Disneyland - 1970s, 1980s & 1990s

Greetings, Adventure lovers. Today we take back up blogging with a return to yesteryears---the 70s, 80s and 90s. Life for me continues as a Cast Member---in fact I spent yesterday evening on Jungle Cruise, skippering both the Nile and the Hondo. I had a most enjoyable shift and no breakdowns (mechanical or otherwise). About a week ago, we went "101" and it seemed like old times. We had a derail at the Hippo Pool and yours truly manned the rescue boat, backing into the Jungle from the dock and giving the maintenance crew much needed help in the form of an "on-track" boat to help get the disabled boat back into action. I also took the first boat into the Jungle after the breakdown. No problem. Except for the fact that the animation had not been turned back on. I simply worked the lack of noticeable movement into my spiel and the guests and I had a grand time.

But I digress.

Above is a shot (originally supplied from longtime Disneylander Bruce Nelson---many thanks!) from the mid-1970s of the Pearly Band in front of the old Mad Tea Party before it was moved closer to the Matterhorn. You can see the Fantasyland Theatre in the background. I used to love to go in there on hot days and watch the classic Mickey cartoons. As I recall, The Band Concert and Mickey's Trailer were playing the last few times I went inside. The theater was torn down in 1982 to make way for the "New Fantasyland" and it sat near the old Welch's Juice bar in the area that has since become Pinocchio's Daring Journey and Village Haus (my sincere thanks to Progressland over at Disneyland Nomenclature for his piece on the teardown of this area of the park---here's a sincere plug for his blog! Take a moment and follow the link. If you are disappointed, well, perhaps you really aren't the Disney aficionado you may have first fancied yourself to be!).
Keeping with the 1970s, above is a night photo (with thanks to old timer Rudy Bermudes, who originally shared it) showing the opposite side of the Fantasyland courtyard---with dear old Mr. Toad's Wild Ride glowing in the background. The Mad Tea Party is festively aglow and spinning away. As a former sweeper, I must also give thanks to the Paint Shop for their fine work on the waste can in the center of the picture.Next is a photograph of Main Street during 1975 (thanks to Gary Moore for sharing this with us originally). I was at the Park often during this time and it is great to see it again. Look at how CROWDED the place is compared with today. See that stuff around the horse's feet---that's pavement. You don't get to see it much in today's Annual Passholder guestfest that is Disneyland. I miss the days when the Park was less crowded. This used to happen more often. Don't get me wrong---it's great to see guests in the Park. It's just that there used to be a bit more breathing room and isolated little corners where you literally felt like no one else was around. I get that now only during opening shifts, when I walk across an empty and expectant Main Street on my way to Adventureland.
Next, thanks to Sandi Miller (who worked EVERYWHERE at the Park and for a good long while---I'm not giving out any more details as Sandi is ageless!) we have a photo of the guy who played Merlin during the Sword in the Stone ceremony that was a daily occurrence in the mid-1980s after the New Fantasyland debuted. I was a sweeper in 1984-85 and spent many hours in this part of Fantasyland---literally coming to know every nook and cranny as I sought out bits of popcorn, cigarette butts and other debris.

I remember watching Merlin and his supporting crew (a band of guys who played instruments in support of Merlin's spiel over the Sword ceremony---wherein one brave, honest, loyal subject would be crowned king or queen for the day once they pulled the Sword up from the stone, though not ALL the way out). I remember Merlin always seemed a bit too young under the white beard and hat, but the guy played the character quite nicely. He certainly brightened the day for many youngsters who were lucky enough to be selected to pull up the Sword. There are also a good many dads out there who were deemed "unworthy" (in front of the gathered crowd) and failed to get the Sword to budge---making the young ones all the happier when they were able to magically get it to move.
And to close out our post for today, I offer you a good old fashioned cookout above (with thanks to Jim Egelston) from along the Rivers of America. This is apparently how those canoe guys built up their biceps---with a hearty meal of Rivers of America Trout shared with the friendly local Indian---ahem, Native American---tribe. At least the Indians didn't catch their home on fire like that old moonshiner over on the island!

For now, I bid each of my three readers a fond adieu and apologize once again for posting about once a month!!! Doh!

---Mike

Back On Jungle

Well, I've been back on the Jungle for quite a while now.

Love it.

Always have.

So many things have changed for me since 1986-87.

Married.

Children.

College.

Law School.

Legal Career.

The Internet.

Cell phones.

Reality TV.

Digital cameras.

Reagan to Obama.

09-11-2001.

Global economic collapse.

Mortgage.

Mortgage crisis.

You get the picture.

But I still have a Mickey Mouse watch---you know, the classic, cheap one: red shorts, yellow shoes, gloves on the hands.

And I still have the Jungle. Sure, we lost the hornbill and the Swiss Family Treehouse, but the Jungle has remained pretty timeless.

There's a deep serenity in piloting its twists and turns. The familiar roll of the spiel and the hum of the engine as I throttle past elephants, gorillas, lions and hippos are links to a couple of wildly different points in my life: from being in my early 20s to my early 40s; from apartment dweller to homeowner; from childless to parenthood; from idealistic to realistic; from party-goer to breadwinner; from almost grown-up to fully grown-up (wondering what the hell happened); from die-hard energy to lower back pains; from a long time ago to now.

But you know what? I put on that name tag and costume, grab the microphone and throttle, and I'm back. Back to yesterday---in the middle of today! The same old jokes (for the most part), the same old boats (sans the colorful canopies and white hulls), the same old Adventureland (again, for the most part) and the same look of joy on the faces of the guests (not all of them, to be sure, but I've even managed to eke smiles from some grizzled Park veterans of late). For a few hours I'm a skipper again and the disparate ends of my life link together like being in a time tunnel. I'm still me. I still feel like that 20 year old on the inside. I still have the sarcasm. Still have fun hauling a captive audience into the Jungle and back. In many ways, today is even better. I have the added benefit of experience and perspective. I see more than ever the need to bring a little happiness into people's lives---to help them escape the everyday for just a few moments. This is a very good thing.

Hell. Life is an adventure. Stock markets are terrifying. Pink slips can call into question one's courage more than a charging rhino or a tribe of headhunters. But in Adventureland, the guests and I get to indulge in a little old fashioned playtime. We step together, literally, into the same boat and steam off into a "jungle" to risk life and limb. We need each other. I drive the boat, I guide them through the dangers and they listen, react and absorb it all.

Here's to the Jungle Cruise! Here's to life!

The more things change...
...the more they stay the same.

If you get the chance, stop by the Jungle and jump on board. We can share a cruise together!

If you enjoy the trip half as much as I do, then I'm the lucky one because that means I'm having twice as much fun as you!

Now, come on board! Better yet, as we are wont to say at the loading dock: Come on excited!! Better to be over-excited than over-board!

See you in the Jungle!

---Mike

Disneyland - Autopia, The End of An Era

Ah, the Autopia. A Tomorrowland classic.

With sincere thanks to long-time Disneylander Sandi Miller, I share with you today the above photograph, which offers a fleeting last glimpse of the old Autopia car bodies as they appeared "backstage" before heading to their final resting places.

The cars were revamped in 2000 (has it really been 9 years?) for the "new" Autopia and were replaced with these thingies as part of the uglification of the "new" Tomorrowland:My thanks to Ellen Levy Finch for the photograph below showing how the attraction looked in 1996. Note the lack of the monstrous "queue building" that completely interrupted the once spectacular view of the Matterhorn and the Tomorrowland skyline. Many Disneylanders lament the passing of the old Tomorrowland, with its crisp design elements and open airiness. The primary colors and Corvette-esque body style of the old Autopia fit so well in Tomorrowland.
That was before they moved the Rocket Jets and painted everything rusty.
Retttcccch.
Ack.
Oh, to roll slowly above the Autopia in the Peoplemover again; to look down at those happy cars from one of Tomorrowland's "highways in the sky" (take your pick: Monorail, Skyway or Peoplemover) while enjoying a leisurely ride; t'would be heavenly.
Few things sparkled so as the Submarine lagoon on a warm summer day.

Thankfully, Disneyland still shines. We bring to it our memories and it gives us back more.

Have a great day and remember: "To make your car go, press your foot down on the pedal..."

Disneyland - Jungle Is "101" is back! 1980 Advertisers Who Ain't Here No More

Hey, kids!

I'm baaaack.

Did you miss me?

Terribly sorry about that whole month-and-a-half-long hiatus thing, but the holidays were pretty darn busy for this old skipper!

I worked at the Park for most of the time (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!). In fact, I was working guest control in front of the Castle when the clock struck twelve and dense fog completely blocked everyone's view of the fireworks! They sure sounded great, though!

Today, from the Summer 1980 volume of Vacationland, we take a look back at "Things That Aren't Here Anymore" by reviewing advertisements and snippets from the magazine. Each of the ads to the right were lifted from the pages of this issue. From the looks of things, maybe it wasn't such a wise move to advertise in Vacationland---at least not for these firms:

1. We start with: Wonder Bread. Wonder filed for bankruptcy and, at least under its old form, it would no longer be sponsoring ads such as the one on the right from 28 years ago. So much for the "Twinkie Defense" (not that it ever was one). There is hope however, as Wonder Bread's parent company may rise from the ashes of bankruptcy under a reorganization plan. Still, it sure was sad to see the old company go under in the first place. From the looks of things today---there'll be plenty more firms following them!

2. Next: Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurants. From a "Tasty get together" to bankruptcy, poor Stuart Anderson's. Sadly, this somewhat shlocky steakhouse went under in 2009 and is the most recent victim of the curse of advertising in the Summer '80 edition of Vacationland. I love how quaint the 1980s ads appear. Note the complete lack of any reference to a website by any of the advertisers. Heck, the Apple Macintosh hadn't even come out yet, much less the worldwide web!

3. MOVIELAND WAX MUSEUM: Our next victim was an old friendly neighbor of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. The Movieland Wax Museum was a tourist staple in the Southern California of the 1970s and 1980s. It took its final bow in October of 2005, with most of its famous wax figures being auctioned off to individual collectors.

4. MARINELAND: Hanna Barbera's Marineland "went under" for the last time in 1986---when it was purchased by the owners of Sea World. It was one of our first advertisers to go down after running an ad in Summer 1980. Known previously as Marineland of the Pacific, this So Cal attraction hung in there for a while, but was eliminated in Sea World's quest for domination of the California aquatic theme park market. "Corky" the killer whale was actually removed from old Marineland and shipped south to San Diego where he was re-christened "Shamu." I fondly recall a field trip to Marineland of the Pacific with my school back in the 1970s. It was a pretty park, with a fabulous view of the Pacific. I understand many of its old buildings remain on the site, waiting for redevelopment someday when the economy returns.

Well, that's all for today.
In life we have to say farewell to people and places many times along the way.
The "sweet sorrow" of such parting lingers with us.
We eventually get over some of our losses.
Others remain with us (see, e.g., Skyway, America Sings, Country Bear Jamboree, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Carnation Ice Cream Parlor, Fort Wilderness, CircleVision 360, Rocket Jets and The Mile Long Bar).

Here's to a safe, happy and prosperous 2009 for all four of you loyal readers! (Hi, Mom!)

---Mike

Disneyland - 1965 - 10 Year Anniversary Article

Today we dig into the archives and dust off my old copy of the San Francisco Sunday Chronicle from February 21, 1965. I scanned in the above article on "Mr. Disney's 10-Year-Old Playpen," by Travel writer Polly Noyes. I share it with you above and below. You should be able to click on the picture to view it in enlarged form.

If not, well then squint really hard.

Little did the reporter or Walt realize when giving the interview that Mr. Disney would pass away the next year. In the article he speaks of his plans to build an "underground" Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I don't know. I don't see any marketing tie-ins to existing Disney products. Doesn't sound to me like the "Pirate" ride Walt's planning will EVER work.

Maybe if we added Johnny Depp it would have a better reception.

Finally, for my dear fellow blogger, Viewliner Limited, I had to include the ad below from the same 1965 newspaper. In '65 you could still board the then-dying California Zephyr for a round trip to Chicago from California for under $100. Sure, those new-fangled jet aeroplanes seem to be grabbing all the headlines, but mark my words train travel will never be replaced in this great country!
To all who come to this happy blog...

...accept my fondest wishes for a great weekend! I'm working Jungle on Saturday!

---Mike

Disneyland - Jungle Cruise - Return

Hi, kids!

Sorry for the slow posting this past week, but Thanksgiving and shifts at the Park have kept me off the computer.

Did I mention I am a Disneyland Cast Member again after 21 years?

If I didn't,

...I am.

Adventure/Frontier Attractions.

BACK in the Jungle.

I'm sure I'll have more to talk about...

...though a lot of the stuff I know is now suddenly "confidential" because I am once again a Disney employee.

Oh, and, by the way, it is simply great to be back.

Merry Christmas!

--Mike

Disneyland - Hungry Bear Moments

Along the Rivers of America in what used to be Bear Country sits the wooded and shady porch of the Hungry Bear restaurant.

It is one of the last, quaint reminders of old Bear Country. Indeed, it is one of the few remaining "out of the way" spots in all of Disneyland.

Downstairs you can sit around a table and watch the ducks float by---or feed them if you'd like. Even on hot days, this area stays pretty cool.

From this vantage point you can get a clear view of the Mark Twain steaming along, while waving at the guests on her lower decks. Her massive sternwheel plows through the water, which sparkles and froths behind her. Her steam engine puffs and chugs loudly as she churns ahead toward the bend.

To your left, you can peer into the woods of an America of long ago. In the farthest corner of the porch, the illusion that you are somewhere along an American river, near the forest, is all too convincing. Above you, a steam engine of the Disneyland Railroad rolls into view, clicking along on its way through the wilderness.

Across the way, Tom Sawyer's Island beckons, with children and adults clambering over its rock formations. There's the remains of old Fort Wilderness.

To your right, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes still load up guests for a true, people-powered attraction. You watch as a splashy, out-of-synch bunch of paddlers glide by---with their exasperated guide and oarsman in the stern.

The area music softly plays bluegrass in the background.

It's a good spot. Relax and enjoy it.

There'll be plenty of time for Fast Passes and Fantasmic later.

Disneyland - Christmas Parade, Fireworks, Snow

Friday and Saturday saw the return of Disneyland's "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade (daily 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.), fireworks (daily at 9:25 p.m.) and snow. The crowd was not too bad Friday, grew quite bigger on Saturday, and will simply increase as we plow forward into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Snow lovers: stick between the buildings on Main Street for your best viewing and participation. The snow drops daily at 7:30 p.m. and once again after the fireworks show.

Pedestrian traffic alert: the Hub.

With Fantasmic erupting nightly at 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., a 6:30 p.m. Christmas parade, 7:30 p.m. "snow" and 9:25 p.m. fireworks show ("Believe in Holiday Magic"), the Hub area in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle becomes...

...shall we say...

...busy. Guests are directed through a one-way traffic flow system that goes counterclockwise around the outside of the Hub (the brick walkways). Fireworks viewing is in the middle of the street, in front of the castle and down Main Street. Arrive early for a spot or enjoy marching around the Hub with 15,000 of your closest and dearest new friends.

Oh.

Small World's open, too. It is decked out for the holidays and has new boats. Most of it has remained true to its original self---at least what we can see so far. Enjoy!

There's more to follow on the whole me skippering a Jungle boat thing.

Heck, I may take one of them out for a spin tonight!

Love and joy come to you!

And don't forget the wassail. Make mine a double.

Disneyland - Plaza Pavilion, Christmas Decorations, Wild Fire

Old news, but the Plaza Pavilion is done with its rehab enough so that they took down the construction wall and guests can sit on the front porch again. The kitchen construction in the back continues and nears completion. Great to see the "gingerbread" woodwork and the luxurious new coat of thick paint. Bravo!

Christmas officially arrived at Disneyland recently as well, with the big tree now up in Town Square and decorations everywhere else. The official parades and fireworks are scheduled to kick off on November 21, 2008, as I recall.

The Christmas music on Main Street is cool and does help set the scene, though I must admit it was a surreal scene during last weekend's fires in nearby Corona/Yorba Linda/Anaheim Hills/Brea. A huge plume of black smoke and ash covered Disneyland last Saturday, literally blocking out the sun for most of the day. As I stood on Main Street I listened to Christmas music while baking in a hot Santa Ana (Santana) Wind and watching ashes rain down. There's a Southern California holiday scene for you.

Over on the Jungle Cruise, as our boat came round the bend into the Elephant Pool, I felt like we were in Apocalypse Now. The sky was orange-grey, ash was falling like we'd been napalmed and dense smoke surrounded us. I half expected to stumble upon Marlon Brando sitting in the tent with the gorillas and the overturned Jeep.

What made it most interesting, 101 fans, was that I was skippering the boat.

Not kidding.

More on that later.

Love,

Mike

Disneyland - Tomorrowland - Um, Now What?

I have not posted much about Tomorrowland.

There's not much to say these days.

We could talk about Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters.

But what would we do when those fourteen seconds were up?

Perhaps our time would be better suited mourning the passing of Circle Vision.

This lovely attraction provided a fabulous 360-degree motion picture tour of the United States (and, later, China). It was air conditioned. It took a good number of guests out of the Park.

Or the loss of America Sings or the Carousel of Progress to Innoventions? Ack. Pphhhphth.

I've heard that the Peoplemover may be making a come back, but I'm not making any promises.
That would be a step.
Putting the Rocket Jets back where they belong would be good, too.
Updating the Star Tours attraction after 21+ years would be a nice touch. (I think we've attacked the Death Star enough already!).
A little more white paint on the buildings and perennials in the flower beds would go quite a ways.
Oh, I don't know, it'd be nice to ride the Skyway again.
At least we have (or are trying to have) a new Monorail. Hope they finish getting the bugs out. Funny, the other ones worked fine for over 50 years! Leave it to the 2008 model to be a clunker.
Mission to Mars? Okay, I'll give 'em that one. Why not stick Mission Space in its place? Beats a dirty, smelly old Pizza Planet any day.
Bring.
Back.
Tomorrowland Terrace.
Give us some primary colors on the Autopia.

My now familiar rant is now over for today.

Pax vobiscum, my friends.