57 and counting
I don’t know what Walt would have to say about Disneyland being what it is all these years later.
One could hope that he would be happy with all of the wonderful memories that his little park has inspired.
But how that little park has changed and how it has inspired others around the world? Well, there will always be only one Disneyland. The place where Walt saw orange groves become something more. Something shared across generations.
That’s pretty special.
Looking forward and a challenge
Today, Disneyland celebrates 57 years of operation. Yes, 57 years ago, folks all across the country tuned in to their local ABC network affiliate to watch as Walt opened the park with a true television spectacular. Broadcast live, it was the culmination of months of work to bring the dream to reality. And all these years later, many memories keep that dream alive. The people who make that possible have all played parts and should be proud of what they do every day.
Over many years, I have been very lucky in that I have a good group of friends with whom I have been able to share a good many experiences at Disneyland (as well as other places). Sadly, some of them are no longer with us.
Note the photo above. Now I don’t know the gentleman pictured wearing the t-shirt with “The Challenge” atop the back. In his own way, he illustrates the real challenge that I am issuing to all of my friends.
It’s pretty simple. I would hope that we all can be around when Disneyland turns 75 years old. That isn’t that far away. 2030. Only 18 years and counting. What magic awaits? I don’t have any crystal ball to share details, but I sure would hope that all these people are there to see it.
I won’t name names. You know who you are. And I hope that you all know just how special you all are to me and to others around you.
So, the real challenge here? Take better care of yourselves. Pass on that piece of pie or extra cocktail. Lose those extra pounds you really don’t need. Get out, exercise and do what it takes to be better to yourselves. You all deserve to live better.
I know how hard this is. It isn’t something that comes easy and won’t happen overnight. But if I do know something, it is how much can be done when you really decide to do something.
After all, as Walt once said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible”.
New Hiawathas Are Rollin’!
Call it classic. Call it simple. I just really admire this vintage advertisement.
Likely set for a magazine, full page, it captures the height of travel by rail.
And it shares what travel aboard one of the Milwaukee Road 16 streamlined Hiawathas had to offer. Yes, sir! A ride in one of those classic Skytop observations, rolling the miles by between Chicago and Seattle. Hiawatha-land.
Sometimes simple works best.
Another of the California’s
Taking a break from things Disney today. Still plenty ahead to share on that subject, though…
No, today it is another part of the Golden State that calls. Somewhere off the beaten path. Plenty of traffic passes by. But it isn’t a spot that garners a great deal of attention.
Out there. Beyond the usual suburban clutter that sprawl has brought forth.
The funny thing about it is that California has so many places just like it. Places where there is no cellular phone coverage and the nearest Starbucks is hundreds of miles away.
The sad part is that so many visitors to California will never see these views. Will never stop and take in what has been placed along their way to enjoy.
Sure, plenty of folks enjoy some of the outdoors. Tahoe or Yosemite as two places where great becomes the best description. No, this spot and millions like it are seen every day by the lucky few who travel the roads less often taken.
Having been one of those lucky few, here is hoping that at some point this summer, your travels take you along such a road. Stop for a while and take in more than just the view.
Take in another one of the California’s. Just waiting to be discovered.
The Problems of Tomorrowland
If some folks get their way, Tomorrowland at Disneyland will look like this again some day.
Now in some ways, I am not against this. But in others…
Sure, I think that the Rocket Jets belong back atop the platform. Silly to block the entrance to this area with them where they are. And I enjoyed a ride or three on the Peoplemover. Heck, even Rocket Rods was fun, too. So putting the track back in service makes some sense to me. Better than providing shade for strollers.
Yet, after having seen what is possible with Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, I have to wonder if given the time and budget, if the folks at Imagineering couldn’t come up with something better.
Tomorrowland has always been a problem. You see, the future keeps catching up with it. So what once was dreamed as things that may come true, often do manage to become today.
Bringing back the things in this Disneyland Panavue slide image? Sure, nice I guess. But even Walt knew that the future should be a challenge, something where dreams soar to lofty heights. Not harken back to a previous time, no matter how well loved.
Nostalgia versus the future? Doesn’t sound like what Tomorrowland should be all about to me.
Fifty plus years ago, the future was uncertain. All those years later, it should be still. Some of the things we looked forward to such as space exploration still tantalize and tease some of us. The dream is not gone, just placed back in line. Yet so much of what we face in the way of challenges may find their answers that way. Everything from food to energy to technology… well, it doesn’t take genius to see how so much of what we thought of as “the future” came from the past, when we looked beyond today.
All the things we loved discovering here in the land of the future? Sure, I enjoy them, too. Yet, I still dream of things unseen; futures yet to be.
That’s the real Tomorrowland.
Can’t wait to see it. And while we’re at it, where’s my flying car?