Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules & Miner’s Outfitters

I have always been fascinated by the highly detailed little town of Rainbow Ridge, located at Disneyland’s Nature’s Wonderland attraction. A good clear shot of this particular structure has been missing from my collection. Mainly visible from the Pack Mule attraction located adjacent to Nature’s Wonderland, The Pack Mules & Miner’s Outfitters now resides at Daveland, thanks to the newly acquired image above. Previously I just had fragments of it, as seen in these August 1960 images:





This October 1962 shot shows the view you would see of it from outside the queue, partially blocked by trees and the queue structure itself.



From July 1962, a side-teaser!



This January 1965 image gives a nice overall view of Rainbow Ridge:



My brothers are blocking the corner of my view, circa November 1965:



A few detailed views from my recently acquired image:



The art at the top of the building shows a bear scratching his back on a tree with Cascade Peak in the background:



While the image is undated, I know it is from some time post Spring 1960, when this section of buildings were added. Unfortunately, they did not get incorporated into the Big Thunder Mountain attraction.

See more Disneyland Pack Mule photos at my main website.

Smoking on a Pack Mule

This 1950s image shows a cast member leading a group of guests for a trip through Frontierland on the Disneyland Pack Mules.

AND HE'S SMOKING! Let's remember before the persecution begins that this was a different time. People didn't know the danger of cigs.



If you don't believe me, just ask Phil Harris:



More Pack Mule magic at my main website.

Cascade Peak and the Mine Train

Yesterday we visited the Mine Train attraction at Knott's Berry Farm; today's post shows a magnificent June 1960 image of Disneyland's Mine Train.

Gliding under the waterfall of Cascade Peak, this one is a beauty! Most likely it was taken aboard either the Mark Twain or The Columbia. Thank you, anonymous photographer!



Here's a genuine FauxD© image showing Cascade Peak from August 1965:



Today, the trees cover up the location of the once mighty Cascade Peak:



See more Daveland Disneyland Nature's Wonderland photos at my main website.

Rainbow Ridge and Plaza Gardens Anniversary

A few vintage shots of the little town of Rainbow Ridge dating back to December 1964. Zooming in for a closeup of the Pack Mules, it shows how forced perspective was used on the buildings to make them look bigger. Seeing people next to them kind of blows the effect.



Another shot of Rainbow Ridge from the same batch:



and a detailed view of the Frontierland Ticket booth:



Going back in time a few more years gives us this April 1962 Rainbow Ridge image:



Followed by an undated view of the Nature's Wonderland attraction itself. Notice the Fantasyland Skyway Station peaking out in the distance.



58 years ago today the Carnation Plaza Gardens opened; here's an August 1959 image showing Vesey Walker conducting a concert for some of the younger guests. Love the hats!



This beautiful little spot became an unfortunate victim to "progress" a few years back and was replaced by a Princess meet-and-greet called Fantasy Faire.



See more Daveland Rainbow Ridge Disneyland photos at my main website.

Roughing it in Frontierland

The Pack Mules have been gone since 1973, but they are still remembered fondly by many. Although the mules may have had some temperamental moments and could be somewhat unpredictable, this is what I think made Frontierland (and the entire park) so much more charming "back in the day."



Flash forward to today, the park is an extremely controlled experience.



When you combine the amount of guests that go through the turnstiles and their expectations, then tack on the threat of a lawsuit if that expectation wasn't met or if any form of harm (perceived or real) occurred, it would be impossible for Disneyland to have the same kind of innocent and spontaneous feeling that it had during the 1950's.



At least we have the photos and the memories of an era when you could ride a real live animal through Disneyland while a train or a wagon or a stagecoach passed nearby.



See more vintage Disneyland Pack Mule attraction photos on my Pack Mule web page.

TPE: Riding The Pack Mules

I love having choices, and Disneyland gave you that in spades. Guests weren't limited to the train ride if they wanted to view the scenery of the Nature's Wonderland attraction; instead, they could ride a Stagecoach, a Wagon, or even a Pack Mule. Today's post focuses on those not-so-loveable little rascals, the Pack Mules.





Guests took a 10 minute tour of the Disneyland Frontier; originally there were 2 packs, consisting of 1 lead horse and 9 mules. The ride was so popular that Disney increased the herd from 50 to 75, paying $50 each for 25 more of the temperamental animals in May 1957. Feed cost for the entire group was only $15/day—what a value!



Blonde Bombshell Jayne Mansfield even took a spin on the Pack Mules, circa September 1957:





The Mule Pack (1955-1956) was renamed The Rainbow Ridge Mule Pack (1956-1959), and then Pack Mules Through Nature’s Wonderland (1960-1973).









Walt and his granddaughter Tammy took a ride on the Pack Mules as photographers captured the moment.



Tammy seems a bit unsure about this particular attraction.









What a great overhead view of Rainbow Ridge, from September 1963:









It should come as no surprise that my very favorite images of this attraction are the ones that come from my family album, documenting a surprise trip in honor of my oldest brother's 8th birthday.





Can you believe mom still has that sweater?





As popular as they were, the mules were a bit temperamental, and became a thing of the past. Can you imagine the lawsuits they would spawn today?

See more vintage Disneyland Pack Mule attraction photos on my Pack Mule web page.