When I wrote my review of Red Apple Lipstick, I got a comment or two on how some were distracted (I assume in a good way!) by what was going on in the background, so I figured it may be a good time to share a few pictures of my beloved vanity.
Hope you enjoyed!
…go back in time for one day and experience something, what would it be? Not going back and changing something or doing something huge, but going back in time and simply witnessing or participating in something a large group did. March on Washington perhaps? Or V-E or V-J day? Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee? Or maybe something more simple, like just going shopping…
For me it would be to go to Disneyland on a day in which Guy William appeared as Zorro.
Over a period of just three years, “Zorro Days” happened at Disneyland only five times. These Zorro weekends included a parade on Main Street USA and a stunt show in Frontierland, beginning at the Golden Horseshoe and ending atop the Mark Twain! Followed later by autograph sessions and opportunities for children to cross swords with the fox himself! You can view photos on Daveland.
The event combines many of my passions…first I love Disneyland. Adore it. Seriously. My love for Disneyland could be a blog in itself. Additionally, I love Zorro. The show was so well done, and I love the period of Spanish California and Guy Williams was smokin’ hot to boot. So not only could I get to experience Disneyland in its infancy and ride so many of the long forgotten attractions, maybe even see Walt himself, but get to meet Guy Williams, Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon!
But until we have time machines or I happen to run into The Doctor, I guess I’ll have to be happy with this glorious footage of Zorro at Disneyland that The Disney History Institute has so kindly shared.
So, where and when would you go?
The last time Janey and I went to California we took along an old Kodak Dualflex II and shot a few rolls of 120 film (You can see those photos here). This time we did it again, and since we drove we got to see the sights a little more. When we got into LA we stopped at Griffith Park Observatory (one of the shooting locations for Rebel Without a Cause) and took a great set of black and white photos.
I’ll explain why I’m posting this and not Janey a little later.
Once we got to Disneyland the first thing we did was headed straight over and checkout Cars Land, which is nothing short of amazing. There are so many opportunities for fantastic images I used almost an entire roll of film there.
After spending about half a day in Cars Land we went over to Disneyland. But somewhere between Cars Land and Disneyland a switch on the camera got bumped and made the shutter stay open for too long so all of the photos we took in Disneyland look blurry. It’s sad to lose so many good photos but now we know to make sure the switch on the side is flipped to “I” and not to “B”. Janey was to devastated to lose most of the photos, so that’s why I am posting this. Thankfully there were still two good photos of Janey in her Zero skirt so it was not a complete loss.
We will be spending a day or two in Disneyland when we are in California in March. So look for some more 120 photos then!
Here’s a little bonus post for you hard-core Disneyland lovers! A year after Disneyland opened, the Skyway joined the ranks of the park’s attractions. Guests boarded a gondola lift that transported them over the park to either Tomorrowland or Fantasyland. Originally, there was a stantion post in the between the stations to provide support, however in 1959, the Matterhorn enveloped the pole and buckets passed through the mountain.
Above are images scanned from my vintage Disneyland postcard collection.
Some of my earliest memories of Disneyland are of riding the Skyway. I love having a bird’s-eye view, and I remember the day I discovered that if you looked at just the right place at just the right moment you could see the abominable snowman who inhabited the Matterhorn.
In 1994 the Skyway closed. The reason is up for debate. Some claims are that the support structure was suffering damage due to continued stress, another attributes it to the costly process it would have taken to make the attraction wheelchair accessible, and another possible reason is that the attraction was a safety hazard, despite only one incident of a man jumping from a bucket, landing into a tree. He attempted to make it appear as an accident, suing Disney, however before the trial, he admitted he jumped of his own accord, and the suit was dropped.
The Tomorrowland station is long since gone, however, the Fantasyland station still exists! You just have to look for it. If you are entering from Frontierland you pass by a group of carts with concessions and souvenirs just prior to coming upon the Casey Junior attraction. It is just behind these carts, obscured by trees that the lone Swiss inspired Skyway station lingers. The stairs leading up to the station are blocked off by a single chain, easy enough to remove or hop over to get a closer look, however, I’m a rule abiding girl (especially at Disneyland) and I stood from afar snapping pictures.
Eventually, a Cast Member approached me, instead of asking what I was doing, he simply said “Would you like me to go up there and take some photos for you?” I was absolutely delighted, and handed my camera over with pleasure as he removed the chain and walked up the steps. I eagerly awaited as he returned and I received these photos…
On our last day in the park this visit, I donned my Zero circle skirt and we joined the rockabilly crowd for Rock Around the Park, a day in which a bunch of rockabilly people get together and go to Disneyland. We arrived early, being one of the first people in the park, and when this happens, instead of bolting for big attractions such as Space Mountain, I enjoy moseying about and taking photos…lots and lots of photos…
New Orleans Square is my favorite land, and I spent most of the day there. The Christmas overlay for both the land as well as the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay for the Haunted Mansion is just magnificent. There are so many delightful details everywhere you turn. If you’re a fan of Nightmare and haven’t been while this overlay is happening, I highly recommend it! The overlay takes 14 days to complete and is done in late September so the Mansion is ready for the Halloween season. The overlay then lasts just past New Years and is taken down with the rest of the Christmas decor. But please visit Disneyland’s calender prior to planning your visit.
It is also during these months that you can meet Jack and Sally!
I can’t deny that I find it amusing that initially Disney disapproved of Burton’s creation (as well as the original Frankenweenie, both were thought too scary for children) and today both are beloved and embraced.
Midway through the day, all of those who came for Rock Around the Park posed for a group photo in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Patrick, as well as everyone else in my group, insisted on being in it, so I didn’t get a picture. But you can view it here! And you can even see me, my sister and Patrick! I’m on the left, of course in the yellow sweater, next to a girl in a red sweater. After our photo we all made our way to Pirates of the Caribbean where we all got odd stares and questions. But as is life for a vintage loving gal…
As part of Rock Around the Park, as a group we went to watch Billy Hill and the Hillbillies perform at Big Thunder Ranch. While all of the boys are named “Billy”, the lead member said how delighted he was to see all of us rockabilly people, despite how “scary” we all looked.
These guys are highly entertaining, as well as extremely talented. So if you’re a fan of bluegrass and you’re in Disneyland, I highly suggest seeing them!
Also at the performance of Billy Hill and the Hillbillies we picked up our Rock Around the Park 2012 pins! How swell is that!?
There were many other group oriented events, including a concert by Rumble King at the Tomorrowland Terrace, and post-park drinks at Trader Sam’s, but instead I voted to spend more time in New Orleans Square, soaking up the jazz and eating pumpkin beignets.
I think I rode the Haunted Mansion so many times I lost track…there is just so much to look at both inside and out!
That about wraps it up. Big Disneyland buffs should stay tuned for a bonus post a little later today! And look for the entry with our 120 photos tomorrow!!
Our second day at Disneyland was split between Disneyland and (rather reluctantly on my part) the new Buena Vista Street portion of California Adventure.
When California Adventure opened, I really didn’t care for it. It lacked the charm (as well as the history) of Disneyland. But now, a lot has changed. The original, tasteless entry area of shops has now transformed to an idealized version of Los Angeles during the 1920s and 30s (the period in which Walt Disney arrived) and totally transports guests just like when they enter Main Street USA in Disneyland.
But while California Adventure has finally elevated itself, I still couldn’t bring myself to dedicate much time to the area (Although, I must admit, I missed a few things on Buena Vista Street that Daveland has so meticulously photographed on his blog on his most recent visit), I just needed to get over to Disneyland.
The attention to detail at Disneyland is unmatched by any other amusement park, and sometimes you truly can’t appreciate the detail unless you spend a few days or visit often. One of my favorite details is the Main Street alley where the lockers are. There are three windows that if you listen you can hear what is happening inside! Additionally, the architecture and signage is just stellar. So, if you have a moment, look around, listen, and play around with the old-time amusements that are in the arcade!
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pictures!
After visiting with my grandmother, Patrick, my dad, Ann, my sister Shannon and myself made it into Anaheim for three fun filled days at the Disneyland. Taking cues from our relative who has worked at the park for 45 years, we chose to go to California Adventure first to experience Cars Land and all I can say is WOW!
After a late breakfast at Flo’s we spent the rest of the day in Disneyland with a few cousins and as dusk arrived, we headed back over to Cars Land to enjoy the absolutely stunning neon.
Stay tuned for more pictures! I’m about to step out the door to drop off our 120 film to be developed. I can’t wait to see how they turned out!
