Snapshot: Disneyland! - The Gullywhumper

The Mike Fink Keelboats have not navigated the Rivers of America in Disneyland for over a decade. On May 17, 1997, the Gullywhumper tipped over, dunking a boatload of guests. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the Gullywhumper was ultimately retired to this remote area of Tom Sawyer Island. The Gullywhumper's sister boat, the Bertha Mae, was sold on eBay in 2001.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - The Charms of Main Street

The aesthetic charms of Main Street USA in Disneyland are like magnets to the camera lens. Trademark windows of dedication combine with color and forced perspective to create a dramatic visual vignette.

As to the windows themselves--Emile Kuri was an Oscar-winning set decorator famous for Disney films such as Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He also contributed designs for Disneyland and served as a consultant for Walt Disney World.

According to his official Disney Legends biography, "Former Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Attractions, currently Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Ron Dominguez is a 'native Disneylander.' Originally, his family owned and lived on 10 acres of the orange grove-covered property, which was purchased by Walt Disney for his premier theme park in 1954." Hence the faux-business name Orange Grove Property Mgmt.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Fire Hazard: Medium

Two of my favorite Disney characters, Ranger Woodlore and Humphrey, do their part on behalf of fire safety at Disney's California Adventure. The two play a small but important role on the Fire Hazard Alert on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Hey Goofy!

There is a much more casual dynamic to the characters at Disneyland. It was a refreshing change of pace from the long lines and general mob scenes that accompany character appearances at the Florida parks. A fun and spontaneous picture such as this is well nigh impossible most of the time at Walt Disney World.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Extra! Extra!

How do monsters get their daily news in Monstropolis? They can choose between two different newspapers, as demonstrated by these paper machines located in the queue area of Mike and Sully to the Rescue at Disney's California Adventure.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Which Way to the Never Mine?

79 miles from the heart Disneyland is where you'll find the Never Mine, at least according to this signpost. Big Thunder Mountain is a mere 50 feet away and is visible in the background. The signpost itself is nestled in a corner of Frontierland just beyond the Rancho del Zocolo restaurant.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Catala Bullfish

Nestled amidst the flora and fauna of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at Disney's California Adventure is a series of pseudo wood carvings that depict Native American legends and folklore. My very favorite was Catala. Here is the inscription from that particular carving:

CATALA
BULLFISH

Coyote was swallowed by this fish bit by bit
Because it taunted him and just wouldn't quit

WINTU LEGEND

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Heavenly Music from Club 33

One last Snapshot! from Disneyland before we return to a more normal routine of posting.

Lillian Disney commissioned the construction of this beautiful harpsichord for Club 33 in New Orleans Square. The hand-painted scene on the underside of the lid depicts a 19th century view of New Orleans.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - West Coast Muppets

The Muppet*Vision 3-D attraction can be found at both Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure, but the two venues share little in common in terms of exterior and queue line theming. One of the funnier elements to be found at the west coast incarnation is The Great Gonzo's Catapult of Doom.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Goin' Postal in Toontown

Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland is Snapshot! heaven. Design and color mix for pure eye candy wherever you turn. Even something as mundane as a mailbox becomes a visual treat.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Freddie the Bat

A quick Snapshot! from the Happiest Place. The pet cemetery is a bit more accessible at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion than at its Florida counterpart. Freddie the Bat went on to his reward in 1847.

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Squirreled Away

One of the more subtle design elements of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is this tribute in downspout to one of Briar Rose's smaller forest friends.

Photo taken by davelandweb.com

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Celebrating Mickey'sToontown

Mickey's Toontown opened to Disneyland guests 15 years ago today on January 24, 1993. We're celebrating with a couple of fun Snapshots generously provided by our good friend Dave from davelandweb.

Here's an interesting bit of cartoon incongruity. Despite the nearby Gadget's Go Coaster which was inspired by the Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers television show, our two favorite chipmunks shed their bomber jacket and Hawaiian shirt trappings and returned to their "naked" roots at the Chip 'n Dale Tree House.

The chipmunks' hot-tempered nemesis lives nearby. While maps and guidebooks name the interactive playground/attraction as Donald's Boat, the carved figurehead at the prow gives hint to the boat's actual name: the Miss Daisy.

Photos taken by davelandweb.com

Snapshot: Disneyland! - The Very First Small World

When Disneyland opened in July of 1955, the Canal Boats of the World took guests on a generally uninspired tour of a featureless landscape. That changed during the summer of 1956 with the addition of a series of elaborate miniature set pieces that became known as Storybook Land. While scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella were among the original designs, additions have been made over the years, such as this beautiful rendition of the Sultan's Palace from Aladdin.

Photos taken by davelandweb.com

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Service With a Smile

We remain in Mickey's Toontown for our next Disneyland Snapshot! There's something fishy about those gas pumps at Goofy's Gas, and the occupants bear a striking resemblance to a certain Henry Limpet. The Walt Disney World counterpart to Goofy's Gas is Pete's Garage. Pete's pump trades fish for a restroom key. And let me just say, for a gas station, Pete's has some very clean restrooms.

Disneyland Photos taken by davelandweb.com

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Calling Toontown

For our next Snapshot from Disneyland, Dave brings us a peek of a very toony version of a what is quickly becoming a theme park rarity -- the pay telephone. Fortunately they are still in use (relatively speaking) at Mickey's Toontown.

Photo taken by davelandweb.com

Snapshot: Disneyland! - Rancho del Zocalo

I've been wanting to expand our Snapshot! offerings beyond the borders of Walt Disney World for quite some time, so with the able assistance of Dave DeCaro, one of our favorite fellow Disney bloggers, and proprietor of Daveland and Vintage Disneyland at Daveland, we present what we hope will be the first of many posts in our brand new Snapshot Disneyland! category.

First up, Dave shows us some wonderful and very colorful details from Frontierland's Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.

On a related note, I am looking for volunteers for similar themed Snapshot Paris! and Snapshot Tokyo! features. If you are a regular visitor to either of those resorts and would like to see your photos showcased here at 2719 Hyperion, please contact me at jeffpepper@2719hyperion.com. A perusal of our Snapshot! category will give you a general idea of the material we are looking for.

Photo taken by davelandweb.com