The Coke Corner Split Bulb

If you’re on Twitter and you love to dive into the deep minutia of Disneyland History, then Jason Schultz’s account is a must. One of the recent topics brought up is the split bulb(s) found at the Coke Corner on Main Street, U.S.A.

If you’re not familiar with it, here’s the condensed version. Because the bulbs in the area shown below (May 2006 photo) have an odd number of sockets, the red and white alternating sequence would eventually be ruined at the point that they meet. According to lore, Walt Disney provided the solution of having the one bulb painted half white and half red.



My first recollection of hearing about this was on a Disneyland Tour that I took circa October 2008.



The guide pointed out the bulb which I of course had to photograph!



It looks like there are two spots where this painted split bulb occurs:



Checking out my collection, I found this Genuine FauxD© shot of the Coke Corner, circa 1955, before it even had bulbs!



A closeup of the soon-to-be-bulbed area:



…and the Disneyland News available at the time of the shot. Anyone have a copy of this particular issue?



By August 1958, the bulbs were added:



It’s hard to tell whether or not the split bulb idea had been executed or not though.



I love this detailed view of a guest relaxing at the end of the evening inside the Coke Corner:



How many of you have noticed the split bulbs before?

See more Disneyland Coke Corner photos at my main website.

Daveland & Liberty Ranch Go To Universal Studios, Part 2

Welcome back to part 2 of my September 1969 journey back to Universal Studios in Hollywood. Excuse me…Universal INTERNATIONAL Studios! If you haven’t ordered a copy of Stack’s Liberty Ranch Volume 3, which covers Universal Studios, Lion Country Safari, Buffalo Ranch, and Jungleland AND was designed by yours truly, what are you waiting for? Head over to the Stack’s Liberty Ranch website to get your copy NOW before they sell out!

These shots are from my collection (you’ll have to buy the book to see the incredible Stack’s Liberty Ranch collection) and start off with that pain in the rump lady wearing the wide brimmed hat. GET OUT OF THE WAY! YOU’RE BLOCKING MY VIEW!



The backlots featured just about every type of terrain and architecture that one could need for a movie.



This old riverboat looks like it has seen better days.



The area below is known as the Court of Miracles, dating back, to Lon Chaney’s “The Miracle Man” (1919). By the time this 1969 images was taken, the area had to be rebuilt due to a 1967 fire.



A fantastic overview:



The detailed view below shows Prop Plaza; great for guest photos:



It’s fun to take a peak at the backs of buildings, which guests aren’t supposed to see:



Another view of the backlot from above:



Zooming in you can see the “Back to the Future” courthouse:



There are plenty of photo opps at Universal Studios; in this one, I especially love the wayfinding signage that covers not only restrooms, but Marineland, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and Knotts Berry Farm. I wonder if those were paid advertisements?



The Wild West Stunt shows were always a popular draw.



Don’t worry, folks. It’s all movie magic!



Care to see an animal show?



A closeup of the original stage used for the performing birds:



Bob Hastings, star of the TV sitcom “McHale’s Navy,” was a frequent visitor to the park, graciously posing with guests for photo ops:



That’s the end of this tour! Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Stack’s Liberty Ranch Volume 3 at the Stack’s Liberty Ranch website.

Disneyland Opening Day Celebration!

On the anniversary of Disneyland’s Opening Day (July 17, 1955), I will post an assortment of shots from one of my favorite attractions: the Disneyland Railroad. The above Genuine FauxD© shot shows the time lapse tower from Opening Day as well as an assortment of highly collectible (at least today they are) vintage cars! Walt Disney’s oft told quote made before the Park was completed was this:

I just want it to look like nothing else in the world, and it should be surrounded by a train.



This 1956 image captures the joy of Disneyland. The E.P. Ripley is waiting at the Main Street, U.S.A. Train Station and in front, the little boy is proudly displaying his souvenir for the day, a pennant with Tinkerbell!



I was one of those Park nerds who would arrive WAAAAAAAY before opening, just to see the train pull up, see the smoke, and hear the whistle toot, letting guests know of its impending Grand Circle Tour around the Park. I would do my best to hustle through the turnstiles to board that first train and at least take it as far as the Frontierland/New Orleans Depot. Below is another 1956 gem:



See any hats or souvenirs you’d be interested in purchasing from The Disneyland News stand?



An undated 1950’s Genuine FauxD© shot of the Main Street Station:



A closeup of the Colorado Rockies passenger car, complete with summer bunting:



While on the topic of Walt quotes, according to Ward Kimball, Walt made this statement about the design/comfort of the cattle cars that were part of the original Disneyland Railroad fleet:

I want all the people inside those cars to feel the way the cows feel, looking out through the slats on a real cattle train!



Mission accomplished! These passengers look more like prisoners than Park guests in this 1956 shot:



A contemporary view from July 2008:



While I can’t say for sure when my next visit to the Park will be, I can guarantee you that this is the first thing I will be looking for upon arrival!



See more Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.

Vintage View from the Cone

Is 2008 considered vintage? If so, then my title is correct; otherwise, enjoy these views taken from the cone of the Monorail as it passed through the DCA of yore. Our July 2008 Monorail leaves the Tomorrowland station headed towards Downtown Disney.



Bye-bye Tomorrowland!



The first glimpse we get of DCA:



Remember those tile murals at the DCA entrance and the Golden Gate Bridge?







The approach of the Soarin’ Over California attraction:



And that is the last we see of DCA.



I always wondered why there wasn’t a stop at the Grand California. That seemed like a missed opportunity for guest convenience.



We’ve arrived! Downtown Disney is ahead of, back when it had a movie theater.



I hope you enjoyed your 2008 Monorail cone adventure.

See more Disneyalnd Monorail photos at my main website.

Daveland & Liberty Ranch Go To Universal Studios, Part 1

When one visits Hollywood, taking the Universal Studios Tram Tour has always been a must! One of the few studios that still has a backlot, Universal saw the value early on in collecting tourist revenue by allowing them to see where the magic is made…all in a controlled manner, of course. Recently, I had the honor of doing the design for the book Stack’s Liberty Ranch Volume 3, which covers Universal Studios and three other nearby theme parks that I had never heard of: Lion Country Safari, Buffalo Ranch, and Jungleland. Anybody interested in the history of theme parks needs to acquire this library! Head over to the Stack’s Liberty Ranch website to get your copy NOW!

Today’s post features images from my collection that a guest took in September 1969, documenting (in chronological order, natch!) their visit to the famed movie studio. Apologies for the blur/low quality of some of these images. Like anything vintage, equipment and skill were not necessarily all that important as these images were just meant to share with loved ones, not be posted on the web or published in a book. I am guessing that the tour started with this presentation by a Guide. I immediately noticed something familiar in the pictures behind the guide.



Looks like a matte painting of Bodega Bay from Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” (1963), released by Universal.



Sure enough, it’s a match!



How the painting was combined with live action footage for the final film:



Afterwards, the tour proceeded with what was probably a movie/TV set:



A soundstage where guests could see/experience how rear projection works:



A setup that shows how miniatures are used in movies; much more economical than building things full-scale!



Now we reach the tram part of the tour. The person on the right in the large-brimmed hat is the bane of my 1969 existence. Get that hat off and quit blocking the photos!!!



A tour of the backlot:



Anyone know what production featured the Crawford Buttonhole Co., or Joe’s Bar?



Although it doesn’t have the clock tower circa 1969, this building should look very familiar to fans of “Back to the Future.”



It’s the courthouse! Keep in mind, these buildings are used over and over in again in many productions. Some undergo extensive changes to look different to suit the use of the film or show that they are being used in.



Stay tuned for more September 1969 images of Universal Studios!

And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Stack’s Liberty Ranch Volume 3 at the Stack’s Liberty Ranch website.