Besides the live mermaids above the water, Disneyland's Submarine Voyage also had a few below the water as well.



From the publicity release that accompanied this photo:

MERMAID'S DRY RUN (SECOND OF FIVE): HER HAIR SWIRLING GENTLY IN THE WATER, THIS ALLURING MERMAID IS MAKING A WET "DRY RUN." JUDGING BY HER GRACEFUL APPEARANCE, SHE WILL PROBABLY PASS HER SWIMMING TEST WITH FLYING COLORS. 2/14/59

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ANAHEIM, Calif., May 26—DISNEYLAND MONORAIL EXTENDED—Motorists traveling along Harbor boulevard in Anaheim, Calif., get a possible foretaste of the future as a train rolls over the extended Disneyland-Alweg monorail system. More than a mile and a half of concrete beamway has been added to the line, connecting Disneyland hotel with the amusement park. The monorail is the first in the U.S. to run adjacent to a major traffic artery.

It was an exciting time for transportation and the Monorail in 1961. How I wish the Monorail had caught on nationwide, and not just in Las Vegas! Many a time when I am caught in a traffic jam, I look at the center divide of the freeway and wish that there was a Monorail overhead. Had Walt lived, I have a feeling he would have made one happen in Los Angeles at the very least.

Here are some color photos from the same time period, showing the sleek and beautiful Disneyland Monorail, back when it still held the promise of the future!

Hmmm...farmer's-tractor-type-vehicle or Monorail. Yup...I'm choosing the Monorail!









I'm digging the vintage autos, too!



Oh, to ride in the cone! What a treat!



Time to zoom in so we can drool over the Alweg logo!



Here's the yellow monorail speeding round the corner of the Matterhorn, with the Skyway floating overhead:



Follow my Daveland updates on Twitter. See more vintage & current Monorail photos at my regular website.

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Welcome to Adventureland, a mere month after Disneyland opened.

And Adventureland's entry gate circa 2011:



The Jungle Cruise, over 50 years later, is still kicking and still packin' 'em in. This rhino is no longer in the attraction:



A color shot of the rhino from the same time period:



The beloved hippos:



Shortly before, here's how the hippo looked as the park was quickly heading towards opening day:



Still looking purty good, even today:



Somebody's ready for a turkey leg!



From the same time period, here's a color shot of the croc (or is that a gator? I never can tell the diff):



Follow my Daveland updates on Twitter. See more vintage & current Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my regular website.

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This post was inspired from an email asking me about when the change occurred on the Jolly Roger talking skull that greets visitors just as they are about to plunge down the waterfall. This first photo I snapped in October 1995. #2 is from 2002:



The 3rd shot is from 2007. I am not sure how many other incarnations existed. Experts? I also received a request for a photo of the entrance line queue scene where “Pirates of the Caribbean” was written out in pinpoint lights. I am still looking!



And a recent shot with no flash:



This just in from Bill Sauder, Daveland Blog reader; here is a screen shot from the Disney World of Color show that introduced America to Pirates:



See more Pirates of the Caribbean photos at my regular website.

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Our 1959 family is getting a great overview of the park from the platform of the Main Street Train Station. If we zoom in, we can still see the large banners announcing the gala year of 1959: Monorail, Matterhorn, Submarines...so much going on! And isn't it great to know that all 3 are still in operation?



Riding on the top of the Omnibus gives guests a fantastic (and not often-seen) overhead view of Main Street and the Castle:



Once again, we’ll zoom in for the placards hailing all of the fantastic improvements for 1959:



This image might make you dizzy! The boys are enjoying the Astrojets:



Now they have finally gotten into the swing of things with these way-cool feathered hats:



This definitely calls for a closeup! Note the Blue Monorail in the background; just 3 months old at the time! And how about those Hawaiian shirts?!? Looks like something Kevin Kidney would have whipped up!



See more current and vintage Disneyland photos at my regular website.

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This photo was taken in Tomorrowland on June 16, 1962 during Grad Night festivities. At the top of the photo, you can see the Art of Animation sign. The caption for this AP wire photo was fairly gushing about the event:

They had a ball—it looks like an ordinary graduation dance, but it isn’t. It’s the 1962 version, Disneyland-style. The famed amusement park re-oened its doors at 11 pm after it closed to the public, and threw an all-night graduation party for more than 26,000 grads on Thursday and Friday nights. Besides the rides there were eight bands and the kids were doing the “twist” all over the park.

Just look at those crazy teens dancing! Hey readers—were any of you there that night?

See more current and vintage Tomorrowland photos at my regular website.

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If you’ve ever wondered why you are admonished not to use “Flash Photography” while in your Doombuggy, this photo shows the perfect reason why you should listen (except for those of us taking photos to document the ride for posterity, of course). This tree near the cemetery does not look quite so scary when seen in the harsh light of a camera flash. Almost looks like a home craft project you’d make with tin foil. Just goes to show how much of an important part lighting plays in the total effect of this attraction (and many others).

Presenting the iconic caretaker from the graveyard scene:



Here’s the first photo of the Cemetery Caretaker that Disney released to the public on August 21, 1969. Compare with this contemporary shot:





Here are a few I took without my flash; MUCH more atmospheric:





I missed the first year of the Haunted Mansion NBC overlay, but made it for the 2nd season. I took this photo in January 2003 of the Caretaker, who was hanging out at the Disney Gallery while his home was being invaded by Jack Skellington & Co.



See more Haunted Mansion (both recent and vintage) photos at my website.

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Hope you enjoy these "flash-free" photos!





This poor feller is plum tuckered out; just needs a little rest. ETERNAL rest.



And one from my evil flash-photographing days before I reformed. As if a sword in the back wasn’t bad enough, now this poor feller has crabs.



Back to flash-free:





A few more recent shots taken in the mysterious grotto; love that blue lighting on the rocks and waterfalls. Most guests probably miss the skull & crossbone projection after the two drops.





See more Pirates of the Caribbean photos at my regular website.

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A trio of shots today from the Nature’s Wonderland Attraction. First up is a unique view of the town of Rainbow Ridge. Anybody care for a haircut from "Doc" Sutter? Good to know that the Barber Shop is still in business today at Big Thunder Mountain:



Engine #3 is pulling into the loading area for shot #2:



In this shot of the Pack Mules, you can kinda’ make out a Conestoga Wagon on the left side in the background. Those little kids are having the time of their lives.



See more vintage Nature’s Wonderland photos at my regular website.

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