Floating through the Matterhorn, 1980

Disneyland newbies probably don’t know this, but at one time you could “float” through the Matterhorn attraction in a Skyway bucket. Oops…those newbies might not even know that you could travel from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland in the air, looking over the guests and attractions while doing so. Ah…those were the days. These June 1980 images were taken by a guest doing said activity.



The Skyway existed from 1956-1994. The buckets were changed in 1965 for the Disneyland Tencennial celebration, converting the shape from round to a more square configuration. Below is a closeup of Fantasyland back when it had its original Festival Tournament façades. Another piece of history lost on the newbies.



This carefree family (they look like they might be a bit of fun) are exiting the Fantasyland Skyway Station (visible on the hill on the upper left). Yes, newbies…another piece of Disneyland history that is gonzo.



This November 1967 image gives a better view of the beautiful structure:



Also from November 1967, you can see one of the buckets entering the station:



Below is an undated 1960s image, back when you didn’t have to worry about guests throwing/spitting things from the bucket (for the most part!).



In the “don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today” department, the historic Hollywood Center Motel on Sunset Boulevard has burned to the ground. So glad I took the time last March to snap a few shots.



Edited from Empty Los Angeles:

The Hollywood Center Motel - consisting of a 1905-ish house surrounded by bungalows built a few decades later - caught on fire early this morning. The motel, which was originally housing, was recently nominated for landmark status. Victorian houses are very, very rare in Hollywood. LAFD reports that it was a knockdown fire. Citizen reports it was a two-story structure, and a few of the posted videos show fire damage to the original house, El Nido. The motel had a known issue with squatters (a vacate order was posted last month). At least two people were trapped inside the burning house, and one of them had to be taken to a hospital in unknown condition. I was afraid of this. I’ve mentioned previously that we have a demolition-by-neglect problem in Los Angeles, and the motel has had previous fires. Now LAFD’s arson unit is investigating. I also mentioned in an earlier post that the owner of the motel had previously applied for demolition permits, despite not having a replacement project lined up for the site. Because of this fire, they may not need one - at least for poor El Nido.



A fire due to squatters in California? Shocking.

See more Disneyland Skyway photos at my main website.

Down By The Riverside, 1950s

Today, let’s enjoy a leisurely visit to the Dock area of the Rivers of America at Disneyland. The first image is from December 1959. I had to zoom into the boxes to see if I could see any fun inside jokes; none of these names register with me. Notice the El Zocalo sign behind the two guests.



This October 1960 shot seems to be the best shot I have of the El Zocalo sign; still difficult to read. Another bucket list item for my collection!



Here, guests sit inside the bandstand that was once located on the banks of the Rivers of America. This undated view is from the 1950s. The paper hat on the right indicates it’s from the early years, and since Tom Sawyer Island has been built out, we know it’s after June 1956.



An overhead view of the bandstand, September 1958. Because of the angle, it was probably taken from the second story of the Chicken Plantation Restaurant.



This May 1958 image shows the location of the bandstand and the restaurant:



This undated view of Frontierland was most likely taken from the Mark Twain:



It has to be 1950s because the Matterhorn has not been built yet.



The same view from a higher/farther vantage point, most likely the tree house on Tom Sawyer Island. Undated but probably from the 1960s. Because of the round shape of the Skyway buckets, we know it’s at least pre-1965.



The El Zocalo and Casa de Fritos area of Frontierland is visible below:



Enjoy your weekend, whether you spend it on the river or not!

See more Disneyland Rivers of America photos at my main website.

Holiday 1963 Miscellany

Time for the grand finale of this December 1963 Christmas batch. Feathered Hat Gal is at the gate of Frontierland. The tyke is tired and in the stroller now. Or maybe she just wants to be close to her Mickey balloon.



From the Mark Twain, we have a view of the Rivers of America dock; looks like a foggy morning!



Feathered Hat Gal poses aboard the Twain.



Two views of the thundering falls of Cascade Peak:





The last one shows the Yellow Monorail at the station, with the Skyway Buckets overhead.



The Yachtsmen Quartet have abandoned their post:



This 1965 image shows where they would normally be performing:



See more vintage Disneyland photos at my main website.

Melinda Goes To Disneyland, Pt. 4!

It’s the Grand Finale today for Melinda’s 1980 25th Anniversary Trip to Disneyland! Our first image shows the Skyway buckets, floating towards the Matterhorn on the Tomorrowland side. By this stage of the game, the buckets had already changed from the round shape to a square design. In case you wonder what the OTHER side of the Matterhorn looked like, here’s a December 1980 image from my collection: 



Zooming in for a detailed look…



…made me notice the trio of Farrah hairdos in bucket #49!



This detailed shot shows the Grand Hotel, which once stood at  7 West Freedman Way. Considered a first class, high-rise hotel just across the street from Disneyland, it contained  242 guest rooms. Each room had balconies and coffee makers. Now it’s a part of Anaheim history, having been torn down and replaced by the Pumbaa Parking Lot.



Melinda has these memories of where her family stayed during their trip:

My mom doesn’t remember where we stayed while in the area, it certainly wouldn't have been at the Disneyland Hotel as we didn't have a lot of money. I have a picture of us sitting outside a place with German timber and plaster styling and a barrel sign hanging from the roofline, but I can't make out what it says.



The next two images from Melinda show some wonderful views of Tomorrowland, including the Monorail and the Peoplemover. From Melinda:

The Monorail made a big impression on me, how smooth and quiet it was and I loved the view from up high of everything. I still love riding the monorail at Disney World — it’s not a trip to Disney without a ride on the Monorail! 



Melinda and her sister didn’t get to ride the Subs; they were still under refurbishment:



Three images from the Bill H. collection show the refurbishment:







Melinda also recalls Space Mountain:

I remember pretty vividly chickening out of riding Space Mountain. I literally turned around halfway through the line and walked back out to wait for my parents on a bench somewhere outside by myself. I had ridden other coasters with no problem, but the dark and spacey music and screams from riders were probably just too much at the end of the day. My sister would have been too small to ride it, but I don't remember if she was waiting outside somewhere and I sat with her or she was with my parents and they did some sort of kid exchange. If the latter had been the case, I imagine I would have stayed with them instead of leaving the line. My mom said my sister was trustworthy enough even at 5 to be told to sit on a bench and wait there. I know, it was definitely a different time back then than it is today! 

Here’s a vintage shot from Bill H. showing Space Mountain under construction in 1976:



The Main Street Electrical Parade is another favorite memory that I don't have any of my own photos of. We saw MSEP at Disney World too in 1985 and I would love to see it again now that it is back.

Here are two 1980 shots to go along with Melinda’s memories:





SOOOO many thanks to Melinda for sharing these photos AND her memories of this treasured family trip. 

See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

The Tomorrowland Skyway Station

I have somewhat scary memories of the Tomorrowland Skyway station, where the buckets continually moved. That’s right...even when you were entering exiting the buckets, they kept moving. Somehow...it worked. Today, with morons who jump up and down on the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse bridge’s wooden slats to see if they will break or not...well, I’m sure some idiot would get hurt. But not back in the 1960’s. People were smarter back then! First image is a newbie, from May 1963. Image #2 (previously posted) is from July 1960:



1962:



And an oldie but goodie, also showing the original round Skyway Bucket design, circa October 1963:



See more vintage Disneyland Skyway photos at my main website.

Monday on the Viewliner

The Viewliner may have been small in size, but it was a mighty huge step towards having a transportation system at Disneyland that would be sleek and futuristic. Operating only from June 26, 1957 to September 15, 1958, the Viewliner inspired the Monorail, which still operates today. This March 1958 image shows it near the Tomorrowland station, with the Yacht Bar in the background.



This previously posted image from September 1958 shows the Viewliner in approximately the same area, but from a different vantage point: overhead from a Skyway bucket.



Front:



…and Back:



Just for comparison sake, here are guests and the conductor standing next to the Viewliner, circa 1957:



…and a contemporary shot of a cast member next to the Monorail:



See more vintage Disneyland Viewliner photos at my main website.