Stuck in the Mud

I have run aground but will be back to regular posting on Monday. In the meantime, savor this vintage October 1958 shot of the Mark Twain in a very dry Rivers of America. Note the track of the Twain, which makes for a perfect journey every time.



More Mighty Mark Twain photos at my main website.

The Final Spin

Yesterday was the last day that guests could take a spin around the original Rivers of America before its closure and "editing" to make room for the new Star Wars Land. Although I am a big fan of "less is more," this is definitely the exception to the rule. My niece visited me in December and I took her to Disneyland for her very first visit. I am so grateful that she was able to experience a journey on the Mark Twain before the changes occurred. Today's post is a photo journal of that trip.

This shot shows my very first trip aboard the Twain back in 1970, posing with my brother, the father of my niece.





Are you ready? Here we go!



It is so impressive to hear the whistle and see the steam from the Twain as it begins to travel around Tom Sawyer Island.



Many of the photos in today's post are large-sized panoramas; make sure you click them and zoom in on all of the details!



The Columbia was docked at the time; although I enjoy riding on it as well, I was glad that my last trip could be aboard the Twain.











From what I have read, this is approximately where the journey will change. The Rivers will end here and cut through Tom Sawyer Island, which has caused the new route to be called "The Donut." No idea whether the cabin will be moved or removed.





These figures seem to be saying, "Where did our River go?"





This one is waving away to Walt's original classic. Bye-bye…



This tableau is supposedly going to be moved.







The remnants of Nature's Wonderland are also supposedly going to disappear.





My niece thoroughly enjoyed her leisurely trip around the Rivers of America.



I am saddened by the shortening of the River, but not very surprised. After the loss of the Carnation Gardens and the slaughter of tasteful design in New Orleans Square to make way for a larger (and more profitable) Club 33, I can't say that anything really shocks me about what the Disney Corporation does any more.

See more vintage and current Rivers of America photos at my main website.

Mickey's Halloween Party: The Cadaver Dans

Once finished with the Dark Rides (long lines prevented us from going on Mr. Toad and Peter Pan), we took the path that cuts through to Frontierland. The lighting here is incredible and makes this somewhat ordinary tree-lined path EXTRAORDINARY.



A few different colored-lights make this area pure visual magic.



A skull and crossbones is projected onto Big Thunder Mountain.



The Horseshoe is not immune to the Halloween theming.



Although hard to capture with a photo, the Rivers of America benefits the most from the Halloween atmosphere. Between the fog pumped over the water and the special lighting, it's easy to get into the mood of the season.



The Columbia has an eerie green glow. Halloween theming or the result of too many sugary snacks?



Finally, the moment I'd looked forward to the most had begun: the arrival of the Cadaver Dans!



Floating on a raft, surrounded by fog, the quartet (with a sinister-looking driver) drew a crowd with their four-part harmonies.









I could have listened to them all night.



NEXT UP: Haunted Mansion Holiday!

See more Daveland Disneyland Cadaver Dan photos at my main website.

56 Years Ago: The Columbia

Sure, sure…everyone knows that this weekend marked the 55th Anniversary of the high-tech Monorail, Matterhorn, and Submarine attractions at Disneyland. Today, I am going to celebrate the decidedly low-tech 56th Anniversary of the christening of the Columbia, which occurred on June 4, 1958. With the Mark Twain needing a little assistance with all the guests wanting to see the Rivers of America, Walt Disney decided to build another large ship, so he asked Joe Fowler (Disneyland’s construction supervisor and a former naval admiral) to pick a historic sailing ship for inspiration. Fowler recommended the first American sailing ship to go around the world: the Columbia Rediviva.

Today's post features three images from the USC Digital Archives. Rear Admiral Joseph Fowler and Walt Disney pose with Vice Admiral and Mrs. Alfred C. Richmond (presenting a gift Bible to ship).

Let's zoom in for a look at those name tags, shall we?



An overhead angle:



I'll bet Mrs. Richmond (aka Gretchen) could have had a great pitching career with that arm!





Well done, Columbia; here's to AT LEAST another 55 glorious years! You don't look a day over 20!



See more vintage and current Daveland Disneyland Columbia photos on my main website.

1950's Disneyland: The McLeod Photos

I have no idea who the photographer named McLeod is, but I do know that he captured some cool shots of the Park. Starting off with my favorite, here's one of the A-Frame in front of the Main Street Cinema, advertising a Will Rogers movie from 1924 called "Two Wagons Both Covered." This particular photo is from 1958, which one can tell because of the banners along the Main Street gaslamps proclaiming the debut of The Columbia.



This view of the Coke Corner was hand-dated August 29-30, 1959 (that's one heck of a long exposure!). You can see the banners at this time are announcing the 1959 attractions.



Not too much to say about this 1958 Sleeping Beauty Castle shot:



Last one for today is from August 29-30, 1959 and shows the Tiki's Tropical Imports stand in Adventureland.





Here's a color shot of the same stand from the 1960's; you can see that "Tiki's" was dropped from the name and the stand itself has been remodeled.



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.