Sailing Into The Weekend

It’s a TGIF post, as we sail into the weekend. Will it be by air, via the Skyway? This undated image is obviously before 1959, as the Matterhorn is nowhere to be found, and Holiday Hill/Lookout Mountain/Snow Hill/Lover’s Lane is still in full bloom. I’m sure there are a few couples making out in the bushes.



This undated 1950s image is for those who choose the water for sailing into the image. The Mark Twain is the perfect choice!



In the background is Fowler’s Harbor. But what are all those chairs in the foreground for?



The Chicken Plantation Restaurant, of course! Sponsored by Swift’s Premium Meats, this eatery served up fried chicken for guests until 1962.



A closeup; anyone able to figure out what the banner top left is for?



Below is another undated 1950s Mark Twain shot, also taken from the patio of the Chicken Plantation:



A closeup of the Harbor and Keelboats:



…and of the guests, in case you need some fashion ideas for Dapper Day:



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Disneyland, 9-15-1960 in 3D, Pt. 2

Two more from my September 15, 1960 Genuine FauxD© series, beginning with this side view of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Notice the coat of arms is still missing from above the drawbridge. Below is the stitched version of the left and right images to provide a wider panorama view:



On the left of this shot of the Columbia, we have the hand of a guest who screwed up what would have otherwise been a perfectly lovely shot.



The wider view, which shows both keelboats in the same frame:



One more post to come from this series; stay tuned, and a happy Monday to you all!

See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

The Gullywhumper, March 1957

Today's post hails from March 1957 and shows the Gullywhumper Keelboat taking another lap around Tom Sawyer Island with Fort Wilderness in the background. A closeup of the lucky guests who are aboard:



I have serious doubts that the Gullywhumper permanently docked in front of the non-burning Burning Cabin is the same vessel as the one shown in 1957. Like Fort Wilderness which was torn down for a much inferior replacement, the Gullywhumper is a mere shadow of its former self.



More Disneyland Keel Boats at my main website.

Keelboat Trio

Just because and for no other reason I am presenting a trio of Keel Boat images today. First up…October 1958. Dang, I wasn't even born yet! The Bertha Mae is definitely my favorite Keel Boat; I love the green shutters. I can't quite figure out the sleeveless shirt that the cast member steering the boat is wearing. Must have been a hot day!



Going back two years to October 27, 1956. The 27th; not the 28th or the 26th…these were clearly marked "27th."



This cast member looks like he wandered off the set of Ma & Pa Kettle. What a difference from the sleeveless one of 1958.



Last one is from June 1967. This lads smile is enough to put Mary Tyler Moore out of business. Note the Indian guide behind him; it appears that the Gullywhumper is docked near the Indian Village.



Still got a Kraving for Keel Boats? Kruise on over to my main website.

Keelboat Krazy!

Daveland is absolutely Ka-razy with Keel Boats today! Don't know what a Keelboat is? Let me educamacate you: A keelboat is a riverine cargo-capable working boat, or a small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yacht. Thanks, Wikipedia! Can you believe Disneyland once had yachts? Well, not the type of yachts you might imagine, but still lots of fun. The first shot for today is from the 1950's and shows a Keelboat parked in Fowler's Harbor, ready to pick up another batch of guests, including a dad holding a baby on the right giving stink-eye to the photographer.



Image #2 is from 1955; doncha' love the feet dangling over the edge of the Mark Twain?



The first closeup shows the Chicken Plantation Restaurant; if it looks familiar to you then you've probably eaten at the Blue Bayou Restaurant.



Let me make the comparison easy for you:



Back to 1955, here's the closeup all you Keelboat nutz have been waiting for:



This somewhat faded 1950's shot shows a different loading area:



The paper hats definitely upstage the Bertha Mae in this 1950's image:



I wouldn't be surprised if one these ladies was named Bertha Mae.



This lad from June 1967 seems very excited about the prospect of riding on a keelboat; note the Native American cast member standing behind him.



One more keelboat shot for you, showing a March 1968 view:



Let's cut to the chase and zoom into the important part of this photo!



Hope you got enough keelboat shots to last you through the day!

See more Daveland Disneyland Keelboat photos at my main website.

Trip to Disneyland, May 1972: Pt. 4

Welcome to New Orleans Square! Holding hands in a display of solidarity, 4/5 of our 1970's quintet are ready to enjoy Walt's sanitized recreation of the decadent southern city.

This second shot appears to have been taken from the 2nd floor of the NOS buildings; perhaps they dined at Club 33?



Zooming in to the shop below, you can see the Pirate Arcade/Museum:



Back on solid ground, the lovely young lass poses for the camera…



and attracts the attention of a young gent. I am sure he is thinking, "Ay caramba!"



Today, Fortune Red is placed inside of the entry:



Here's the front of the card you'd receive if you put your change into the machine:



and the reverse side:



Back to 1972, we have a shot of the Rivers of America:



a closeup of the GAF Photo Trail sign:



And a few non-themed buckets parked next to the trash can:



Hope you enjoyed the trip back in time!

See more Daveland Disneyland photos at my main website.

Sunday Odds and Ends

Today's post is a mish-mash of odds and ends. First up, Imagineer Paul Saunders is back again with a few more entertaining short stories:

I have one funny story about Imagineer John Hench who had been with Walt since 1939. At the Adventure Through Inner Space attraction in Disneyland just before we opened in 1967 (now gone for Star Tours). John saw a guest standing at the white wall of the Circlevision Theater across from our exit door. I was standing next to John. The guest planted a foot behind him on the nice white wall and John barked at him to get his foot off the wall. I was shocked at first as we always treated guests with the utmost deference. But I understood, as we all became weary of the things that upset us by some of the public: spitting below on the Skyway, the bullet hole in the glass at the Haunted Mansion, and the mess from ketchup packets, which were finally not allowed.



Also another story at the same attraction is from when we were about to finish construction. The WEDway Peoplemover load/unload turntable at the second level across from us had a third level with a rocket ship with arms that held seats for a hi rise twirl (The Rocket Jets). They were training young pretty girls as ride operators. While they received their instructions, they sat on the railing in their red spandex suits. It was quite a site for the eyes of all the men below in hard hats taking a long break looking up. I wonder if they explained their sore necks to their wives. Heck, I did!

From the future to the past, faithful Daveland reader and contributor JG shared this photo with me a bit ago:



As he tells it:

I took this photo of a monument in downtown Nashville TN this fall. It commemorates the location of the keelboat landing south of the present downtown. I think the "Broad Street" on the map is the present Broadway, the main drag of honky-tonk saloons. It reminded me that the Disney keelboats we enjoyed so much were real historic vehicles.



Thanks all for your photos and contributions — they are very much appreciated!

See more Daveland vintage Disneyland Adventure Thru Inner Space photos on my main website.

Summer at Disneyland, 1960

Because of the population on the Main Street Train Station in this first shot, I was able to target the date of these images to Summer 1960 (give or take a month). These transparencies were very faded and scratched, so I did the best I could to bring them back to life.

Over in Frontierland, The Fred Gurley (aka #3) is pulling into the Depot.



Zooming in for a better look at the locomotive as well as the "So Dear to My Heart" inspired station itself.



I cannot quite place the location of this one; my thoughts are that it could be near the location of the current Haunted Mansion.



Over on the Island, a raft approaches the Old Mill:



The Mark Twain is docked near Fowler's Harbor, with a Keelboat parked nearby.



The Gladys Kravitz in me can't help but zoom in to see what the red contraption is on or near the Twain:



The photographer snapped a few of the upgraded Nature's Wonderland attraction which reopened in May 1960:







Over in Adventureland, guests are able to see Hippos...



and a hungry gator:



A little sunset magic near the Submarine Voyage attraction in Tomorrowland:



A closeup of the George Washington sub:



Thanks for visiting Disneyland with me, circa 1960!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.