Monday, July 20, 2009

Dumbo, 1956: Looking Closer



Upon first glance, this black and white shot of The Dumbo Flying Elephant attraction may appear somewhat ho-hum; but as I put this negative into the scanner, I got a little excited as it appeared that there was some construction going on!

Sure enough, as can be seen in this detail shot, the Fantasyland Skyway Station is in the process of being assembled. I sure do love those hidden surprises!



See more Disneyland photos at my website.

11 comments:

Thufer said...

that is a wonderful surprise.

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

WOW, what a find! It looks like there might be a "basement" and I can see what looks like the drive motor on the main level! Sweet, thanks Dave!

Mark said...

Hey I love those construction shots, too. A bit off topic, but does anyone know what's happened with Matterhorn over at Stuff From The Park?? Hasn't posted in over a week...very unlike him.

Daveland said...

Mark - I believe Patrick has been at the NFFC Show in Anaheim.

outsidetheberm said...

Dave - Did you notice the fellow right up front by the construction wall taking close up pictures? Find that man!

Great shot. Thanks for the look.

Daveland said...

I noticed that too; everytime I scan a slide/photo and see someone with a camera I think "Where's that photo now?" Probably forgotten and dusty in basement in Idaho.

Major Pepperidge said...

Zowie, that is some kinda great picture!

CoxPilot said...

This photo reminds me how hot and dry California was. If this was the summer, it looks like (from the shadows) about 11:00 am. People are just starting to think about lunch. Humm! Red Wagon Inn, or Plantation? Or, maybe cheeper at the Space Bar. Typical construction of that day... cut and framed on site. No pre-fab stuff. Even a little on-the-fly cinder block foundation. And those log steps... although I think they later wore out and were replaced with cement (that looked like logs).

This is still a very special place, and I hope it always will remain. I think it would be a perfect place for a restaurant.

CoxPilot said...

This photo reminds me how hot and dry California was. If this was the summer, it looks like (from the shadows) about 11:00 am. People are just starting to think about lunch. Humm! Red Wagon Inn, or Plantation? Or, maybe cheeper at the Space Bar. Typical construction of that day... cut and framed on site. No pre-fab stuff. Even a little on-the-fly cinder block foundation. And those log steps... although I think they later wore out and were replaced with cement (that looked like logs).

This is still a very special place, and I hope it always will remain. I think it would be a perfect place for a restaurant.

CoxPilot said...

Just for the heck of it, I thought I would post a little video that confirms a memory of the last days of the flight circle. The circle was used for a jet-pack demonstration in late '65/early '66 just before the new construction and rebuild started.

http://www.paleofuture.com/blog/tag/tomorrowland

I know this is not related to todays post, but thought it was of interest.

Daveland said...

Lee- Thanks for that great clip. It is so "Lost in Space"!