Tiki Room Exit Signage

This January 1964 snapshot brings out the signage geek in me. Thanks to another shot in my collection (from December 1963), we can pull back a bit and see exactly where it is on the exterior of the attraction building.



Unless it has been expertly recast, it would appear that the same signage still hangs outside the Enchanted Tiki room today, albeit now featuring a sponsored message for Dole Pineapple.



An additional exit sign has joined the mix that was not there in the 1960's:



This angle provides a better shot of the sign in the first photo from today's post:



Zooming in:



What are the chances this is the same sign?

See more Daveland Disneyland Enchanted Tiki Room photos at my main website.

Up Up And Away!

The Fantasyland Skyway Station still remains in the Park (surprisingly!), but the Tomorrowland Station is a thing of the past. This 1956 image shows you what it looked like. For an interior view, this rare July 1960 shot captures the fun of being quickly loaded and then whisked off for a fabulous journey soaring over the park.



Oh how I wish I could read these papers posted on the wall!



Pulling back you can see the buckets as they leave the platform in this 1950's photo:



A black and white shot of the station:



This poor 1962 guest looks a bit dizzy from her ride as she exits the bucket:



Meanwhile, over in Fantasyland…hard to believe, but the Fantasyland Skyway Station is still standing. But for how long?





Hope you enjoyed your ride aboard the Skyway!

See more Daveland Skyway photos at my main website.

Ghost Town: Sad Eye Joe

He's Orange County's longest jailed inmate. He's also probably one of the most visited prisoners, as you can see by the vintage shot below:



Who is he? He's the Ghost Town Jail's Sad Eye Joe at Knott's Berry Farm. The jail out back, seen below, was rebuilt a few years ago.



The figure, carved by woodcarver Andy Anderson, visits with park guests with the help of a hidden voice.





The Sheriff's Office is one of the few original buildings from 1940-41 that is still intact. The poker game scene inside is also by Anderson.



See more Daveland Sad Eye Joe photos at my main website.

Ghost Town: Goldie's Place

Obviously, Disneyland is my favorite theme park, but nearby Knott's Berry Farm still has a charm that has been unspoiled by commercialism and the fear of being offensive to the masses. This is especially true in Ghost Town, which is the more authentic version of Disneyland's Frontierland. When it came to "harsh realities," I think Walter Knott was willing to put the truth out there with a little less varnish than Walt Disney. You would certainly never find a Whore House at Disneyland, but that's exactly what Goldie's Place at Knott's is.



Built in 1940-41, it was based on an actual building in the famous ghost town of Bodie, California. First photo for today is the original building, followed by an April 2010 shot, just before it was completely rebuilt (using some of the original materials).



This photo from my October 2014 visit shows Goldie's today:



The interior peek-in circa 2010:



and how it looks today:



The infamous leg out the window, 2010:



and the 2014 version:



See more Daveland Ghost Town Goldie's Place photos at my main website.

More Gonzalez Trio!

I never tire of seeing photos of Disneyland music groups, especially the Gonzalez Trio in Frontierland. Here they are singing for guests, who appear oblivious to the Latino musicians.



One of their trademark songs was "Tacos for Two," a parody of "Cocktails for Two." This youtube video isn't the Gonzalez Trio, but it does allow you to hear this humorous tune:



See more Daveland Gonzalez Trio photos at my main website.

The Original Frontierland Depot

Today we see the original Frontierland Depot, circa August 1960, before it was moved to make way for an expansion.

A previously posted shot from July 1960 showing the other side of the Depot, which now sits on the opposite side of the track and is inaccessible to guests.



A December 1962 image that shows the "new" Frontierland Depot, bathed in the glow of sunset.



See more Daveland Disneyland Frontierland Depot photos at my main website.

The Back Side of Chicken

This July 1968 image of Disneyland might seem unfamiliar to most. Using another shot from September 1969, it becomes obvious that we are looking at the outdoor seating area for the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant in Fantasyland.



This closeup view confirms it!



and this detailed view is just because I love seeing the Skull Rock Cove section of this area.



This March 1967 shot shows that this area was also a favorite area of cast members who might hang out here on their break.



I believe the beehive hairdo matches this interior shot from January 1968!



See more Daveland Disneyland Chicken of the Sea photos at my main website.

The Little Mermaid(s) August 1960

Not satisfied with faux mermaids for his Submarine Voyage attraction in Tomorrowland, Walt decided to get a few "real" ones.



These mermaids were only seen during the first year of this attraction, then disappeared until the Tencennial in 1965.



From summer 1965 through summer 1967, the mermaids could be seen for four hours a day on the rocks in the middle of the lagoon.



Another detailed closeup from the August 1960 snapshots:



A few previously posted shots in color, also from August 1960:





An undated image showing a trio of mermaids:



followed by the obligatory closeup, which shows the compartment where the female cast members changed into their mermaid costumes:



See more Daveland Disneyland Submarine Voyage photos at my main website.

Dapper Dans on Main Street, August 1960

Two from August 1960 show the Dapper Dan Quartet on Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A.

A White Wing engages them in conversation in the second shot:



I am so glad that the tradition of this Fab Four has continued. They continue to be a vibrant part of the Park.



See more Daveland vintage & current Dapper Dans at Disneyland photos at my main website.