Up a Tree – Photoniks – Episode 3

Up a Tree – Photoniks – Episode 3

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dapsmagic

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Welcome back to Photoniks! In our third official episode, Mr. Daps and Clocky overcome some “adventures in technology” to take a deep dive into five more incredible vintage Disney photos. This week, we’re alternating between color and black-and-white to explore the evolving skylines of Disneyland, ranging from the late 1950s to 1970.

From the heights of the Swiss Family Treehouse to the deck of the Sailing Ship Columbia, we’re hunting for the tiny details that define “Old Disneyland.”

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • The Treehouse View (c. 1970): A high-altitude look from the Disney dendron toward the Matterhorn. We spot the original metal rooflines of Adventureland and marvel at how empty the Anaheim skyline looked before the outside world caught up.
  • The Sailing Ship Columbia (c. 1959-1962): An incredibly “crispy” color shot featuring the TWA Moonliner, the Skyway buckets (pre-gondola), and the elusive Tom Sawyer Island fishing docks.
  • The House of the Future (1967): Taken from the PeopleMover, this shot captures the Monsanto House of the Future in its final year of operation, reflecting the unique “let it grow” era of Disney landscaping.
  • The Junior Autotopia (c. 1959): A nostalgic look at the Fantasyland Autotopia era, complete with vintage haircuts and a peek at the ticket booth that eventually became part of the Rescue Rangers Raceway.
  • The Opera House & The Band (c. 1955-1961): A pre-Lincoln look at Town Square. We spot the legendary Vessie Walker conducting the Disneyland Band and identify vintage posters for the Golden Horseshoe and the Mickey Mouse Club Theater.

Featured Photos (Timestamp Highlights):

  • [01:58] Adventureland Heights: Spotting the Tiki Room roof and the monorail track hidden in the trees.
  • [08:41] The Columbia & The Moonliner: A “postcard-perfect” view of the Rivers of America, including a guest actually fishing off the island!
  • [15:17] Monsanto House of the Future: Analyzing the “visionary future” against the “idealized past” of the castle.
  • [19:05] Junior Autotopia: Discussing the different versions of the motorboat and car attractions in Fantasyland.
  • [22:25] Town Square Band Concert: A look at the Opera House before it was the permanent home of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

Connect With Us:

Do you have a favorite era of Disneyland? Did you ever get to fish on Tom Sawyer Island? Join the conversation!

See you next time on Photoniks!

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