Tomorrowland Construction

We're getting down to the last few scans showing the construction of the New Tomorrowland. 

As usual, I am unclear as to what we are looking at, exactly - in this case it appears to be the "backstage" area of a show building. But which show?? Granted, it's difficult to get one's bearings when there are few clues. It's round, but I don't think it's tall enough to be the Carousel of Progress structure. Notice the worker (next to the column).

This next one is another mysterious round building, most likely taken on a different day than the first one. What in the world are those holding tanks to the left? I can't even imagine what they would be for. Coke syrup? Pressurized pixie dust?

More From DrGoat

Here are two more great photos from the personal collection of DrGoat! I really love this first one, and can't think of any other photo in which I've seen people climbing up that gangway (or whatever it's called) to board the Columbia). Cool! Peter says:

(This photo shows us) going up the gangway to the Columbia. Same group - mother Mary, her sister Louise, and Dad with the bag of goodies we were allowed to buy and fawn over when we got back to Tucson.

Next is this photo of a classic parade led by Mickey Mouse himself, marching down Main Street with the Disneyland Band.

(This next one) I believe was in '61, Main Street obviously. I do remember the weather was beautiful and the same kind of summer feeling you get that was perfectly described in Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine.

"Dandelion Wine"! I have many fond memories of reading that wonderful book when I was a kid.

THANK YOU, DrGoat!

The Jungle Cruise, 1957

Well, today's photos aren't going to be making any headlines (except here, of course) - these are kinda dull pix of the Jungle Cruise. 

First up is this view; I suppose the photographer was interested in that little grass shack, and at least this is an unusual angle. But it's still not that thrilling. The jungle itself looks pretty lush, though some of the palms have a "just transplanted from the path of a highway" appearance. The skipper is probably singing Dean Martin's version of "Sway".

There's a mysterious little temple, with a mysterious little bronze statue of Buddha (I think). Not long before this photo was taken, scruffy twitching monkeys could be seen in the branches, but they went to heaven at some point. Trust me, they're better off there.

Old vehicles.

How about a few random photos featuring old vehicles? Since this first one has a Volkswagen "microbus", I can't really call it a "car" because I would go to prison. The slide is undated, but almost certainly from the 1950's - in fact there were other slides in the lot taken in Korea, and I believe that this image is also from that country, presumably during the war. "USAF"... well, nobody will ever figure out that acronym. But maybe the other markings will tell a story to somebody with a little knowledge. I am not that person. 

This guy's nickname was "Radar", because he spun around in circles and made beeping noises.

Here are two beauties with 1948 Massachusetts license plates. Somebody really liked burgundy red. Both cars have a lot of similarities, though they are different. Come on, car nuts, tell us what these are!

Look at those white walls, yowza. And I like the optional searchlight on the side (I'm always searching for something). It looks wintery, but both cars have their convertible tops down. What does it mean?!?

Two From July, 1958

What? Frontierland AGAIN? Yes, it's true. What can I say, I have a lot of Frontierland photos; if I stopped posting those, this blog would end in about a month.

Here's a pretty picture of the Mark Twain. In my mind there is Dixieland music playing somewhere in the distance (with plenty of banjo strumming of course). Which is WAY better than the discordant xylophone music that usually plays in my head. Another thing I love about the Mark Twain is the big slow "chuff" of the "steam engine". Fun fact: It's actually powered with baking soda and vinegar.

Why not zoom in for a look at the guests?

Now we've left Frontierland (finally!) and are in Fantasyland, in the courtyard. There's Merlin's Magic Shop (to the left), and the exit to Tomorrowland, as well as the exit from the castle walk-thru. The Disneyland Band serenades folks who have just walked through the castle.

Once again, a closer look at the guests. Those ladies are dressed so nicely!

The Plantation House, 1959

Here are two lovely shots, circa 1959, featuring the Plantation House (sponsored by Swift). I particularly like the first view with the people in the foreground - as far as I can tell they are near that bridge that went over the river's Jungle Cruise connection. You can see the sail of a Tom Sawyer Island raft between the people and the house. 

If you would prefer basically the same photo without so many people, here you go! Imagine how nice it would have been to take a seat out front, in the sunshine (but shaded by an umbrella), with the River and all its excitement so close by.

Zooming in on the top floor (and lightening things just a bit), we can just see that the Gonzalez Trio is performing for diners. How fun would that be!

Stuff From Steve, August 1957

Here's another post featuring photos from the personal collection of Steve Stuart, also called "Nanook" by Interpol. Today's selection is sort of random, though you might say that it shows what life in SoCal might have been like for a kid back then. Was Steve's childhood always full of sunshine, or does it just look that way?! Here's Steve: 

WHERE AM I-?

It’s 1957.  If I had to wager a guess, I’d say I’m at the Farmers Market in Los Angeles – but who really knows.  As I didn’t go on to become a florist, I don’t know why I’m fondling the gourds, but perhaps I was merely striking a pose.  I’m uncertain where to begin with those shorts, so the less said the better.  (But I’ll happily entertain snarky comments-!)

JUDY’S BIRTHDAY:

As I’m wearing the same outfit, and Judy’s house (yes, the same Judy who we spied earlier at Tom and Huck’s Treehouse and sitting in the engine for the Mine Train), was located near the Farmer’s Market, I’m thinking the previous shot may very well have been taken there – or maybe the Town & Country across the street.  Looking at the giant present, this tranquil scene appears to be Judy’s birthday and judging from the Picasso-esque gift-wrapping style, I appear to be responsible for the devil-may-care finished product.  I feel fairly confident it’s not loaded with gourds, but then again – what six year old wouldn’t jump for joy upon receiving such a package, I ask you-?

FRONT YARD:

This picture was a favorite of my folks, for obvious reasons.  Heck, even I like it-!  Unfortunately, I haven’t the foggiest idea what became of my [well-used] Murray wagon.

It's enough to make one pine for those seemingly golden days! Thank you as always to Steve Stuart.

People From Space!

I've been scanning a lot of snapshots lately (since the supply of slides is waning). I'll share a couple of nice ones today!

Let's start with this black and white photo of a Tomorrowland Space Woman (or "Space Girl" I suppose). She's standing at the entrance to the Rocket to the Moon attraction. This iteration of the costume is relatively subdued - as far as I can tell from the soft focus, she only has a cape and silver boots to indicate her origins, no crazy helmet or other headgear. Her skirt is almost as short as Zapp Brannigan's tunic!

Here's Zapp Brannigan, for those poor souls who don't know:

This next one is undated, though I'm guessing that it's from the very late 1960's; the Carousel of Progress building narrows it down to fairly small window. Anyway, we've got a very good-looking space couple; I want them to be my moon neighbors. On hot days, the inside of those helmets could reach upwards of 400 degrees. The extraterrestrial couple is posting with an adorable little girl - I like her hat! Mr. Plaid Pants won't wait his turn, and photobombs the proceedings. 

Columbia & Twain, September 1958

Is it just me, or does it seem like I've been posting a helluva lotta pictures from Frontierland lately? Not long ago I guestimated that 45% of my photo collection was from Frontierland, but now I'm thinking it's higher than that. 55%. Yeah, that's it. Please make a note of it in your official GDB notebook/dream diary/recipe book. And as usual, the photos feature both the Columbia and the Mark Twain. Big surprise! If I had a million dollars for every Mark Twain photo that I have, I'd be a millionaire! How do I make that happen?

The Columbia was brand new of course, and by golly, it looks like it too. So shiny! And nary a barnacle. Nary, do you hear?! You can see the guests disembarking; why not use a slide? That's a million dollar idea, for sure. The patriotic bunting makes me guess that the photos were actually taken around July.

Yep, there it is. I believe that more photos have been taken of the steamboat than the castle, and that's saying something. Octillions of photos! 

Indian Dancers, 1957

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that all of you have recovered from your late-night revelries. Are you watching the Tournament of Roses parade on TV? Me neither! 

OK, so it's New Year's Day, but it's still a Sunday, and that means that today's photos are not from my "A list". They might not even be from my "B list". You decide. If they look familiar, that's because they are a continuation of photos from a few weeks ago.

So, we're back at the Indian Dance Circle. There are the red-vested Campfire Girls, including one just to the left of our dancer who should not have tried that peyote. She's freaking out! Everything's melting! Disneyland is not the place for a vision quest.

I wonder if that dancer's costume represents the sun. It sure looks very sun-like.

Now three dancers are in the circle, providing plenty of color, movement, and excitement. I'm all turned around - I thought that was the berm to our right, and yet the Mark Twain is moving in from the left. Whaaaa? My poor brain cannot comprehend. Maybe I should have avoided the peyote as well.