Mine Train Monday

Let’s travel back to a time in Disneyland history when attractions promoted other attractions…where they overlapped each other, affording guests previews and teasers of what they could experience on their next adventure. Welcome to the Nature's Wonderland Mine Train, circa March 1973. The Mine Train is circling around Cascade Peak (with a view of the Rivers of America on the opposite side), on its way through a tunnel that will take them back to the Rainbow Ridge. I included this detailed view of the cast member in case one of my readers knew him.



The next consecutive shot from March 1973 shows the same Mine Train, a bit farther along in its journey.



I am assuming these were shot aboard either the Mark Twain or the Columbia.



This June 1971 image shows the little town of Rainbow Ridge. To the left is the Pack Mule attraction, which had about two more years left before it was removed.



Another view of the Mine Train and Cascade Peak, circa March 1976:



When this shot was taken, the Mine Train only had about a year left before it was shut down for the construction of Big Thunder Mountain. This cast member must have known his days were numbered; he’s not waving.



An undated shot of Rainbow Ridge:



The Christmas Star atop the Matterhorn at least tells us the time of year.



See more Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland Mine Train photos at my main website.

Friday at the Falls

Another September 1964 shot taken by a guest about to travel under the thundering falls of Cascade Peak. No longer at Disneyland, this beautiful mountain became part of a deferred maintenance disaster and ended up being torn down. Here’s a previously posted shot from July 1963 of the Mine Train taken from the Mark Twain:



When the paths of two transportation sources crossed at the Park, it added a beautiful energy. Today, with the loss of the Mine Train, The PeopleMover, and the Skyway, this energy has been diminished.

Just look at those falls! From May 1963:



See more Nature's Wonderland photos at my main website.

True Love at Nature's Wonderland?

What a wonderful photo; this one has it all. Bright vivid colors, happy cast members, a young guest with Mouse Ears, and a beloved attraction.

Anybody know Lee & Harry? I wonder if these two were married to each other? Either way, Harry seems to be pledging something to Lee when this photo was snapped.



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

Disneyland, March 1957, Pt. 2

Welcome back to March 1957! The Mine Train is just leaving the loading area for another adventure through the desert and the caverns of Rainbow Mountain. At this stage in time, the train was named The Rainbow Mountain Railroad (thus the RMRR on the side—pure genius, huh?). Can you believe the El Dorado Hotel is still in business? Check it out next time you are on Big Thunder Mountain! Or just look at the next photo if you can't make it to Anaheim:



Back to 1957, here's another angle from the same batch of photos:



I love this point-of-view shot taken from the Stagecoach; almost like you were there. Unfortunately, this attraction 86'ed by 1960:



This photo gives a great view of the Mark Twain dock as well as an overview of the town of Rainbow Ridge (with that newfangled Skyway contraption in the background):



This shot has me baffled; Fort Wilderness can be seen here, but I can't figure out what the construction going on in the left-hand corner would be.



Zooming in, hopefully some Disneyland Geek smarter than me can figure this one out:



Last one for today is a closeup of Fort Wilderness. Looks like landscaping is busy beautifying the grounds with some new trees.



Congrats to my 5 Year Anniversary Winners! Mark Taft took home 1st place, with Jed & Richard coming in 2nd place with 8x10 photos from the Daveland collection. Thanks to everyone for participating!

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Frontierland photos at my main website.

December 1963: Frontierland

This colorful batch of December 1963 images starts out with my favorite faux-wooden Indian. This building has seen some minor changes over the years:



Our photographer hung out at the Mark Twain Dock, and then took a few shots around the Rivers of America.



Have I ever stated how much I miss Cascade Peak?





The bright colors of Rainbow Ridge and The Mine Train practically leap off the page:



Zooming in to see Jeremiah Colt's shop and The Nature's Wonderland Railroad:



I dare you to try to take that ticketbook out of this guy's pocket...I double dare ya!



See more Disneyland Frontierland photos at my main website.

July 1972: Frontierland

I’m going to take another stab at the before/after format with this batch of July 1972 Frontierland photos, beginning with the Frontierland/New Orleans Square Depot.

And from May 2007, minus the Santa Fe logo:



The Ernest S. Marsh pulls into the station...



Almost 40 years later, still doing the same thing, but this time with a little more steam:



A similar contemporary angle with the C.K. Holiday:



This one is beyond duplication, as both the Nature's Wonderland Train and Cascade Peak are gone:



This is a similar angle, with lots of foliage covering the missing elements:





The Columbia, aka “The Floating Skillet,” still takes guests around the Rivers of America:





Have you all checked out the Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 Blu-ray release yet? One of the amazing bonus features is the Disney/Dali collaboration of “Destino.” The documentary about how it came to be (clocking in at over an hour) is fascinating all by itself. To watch “Destino,” pieced together almost 60 years later after it was initially storyboarded is a revelation. I also love the fact that they used the original vintage recording of “Destino” instead of re-recording it to remove the vintage surface noise.

Here’s Salvador Dali checking out the Lilly Belle in Walt’s backyard:



A frame from the original test animation created by John Hench for “Destino”:



See more Disneyland Frontierland photos at my main website.

B&W, March 4, 1959

Even in a photo devoid of color, you can find some cool things to marvel at! Feast your eyes on this shot of The Rainbow Mountain Railroad with the Matterhorn under construction in the background!

The wheel of the Old Mill on Tom Sawyer’s Island just keeps turning...kind of like Ol’ Man River!



The fishing pier of Tom Sawyer’s Island has a few customers; today, I’d be afraid to eat anything that came from the Rivers of America!



The C.K. Holliday is cruising through the Frontierland Depot, waaaaay before New Orleans Square and the Haunted Mansion came into being:



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Early 1950’s Black & White, pt. 6: Nature’s Wonderland

A trio of shots today from the Nature’s Wonderland Attraction. First up is a unique view of the town of Rainbow Ridge. Anybody care for a haircut from "Doc" Sutter? Good to know that the Barber Shop is still in business today at Big Thunder Mountain:



Engine #3 is pulling into the loading area for shot #2:



In this shot of the Pack Mules, you can kinda’ make out a Conestoga Wagon on the left side in the background. Those little kids are having the time of their lives.



See more Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my regular website.