Monday with a Crocodile

The Crocodile from Peter Pan is not a character you see frequently walking around the Park. This recently acquired September 1962 shot shows Captain’s arch nemesis hanging around Fantasyland near the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant.

Digging back through the archives I also found this shot from July 1962 which includes Peter Pan:

The Crocodile was also part of the show “Fantasmic!” on the Rivers of America:

I captured this daylight shot of the croc awaiting the night to fall:

While looking through my collection I came across this previously posted March 1968 gem of Mr. Smee:

The highlight for me though is the lady with towering bouffant hairdo in the background and the nails for days!

See more Disneyland Character photos 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.

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This, Pt. 2

Reversing the way I typically do things, today's post starts off with the closeup. Captain Hook looks as if he's having one of those days in this November 1971 photo.

Pulling back, you can see that the Chicken of the Sea sponsorship is no more and that this faux-floating vessel is now known as Captain Hook's Pirate Ship Restaurant.



Select from Seafood Sandwiches, Salad, Desserts, and Hot & Cold Beverages.



Maybe Captain Hook was upset because sales were down. It's hard to compete with a mermaid carrying a wand!

See more vintage Disneyland Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant photos on my main website.

Chicken of the Sea Under Construction and HOF Letter

When the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant first opened in Fantasyland, there was barely enough time to put paint on the structure itself. In fact, painting wasn't even completed until after Opening Day.

Five years later, Walt decided to "plus" the area around the ship by adding a larger body of water and the amazing Skull Rock Cove. These first two photos show the construction walls and some of the work that occurred in 1960 for this expansion.



Walt sure seems happy watching the Chicken of the Sea Mermaid prepare to crack the ceremonial bottle on the ship during the unveiling festivities, December 23, 1960:





The ship may have been sponsored by Chicken of the Sea, but Walt also managed to get his own tie-in by branding the Peter Pan characters to the area as well. Here Captain Hook, Peter Pan, and Mr. Smee exit out the back of the Ship towards Skull Rock Cove, August 1966:





A sharp-eyed Daveland reader sent a link to an auction from PBA Galleries featuring a thank you letter from Walt related to the opening of the Monsanto House of the Future:



Here's a shot from Opening Day, with an accompanying detailed view:





If you have a spare $500-1000, you might want to bid!

See more vintage Disneyland Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship photos on my Chicken of the Sea web page.

Disneyland, February 1971

I know there are a few 70’s fans out there, so just for you, I am going to devote a few days to one of my least favorite decades. And I can say that, cause I was there for every year of that polyester era. Today we spend a little time in Fantasyland, starting off with a view of small world, currently undergoing a refurbishment, due to open in approximately one month. If you weren’t sure it was the 70’s, you’d know in shot #2 by the decidedly funky type-style choice for the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. Mr. Smee is visiting with us today.



For this cherished view of Skull Rock Cove, I promise not to lament again the passing of this area of Fantasyland. Not one word from me. I promise.



Before we leave Fantasyland, let’s take another look at the Matterhorn, taken from the Tomorrowland side.



Come back tomorrow and spend some time over in Frontierland, ya hear? See more vintage & current Fantasyland photos at my regular website.