Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Photos From the Dream Team

It is somehow comforting to still be able to share photos from our friend Irene (along with her brother Bruce and his friend James). I admit that at this point I am kind of drawing them out so that they will last longer, but of course, nothing lasts forever.

In any case, I have four photo scans for you today - none of them dated, which is always a bit frustrating, but I believe that these are all from the mid-to-late 1990s. 

First up is this shot of a blue Mark VII Autopia vehicle, a CM appears to be leading the little car over to the guide rail, where the driver can race without any worry about collisions. You'd think that the cars would already be on the guide rail - unless they were adding more cars to the rotation? The Mark VII cars were replaced in 1999, so we know this photo was no later than that year.


Next is a fun picture showing dastardly Prince John from “Robin Hood” (1973), pacing the entry courtyard. He is striking a Shakespearian pose! A few guests look like they want to approach him... but maybe not? Inside the east tunnel we can just see a poster...


... this one! "Wonders of China" was originally from EPCOT, but played in the Circle-Vision Theater from 1984 through 1996. 


The last two photos were taken on an overcast day, and feature Cascade Peak. It was already in a state of decline, but still made for an impressive "natural wonder" on the Rivers of America. It's weird how the top cascade appears to be falling at a strange angle. But at least all of the falls were on - never a guarantee in those days. As you can see, this is the side of CP where the old Mine Train would have run right past these falls...


... while this side is where the Mine Train would have run behind the falls (you can just see part of the tunnel to the right of the .com. Cascade Peak was demolished in the Fall of 1998, my guess is that these photos were taken shortly before that sad event.

MANY THANKS to the Dream Team!

Monday, March 18, 2024

Posterpalooza

Today is Mike Cozart's birthday!  

All of today's scans were provided by Sue B., including this first, a classic vintage birthday party pix (not a Lou and Sue image):


Another special Sue photo - a Matterhorn macaroon! 


And, a late addition - a photo of Mike at the controls of the Monorail!


Next, Sue B. has provided some wonderful photos (taken by her dad, Lou Perry) that feature some of Disneyland's beautiful silkscreened attraction posters.This first gorgeous shot is from September, 1961, looking at Main Street Station on a bright sunny morning. Just a few whips of cloud in the sky, but I'll bet it was warm and pleasant. All the posters pictured are great, but it is interesting to note that the Matterhorn example is one of the rare variety that has only one bobsled. And to the right of that is a Flying Saucers poster, designed by Rolly Crump.


The next one was taken in November, 1959 - when the Submarine Voyage attraction was still brand new. I still remember an auction house referring to this poster as "the Cadillac of attraction posters", and I have to agree. Notice that this is an early example that mentions General Dynamics.


The next two are from September, 1961 (just like the first image). Tomorrowland had a number of these tripod contraptions that could display three attraction posters. Here's the poster for Fantasyland rides such as Peter Pan, Snow White, and Mr. Toad, with that nice image of a pirate ship flying through the starlit sky.


Is this the same tripod display, only from a different angle? Only my hairdresser knows for sure! By 1961 the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail transported guests to the Disneyland Hotel and back. First in America!


Many thanks to Sue B. for these amazing photos.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

SNOOZLES™

It's time for another selection of vintage photos that get a "C" grade from the International Consortium of Slide-Grading Fellas and Ladies, or ICSGF&L. And they were in a good mood that day, too! Both of these  images were taken in 1956.

First up, we see the Tahitian Lanai from the Jungle Cruise dock. So far so good, but... it ain't so clear. It ain't! The sun seems to already be in the western-ish part of the sky, and yet there is not a single diner. What the hey?? It's always kind of fun to be able to see some of the ornament from the Plaza Pavillion, which shared the same building - something I'm sure I first learned from "Disneyland: The First Quarter Century". 


Next, another somewhat fuzzy slide, taken from the hurricane deck of the Mark Twain. I like the lady's flannel shirt (or coat?), it would look good today. Beware the giant slug, just entering the picture from the  right!


Saturday, March 16, 2024

I Love a Parade

There's just something about a home-town parade. They used to have an annual parade in the town where I spent my high school years, but it went the way of the dodo a long time ago. But I can still enjoy old photos of other parades!

This first image is from November, 1977, so perhaps it was a Veteran's Day parade? I was having some trouble figuring out where this picture was taken (I thought it might be Calgary, Ontario) , until I saw the Hotel Fontenelle in the distance (you can just read the sign beneath that kooky tower to the left). That means that this is Omaha, Nebraska!


I tried to find a contemporary view using Google Maps - the previous parade went along South 18th Street. Boy oh boy, does it look different! In the distance you can still see the"Century Link" telecommunications center tower, though it is now dwarfed by many taller buildings.


Next, we are in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I've seen lots of photos of parades along the A.C. boardwalk, so I can only assume that they were a daily occurrence. Or perhaps they did them often during the tourist season. However, the overcoats on the folks in the background tell me that it was a chilly day. I love the "classic Americana" feeling of this photo.


And finally, here's a photo of a military parade, from a slide labeled "1955 Stockton" (that's in California). "I don't know but I've been told - Otter Pops are mighty cold!". I tried pinpointing this location using obvious clues such as Martinson and Dervin Army Surplus, or the ABC Hotel (in the distance), but had no success. But I didn't cry! Much.


Friday, March 15, 2024

Tomorrowland, April 1974

I sure loved the old "New Tomorrowland"! My memories of earlier Tomorrowlands are essentially nonexistent (though my older brother remembers a few things), so for me, this was the place that fired my imagination so much. Seven years after the New Tomorrowland debuted, it still looks wonderful (as seen from the Plaza), with the classic Peoplemover on the curving track overhead. The grass is so lush, they must have used Miracle-Gro. 


Now we're inside the land o' the future, with guest's clothing ranging from "I'm going to wear shorts no matter what" to "A nice sweater will be just the thing". 


Thursday, March 14, 2024

Disneyland Railroad, July 1964

I have a trio of photos involving the wonderful Disneyland Railroad, circa 1964. We'll start with this nice photo of the Fred Gurley (locomotive #3) as it is about to get underway after a stop at Frontierland Station. Booooooaaaaarrrrrd! 


Did somebody mention Frontierland Station? Here's a view of it from the train, sort of an interesting scene, with the Rivers of America and the Mark Twain in the distance.


And finally, in a photo taken moments later, a shot taken from the "speeding' train, with the Burning Settler's Cabin visible over on Tom Sawyer Island.


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Minnie and Mickey

Today I have two photos from two different batches; one featuring the lovely Minnie Mouse, and the other featuring Mickey da Mouse. We'll start with this colorful image from September, 1974. Five California girls are posing with Minnie, who stuns in her yellow satin dress (probably designed by Halston - Minnie sometimes rubbed elbows with Andy Warhol and his wealthy friends in the Hamptons). 


Next we head back in time to August, 1967. Mickey Mouse is in Town Square, surrounded by fans. The boy with the blue shirt isn't even looking at MM though, I'm not sure what's going on. But he sure seems happy to be there!  



Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Knott's Berry Farm, 1960s

I decided to mix things up and share a few Knott's Berry Farm photos. That's right, I'll do anything, no matter how crazy. These are undated, but the presence of the Timber Mountain Log Ride places it after July 11th, 1969. 

I'm sure our photographer was waiting for a log to descend the drop, when one of the narrow-gauge locomotives happened to pass by. Hey, it looks great! I'll take a picture of it! The warm afternoon sunlight really adds to the beauty of the scene, not to mention the many trees.


SPLASHDOWN! I assume that some of the people in the log are friends or family. What an amazing ride, and it's still amazing over 50 years later. I like the detail of the rafts of freshly-cut trees lashed together with chains or ropes.


Next, we're somewhere on the side of Calico Mountain, maybe even sitting in one of the dependable little mine trains that will take us through gold mines, glowing caverns, past dangerous explosions and underground waterfalls - wow, what a ride!


 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Goofy and Mickey, November 1967

I wonder who came up with the idea of having popular characters from Disney films meeting and greeting the guests? It's possible that it goes back to the very earliest plans for Disneyland (although they famously had to borrow costumes from the Ice Capes for the 1955 grand opening - costumes that were odd to put it mildly). 

Today I have two cute photos of a little boy posing with two such characters, circa 1967. In this first one, he's with Goofy, posing right near the Mad Tea Party. Mom (or is it Grandma?) stands to the left, she's having a great time. We can also just see Monstro's nose, and the lighthouse ticket booth, as well as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and the Carrousel. 


Out in front of the Bank of America in Town Square, Mickey Mouse (wearing his finest claw-hammer coat) greets his many fans. Note to self: buy plaid overalls. Mom (Grandma?) enjoys a cigarette while holding a complimentary INA guidebook.


Sunday, March 10, 2024

Cascade Peak, June 1962

It's SNOOZLE TIME! Prepare to be underwhelmed. Both of today's photos feature Cascade Peak, one of my favorite vintage Disneyland icons, but the pictures leave much to be desired.

Well, OK, this first one isn't so bad, it mostly just suffers from being boring. But it also makes me miss the rocky peak with its multiple waterfalls.


This next one is pretty bad, canted to the right in what might be an attempt at being "arty".