Rainbow Caverns Mine Train/Nature’s Wonderland

This attraction is probably one of the top ones on the missing list. If it had been replaced with something better, that would be one thing, but in my opinion, Big Thunder Mountain is just another glorified roller coaster. Back to the photos...the first three are from an undated batch, probably 1957/1958, and number four is from September, 1959.







The last three photos are from May, 1958 (little girl, are you supposed to have that lollipop on this attraction?).







See more vintage Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my main website.

Alice in Wonderland, inspired by Gorillas

Here are a few from the Alice in Wonderland attraction; this posting was inspired by the Major’s recent posts. The first shot is from Oct. 1959. The other three are from February 1960, and feature two cute little blond girls in red sweaters. More pics to come of them later. And btw Major—if you find an extra Caterpillar vehicle after you get yours, let me know!







See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Fantasyland photos at my main website.

Indian Village & Cascade Peak Construction

These slides probably would have never made it to this blog other than a detail I noticed last night as I was scanning them. At first, when I scanned this slide from February 1960, I dismissed the structure at the top as some kind of teepee or shelter, but when I zoomed in, I could see a steel frame. Looks like the construction of Cascade Peak!



This slide is also from the same Feb. 1960 batch.



The next three are from July 1961, and show the legendary Indian Village, Teepees (complete with signage!), and the Ceremonial Dance Circle.







This last shot is from July 1968 and shows the “new” Indian Village complete with amphitheater that the Major mentioned recently on his blog.



See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos at my main website.

Mixed Bag Monday

Today’s entry is an uninspired medley, starting with (what I have been told) a shot of the legendary Joe Fowler in front of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. For you afficianados of this boat, you can now purchase a model on Amazon and create your own for only $9.95! The colors Revell has selected are wrong, but with a few of my vintage pics as guides, you can’t go wrong. 2nd photo today is a rear shot of the Viewliner, from an undated transparency. It always seems funny to see the DL Railroad side-by-side with this streamlined modern marvel!



PLUG OF THE DAY: And for the stellar news of the day, my brother has located his Polaroid pics taken on the same day as my Holy Grail post from Friday. Stay tuned for their posting!

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Holy Grail Friday

For me, the Disneyland Holy Grail was finding the negatives for my first trip to Disneyland on December 27, 1970. Although I couldn’t believe we only took 5 pictures that day, it was still cool to see the shots. The first one is from the entrance area, I was able to pose with Mickey & Minnie. How often does that happen anymore without waiting an hour or more?!? Picture two is me with my cousins near “Small World” with one of the Three Little Pigs.



I still remember riding the Mark Twain and seeing the Burning Cabin; this shot is with my brother.



My grandmother & cousins sitting by the castle.



Anybody who had an early Polaroid camera remembers having to find a trashcan to time the developing of the pictures, tear off the paper, throw it away, and then eventually “sealing” the photo with the protective coating stick. What a pain. Here are my brothers doing just that near the Castle. I am hoping they can find the pictures they took!



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Chicken of the Sea, 1950s

Here are two undated photos of the venerable (but now defunct) Chicken of the Sea/Jolly Roger Pirate Ship Restaurant. Althought the second one took a lotta’ lovin’ to bring back any color to it, I still love the detail of the rear of the ship.



For Disneyland Fan, I am also including a closeup of the Souvenir Stand from yesterday .



For the Major, I am finally posting a closeup of the Dog Show:



For more vintage & current Disneyland Fantasyland photos, visit my regular website.

Fantasyland 1957/1958

This shot of Fantasyland also provides a nice close-up of the Mickey Mouse Theater area/marquee.



For more vintage & current Disneyland Fantasyland photos, visit my regular website.

Indian Village Beefcake, 1955

A little vintage beefcake from the Indian Village, and from what I understand, this 1955 shot is from when this attraction was over near Adventureland.

See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos at my main website.

Main Street: Eastside, 1957/58

This undated transparency is from somewhere between 1957/58 and shows the east side of Main Street, including Wonderland Music and Gibson Greeting Cards. Would anyone from Gibson like to make a comment or request a photo credit for this one?

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Monsanto Home of the Future 2

Today’s post shows 2 more photos from Goody Clancy; the first is of the construction of the Monsanto Home of the Future, the second is the final product. Behind it, the park looks practically barren since the Matterhorn had yet to be completed.



See more vintage Disneyland House of the Future photos at my main website.

Monsanto Home of the Future

Here are two shots from the Goody Clancy firm that was started by Martin Goody & Richard Hamilton (shown in pic 2), 2 MIT Faculty members who were able to start the firm because of their design for Monsanto’s House of Plastic. Pic one shows the house being assembled at Disneyland.



For more vintage & current Disneyland Home of the Future photos, visit my regular website.

Dog Show at the Bandstand

Seems to be some kind of Ken-L-Ration Dog Show at the Bandstand in this undated slide which also features the Disneyland Marching Band. I could be wrong, but judging by the looks of the area around this stand, I believe this slide is from the Magnolia Park area.

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Tram and Entrance

This March 1964 shot of the Disneyland Hotel Tram also shows a 2-story structure that is also in this 2nd slide (April 1966). When I first saw this shot, I wrote it off as some other non-Disneyland building.



For more vintage & current Disneyland Indian Village photos, visit my regular website.

Christopher Fair & Annette

Annette Funicello waves from the Castle to jester Christopher Fair, who worked as a jester at Disneyland from 1960–1963.

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Sleeping Beauty photos at my main website.

Fantasyland, April 1958

This trip back to April 1958 starts off with a view of King Arthur Carrousel & Ticket Booth. The vantage point is definitely higher than pavement level; anybody able to tell where this would have been taken from? Maybe the castle?



Picture 2 shows the well worn sails of the Jolly Roger Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. The 3rd and last for today is Cinderella’s Castle inn Storybook Land.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Indian Village & Fort Wilderness, April 1958

Here’s one taken from the Indian Village towards Fort Wilderness. Speaking of Fort Wilderness, here’s an interior shot that I recently snagged:



Back to 1958, here’s a blurry one; is this an Indian Princess?



Meanwhile, back over on Tom Sawyer’s Island, they are plugging away trying to meet the 5/07 deadline:





My last visit just didn’t seem the same without the Disneyland Railroad, so I am posting two pics in commemoration of one of my favorite attractions: CK Holliday, July 1957:



Ernest S. Marsh at the Frontierland Station, July 1968



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Peter Pan, Candle Shop, and Mystery Photos

I’m going to start off today’s post with a plug for the upcoming Peter Pan DVD (available March 6). The sound and picture are amazing, looking like they just leaped off the animator’s boards, and there are a ton-o-extras, which is always the deciding factor for me when buying a DVD. End of plug and back to biz, starting off with a 1960’s undated interior shot of the Candle Shop on Main Street. Anybody know where this is or what building it is today?



Next up is a shot of Pluto from the same batch in front of the Disneyland News Stand.



I will end the post with 2 mystery shots from this same 1960’s group; not even sure if they are from Disneyland, but thought I’d throw them up here for the experts.





See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.