Trip to Central Plaza

What better way to get from Town Square to Central Plaza than the Omnibus? This double-decker bus is a very nearly authentic reproduction of Fifth Avenue busses which were the main mode of transportation in turn-of-the-century New York. Only one authentic part, an old electric klaxon horn, is used. The drop frame chassis is from a modern-day truck, and the bus has both power steering and power brakes. Studio designers took a few liberties with the height and seating to provide greater comfort, safety, and convenience for the guests. In photo one, you can see the Omnibus parked in Town Square, circa July 1958, with an ad for the new Grand Canyon Diorama on the light post in the background.



At our destination, The Omnibus parks in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in this 1950's image.



Zooming in to see the details:



Perhaps you'd like to stop at the Plaza Pavillion for a bite to eat?



Or to enjoy these three ladies on their fiddles with an accordion accompaniment?



All good things must come to an end, and it is now time to take our Omnibus back to Town Square, as seen in this July 1964 photo:



See more vintage Disneyland Central Plaza photos on my Central Plaza web pages.

Revisiting The Skyway

I recently acquired a batch of 1962 Disneyland photos for one reason only: the Skyway shot that opens up this post. I have very few memories of riding the Skyway at Disneyland other than the fact that the buckets kept moving and my stress over stepping out at the right time (I have similar phobias about escalators!). This is one of the few (if only) images I've seen that captures a guest getting off this attraction.

The rest of the photos from this grouping are somewhat less than stellar but still fun, including this shot of the Motor Boat Cruise which makes me wonder what happened to the movie this guy was shooting.



All aboard the Mark Twain!



Eating at the Plaza Pavillion:



Hanging out in Fantasyland:



And a final one showing the Monorail:



See more vintage and current Disneyland Skyway photos on my Skyway web page.

Disneyland in Glorious B&W, 1955, Pt. 10 & Park Update

Although the Tahitian Terrace concept was still about 7 years away, even in 1955 there was somewhat of a Tiki/Hawaiian theme to the Pavillion Terrance Restaurant that provided guests with a view of the Jungle Cruise. Back on Main Street, it’s Frontierland-meets-Main Street when a sherrif asks a Keystone Kop for the time. Note the Intimate Apparel shop in the background, aka "The Wizard of Bras."





Now a few photos from trip over the weekend which was prompted by the release of Olszewski’s Dumbo sculpture. This guy continues to amaze me with his artistry and the way that he captures so much detail in such a tiny scale (Z scale).







And in his series of miniature gallery lightboxes, here’s his take on the Enchanted Tiki Room:



As soon as I waded through the release line at Disneyana for Dumbo, I rushed over to the castle to get a few shots. That Diorama is just too cool not to check out again; and yes, I had missed some details the first time around. The "flickering" candles in the chandelier:



A few of the goons:





This detail shot is just another example of the fantastic use of color & lighting to create the mood of each diorama:



Speaking of details; with all the times that I have visited the park, you would think that there is very little that I haven’t seen. However, as I was waiting for the Columbia to come to the dock, I noticed the descriptive signs for the flags flying overhead. Disneyland may not be a museum, but I do love the edutainment portion of the park.






I guess even audio-animatronic figures need a bathbroom break, as the shaman has apparently left for a little while. Quite a few of the figures in Pirates of the Caribbean were also missing during my ride on Saturday.



Lunch was at Rancho del Zocala; I really love the decor in here, especially the stained glass. This is detailing at a level that you would rarely see at a restaurant such as this.





I am also happy to report that small world is just as obnoxious as I remember it; however, I must admit that it sure does look fantastic. Everything is in working order and it looks better than it has in years. Got a kick out of my friends calling the new boats The Rubbermaid Boats.







That’s it for today. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

Disneyland, October ’59, Pt. 4

As we spin around the Central Plaza area, our October 1959 photographer tries to pick which land to go to first (always a difficult decision!). On the way, we get a shot of the Matterhorn & The Monsanto House of the Future.



Over in Adventureland, we get the BACK side of the Adventureland sign!



Compare with this present day view:



Back to 1959, we see the backside of the Pavillion Restaurant, themed to Adventureland, before it became the Tahitian Terrace:



And would you believe...only ONE Jungle Cruise shot...and it’s not of the Hippos!



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

For a low-key film from the makers of "Sideways,” check out “Smart People,” starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker (in a nice departure from her role in "Sex and the City," and Thomas Haden Church (who pretty much steals the movie from the other 2).