A Sheriff, The Medicine Man, and Blue Screens

This undated 1950's image of the Disneyland Indian Village provides a few interesting detailed views.

In the background, you can see a Sheriff as well as what appears to be either a workman, a Disneyland Railroad Engineer, or perhaps just a guest who liked to wear funky hats. Hard to tell.



Detailed view #2 shows the signage for the tent, which represented the residence of the Medicine Man. Too bad that durn fence post blocks part of the sign, as you can almost read the entire thing otherwise.



I went back into my archives and touched up this set from 1957 to bring out more of the details. It's a series of 6 chronological images of the Ceremonial Dance Circle:













Joey over at MouseInfo shared a few photos from the filming of the upcoming Brad Bird movie "Tomorrowland," starring George Clooney. Part of the movie takes place at the 1964/65 New York World's Fair, and Disneyland's small world attraction is being transformed to represent the Fair. Here are some shots that Joey sent over which show vintage trash cans, temporary canopies, and blue screens:















Here's how the exterior of the pavilion at the Fair actually looked like (you can see the canopies they are attempting to match):



See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos on my main website.

Indians and Goofy Mystery

Welcome to Disneyland's Indian Village. Leave it to Walt to find a use for set pieces from the movie, "Westward Ho The Wagons"! The guy was a genius. Over in Tomorrowland, the "20k Leagues Under the Sea" sets also provided a diversion for guests for many years while Walt attempted to build up the coffers so that he could afford to build something a little more mind-blowing.



Still, the Indian Village was a fun place for guests of all ages to stroll through. This Native American appears to be using different colored sands to create the symbols that you see in the photo:



Zooming in for a closer look at what he is doing, as well as to see his turquoise bracelet.



I love seeing photos of the Ceremonial Dance Circle; guests of all ages appear to be having a great time while learning about another culture.



All of today's photos are from the 1950's.

In other vintage Disneyland news, a Daveland reader recently sent me these images of a Goofy cel that he has from the Art Corner:

My mom and I recently discovered an old Disney Animation Cel of "Goofy" in some of my late Grandmother's photo albums. (photos attached) My Mom remembers they drove to Disneyland from Kentucky back in the late 50's and my Grandfather must have purchased it there at the Art Corner.



Anyone out there able to identify what movie/short this might have been from?



See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos on my Indian Village web page.

Summer of '62 at Disneyland

Fifty years ago, this nice little collection of slides was shot at the Happiest Place on Earth. The first image shows the dock of the Jungle Cruise attraction, with one boat of passengers waiting to disembark, and two other boats waiting to be filled. Now THAT'S efficiency! Keep 'em moving, folks!

I don't think I'd ever noticed these lanterns overhead. Most likely, they were part of the Chicken Plantation, and also why they can now be seen on the interior of the Blue Bayou Restaurant, whose design was inspired by...The Chicken Plantation.



Over at the Indian Village, the next Ceremonial Dance is about to begin. How do I know this? Is it because I have a time machine?



No, it's because I can read the signage.



I'm not sure that our photographer was too enthralled by the show.



The passing of the Mark Twain was enough to make him look away to capture this shot. I'm glad he did! Love the patriotic bunting on the Twain.



Back to the Dance Circle. Now the little varmints have joined the fun.



Back out in the uncivilized civilization of Frontierland, you can see Rainbow Ridge and The Nature's Wonderland attraction.



If you're over 195 lbs., don't even think about getting on one of these burros (aka small donkey)!



The Columbia glides by the majestic falls of Cascade Peak:



A quick shift over to the outskirts of Fantasyland plops us in front of the Snow White Wishing Well.



Note that the fishing pole is still in Dopey's grasp:



Just a few steps over and we are on the perimeter of Tomorrowland, with the Monsanto House of the Future:



The last one for today shows our photographer having the same anxiety I do whenever I exit the park. Just one more shot!



Zooming in you can see the Fred Gurley, waiting to take the cattle cars on the next Grand Circle Tour.



See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web page.

Another Black & White series, 1950’s: Pt. 4

Let’s spend a day at the Indian Village. For purposes of the narrative here, I’ll just say that photo number one shows our gang of little varmints and their beer-guzzlin'-cigarette-smokin’-dads pulling up to the dock of the Indian Village in a canoe. I’m sure some smarty-pants expert will correct me and say that they are actually leaving, but this is my story and I ain’t swervin' today! Shot #2 shows one of the Indians cuttin’ a rug in the Ceremonial Dance Circle. In all seriousness, it is a shame that today’s children don’t get a chance to experience this.



The only thing missing from the photo is the tear streaming down the Indian's cheek along with a cartoon bubble admonishing this little boy not to litter. Again...veering back into serious territory, I really do love this shot. This little tot is experiencing something that (I would imagine) he will remember for a long time.



Last one today shows all the little troublemakers together in one shot. The end of a perfect day, filled with lots of stories to tell their buddies back home who couldn’t make it. Oh, but wait...it’s not the end of the day. More to come tomorrow!



See more Disneyland Indian Village photos at my website.

Disneyland, February 1971, pt. 3

Last call for February 1971! We finish out the series in Frontierland again. Plenty to see and do here! Let’s begin with a few shots of the Ceremonial Dance Circle of the Indian Village. Note the Keelboat and Canoe in the background of shot #1.



I have a number of shots like this, spanning the decades, and they always make me happy. I think it’s so cool to see little kids enjoying a cultural learning experience...one that doesn’t require a computer, ipod, or TV. Oh yeah, and dig the crazy ponchos!



The sun is setting over at the Indian Village, so we must bid a fond farewell and keep moving with our tour.



Anybody want a used piano? But seriously folks...anyone know about this player piano and whether it’s still around?



Ah, another lost waterfall...Cascade Peak. Can you hear the water rushing?



See more vintage & current Frontierland photos at my regular website.

One Day Later: August 29, 1965 Pt. 2

Just when you thought the signage shots couldn’t get any better, here are some great ones from the Indian Village. I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of edu-tainment. That extra dimension of knowledge added to fun makes for a much richer experience that sticks to your ribs! Kinda’ like brown sugar in oatmeal!



This is one of my faves; I almost expect to see "We’re huntin‘ wabbits” posted here!



Here are some decorative totem poles:





The maracas in this photo just don’t have the same impact as when Terri from Bill Elliot’s Band is shaking them (and yes, I am waiting patiently to be corrected for calling these maracas).



See more vintage Indian Village photos at my regular website.