Chicken of the Sea Christening

If you’ve been on my website, you've probably seen this shot from the christening of the new and improved Chicken of the Sea Restaurant at Disneyland which included the Skull Rock Lagoon. Recently I was contacted by somebody who pointed out that I had misidentified the gentlemen surrounding Walt, who are Gilbert Van Camp Jr. and Gilbert Van Camp Sr.

Why would I listen to some know-it-all who contacts me out of the blue? Because he was there that day! John Copeland is the lucky little boy, standing with his father Glenn Copeland. Note the Lucky Strike cigarettes in Walt's hands.



The other correction John gave me was that the "character" in this shot often referred to as Peg Leg Pete was actually known as Captain Guy. “He had lost his leg during the Korean War. One of the duties of the crew who worked the restaurant was to keep the decks mopped so that anything that was spilled on them would not cause Captain Guy to slip and fall. Unfortunately that happened more than Guy liked. He loved being around the kids.”



Many thanks to John Copeland for contacting me and sharing this way cool photo!

See more vintage Disneyland Chicken of the Sea photos at my main website.

Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Rededication

December 23, 1960: The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant was rechristened when the area that it resided in was “plussed.” Here you can see the COTS Mermaid christening the vessel with...champagne at Disneyland?!? Or maybe just a bottle of sparkling apple juice! Looking on with smiles (and possibly one grimace) are Gilbert Van Camp Jr., Walt (as in Disney), and Gilbert Van Camp Sr. Afterwards, you would have thought it was a Madonna concert judging by the crowds of people hungry to get inside. Okay, so I exaggerate just a tad. Knowing about those Tuna Salad Boats inside, I am sure they were at least hungry.



So what was added you ask? Originally, the Ship was anchored in barely enough water to surround it; nothing fancy at all, as can be seen in this October 1956 Skyway view:



Here’s a November 1960 construction shot showing the area being renovated:



Last but not least, here is an October 1969 shot showing the upgraded Skull Rock Cove and seating area that turned this spot of Fantasyland into a lovely area to rest, relax, and eat:



To see more vintage Chicken of the Sea photos, visit my website.