Meeting Some Real (and rare) Characters

Continuing our series of vintage Disney Parks photos this week, today we take a different perspective and look at some shots of characters rarely seen in the parks these days. DisneyShawn blog reader Katherine Sanders from Saskatchewan, Canada, contributed this series taken on her first visit to Disneyland in 1994. That's her with Roger Rabbit, near the Carnation Plaza Gardens. Following the 1988 release of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Roger became a regular fixture in the Disney Parks, nearly as ubiquitous as Mickey Mouse.

I find this next shot interesting for a couple of reasons. Goofy's son, Max, can still occasionally be seen in the parks, but this is a rare instance of Goofy himself in his "Dad" outfit as seen on the "Goof Troop" TV series and in A Goofy Movie (released in 1995). He's much more commonly spotted wearing his traditional yellow vest and green hat. Click on the photo for a closer look, and you're sure to also get a kick out of the enormous video camera and fanny pack the fella in the red shirt is sporting!

These next pictures were taken in Mickey's Toontown, a fairly new addition to Disneyland at the time, having just opened in 1993. During that period, the Disney Afternoon TV programming block was very popular. In fact, this back corner of Disneyland had hosted Disney Afternoon Avenue a couple years earlier, so it's no surprise that on her visit young Katherine was able to meet stars like Launchpad McQuack from "DuckTales" and "Tale Spin" or Gadget (the inspiration for Gadget's Go-Coaster in Toontown) from "Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers."

Katherine's rarest find of all that day, though, was probably this guy: Bonkers D. Bobcat. Bonkers, of the Hollywood Police Department - Toon Division, was introduced in segments of the short-lived 1992 Saturday morning series "Raw Toonage." In 1993, Bonkers was spun off into his own, self-titled series on Disney Channel and in syndication, but he made very few appearances in the parks.

So what about you? Anyone else out there have some great vintage photos from your early Disney Parks vacations? If so, I'd love to feature them here on the blog. Maybe you captured something long gone or forgotten. Maybe you have a picture you just can't place or don't know anything about. Send them my way, and I'll do my best to help shed some light.

Yesterday's Tomorrow

In the last article on this blog, we took a long look at a vintage shot from the Magic Kingdom, discovering many forgotten details. One of these was the giant waterfall pylons at the entrance to Tomorrowland. In today's 1975 shot from Daveland.com (photo used with permission), we get a better view of this classic Tomorrowland scene.

Look closely, and you can see jets of water shooting down the face of the pylons and cascading over the sky blue tile walls on either side. The water effects here didn't last and in 1983 were replaced with colorful paint on the pylons and a tile pattern on the walls, all of which lasted another decade until the launch of New Tomorrowland in 1993-94.

In this photo, you can also make out the entrance to the rose garden on the left. Here, the marquee still reads "Plaza Swan Boats." The boats operated from 1973-1983.

In the distance are the spires of Space Mountain and the spinning rocket ships of the Star Jets (where the Astro Orbiter stands today). Now, you may notice that at the beginning of this article, I referred to the photo at the top as a "classic" Tomorrowland scene. It is not, however, the original view of Tomorrowland. When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, Tomorrowland consisted of only Flight to the Moon and "America the Beautiful" in CircleVision 360, both on the main concourse, along with the Skyway to Fantasyland and Grand Prix Raceway on the outskirts of the land.

This 1972 shot from the Skyway provides a rare glimpse at this corner of the Magic Kingdom at a time when there was precious little for anyone to photograph. There's a whole series of planters and trees that no longer exist, plus the back of the white Tomorrowland ticket booth that is still there today in the form of a Disney Vacation Club kiosk.

The entire center of the land is filled with nothing more than an early (and particularly groovy) version of a Tomorrowland stage and a cluster of colorful picnic tables. The Star Jets wouldn't rise here until November 1974. They were the first link in a major expansion of Tomorrowland that also included the addition of Space Mountain (Jan '75), the General Electric Carousel of Progress (Jan '75) and the WEDway PeopleMover (July '75). Interestingly, you can see some of the support framework for the PeopleMover track even in this early photo. Perhaps it and the Star Jets were planned additions simply put on hold in the push to get the Magic Kingdom opened.

Finally, just beyond the disco orange walls of the stage facility, you can make out some obvious construction. The dirt pile on the left would later become the site of Carousel of Progress, but the work seen in this photo was most likely associated with the preparation of "If You Had Wings." This classic ride-through attraction, sponsored by the now-defunct Eastern Airlines, opened in the summer of '72. The building went through several iterations over the years, before becoming Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in 1998.

Pictures from the Past

As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Sometimes, an old photograph of a Disney Park can offer just as many windows to the past, as I recently discovered browsing the phenomenal collection over at Daveland.com. Take, for example, the photo above (image used with permission). Go ahead and click on it for a better view. What do you see?

The first thing that likely jumps out at you is the construction site. This spot on the edge of Fantasyland was once home to the Fantasyland Art Festival, where guests could have their portraits made or a caricature drawn. Today, it's where you'll find the Enchanted Grove snack stand, along with area restrooms and Fairytale Garden.

What intrigued me most about this image, though, was the Mad Tea Party. Now, I happen to know quite a bit about Walt Disney World, but I certainly don't know everything, so I especially love it when I come across some new nugget of information. Before seeing this picture, I had no idea the Mad Tea Party was built without a roof. Of course, the Disneyland version of the attraction is uncovered, but then again, it rains far less in Southern California than it does in Central Florida. This picture was taken in June 1972. Judging from other shots I've seen, it looks like it didn't take long for the park to commit to a canopy so they could keep the party going rain or shine.

Look around in the photo - really stare at it - and other details of the past will become apparent. Sticking with the Mad Tea Party, the color scheme of the turntable and teacups has changed over the years. You may also notice the top of the old operator booth, plus the fact that there's no teapot (or Dormouse) at the center or Alice in Wonderland topiaries and leaf sculptures in the planters. It's a bit hard to tell, since the image cuts off at the bottom, but the present day Mad Tea Party may even have more cups and saucers than this original, offering a higher capacity.

What else do you see? There's an original-design Fantasyland trash can and old school metal and blue rental stroller near the green teacup on the right. What about Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe? In 1972, this corner was the Tomorrowland Terrace (a name now used for the former Plaza Pavilion near Main Street). You can make out the red oval sign for the restaurant, jutting out from an old Tomorrowland pylon, and the original geodesic dome roof over the Tomorrowland Terrace stage. Sonny Eclipse holds forth nowadays, but back then this was the spot for live cover bands with names like "The Dallas Soundtrack" and "Tabasco."

Further afield, close observers might notice the original trees in the Central Plaza (since removed after they grew so large they obstructed the view), the lack of a rose garden pathway (the rose garden leads down to the old landing for the Plaza Swan Boats), and the absence of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa from the horizon (you can just make out the Grand Ceremonial House at Disney's Polynesian Resort).

This picture also includes a view of the giant waterfall pylons that once graced the entrance to Tomorrowland, but we'll talk more about those, well... tomorrow, when I'll have another great old photo to share. Until then, I'll leave you with one last observation: The vantage point from which today's photo was taken. You can't really see it (except for the blur at the lower right that is the out-of-focus edge of the cab), but our photographer was perched high above the Magic Kingdom on the Skyway to Tomorrowland.

For Our Friends in Japan

I find it challenging this week to write about the details and stories of the Disney Parks at home, when my heart and mind are with my colleagues abroad. Friday's earthquake and tsunami continue to impact the people of Japan and will do so for some time. My wife and I took our first trip to Japan and the Tokyo Disney Resort eight years ago today. It was an incredible experience. The parks there are spectacular, and the people are among the most friendly, kind and helpful we've ever met.

All reports indicate that our fellow cast members and their families are safe, and there has been minimal damage to the resort facilities. The neighboring communities, however, continue to struggle. For that reason, Oriental Land Company (OLC is the company which owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort) has decided to cease operations at their parks and resorts for an undetermined period of time, so their cast and potential guests may focus on what is truly important right now.

OLC is helping the community in other ways. Freed of the responsibilities of work, Tokyo Disney Resort cast members have been volunteering en masse to help their neighbors recover and rebuild. Ceasing operations also allows for the conservation of critical water and energy resources. To help preserve as much fresh water as possible for drinking, OLC has even taken the step of turning over the massive water supply within Tokyo DisneySEA to nearby Urayasu City, for use in plumbing and other non-potable functions.

The Japanese are wonderful people and incredibly resilient. Eventually, the Tokyo Disney Resort will reopen, and cast members there will resume the business of creating magical experiences for their guests. Until then, we wish them the best in their recovery.

If you're able to help, please do so. You may donate to the American Red Cross directly via their site or text REDCROSS to 90999 (U.S. only) to give $10 to support Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts.

The Walt Disney Company has given $2.5 million in humanitarian aid to the Red Cross and has offered to match cast member donations up to $1 million. My wife and I have already contributed. If you're a fellow cast member, we urge you to join us and give whatever you can afford. You'll find the link in the message from Bob Iger on the Home page of The Hub.

Flashback: Mulholland Madness

We finish our tour of Paradise Pier and Disney California Adventure with a look at a recently-extinct attraction, Mulholland Madness. Named for and inspired by Mulholland Drive, the scenic 50-mile stretch of road from North Hollywood to the Malibu Coast, this "wild mouse"-style coaster offered guests a twisting, turning ride much like portions of its famous namesake.

The face of the attraction was adorned with a gigantic, unfolded road map of Mulholland Drive. Depicted on the map was everything from Marilyn Monroe to a landslide on the Pacific Coast Highway. Of course, while traffic was jammed on the PCH and the Hollywood Freeway, everyone was freewheeling along Mulholland... so much so, that the cars of the ride even appeared to crash right through the map at one point! The map also included a nod to Alamo Rent A Car (operating sponsor of the attraction from 2004-2010) and an image of a swimming pool shaped like Mickey Mouse.

Each of the coaster cars on Mulholland Madness featured four bucket seats and its own custom paint job. There were hot rods and Woodies and even squad cars of the California Highway Patrol.

Cars and car culture were the principle design motifs on Mulholland Madness. Everything here contributed to the story, from the orange net fencing around the perimeter to the "Cast Members Only" sign made to resemble a license plate. Even the height stick looked as if it belonged on the side of a highway.

The use of road signs in the queue and load areas continued along the ride path as well, with the addition of billboards advertising things like Mulholland Drive-Thru Donuts and Mulholland Madness the movie, starring Teri Fide and Rolly Coasta.

Mulholland Madness closed in October 2010, to be re-imagined as Goofy's Sky School. The new attraction is set to debut this summer.

The district of Paradise Pier which included Mulholland Madness, stretching from Burger Invasion to Dinosaur Jack's Sunglass Shack and roadside merchandise stand Souvenir 66, was intended as an homage to California's infatuation with the automobile. While these opening day features may have driven into history, the park is actually preparing to hit the gas on an even bigger tribute to cars, chrome and the "Mother Road" with the 2012 debut of Cars Land.

Guests visiting Disney California Adventure now can get a sneak peek at the new land under construction. The wall in front of the project has been dressed as oversized postcards, touting some of the new attractions and destinations opening next year. Among my favorite details on the wall: perforations between the cards and the price tag!

Rides of the Boardwalk

In the ten year history of Disney California Adventure, the Boardwalk of Paradise Pier has seen attractions come and go, while others have remained the same.

Down along the shore, Jumpin' Jellyfish gives a colorful kelp and sea creature overlay to a traditional parachute drop ride. Twelve parachute vehicles, dressed as jellyfish, make a "jump" straight up a couple of 60-foot kelp towers, before gently floating back down to the beach.

For such a simple attraction, the details are actually very well done. From the starfish height stick and jellyfish umbrellas in the queue to the rockwork and seaweed-like landscaping, everything contributes to a sense that the tide has receded and allowed us to wander a space typically found beneath the waves.

Nearby is another attraction unchanged since opening day, the Golden Zephyr (my apologies for not having a better photograph). This type of classic "spinning spaceship" ride had not been built for 35 years, but the wait was worth it. Flying in one of the six Flash Gordon-style rocket vehicles, the sense of speed and height reached is far more thrilling than you might imagine. It's actually my favorite Paradise Pier attraction and a "must do" on every visit.

One thing the above photograph does manage to show is a pair of now-extinct rides of the Boardwalk. The attractions may be history, but luckily you can just follow the links from here for one more look at the Maliboomer and the Orange Stinger.

Beach Culture

Paradise Pier pays homage to the grand beachfront amusement parks of the past. While the amusement aspects of the district may be the most obvious, the beach is represented here as well. Billboards like the one pictured above show us that stretch of sand "Between Sea and Sky" which, although not a part of the park we can visit, is very much a part of the story.

Beach details abound, even in the subtlest form. Take this drinking fountain, for example. It's modeled after a beach side shower. Notice the nozzles near the top? They're perfect for washing off the sand and salty water.

Until recently, the beach setting was even more prominent. Nestled in the grove where the Boardwalk met the shore was Pizza Oom Mow Mow, a quick service restaurant facility dedicated to California's surf culture. Pizza Oom Mow Mow, the name inspired by a popular tune from the '60s, closed in September 2010, but it's never too late to look back and enjoy some of the story details that were.

Pizza Oom Mow Mow was designed as a surf shack, a hangout on the beach that served as HQ for groups of surfer dudes and dudettes, celebrating California's "endless summer." This was the perfect place for late-night beach parties, late morning sleeping in and a climb to the rooftop tower to watch for incoming swells on the water.

Of course, you couldn't have an homage to California's period surf culture without Tikis. A pair stood guard at the door, and there was even a little guy behind the counter, munching on a slice of pepperoni. There was tons of detail here, from beach chairs and towels to bikes, boards and vintage California beach postcards. Even the menu contributed to the storytelling with offerings like the Big Kahuna Hawaiian Pizza and Pipeline Pizza Salad.

The music of the Beach Boys and other icons of beach culture permeated the space, where you could always find a place to stow your board (at one time, there was even a pink one labeled "Annette") or check the local surf conditions.

The surf shack of Pizza Oom Mow Mow had apparently been expanded over the years, enclosing areas which had once been part of the exterior of the building. Here, the surfers had painted the garage door with an airbrushed mural of an old Woodie station wagon and used their collection of hubcaps, mirrors and license plates as decoration.

In another corner of the restaurant, there was even a nod to classic beach and surf movies of the 1960s, including the Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello romp, Beach Party.

Pizza Oom Mow Mow wasn't alone in its affinity for beach culture. This stretch of Paradise Pier also featured Reboundo Beach, another boardwalk-style game of skill, and the S.S. rustworthy children's play area (read more about that here).

In the end, all this surf culture didn't quite jive with the new vision of Paradise Pier as a turn-of-the-20th-century amusement zone. The area that once encompassed the pizza restaurant (as well as nearby Burger Invasion), game and playground is being redressed as a beautifully-landscaped garden district, featuring re-branded restaurants Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and Paradise Garden Grill. Look for these to make their debut this summer.

Boardwalk Ballyhoo

Paradise Pier is definitely a land in transition. Certain key elements of the district have already evolved toward the new, Victorian period look, while others still retain the styling in which they debuted a decade ago.

The Games of the Boardwalk on the Midway have undergone one of the more dramatic changes thus far. Originally, these games of skill had a more modern look to them and bore wordplay names, referencing places and things in California: Cowhuenga Pass, New Haul Fishery, San Joaquin Volley, Angels in the Outfield, etc.

The new Games of the Boardwalk combine some of the more classic challenges with a period look... and a dash of Disney character. There's Casey at the Bat (toss a softball into the catcher's mitt), Dumbo Bucket Brigade (aim a stream of water to get your clown to climb a ladder), Bullseye Stallion Stampede (roll balls into a series of holes to make your horse run for the finish line) and Goofy About Fishin' (dip your line in and catch a fish - every one's a winner!).

Perhaps best of all, the new Games of the Boardwalk now feature appropriately-themed Disney character plush for prizes. It's perhaps the only place in the world where you can actually get a doll of Casey, the "pride of them all."

A little further down the Boardwalk is a series of shops original to Disney California Adventure. While this stretch has yet to receive its makeover, it has a certain tongue-in-cheek humor about it that's a lot of fun. At Point Mugu Tattoo, a tattoo parlor where "All Tattoos Are Temporary & All Sales Are Final," the strongman on the marquee is adorned with quite the selection of body art. There are tributes to his mother and America, reminders of his left and his right and a mark on his heart, showing his affection for Lady Beard.

Just who is Lady Beard? Why, she's one of the stars of the Sideshow, of course! Sideshow Shirts proudly promotes her, along with other Absurdi-Tees and Oddi-Tees such as Incindiere the fire breather, Swalli Baba the sword swallower and Vipera the snake charmer (whose serpent looks an awful lot like Kaa from Jungle Book).

Inside (where they actually do sell T-shirts), the Sideshow story is continued with such details as a tented roof, larger-than-life carnival barker and ticket stand. Note the numbers on the oversize ticket displayed near the register - 012001 - a reference to the date the store opened for previews in January 2001.

Man Hat N' Beach, a play on Manhattan Beach near L.A., sells hats, of course, although a sign at the entrance offers a warning: "Some Hats Contain Rabbits!"

Inside, there's even more fun with signs, like this play on the title of the 1965 Hayley Mills and Dean Jones comedy, That Darn Cat. Then, there's the offer for "Free Hats Tomorrow." Really? I'm coming back!