The Dapper Jungle Cruise Skipper

This recently acquired vintage Disneyland image shows a cast member straddling the Jungle Cruise dock and the Ganges Gal boat. Very dapper looking, especially that watch! The back had “1955” handwritten on it. Not one to just trust handwriting vs. a slide date stamp, I looked at my Jungle Cruise collection to see if the cast member uniform matched the time period.



Not only did the uniform match another 1955 image in my collection, it matched the cast member!



It appears that the striped shirt only lasted the first year of this attraction’s operation, replaced by a floral/Hawaiian motif, as seen in the August 1956 shot below:



 See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my main website.

Miss U.S. at Disneyland

This lovely lass was photographed on August 1, 1955, getting ready to board the Nile Princess on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland. In the original 1955 Bank of America Disneyland brochure, this attraction was referred to as The Explorer’s Boat Ride through the rivers of Mexico, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Australia. By 1956, it had been shortened to Jungle River Boat Ride, with a re-tweeking of the title in 1958 to Rivers of the World Jungle Boat Cruise. Finally, by 1965, Disneyland brochures called it the name we all know it by: The Jungle Cruise. Here's the original publicity blurb that accompanied this photo:

A VISIT TO DISNEYLAND

Vermont's Carlene King Johnson, Miss United States in the Miss Universe Contest, climbs aboard one of the seven Adventureland Boats in Disneyland at Anaheim, Calif., Aug. 1. Miss Johnson won her title recently at Long Beach, Calif.

From the now defunct “Eye for Beauty Blog” comes this background info on Miss Johnson:

On July 20, 1955 43 beauties took to the stage in Long Beach, California to compete for the 4th Miss USA title. 15 delegates were selected to be in the running for the crown. After that the top five were announced. They were the delegates from Arkansas, California, Georgia, Nebraska, and Vermont. The judges then deliberated to make their final choices. Georgia was called as the fourth runner-up. California was the third runner-up. Nebraska was the second runner-up. The delegates from Arkansas and Vermont were left standing. It was then announced that Arkansas was the runner-up. 22 year old Carlene King Johnson from Rutland, Vermont was the new Miss USA. She was crowned by the reigning Miss USA/Miss Universe, Miriam Stevenson. Two days later she was on stage again to try and win a back to back Miss Universe crown for her country. Johnson was one of the top 15 delegates but she did not advance to the top 5. The contest was won by Miss Sweden. To date Johnson remains her state’s only Miss USA titleholder. Sadly Carlene King Johnson died very young at the age of 35 in 1968 due to complications of diabetes.



If you recognize the tableau above, you might want to check out the back story on a previous post.

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

1500th Post - It’s A Celebration, Pt. 2: Adventureland

Sorry, only one attraction poster for my Adventureland section—hopefully the fun photos will make up for it! Note that the “Jungle Cruise” was originally referred to as the Jungle River attraction; an early brochure calls it “Explorer’s Boat Ride through the rivers of Mexico, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Australia.” Dang, that‘s a mouthful! No wonder guests shorted it to “Jungle Cruise!”

Disneyland is truly a marvel of perfection; this is why some of the early images are so charming. They show the hurried nature with which the park was quickly thrown together in order to open on time. This is especially apparent when looking at the early landscaping, lighting, and chicken wire (meant to be a deterrent for guests accidentally trampling the young plantings).



Even in the early days, cleanliness was not just a virtue—it was a necessity! The park was kept spotless by all cast members, not just the custodians.



On July 18, 1955, the park first opened to the public (the day before was the botched invitation only event). Guests stormed the Adventureland Bazaar looking for treasures:



Another July 18, 1955 shot showing crowds and scrawny plants:



Early Disneyland had quite a few hand-painted signs that showed the craftsmanship that went into every detail of the park:



The site of Indiana Jones Adventure was once the home to Magnolia park, which featured a Victorian inspired bandstand:



Dining options in Adventureland included the famous Tahition Terrace; these photos show the Adventureland restaurant that preceded the tropical-themed TT:





The Tahitian Terrace was a blend of tasty Polynesian treats (hope you got to sample the Planters Punch Tahitian!) and hip-swaying entertainment (ladies—hold onto your husbands!). Rumor has it that the Disneyland Hotel will be adding a restaurant that tips its hat to the Tahitian Terrace.







Tropical drinks helped to cool off guests at the Cantina:



The Enchanted Tiki Room has been packing in the crowds since day one (June 23, 1963), and not just because of the air conditioning! Who else but Walt Disney’s team could come up with a show comprised of birds that heckle and sing to test the newly founded technology of audio-animatronics?





Of course the big draw to Adventureland has always been the Jungle Cruise; look at these festively garbed young cast members, making sure that guests are able to get on the Nile Princess safely:



Here’s a skipper from July 1963:



And last (but certainly not least) is this candid shot of some cast members attempting to repair the alligators while baffled guests sail by:



ADVENTURELAND TODAY: Still seemingly the smallest land, it boasts two of the park’s most popular attractions: The Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones.





The Treehouse is still around too, but Tarzan pushed the Robinson family out years ago.



Park purists will also be happy to know that The Tiki Room continues to charm guests with its feathered entertainment.



The Tahitian Terrace became home to Aladdin’s Oasis and at one point an Indiana Jones stunt show. Park guests still beg for the return of the nostalgic restaurant that used to live here.





For dining, you can savor delicious treats on a skewer at the Bengal Barbecue...



...and the ever popular Dole Whip. On a hot day, the line for this pineapple flavored treat can be as long as some of the attractions.



Next up: FRONTIERLAND!

View more Disneyland Adventureland photos at my main website.

Sailing Through Sundays on The JC: November 1959

Scarf-gal is our official JC Tour Guide today, as she attempts to pilot the Nile Princess. Something tells me she might be somewhat of a Princess.

Back in the day, alligators and water buffalo swam together in the same area.



This hippo looks like he’s about to jump on board; either that or swallow a guest whole.



The smoke from the skipper’s pistol is clouding over this shot. Kind of a “you are there moment.”



Looks like business is shrinking again for Trader Sam:



This tidbit was submitted by an anoymous reader: “Notice the "tiller " transmission lever on the first picture with the white handle. This was a gasoline powered boat. The throttle was on the floor and operated by the pilot's foot. The conversion to natural gas occurred around 1970 as the boats were overhauled. Made it much easier for us as then both throttle and transmission was in a single swing lever as it remains today.”

See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my main website.

Sailing Through Sundays on The JC: Ancient Shrine & Crocodiles

Here are a few of the crocs/alligators that hang out at the ancient shrine area.









And I’ll throw in a vintage one from 1958 featuring the Nile Princess just for fun:



See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my website.

Disneyland: The First Summer, Pt. 6

I hope you readers don’t mind getting a double-shot of the Jungle Cruise! These photos from the first summer make up in rarity what they lack in clarity. Shot number one is of the Nile Princess boat and a closeup of the fun souvenir construction helmet that little tykes could purchase.



The lanai, visible from the dock:



This African Bull Elephant was charging so fast that it was impossible to get a steady photo!



The Ancient Shrine is being invaded by the swinging monkeys that were eventually removed:



Another swiftly moving animal, the charging Rhino is comin’ right atcha’!



And the natives, hiding behind the log, waiting to hit unsuspecting guests with their spears:



See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my website.