Three Cheers for Beachgal!

Daveland reader Beachgal was kind enough to send me two photos and accompanying backstory. Seems like she has many fond memories of visiting Disneyland during its early years. As she recalls:

"I had lots of fun times growing up in the Southland - I remember very well meeting Walt Disney at Disneyland in '55 and again in '56 and getting to shake his hand. I also remember meeting Annette and other Mouseketeers at Disneyland in 1956. Annette made a lot of appearances to sign autographs at various Broadway Department stores around the Southland in those first early years as a Mouseketeer. Tim Considine and David Stollery also made appearences at Disneyland in 1956 after they had made such a hit that first year on "Spin & Marty." I had my photo taken with Tim on one of those appearances.

"The High School I went to was Mira Costa in Manhattan Beach; we were known as the Mustangs and our high school was often referred to as MiCoHi. The first photo here is from 1964 and shows the MiCoHi Yell Leaders near the Frontierland Gates.

"This second photo (from our 1963 school yearbook) shows the girl flag team atop the Nautilus submarine in Tomorrowland.



"Disneyland used to invite different High School spirit teams and some local other non paid/non professional teams like baton/tumbling to appear in the park for a day. I seem to recall a few glee singing groups too. There were no competitions for this, it was all by invite from Disneyland management. I recall a lot of excitement 'round the Southland about who would get invited next. The troupes never appeared at a formal entertainment venue in the park like Carnation Plaza Gardens, but instead were just set up in open areas and they rotated to a few different spots during the day.

"My cousin was in High School when the park opened and I recall her being envious that this program was not going when she had been a High School yell leader. I think it started in the late 1950s around the time Annette began to make movies like "The Shaggy Dog." I also remember seeing various troupes there, running around in their uniforms and performing; as a kid, I was sort of envious because they seemed so much cooler than I was, being able to run around in cool uniforms AND without their parents close by!"

Many thanks to Beachgal for sharing today!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my main website.

June 25, 1966: Pt. 2

Let’s spend a little time on the Submarine Voyage, back when the entire attraction had more of a military theme. The first few views include details of the fabulous Mermaids...let’s bring ’em back...I’m sure Nemo wouldn’t mind. I believe this was the final summer that the Mermaids graced the lagoon.





Who ever thought there’d be a picture of George Washington with Mermaids?!?



A little underwater scenery:



And a few bonus present-day photos. Here’s Tinkerbell flying over the Castle during the fireworks spectacular:







I could make a joke about blue flame, but out of respect for Tink, I’ll refrain.



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A little Submarine Action

Today I am posting a variety of Sub photos; and unlike the new Nemo attraction, there is no line to view these! 1 undated b&w Sub shot of the George Washington, and 2 color views from October 1963. Looks like they had to call in a motorboat for either a rescue operation or a repair!





I’ll throw in a fourth for good measure, this one from July 1961. That water is just radiating green goodness...or else I’m a little off in my color correction!



On a more serious note, I hope all my Southern California neighbors here are surviving the horrible fires here and not suffering any loss. It is scary how many people I know have been evacuated with little end in sight to this disaster.

See more vintage Disneyland Submarine photos at my main website.