Nature's Wonderland on a Friday

I’m a little late to the game today (hey, it's a holiday at work, so cut me some slack!), but figured I'd make up for it with a nice collection of 1960’s Nature's Wonderland images. The first one is from 1960, and I'm going to zoom in for a closer look at an area that guests were only able to see if they were on the Pack Mule attraction:



Wouldn't it be great to offer a hotel stay at the Rainbow Ridge Hotel? Guests are attempting to stay dry as they journey beneath the falls of Cascade Peak:



The rest of today's shots are from September 1964, presented (of course) in the order that they were taken. Four years later, and guests are still trying to stay drive!



How about a closeup of the cab?



Two shots of the Devil’s Paint Pots:



An unexpected geyser! Ain’t nature grand?



Last one shows the Mine Train at the Rainbow Ridge station:



See more vintage Mine Train/Nature’s Wonderland 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.

Nature's Wonderland, May 1960

A few May 1960 shots of the Nature's Wonderland attraction, which was replaced by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster. First up is the engine for your Mine Train attraction trip through the wonders of Bear Country, Beaver Valley, the Living Desert, and Rainbow Caverns. When these shots were taken, the improved/upgraded attraction had just reopened.

Here are a few of Rainbow Ridge, which is currently in the process of being completely rebuilt.





Zooming in for the General Store:



and for the wash, hanging out on the line to dry:



Riding through the Living Desert:



The Devil's Paint Pots in the foreground:



Zooming in, it appears that a cast member is doing a bit of maintenance work:



See more vintage Disneyland Nature's Wonderland attraction photos on my Nature's Wonderland web page.

Frontierland Rarities, Pt. 3

A few new and a few old shots highlighting the Nature's Wonderland attraction in Frontierland. I believe the first few shots here are from 1957.

Keep me far away from that rattler!



An interesting Stagecoach shot.



Two little boys are shirtless and on top of that, there's a sign in the muddy area at left. Wish I knew what was on it!



A trio of Rainbow Ridge views for you; so glad this area is still (basically) intact today!







Moving up a decade, this trio of images from June 1972 shows the Mine Train...



The Pack Mules...



and the Mine Train coming back around after a journey. You can also see a few tables from Casa de Fritos under the brightly colored umbrellas on the right.



Rounding out this post are a few July 1974 images of the NW attraction itself:







Two of the little geysers in the Devil's Paint Pots area:





See more vintage Nature's Wonderland photos on my Nature's Wonderland web page.