Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The Back Side of Water in Fantasyland



I'm a collector; a completist; a crazy kind of guy who once he starts picking up a hobby has to have EVERYTHING to make his collection whole. It is for this very reason that I let out a “whoop” when I saw this August 1967 image come up for purchase. Why? Because I had almost every single view of the Skull Rock Cove waterfall feature at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant in Fantasyland EXCEPT from the back.

I had the front:



I even had a few side shots:





NOW I can sleep at night. Thanks for suffering through my neuroses here.

See more vintage Disneyland Chicken of the Sea photos at my main website.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you ever notice how the backside of water looks shinier than the front? That's because it gets polished by the rocks! From the totally made up "facts" file!

Fifthrider said...

Very cool indeed.

Anonymous said...

Nearly forgotten 'hidden' area of the Park. I remember that perspective now that you've posted it. KS

Anonymous said...

A new view of a fondly remembered spot.

Congratulations and thanks, Dave!

JG

Chuck said...

I remember that exact view...and after 42 years, I was beginning to doubt that memory. The last photo also did a particularly good job of shining a light in some dim corners of my recollection.

Thanks so much!

Matthew said...

Congratulations Dave! Job well done!! Now you can may rest easy my friend.

Regarding that beautiful first photo, what I remember is that little nozzle spaying water against the bow of the ship to give the appearance of forward motion. This was the same effect that created the "rapids of Kilimanjaro" on the jungle cruise. The "rapids" on the Motor Boat Cruise, as well as the "rapids" on the Rivers of America. You can see just a little water spray in the first photo.

I know I've said it before but it is worth repeating... the waterfalls of Disneyland were so helpful in helping keep the Park cool. Waterfalls, in Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventurland, and Tomorrowland were natural "air conditioners" for a very hot Southern California. Without them the Park just seems so concrete... and it has become that way.

finally, I have mentioned this too, but I cannot get enough of the waterfall falling off the back right side of Skull Rock (second photo) into a separate little pool of water near Storybook land. Such a great little detail that made Disneyland truly a magical place.

Always your pal,,
Amazon Belle

Nanook said...

Just as Chuck said, thanks to this great image, my memory has been jogged. I too, remember standing in that exact spot and enjoying both the sound and feel of the water. It's details such as these which set Disneyland apart from all others. What a wonderful addition to your [already great] collection.