1990s 3D: Pinocchio's Daring Journey!

In May 1983, all of the Fantasyland dark rides at Disneyland were given new Tudor-style exteriors and the insides were completely revamped. Pinocchio was a new addition, joining Snow White, Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, and Alice in Wonderland. In 1995, a photographer from Glenview, Illinois, took his 3D camera to Disneyland and captured these amazing shots. You rarely see vintage interior shots of a ride, let alone in 3D. It was necessary to put these in Genuine FauxD© to capture that three-dimensional feeling. Sue, I know you’ll love these! First, we see what happens when Pinocchio tells a lie:



Over at Pleasure Island, the little boys enjoy a ride on the carousel:



Gideon and J. Worthington Foulfellow are up to no good:



Jiminy Cricket descends upon the scene:



Gepetto looks for Pinocchio:



Back home safe and sound, Pinocchio is about to be transformed into a real little boy.



This must have been a favorite scene of the photographer’s; he took two shots.



More 1995 Genuine FauxD© to come!

See more Disneyland Pinocchio's Daring Journey photos at my main website.

Trip to Disneyland, May 1964

This collection of images was shot May 1964, the month and year I entered this Universe. In the background are three military men; one is smoking a cigarette, visible in this closeup (along with the little boy falling asleep while he drinks his coke!):



It looks like the family was having lunch at the Red Wagon Inn, now known as the Plaza Inn. A Reuben with mustard?



The adorable little girl is getting her Vitamin D with a nice carton of Carnation milk.



Care to see the pasteurization offices and plants? Of course you do.



Mama takes baby girl for a spin on King Arthur’s Carrousel:



Here’s the original mock-up for the proposed color scheme for this horse from 1955:



How it looked circa 2012:



Back to May 1964, the little boys are ready for a flight to Neverland:



A closeup of the bored operator, the two little devil boys in red, and the control panel. I wonder what the “G” on the hats stood for?



A spin around Fantasyland on the Midget Autopia:



Let’s take a closer look at the vehicle:



The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse wasn’t quite two years old when these images were taken:







The last shot of the bunch is the saddest of all; time to board the Tram to head home. Until next time!



See more photos at my main website.

Sneak Preview

No time for a real post today, so here's a sneak preview of what (I hope) I'll be posting tomorrow.

More vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Pinocchio's Daring Journey

Pinocchio's Daring Journey is a dark ride that doesn't get a lot of love here; today I will attempt to rectify that with photos from my last ride through.

Get into your vehicle and awaaaaaay we go!



Welcome to Stromboli's Puppet Theatre!



The happy faces you see…



hide the evil Stromboli that runs the show.



Jiminy Cricket attempts to warn Pinocchio.



But to no avail. He enters Pleasure Island anyway.



Looks good so far, doesn't it?



Do you think it's buttered?



Things start to get a little seedier...



and then the truth is revealed.





Watch out for Monstro!



Jiminy Cricket returns to the scene.



The Blue Fairy arrives to make it all right.



Our last vision of Pinocchio shows him as a puppet still. No real boy on this attraction.



Last shot of Jiminy Cricket.



To grainy to get a good view of his medal.



A few closing shots of Gepetto's Workshop.





The exit mural:



Hope you enjoyed your ride through!

More of the wooden boy that became human on my main website.

Fantasyland Snow White Mural

Today's vintage March 1966 photo is somewhat of a Holy Grail for me. This is probably the best image I have of the original Fantasyland Snow White's Adventures Dark Ride queue mural. Ok, ok…before the fanatics crucify me, yes, I am aware that by 1966 there were probably a few layers of retouch paint that covered up the Claude Coats original, but it's still amazing that a guest would take a shot like this during that time period.

Compare with this black and white 1955 shot:



A closeup of the 1966 version:



Get more Disneyland Snow White at my main website.

Off To Neverland 6.0 Pt. 2

I know I am in the minority, but I was not as "wowed" as I thought I would be when I took a spin on the newly refurbished Peter Pan's Flight. I can't quite put my finger on it, but unlike the Alice dark ride, this one just doesn't seem to have integrated the new digital effects as well.



It's cool to see the pixie dust effect in the nursery, but it now makes the static nature of the children seem odd.



I did like how it now appears that you are following Tinker Bell's light as you soar over London.



What I didn't like was how bright all of the tiny lights below seemed. For whatever reason, it killed the magic feeling I used to get as the ship sailed over London and Big Ben. The red lights seem much brighter; what the heck at that time would show up as a bright red light in the sky?



A closer look at Big Ben:



and a closer view of the Hidden Mickey:



On all the lights below, it just seemed like a lot of noise. Too too much.



And then there was some kind of digital effect on the wall that looked like something from Star Trek; I didn't capture it this time, but whatever it was, it just did not seem to have any place on this attraction. Call me stupid…I just didn't understand the need for it. Flying over Neverland was fun though; the digital effects here are integrated in a way that is subtle and enhances the scene.



The new rippling water effects around Tiger Lily are also effective - yay!



I didn't notice much new in the Walk the Plank scene.



Still cool…still difficult to photograph!



Poor little Wendy looks mighty scared.



Have no fear; the gang is sailing home as soon as you round the next corner.



The digital effects are nice here, but the little fiber optics coming out of Tinker Bell's hand look cheap now.



Another tough scene to catch as your ship zips by. Time to invest in a new lens!



I did enjoy all the instances of the digital water.



Again, I know I am in the minority. Overall it seems like most are very happy with this refurbishment. While I still rank this as one of the best Fantasyland dark rides, I would have to say that I now put it much closer to Alice and Snow White.



More photos of the refurbished Peter Pan's Flight at my main website.