Wonderland Wednesday

Before there was Big Thunder Mountain, there was the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train. What it lacked in speed it more than compensated with thrills. The above undated 1950s shot shows Mineral Hall on the right, where the Black Light Corporation of America had a little display inside.



Behind the post you can see the original name of the attraction, before it became The Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland in 1960.



Another undated 1950s image with a great view of the original Rainbow Ridge mining town. While scale would have proved a problem, wouldn’t it have been great if the Barber Shop, Hardware Store, and Hotel were truly in operation for guests?



Zooming in for a look at the souvenir bag, which is not familiar to me, while the booklet in the gent’s suit pocket is.



It’s the back cover of the 1956 Guidebook:



The next consecutive shot shows a Rainbow Ridge bulletin board:



While I can’t believe a guest shot this back in 1956, I am so grateful!



Another undated (but most likely 1956-57) view of Rainbow Ridge, but this time the train is at the station:



I see three cameras (where are those photos/slides now?) and a popcorn bucket!



See more vintage Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my main website.

Vintage Frontierland Panorama

By taking these two November 1956 vintage Disneyland Frontierland photos and combining them with some computer magic...



we get this lovely panoramic view of Frontierland's Mineral Hall. Very shortly, the area to the right would become the home of Casa de Fritos.



Here's a detailed view of the Mineral Hall storefront:



And a detail of the signage:



Finally, a contemporary comparison shot of what is now the Rancho del Zocalo restaurant:



More vintage (and contemporary!) Frontierland photos at my main website.

30¢ For the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train

Although it no longer exists, The Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction still lives on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to enjoy it during the first few years of the park. Debuting on July 2, 1956, it existed where the current Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction now operates. So, let's gather up our 30¢ ticket and travel back in time to experience it again courtesy of the Daveland archives!



This vintage panoramic view shows both the Pack Mule and Mine Train attractions, which both saw much of the same scenery on their journeys.



In this July 1959 shot we get a closer view of the Rainbow Ridge Mining town:



Another 1959 view:



Looks like the guests were able to enjoy a little live music while waiting in line:



We have now boarded our Mine Train and are on our way to the Rainbow Desert, circa August 7, 1957:



November 1958:



Summer 1959:



A May 1958 photo shows a cast member giving his attraction narration; the next three images were shot sequentially by our vintage photographer:





The Devil's Paint Pots:



Anyone know what this little structure is?





Another November 1958 image, showing a little Frontierland layering with the Conestoga Wagon nearby:



The Seven Dwarfs were honored with this cacti tribute:







The highlight of the attraction was the journey through the colorful (albeit dark) Rainbow Caverns, shown here in two vintage publicity images:





Back to Rainbow Ridge:



Watch out for those explosives!



Hope you enjoyed your trip and felt that your 30¢ was well spent! Want more? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of Nature's Wonderland at Disneyland.