Fair images. Don't think "steamer trunk", think "Triscuit box". 

This particular July day was gray and cloudy, though not as mungy as it could have been. Let's start with this view, taken by our photographer upon leaving the train station and entering the park through the Main Gate. RCA had a primo spot, right there. Go see yourself on a color television! Little did those 1964 audiences know, but in 2016 every human being has his/her own television program.

Beyond the giant "moonberry" (a "Brass Rail" eatery) is the shallow dome of World's Fair Pavilion, while the white pylons visible above the RCA sign are part of the Nation Cash Register Pavilion. "I'd like three cash registers - full, if you please".

There's a closer look at that crazy - um - thing in front of the RCA building (I love that old-fashioned logo, btw). Just passing was is one of the Greyhound Trams, with the Unisphere in the distance. Fun fact: when you see a man wearing a fez, it is good luck to go up and rub his belly! Try it, you'll be surprised at the results.

And lastly, because this wasn't the most incredible set of photos ever, we get a good look at the ubiquitous Unisphere, made entirely out of paper clips and gum. What an achievement, and a testament to what humans are capable of when they put their minds to a noble purpose!

The smart people in this picture are wearing comfortable walking shoes, preferably Chuck Taylors. 

Rescans - (Less-Amazing Edition)

As you know, I've been going through my old boxes of slides looking for likely candidates for rescans. Sometimes the results are quite dramatic - but today's examples lacked that "wow" factor. Nevertheless, I spent all that time doing the work, so darnit, you have to look at them!

Let's start with this view of the Dead Settler as seen from the Disneyland Railroad. It's not terrible - perhaps a little bit brownish.

The foliage is nice and green, and things generally look crisper; man, that cabin is really blazing! I've often wondered why they didn't put the settler's corpse face-down. There's something extra gruesome about seeing the arrow springing from his chest, with his lifeless face staring up at the sky. "Hard facts" indeed!

Way back in 2009, the world was enjoying a little movie called "Avatar". But your humble Major was busy slaving away at a hot scanner! This 1956 view of the ticket booths and Main Street Station had turned orange, and this was my so-so attempt at restoration.

I guess this is a bit of an improvement; there's some blue in the sky, and things aren't so yellowish - but it still leaves something to be desired.

This fun view of a dapper gentleman and his adoring wife was originally posted in 2007. Again, there's nothing too terribly wrong with it - the colors are a bit muted, giving it a sort of "Instagram filter" appearance.

The rescan lifts off some of that dingy sepia layer, and we have greener greens, bluer blues, and so on. That guy makes me want to wear a fedora - but it would look stupid on me.

Snoozer Sunday

Grouchy? Having trouble sleeping? Do you suffer from dandruff? Halitosis? Ring around the collar? What about red eyes, or chapped lips, or tartar? Well, you are a mess. But I can help you with the sleep issue, at any rate. Because today's "Snoozer Sunday" photos are guaranteed to induce slumber, or you'll get your money back. Please don't look at them while operating heavy machinery.

The Matterhorn has an infestation of red-shirted mountain climbers. Quick, Henry, the Flit! (1940's  bug spray reference). When MY Matterhorn has too many climbers, I install wasp nests. Works every time. I'm not sure if you can tell in this jpeg, but the guy at the summit is sitting and dangling his feet over the edge.

I'm not sure what the photographer was intending to capture, but what he got was a man in the foreground, eclipsing several people behind him. Maybe he was trying to show the guests as they de-planed. That's what you call it when you leave a submarine, right? Anyway, it's a bad photo.

Happy 45th, Walt Disney World!

You all know GDB to be primarily about Disneyland, but I have an appreciation for Walt Disney World too. That massive park debuted on October 1st, 1971, which means that today marks the 45th anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney World. As a kid I remember seeing a lot of publicity and I  wanted to go there SO much. But, 45 years later, I've still never set foot in Florida.

I don't have any amazing opening day photos to share, but I do have a few nice random images from the park's first few years. Like this beautiful November 1974 photo of the entrance to Tomorrowland! There are those distinctive pylons, which additionally served as fountains. The smooth turquoise walls also had water cascading over them - a nice touch. 

In the distance is the Star Jets, which had just opened this year - in fact, they might not even be open yet in this photo, since they debuted on November 28th. That attraction sits above the station where the Peoplemover would be in 1975.

Look at that beautiful Florida sky! 

Next is a photo from November of 1971 - the park was only weeks old. Hey, there are the Three Caballeros! José Carioca (a parrot), Panchito Pistoles (a rooster), and Donald Duck. Talk about colorful! I love seeing Donald with a serape, and a sombrero perched at a jaunty angle on his head. The small glimpse of Frontierland shows that it is very clean and tidy. Tom Sawyer Island (in the background) would not open until May of 1973.

And finally, here is a nice photo of one of the Swan Boats as it made its way around a waterway that led through Fantasyland and (as seen here) Adventureland. Notice the pieces of ship's hardware to our right, a sign that we are near the Swiss Family Treehouse. 

The Swan Boats opened on May 20th, 1973; apparently the boats experienced frequent mechanical issues and were difficult to maintain. The ride was eventually closed in August of 1983.

Happy 45th Birthday, Walt Disney World!