Columbia & Pirate Ship, April 1969

Disneyland's two big sailing ships are featured today! You know 'em, you love 'em, you can't live without 'em.

It's a gray cloudy day - like living in a light box. These are both from the month of April, so I guess it stands to reason that SoCal would have what passes for weather. The Columbia is the only one of the two ships that actually moved; and I suppose it is moving in this photo, although it is barely making a ripple in the fairly glassy water. Not to mention that I don't really see anybody aboard. Maybe it is a ghost ship? There was still a fire in the stove! The meals were on the tables, warm and uneaten! It's as if the entire crew and all of the passengers just vanished.

The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship was immobile, but it feels considerably more lively. Five (or so) visible passengers hint at others, unseen. The cannons look like the mouths of old candlestick telephones. "Hello, central?". There's not much to say about the ship that hasn't already been said, except that it looks great as usual. 

Check out the fashions on the ladies! Colors and patterns ruled in 1969.

Sunday Stuff

I'm using up three "ho hum" scans today, all from May of 1966. 

This is actually a decent photo of part of the "African Veldt" scene, I just think it's a little boring. That being said, I don't think the actual veldt was ever so lush and colorful as the Disneyland version (maybe it is after seasonal rains?). The animatronic lion figure is kind of far away; I'll bet Walt would have liked to have it closer to the River, except for the fact that the lions are chowing down on a dead zebra.

This one turned out way too dark and murky, for some reason. It's very hard to see here, but there is an elephant that seems to be lounging on the embankment, which I used to think was odd. I think I've read that this elephant used to be a mammoth killed by cave men in the 1964 New York World's Fair (as part of Ford's "Magic Skyway" ride).

Aaaaand... here's a pretty, but not entirely in-focus shot of Sleeping Beauty Castle. 

Santa's Village, New Hampshire, October 1973

I think it is high time that I posted something with a holiday flavor, don't you? Luckily for me, I already had a small batch of slides from Jefferson, New Hampshire's "Santa's Village" all scanned and ready to go. They aren't beautiful, but... there are six of them.

If you didn't believe that Santa lived here, you can rest easy now that you've seen this impressive sign in the parking lot. That poor woman has risked "frost bite butt", but it was worth it for this photo. On the other side of the snow bank, shiny reindeer stand still as only woodland creatures can.

Don't ask me what happened to the color on this one; I was watching cartoons the whole time. Santa's good friend the Easter Bunny has come to visit! Who knew he was so large? 

Santa's Village debuted on Father's Day in 1953, thanks to a brainstorm by Norman and Cecile Dubois. Initially there were pony rides, "elves", and reindeer and other critters, and it was only open from June to October.

A life-sized manger scene is there to pacify any visitors who might be upset at the idea of a Christmas-themed park with no religious iconography. And who doesn't like a good crèche? I know I do. The angels up in the trees are a nice touch.

Wikipedia sez: By 1969, the park also had playgrounds, restaurants, and a "Jingle Jamboree". The Dubois family added a dancing chicken and rabbit performance to the park's activities.[4] By 1974, the Dubois' son-in-law, Michael Gaynor, took over the park's management after the couple retired. The admission for people over four years old in 1974 was $3.[3] Peggy Newland of The Nashua Telegraph wrote in 2010 that "[b]y the 1980s, the park had grown to a 'real' amusement park".[4] The park was further expanded, with a "Yule Log Flume" that glided down a Christmas-themed river, carrying people around the park. Macaws performed in the park, roller-skating around the stage and balancing bikes on a tightrope.

Oh boy, after I have my picture taken in that sleigh, I'm going to open every one of those presents under the tree! After all, I called "dibs" before anyone else. I see a wishing well, maybe I'll toss in a nickel and wish for MORE presents.

Since this view is from the parking lot, the igloos must be the entrance and exit for the park - initially I thought that the building might be where Santa lived. Like Mr. Freeze, he needs snow and ice to live (after being bitten by a radioactive reindeer). 

Happily, Santa's Village is still with us today!

Midget Autopia, 1959

I'm always happy to find photos of the old Midget Autopia - I don't have many, considering that the attraction was there from 1957 until 1966. It was an off-the-shelf kiddie car ride, not designed by Bob Gurr... it came from our pals at Arrow Development.

The cars were for children only, had two steering wheels to prevent unnecessary competition, and I believe that they moved whether someone stomped on the gas pedal or not (like the Motor Boats). As a certified nerd, I am glad to know that the headlights actually worked! The track was surrounded by beautiful landscaping, and had plenty of shrunk-down traffic signs to add veracity.

There's Mom, Vern, and Scout, getting ready to explore the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. Say, what's in that striped treasure chest? It's not locked, how am I supposed to resist peeking? Maybe it's full of Walt Disney autographs. Yeah, that's probably it. Hopefully the family enjoyed a nice tuna burger or tuna pot pie while they were there.

Fantasyland From Above, November 1958

It's time for two familiar views... photos taken from the Skyway; I wonder what percentage of my collection falls into that category?? We're above Fantasyland, perhaps a mere 30 feet above the ground.

One of the first things I noticed in this series of photos (there are others that will be seen in future posts) is just how blue and smoggy the air is! In those heady days of leaded gas and no catalytic converters, SoCal's atmosphere could be pretty chunky. Anyway, there's the Dumbo ride, along with the "Fan 1" snack bar beneath that striped tent. The seating areas have been covered with makeshift cloth shades, which I am sure were appreciated by the diners (not that there seem to be many of those).

Look at that steep berm separating Fantasyland from Frontierland!

And here's a look at those spinning teacups. The ride operator is chillin' in the shade of his control booth - I can't tell if I can see his employee badge, or if he has something in his shirt pocket. 

Stay tuned for more smoggy views, comin' up!

Christmas at the Disneyland Hotel, 1995

I have three snapshots, courtesy of Irene, Bruce, and James! I have very few Disneyland Hotel photos, so it's nice to see the way it looked 20+ years ago during the holiday season.

First up is this view with the Sierra Tower looming over a jolly Christmas tree. My knowledge of the history of the Hotel and its grounds is minimal at best, and my copy of Don Ballard's excellent history is not handy, so I'm probably going to be vague (or just plain wrong). The ground in the foreground appears to be sand, and I know that at one time there was a sandy beach for frolicking, though I believe it was much further away from the Sierra Tower. 

I believe that the next two photos are from 1995, and they show what might be the very same area as seen in the first photo, only a genuine ice skating rink has been installed. That guy on the mini-Zamboni knows that he has the best job ever, and he can't help being a little bit smug about it. "No autographs!", he'll growl if you approach him.

The novelty of actual outdoor ice skating obviously was a real attraction for Californians. Look at 'em all! Not a single one of them on their butts, either (I would be). I'm sure there were a few showoffs who skated backwards, or did graceful spins. How I despise them!

I believe that octagonal building in the background is the Pavilion, which extended out into the Marina pool. Now the Marina has been replaced with the Never Land Pool. 

Thanks to Irene, Bruce, and James!

Swiss Family Treehouse

Today I have two photos from different years, but they both feature the wonderful Swiss Family Treehouse, which was added to Adventureland in November of 1962. Did I mention that it was wonderful? Those nutty Imagineers, they crafted a very believable tree out of steel, fiberglass, and a concoction mixed from lard, tar, and horsehair called "glop" by the workmen. (Please quote me on this, future Disneyland histories!). This first example is from August, 1967. I've mentioned my fondness for the red tint of the leaves, which would definitely not be the obvious choice for most faux trees. And then you had the water features, and the multiple little rooms that felt cozy and safe up in the arboreal hideaway.

This next one is from October, 1963, and the tree looks especially red in this view from the Mark Twain. The Swiss Family built a tidy wooden fence (from salvaged ship planks, no doubt) to keep out man-eating zebras and other horrors.

If you've ever read Johann Wyss' book, the treehouse plays a relatively minor role in the story, as it is quickly overrun by hordes of destructive (and possibly radioactive) monkeys. The Robinsons eventually make a home in a cave.

Early construction on what would eventually become New Orleans Square had begun, as evidenced by the wall to the right. In order to keep inquisitive guests from walking into the hazardous and unsightly zone, a clothesline was draped between two poles. I'll bet it worked, too!

Dancin' At the Plaza Gardens, July 1971

Here are two fun photos for you today! Over at the Carnation Plaza Gardens, many of your favorite Disney characters have gathered to rub elbows with their fans. There's the Practical Pig, Br'er Fox, the Big Band Wolf, and Balloo, dancing with some of outgoing guests. That lady is gittin' DOWN! In the background, a young lady is very brave and not at all concerned about the Big Bad Wolf's prominent teeth. Maybe if Alice or Snow White had been there, a few guys would have joined in.

Check out the crowd of onlookers!

Typically the Disneyland Band performed at the Plaza Gardens, but the Pearly Band did the honors this time. Go, Br'er Bear, go!

Rescued Slides, January 1962

I've rescued some old, previously-skipped slides from oblivion - but some of them turned out better than others. Today's are not terrible, but they aren't great either!

Let's start with this moody twilight shot from the Mark Twain looking at our old pal Chief Wavy. Greeting people along the river is the best part of his day (that, and the daily "Marmaduke" comic - that dog sure gets into some wacky situations!). 

The Disneyland Railroad (pulled by the Fred Gurley locomotive?) passes by; it's always nice to see it. Up on the embankment, only one or two of the Chief's welcome party still stand there.

From the same lot (January 1962) comes this photo from the world-famous Jungle Cruise. At first it doesn't look like much, but there is a giraffe hiding in the jungle - we were lucky that his cloaking device was turned off for just a few seconds!

Soap Box Derby, Toledo Ohio, June 1967

For today's "Anything Goes Saturday" I have a series of photos from a 1967 Soap Box Derby in Toledo, Ohio. There's no bone-shaking rumble of engines revving, no smell of high-octane fuel and burning rubber... just the old-fashioned pleasures of gravity-powered cars built by boys and girls (and their parents). Did you know that, at its peak, Soap Box Derby racing was one of the top five sporting events in terms of attendance?

Here is a group of steely-eyed contestants, with their hand-made beauties loaded onto the back of a flatbed truck for an upcoming race. 

According to Wikipedia, "In 1933 Myron Scott, a photographer for Dayton, Ohio, newspaper Dayton Daily News, put together an impromptu race for 19 boys. There was so much interest that Scott arranged a bigger race, with prize money for August 19. "An amazing crowd of 362 kids showed up with homemade cars built of orange crates, sheet tin, wagon and baby-buggy wheels....".

I like that retro look of #9 in the upper left!

The tension is so thick, you can cut it with a knife!

During the All American Soapbox Derby's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, when Chevrolet was a sponsor and famous TV and movie stars made guest appearances, as many as 70,000 people gathered in August to eat snow cones and cheer hundreds of youthful racer/builders (boys only in early years) ages 11–15 who were the champions of local races around the nation and from several foreign countries…  John DeLorean ended the 35-year Chevrolet sponsorship in 1972, claiming that the Derby was outdated and too expensive to hold. Curse you, John DeLorean.

This is not a soap box racer (it has a motor), but it sure is a sweet little vehicle! The Chevrolet logo is on the license plate, so perhaps this was a display from a local dealership.

"Cash in a Flash", this kid should have won a special award just for the name. 

As a person who never had a soap box racer, and never experienced the sensation of racing down a long hill at 30+ miles per hour (which I'm sure felt pretty darn fast in those tiny vehicles), it looks like it must have been pretty fun!

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Toledo's Soap Box Derby.