Hump Day On A Stagecoach

How about a ride on a Stagecoach for Hump Day? I can’t think of any better way to cruise into midweek than hopping aboard this unpredictable mode of transportation that once was available at Disneyland’s Frontierland. This view is from 1957. I’ve said it before, and obviously, here it comes again…it is so wild to see guests sitting on top of the coach, not even buckled in. AND THEY SURVIVED!!! Forget global warming; how about global stupidity? Yup…somehow people have become exponentially less intelligent as our computers and devices have increased their complexity.

A closeup of the art on the side of this coach:

This August 1958 shows the coach barreling through the Nature’s Wonderland scenery:

While it can feel safe and comforting to have everything taken care of for you on a vacation, there is something thrilling about the unexpected. Today, the Park sure could use a few more of these thrilling unexpected attractions.

See more Disneyland Stagecoach photos at my main website.

Audie Murphy Goes To Disneyland, Pt. 5

I really wish the stagecoach was still at Disneyland. Lots of photos today showing Audie Murphy and his family getting ready to board one of those vehicles to tour Frontierland. P.S.: Don't mess with the angry gent on the left!

A closeup of the driver and his badge:

Is that Sheriff Lucky, making sure the Murphy family is able to board safely?

Vintage signage, bestill my heart!

See more vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos at my main website.

Stagecoach Saturday

I haven't posted on a weekend for a long time, but for the sake alliteration, I’ll make an exception today. This 1950s shot shows the Stagecoach at Disneyland which went belly-up after only a few years.



If only the negative had been a bit sharper; I really dig this detailed shot of the cast member sitting on the wooden fence.



THIS negative from the same batch is much more satisfying!



It’s got signage…



retro fashion…



and is this where the past meets the present? That’s either a telephone pole in the background or a pylon for the Skyway.



See more vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos at my main website.

A Stagecoach in Frontierland

Today’s image was completely dated; I love when that happens. Taken on July 13, 1957, this shot shows one of the Disneyland Rainbow Mountain Stagecoaches in Frontierland. In the background you can see guests riding the Pack Mules. All kinds of movement in ol’ Frontierland!

Zooming in, you can see why this attraction only lasted a few years. Prone to tipping over (not a surprise when you see all the guests piled on top!). Today’s Disney legal team would be having a heart attack over this one.



See more vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos at my main website.

Frontierland On A Monday

November 14, 1957...on a day much like what Southern California is currently experiencing...overcast, possibly a bit wet...I present to you: FRONTIERLAND!! Closer...



and closer! The lonely security guard just wanders through an empty Frontierland. You can just barely see the corner of the Pepsi Cola banner at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.



LOVE this overhead shot of the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction with the Conestoga Wagon and Stagecoach in the foreground.



Westward Ho!



See more Disneyland Frontierland photos at my main website.

A Stagecoach for Thanksgiving

To all who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving! And for those who don’t...we can all still be thankful for the many blessings we have. Today is a medley of vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos, beginning with this 1950s classic. Digging the cast member name tag!



Oh to ride on the back of a Stagecoach at Disneyland without a seatbelt. This teen was able to do that back in 1956.



Two consecutive shots from August 1959. I don’t know if the cool composition with the paper hat in the foreground was intentional or not, but I’ll go ahead and give snaps to the photographer anyway.



Stagecoach Number 5; not to be confused with Chanel.



See more vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos at my main website.

Journey Back To 1956

I'm back. I know my blog has been spotty lately, but I have been traveling, exploring, and all kinds of other things that you probably have no interest in that have prevented me from posting. I return today with a few images from a set of 21 consecutive 1956 Disneyland slides. Naturally I will be presenting them in chronological order; is there any other way? We'll start out with a few snoozers and work our way up to the big finish.

It is always interesting (to me at least) to see the Castle without the crest above the entrance.



I know...zzzzzzzzz. But for this man in 1956, it was probably pretty exciting to be visiting Disneyland during its initial year of being open.



A glimpse of Frontierland. I wish I could have grabbed this guy's camera and taken the photos myself!



This shot of the waterway between Adventureland and Frontierland is a bit more interesting!



A somewhat contemporary shot from 2012 for comparison:



Over at the Pack Mule attraction, which is where Big Thunder Mountain Railroad currently resides.



While we're at it, here's a shot of the Pack Mules from 1958/59.



Get a load of the little girl's hat; she got plenty of shade with that!



Back to 1956 we finally get to one of the images that I was most excited to acquire. This BAM shot of a Frontierland Stagecoach:



A detail of the art on the door:



The unloading of the Coach:



A detailed view:



Last one for today shows a barren Rivers of America with a Stagecoach meandering along the edge:





More vintage (and current!) Disneyland images at my main website.

Arizona Stagecoach

The Stagecoaches at Disneyland had an approximate five year run at the Park, beginning in 1955. This lovely young guest poses before the Arizona Coach. A detailed view of the artwork on the door:



This undated view is from approximately 1956…or so.

Hop aboard my main website for more vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos.

Santa Barbara Mission and The Disneyland Stagecoach

This May 1955 image shows the Mission Santa Barbara, which was founded on December 4th, 1786. It was the tenth of twenty-one California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. Over time three adobe churches were constructed on the grounds, each larger than the one before until the fourth and present church was built in 1820. Flash forward to 2002 and you can see this comparison image that I shot during my first visit there:



Walt paid homage to the Mission with the decoration of one of his stagecoaches, which was named The California.



It featured an illustration of the Mission on its door:



This 1955 Disneyland Stagecoach photo shows it in color:



Zeroing in for a closer look:



Just a little closer:



Two more 1950's shots of the California Coach:





The Arizona Stagecoach had a picture that looked worthy of a John Ford western:



The closeup view:



This December 1955 shot gives an even better view of the Arizona's illustration:





Which one would you rather ride in?

See more vintage & current Daveland Santa Barbara photos from my collection on my main website.