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.

A New DCA: Mad T Party

Inspired by Tim Burton's fanciful "Alice in Wonderland," is the current late-night entertainment that brings Hollywood Land in DCA to life. I didn't expect much from Electronica, and was pleasantly surprised. I expected even less from Mad T Party; it seemed like most had already written it off just based on preliminary concept sketches.

Once I walked through the mist screen, I was totally won over. The lighting truly transforms this area and the music coming from the band seemed to have a lighter more danceable feel. Instead of feeling like I'd stumbled into a rave (Electronica), it was like I'd just uncovered one heck of a fun retro dance party. For those that want the fancy drinks, you can visit the "Drink Me" bar:



The stage is incredible: the lights, the decor, and of course the funky costumes worn by the members of the band:





Meet Alice; I wonder if Walt would say that she lacked "heart" like his animated heroine?





The crowd loved the Michael Jackson "PYT" cover; what a lot of fun!







The Mad Arcade replaced Flynn's:



Short on time, I didn't venture inside, but it looked like there were skeeball machines inside, like the ones I used to blow all my money on at the Jersey Shore as a youth.



On a side stage, there were dancers sweating up a storm:





For those wanting a little high-energy fun after hours, I would highly recommend it!

See more Mad T Party photos on my Mad T Party web page.

Grace goes to Columbia

Taking a one-day break from all things Disney, I interrupt with a post about a childhood memory that returned thanks to the acquisition of vintage photo #1.

As a child, one of the highlights of our annual trip to California was the time that our family spent with my Aunt & Uncle up in Tuolumne County, 45 miles northeast of Modesto. Nearby was Columbia State Park, a quaint little historic town that preserved what Frontierland attempts to recreate. From the California Parks website:

The town's old Gold Rush-era business district has been preserved with shops, restaurants and two hotels. Visitors have the chance to time-travel to the 1850s, imagining life when gold miners rubbed shoulders with businessmen and the other residents in Columbia. Visitors can experience a bygone era watching proprietors in period clothing conduct business in the style of yesterday. There are opportunities to ride a 100 year-old stagecoach, pan for gold, and explore the real working businesses of Columbia.

I still have fond memories of panning for gold, shopping for rock candy (it came in the same type of pan you'd use in panning for gold), and riding the stagecoach, which invariably got held up by some nasty varmints that were all part of the fun.

Photo number one from today shows Grace Kelly in Columbia, where they were filming scenes for the classic western "High Noon." Grace played Amy, the wife of Sheriff Will Kane (Gary Cooper) in Fred Zinnemann’s classic film. Fictitious Hadleyville, New Mexico’ was to have been filmed on Columbia State Historic Park's Main Street, but by the time the crew arrived, spring had arrived and the bleak, bare main street of Columbia had burst into green leafiness. Western Street on the Columbia Pictures lot in Burbank ended up standing in for the real thing. Oh the irony...shooting Columbia at Columbia.

There are still a few scenes that were shot in the real Columbia, such as the one showing the white picket fence of Sam Fuller (Harry Morgan), the cowardly friend who sends his wife to claim he's not at home. This is the Wilson House on Main Street, a few doors away from The Visitor Center, and the last privately-owned home in the town.

In this vintage shot of the Columbia Hotel/Fallon Theatre, you can see where Grace was standing.



An interior shot of the Fallon Theatre where I once saw a live stage version of "Dracula." It was very well done, and the memory of the "bats" flying over the audience still lingers with me today.



Another vintage shot, showing the Stage Driver's Retreat:



Last one for today is a May 1963 view of the Stagecoach. One of these days I'll have to find the shots of my family's visits there.



See more vintage Columbia State Park photos on my Columbia State Park web pages.

A New DCA: Carthay Circle Restaurant

The Carthay Circle Theatre is best known among Disney aficionados as the location of the star studded "Snow White" premiere on December 21, 1937. Riding the peak of her popularity, Shirley Temple attended with her mother, father, and friends.





Comedian Bob Burns is shown here holding one of the dwarfs.



These are some scary looking costumes.



Today, the central icon that towers over the new DCA entrance is a recreation of the original theatre that was demolished in 1969.



Larger than its Orlando counterpart, it's still a bit smaller than the original...but still very impressive!





Let's transition to night, shall we?





What a gorgeous fountain that has been built outside the theatre. I'd hardly call this a mere detail!



The marquee proudly proclaims the grand opening of the restaurant and lounges inside.



Some of my favorite exterior details include these two tile murals:



Griffith Park Observatory can be seen in the background of this one. When viewing these two works of fine art, the original tile entry into DCA is hardly missed.



And the light fixtures...



Oh the beautiful golden glow of the bulbs that evoke an era gone by.



I can't wait for my first opportunity to dine inside; from the reports of friends that have gone inside, the photos alone blew me away.



NEXT UP: Mad T Party! See more Carthay Circle Restaurant photos on my Carthay Circle Restaurant web page.

A New DCA: Buena Vista at Night

Just like Main Street and the rest of Disneyland, DCA's Buena Vista Street looks even more spectacular at night. The stained glass springs to life with a warm glow that draws guests inside just to see what is going on.



And the signage...oh the perfectly executed signage.



In this shot, I was able to capture gorgeous signage AND light fixtures. What could be better than that?



How about a recreation of the model for Rock Candy Mountain?



Guests at Disneyland came THIS CLOSE to traveling through a life-sized version of this in the Storybook Land attraction. Once Walt saw the model, he decided to leave this idea to the birds. Literally. And they ravaged it.



Just like Town Square at closing, I found it difficult to leave Buena Vista Street. Instead, I puttered around attempting to squeeze in as many shots as I could.









Let's not forget the Trolley! It's just as impressive at night. We can hop aboard and take a trip back to the entrance.





Back at the entrance, Oswald's Gas Station is your last stop for souvenirs before you leave DCA.



Today's post leaves you with the glow of a brake light from the vintage automobile parked in front of Oswald's.



NEXT UP: Carthay Circle Restaurant. See more Buena Vista Street photos on my Buena Vista Street web page.