Monday with a Crocodile

The Crocodile from Peter Pan is not a character you see frequently walking around the Park. This recently acquired September 1962 shot shows Captain’s arch nemesis hanging around Fantasyland near the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant.

Digging back through the archives I also found this shot from July 1962 which includes Peter Pan:

The Crocodile was also part of the show “Fantasmic!” on the Rivers of America:

I captured this daylight shot of the croc awaiting the night to fall:

While looking through my collection I came across this previously posted March 1968 gem of Mr. Smee:

The highlight for me though is the lady with towering bouffant hairdo in the background and the nails for days!

See more Disneyland Character photos at my main website.

Ride-Thru: Peter Pan

Peter Pan's Flight is my favorite dark ride, but because of the long lines, the one I ride the least. As luck would have it, I was able to board a magic pirate ship and enjoy this attraction on a recent visit. Here are a few shots from that journey.



A teasing glimpse from the queue of the magic that lies ahead.



The queue mural:



Sailing into the dark, the revamped nursery scene is the first thing that we see.



What a fantastic feeling when you soar over London



and then over Neverland:



Drama! A thrilling fight between Captain Hook and Peter Pan.





A happy ending occurs quickly as our heroes (and heroines) fly home on a magic pirate ship:



Mermaids - could it get any more magical?



More Peter Pan dark ride magic at my main website.

Hook in New Orleans Square

Another October 1968 shows Captain Hook in New Orleans Square at Disneyland.

Again, the fun part of this image is in the background details. Can you imagine what the two stuffed shirts are saying? Even more importantly, what is the chap in the red shirt doing on the ground with the recording device? Inquiring minds NEED to know.



Here's a comparison shot of how Hook looks in the Park today, shot at the Plaza Inn Character Breakfast:



See more Disney Characters at Disneyland by visiting my main website

Paint the Night

A little over a month ago I finally had the opportunity to see the Paint the Night Parade. I am not a huge parade person, so it really has to blow me away to get me to watch it repeatedly. So far, the only Disneyland parade that has flipped my switch is Soundsational. Paint the Night is enjoyable, but I won't be fighting the crowds to see it again. Here are some shots from that chilly November evening.



Plenty of Peter Pan:



and Tinker Bell, too.



Tigger:



The Genie from Aladdin:



A ton-o-Pixar:









A little break with King Triton and Ariel:



and then right back to Pixar:





No Disney parade would be complete without a little Princess action:





Surprise! There's a float for Frozen:



Between Star Wars and Frozen, it's hard to pick which one I am more tired of having crammed down my throat. Must appeal to masses…must appeal to masses...



And then the classic characters, such as Donald:



Minnie:



And naturally, Mickey Mouse himself!





More Paint the Night photos at my main website.

The Coolest Skull

I have become pretty jaded about many vintage Disneyland shots. It has to be a really cool one to get my attention any more. This November 1964 image reached out and grabbed me by the throat. This is definitely the best closeup Skull Rock Cove shot I have in my collection. I don't believe it was shot from the Skyway, but rather from the Pirate Ship itself.



This little area behind the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant in Fantasyland was like an undiscovered treasure. Tucked away between the Ship and Casey Junior, it not only provided eats it also provided a well-themed getaway.

Here's a previously posted shot from March 1965 giving a better overall view of the area.



More Skull Rock Cove photos at my main website.

Peter Pan and Cinderella on Main Street

One of the highlights of the 60th Anniversary at Disneyland have been the revitalized windows of the Main Street Emporium. The two scenes that have been installed so far are for Peter Pan and Cinderella. The Peter Pan scenes give a nice teaser to the attraction in Fantasyland. The star thingy in the background still baffles me; it just doesn't seem to fit. I will need to get out the original animated film to see how it matches.



Plenty of detail to keep the eye busy as you marvel over the miniature scenes and figures.



Nana the dog is not receiving much benefit from Tinker Bell's pixie dust since her leash keeps her grounded.



The nursery scene:



A dresser on the left of the scene:



Zooming in for a closer look:



It wasn't until I zoomed in that I noticed the fiber optic lights along the wall acting as Tinker Bell's pixie dust.



These two shots from 2008 show the vintage felt figures that previously served as the window displays for Peter Pan and Cinderella:





The Cinderella scene today, where you can see our heroine and her Prince waltzing the night away:



Jaq and Gus the mice are doing their own little dance:



A garden fountain:



Castle details:



In the background, you can catch a glimpse of the alternate Cinderella scene showing Fairy Godmother transforming Cinderella into her ball gown attire. The effect wasn't working that day so I will have to rephotograph it on another visit.



Overall, I think the windows are beautiful. Some of the special effects may be a bit modern for vintage Main Street, U.S.A. but that hasn’t stopped the Disney Corporation from making other decisions so who am I to say anything. The felt figures still have their charms, though. Perhaps the whiz-bang-wow style windows would be more in place in Fantasyland and not on turn-of-the-century Main Street. Just my 2 cents.

More Emporium Window photos at my main website.