With all the news and rumors of a Pirate Island makeover for Tom Sawyers Island, I decided to post this image taken from the Mark Twain of the old Castle Rock with the flying flags. Even this element has now disappeared becoming part of a more interactive element. I am wondering, since Tom Sawyer is no longer on the island, are they going to rename the Mark Twain to the Black Pearl to theme a river boat traveling around a pirate island?
On a quick look, both of these slides look like Fantasyland in Disneyland. However, upon closer examination they are slides of Walt Disney World's Fantasyland. Looking at the slides it is amazing the imagineers did not do something different and try at the time to make Fantasyland in Florida more of the medieval town setting seen at Disneyland with the 1983 reconstruction. Still I guess the flat shields and blocky buildings worked in Disneyland and money was still tight for the construction of Walt Disney World. I know they have made some changes especially with It's A Small World in Florida, but they could do more and make some more changes to make Fantasyland a little bit more magical. The slides are from 1980.
Inspired by It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow blog, here is a nice image of the skyway at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle with the neat mid century modern station and the large orange Union 76 sign. Even though not as collected or appreciated, the 1962 Fair did create some unique buildings and icons. And as with most Fairs in the 1960s had a great design and forward looking ideas.
Very nice early morning shot of the Three Old Mills from Storybook Canal Boats. Based upon the 1937 Silly Symphony animated short The Old Mill, where a terrific storm comes up and all the animals take refuge in the mills from the storm. One of the best animated scenes is where one of the mills actually starts to work and there is a birds nest in the gears. The gears start moving and the nest appears it is going to be crushed, but the opposing gear is missing the cog where the birds nest is at and the nest is saved.
One of my favorite memories was a time at the park right at closing in the summer. We were the last boat and the sound effects were all turned off. As soon as the sound effects were off, the girl giving her spiel totally lost it, forgot her lines and went from being the breathless sort of voice you hear to her normal voice. My brother and I had to help her finish the spiel. (Yeah, I know I am a geek and knew most of the lines! And we both laughed so hard as the girl would have been a success as a phone sex line operator.)
By the way, there is a new blog out focusing on the Tomorrowland part of theme parks. It is Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. Check it out as there is a nice piece on the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair and also slides of the 1964 New York Worlds Fair.
Just a wonderufl image of the full Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship located in Fantasyland. One of the iconic structures at Disneyland that was reduced to rubble in 1982 for the New Fantasyland. As Major Pepperidge states today on Gorillas Don't Blog just a great image that makes me want to be there. No comments are really necessary.
I found a somewhat large collection of slides that was comprised of several amusement park and theme park visits. When I received the slides, I was stunned to see these images. This is the Sea World of my childhood. I vividly remember this part of the park and the dolphin show that took place in the theater. Growing up in San Diego, I would go to Sea World about four of five times a year including visits when in school as a field trip. It was always a fun park but a bit lacking in the rides. Now looking back at the park, it was a great themed park. The image below is amazing showing the tiki themed stage with an Olympic tie in! Oh these images are for Tangaroa, as I am sure he will appreciate them!
First off, sorry for the lateness of this post. I was having difficulties with blogger today. From the same series of slides of the Horse Drawn Fire Wagon is this nice image of the Horse Drawn Trolley at the hub. I like the hat on the horse which is a nice touch and the fare sign is great. Also, you can see Tomorrowland in the background. This image is just so evocative of the nostalgia of Main Street. And yesterday's post was really bemoaning the fact that Main Street is not nostalgic anymore, but rather one big shopping mall!
This is what Main Street was about, nostalgia for the past with the Horse Drawn Fire Truck going by the old Main Street Cinema showing real silent films on the screen. I do not think this would work for today's market as not that many people even remember Rudolph Valentino or Vilma Banky. Sponsors were also a significant part of Main Street. By the time I started going to Disneyland, most of these attractions and exhibits had been removed. But I can imagine going into the Yale lock shop and seeing their historical exhibit, Upjohn with its old time apothecary shop and live leeches in their container. However there are places that still exist with these displays. One of the best is the Henry Ford Museum and Greenwood Village in Detroit Michigan. Walking around the museum you can see where Walt would have been influenced for his Main Street.
This shot of Davey Crockett's Keelboat Bertha Mae appears to have been taken from the Deck of the Columbia. The other Keel Boat was owned by Mike Fink and was named the Gullywhumper. The Disney history is that when the attraction opened in December 25, 1955 the boats were the actual ones used for filming the Television show and subsequent film. The boats did not last long and had limited capacity, so new ones were constructed with a fiberglass hull and three windows. The boats ran until the early 1990s, were quiet for a couple years and then brought back. In 1997 the Gullywhumper capsized and a couple of guests were slightly injured and the keelboats are no more. This boat was auctioned and now sits in the backyard pool of a prominent Disneyland collector as seen in a issue of The E Ticket Magazine.
Taken from the overlook to the Submarine Voyage is this nicely posed shot of the old red Monorail descending the hill with the falls from the Submarine Voyage in the foreground. The falls created the effect of surfacing with all the turbulence and bubbles. And even though it is in the center of the image, I do like the light fixture.
One of the best shots I have seen of this landmark in Storybook Land. Cinderella's Dream Castle is towards the back of the ride and rises majestically. In the shadow is the Tremains castle with its one lonely tower where Cinderella is kept. Rising up to the castle is a road filled with houses and sitting on the road is the pumpkin coach. I have always liked the castle and the pumppkin coach. This appears to be taken from one of the Storybook Canal boats. Casey Junior goes through the tunnel as one of the last elements of the ride before the end and the sudden circus stop.
Nice image of one of my favorite structures in Fantasyland, the Skyway Chalet. Notice the signage in front of the walkway up to the load area, and the buckets are the old style buckets so this slide dates pre-1965. As I have said before, I miss the skyway due to the nice aeriel view one could see from up there. And don't start on all the other things you could do up there as I am sure most of us probably did a couple of them.
Today's souvenirs are two fold. The first is the Disneyland University created guide for Tour Guides. This is the manual I have been taking quotes from every day. It is a fascinating look at what tour guides were exepected to do, to look like and everything else when representing Disneyland.
The second item is a doll that was sold at Disneyland in the mid 1960s. I have seen a brunette, redhead and blonde hair versions of these dolls. I love the hang tag with the Disneyland Tour Guide badge and that the uniform is an accurate representation. I am sure many girls loved these dolls, but I wonder how many guys purchased this doll?
Another shot of Tour Guide Julie, this team leading Mickey Mouse on the start of his guided tour. From the look of the costume for Mickey, I would say this is mid-1960s when the costumers developed a look that was closer to the true animation and not quite like a big head. Julie does seem to be most represented amongst Tour Guides in images.
Here is another quote from the Tour Guide guide "it's been my pleasure.":
One of your important assignments may be at the Main Gate...which is really the outer lobby for our Disneyland show. As is the case in your other duties, here you must be a counselor, psychologist, information expert...and mind reader.
Even though things are slow, you should not chat with other tour guides, hosts, or hostesses. Guests with a question might be hesitant in asking two people who are talking together. As a Main Gate walking information booth, all thoughts must be for the guest.
If I had known that the guided tour allows you to get into the attractions like the diorama for Primeval World, I would have taken it years ago! Today's image is of tour guide Chris Bishop with a very lucky guest. Photo was used to promote the new Primeval World diorama. The press release on the back reads: "This little triceratops went to Disneyland--Walt Disney's new "Primeval World" adventure takes passengers aboard the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad back 200-million years to the age of Dinosaurs. One little Disneyland guest gets a rare treat, actually going into the "Audio-Animatronic" scene to count the little babies. Mama waves her three horns nervously but still maintains a friendly smile. Disneyland Tour Guide Chris Bishop explains the strange creatures which are among 46 "Audio-Animatronic" three-dimensional monsters in the new attraction." Wow that is quite a release with several different plugs written into it.
And here is todays quotes from "it's been my pleasure":
It's all right to point, unless the subject is Walt Disney. We respect his need to travel the park without interuption...
And then comes the friendly parting. Point out that you have enjoyed the group...hopefully, you've already told them that it is one of the nicest groups you've ever been priveliged to take on the tour. Show that you too have had fun...And, when they leave and thank you..."It's been my pleasure" will come out honestly and happily.
Here is the second Disneyland Ambassador Connie Swanson. She is standing in front of the construction of It's A Small World holding a record album. It must have been tough being the second Ambassador, no cool TV show with Walt, no cutting of the Tencenniel Cake with Walt or just the knowledge you are the first. Rather she was flown around the world to spread the happiness of Disneyland. And then was asked to sign this photograph for a security guard. Still being an ambassador is quite an honor and she looks rather giddy in this photo.
Of course she is following the SOP for Tour Guides "it's been my pleasure."
Use your eyes to keep constant contact. Have fun...and show it. Know your facts and share them. Vary your routine...constantly work to improve.
Never...never...ridicule a guest or make fun of any question. Also, in the never-never world of a tour guide...don't giggle...make up answers to questions...wear sun glasses...or stand in the shade while your group perspires in the sun.
This is Julie Reihm who is most famous for appearing with Walt Disney on the Tencenniel show. She receives a personally guided tour from Walt of the all the new attractions in development for Disneyland at WED. The show was the first introduction to Imagineers for me when it aired in repeat many years later on the Wonderful World of Disney. She does strike a nice pose in front of the old United Airlines jet at the airport. Her distinction is she was the first tour guide ambassador in 1965.
Here is another quote from "it's been my pleasure" the guide for tour guides:
Your Costume...created by our Disney artists and the Disneyland Wardrobe Department...was designed to fit the role you play in our Disneyland show. It's essential that you wear it as the designer planned it.
We take it for granted that you know the importance essentials of good grooming and etiquitte. But perhaps a reminder about eye shadow or eye liner is essential. When off stage... outside Disneyland...you may handle your makeup as you please. But as a tour guide, you must have a wholesome, natural look and this lines out eye shadow or eye liner.
Today's image is another press photo form the Garden Grove Daily News newspaper archive showing Walt Disney with Tour Guide of the year for 1965 Suzanne Fuller. The previous tour guides of the year for 1962 was Iris Umemoto, for 1963 was Reiko Cox, and for 1964 was Dianne Darnell. The photo of course was taken at the Walt Disney Studio. Walt and Suzanne do look very happy.
The bonus is this wonderful color photo of an early tour guide wearing the rarely seen first costume with the Disneyland Hostess patch on the front. And it appears she is standing on one of the Plantation Inn restaurant patios. The outfits were made by Pendeleton Woolen Mills, one of the first lessees of the park. The plaid is a unique plaid design made for the tour guides. This image comes from Dan at A Sampler of Things. If you have not visited his site, I highly recommend it. (It is the first blog I read in the morning.)
Finally a quote from the training booklet for tour guides "it's been my pleasure":
This guide for guides is designed to help you orient yourself in your role in our Disneyland show...an introduction to your training program which will be an easy and pleasant experience...like boot camp in the Marines.
The caption for this Garden Grove newspaper photo from the early 1960s is: Royal Send-off for Disneyland Senior Hostess Donna Jackson...tour guides salute Grove girl before she leaves for Copenhagen, Denmark and "exchange" job at Tivoli Gardens Park. A wonderful image with the riding crop salute to this very cute blonde tour guide. The image captures the outfits and the badges worn by the guides, as well as the camaraderie shared by them.
As I have said before, in the 1960s there was a definite soriority feel to the guides. The guides were chosen and had to "audition" and test for the job to make sure they knew about the park and would be able to answer the questions. This was the premier job to hold at Disneyland and there was a definite esprit de corps within the group. The mom to this group was Cicely Rigdon who chose the guides and kept them on track and looking good.
This week I am planning to showcase the tour guide images I own. Most are black and white press type photos from the mid 1960s. I hope you all enjoy this week.
Posts
All Comments
