Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

[LlamaLover]

My mom has been going through some old photos and located this shot in front of the train station. I don't ever remember seeing a ferris wheel at the entrance but as you can see below, there it is. Does anyone remember details about this short lived ride?

[Speedway]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

I believe it was a late 80s/early 90s promotion celebrating the Circus. I think there was a Big Top or another Ferris Wheel in front of the castle at the hub?



Yeah, didn't go down too well.

See. We've always had bad promo ideas coming out of Walt Disney Attractions/Parks and Resorts.

[LlamaLover]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

Wow, that is pretty bad I have to admit. There is a reason why people are drawn to Disneyland over CARNIVALS so why would they think a trashy circus theme would make Disney fans flock to the park? Maybe all the "Year of a Million Dreams" cynics can at least thank their lucky stars it is not the "Year of a Million Carnies" )

[Baloo]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

It was for one of the many annual promotions that Disneyland used to do.

they were very popular. This specific promotion was about country fairs. They had all kinds of activities that represented a country fair. The ferris wheel was there to promote the event.

I ams ure you could find information regarding the event online. If i find anything i will post it

[Alchimedes]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

They had the California State Fair there in 1987-1988.
Edited to add: They had a pig race down Main Street as well. Also this was mentioned in one of the Mice Chat roundups.

[Speedway]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

They had a pig race down Main Street as well.

-_-

[LlamaLover]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

Well I have to admit a county fair theme sounds a little less trashy than a carnival theme, especially when it is centered around Main Street USA. Plus, who wouldn't want to see pigs race? )

[clara]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

That brought back memories.

[Baloo]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

here is a little information about it.

The State fair was then replaced by "Blast to the Past" which was also a fun event

" Blast to the Past (1988-1989): For this event Disneyland was transformed into a large sock hop! You could find the 1950's-themed Rainbow Diner in Tomorrowland, humungous Juke Boxes above the Main Street U.S.A. train tunnels, a parade, and much more.
Mickey Mouse celebrated his 60th Birthday
State Fair (1987-1988): For this event Disneyland had a ferris wheel in front of the train station and games and food booths around the Hub of Main Street U.S.A."

[Olympicnut]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

Oh GAWD it's the State Fair campaign thing. Run away run away!! :lmao: Everytime I think about the Sate Fair I get that damn promo music they had on the commercials.

"Oh oh the State Fair at Disneyland the.... State Fairs coming...." AAAAAA!

[LlamaLover]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

That brought back memories.

Did they involve Joe Dirt operating the ferris wheel? :lol:

[SusieP.]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

Ahhh, cheesy at it was, it was back in the old days when we got a new parade each year...

[LlamaLover]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

Oh GAWD it's the State Fair campaign thing. Run away run away!! :lmao: Everytime I think about the Sate Fair I get that damn promo music they had on the commercials.

"Oh oh the State Fair at Disneyland the.... State Fairs coming...." AAAAAA!

Wow, from the sound of that campaign it is almost as if they are trying to get you to run away!

Thanks for the information Baloo. I have heard bits and pieces about the 1950's theming but nothing about the county fair. I was obviously at the park and still don't remember a thing about it so I guess I was less than impressed.

[Baloo]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

the best one of the campaigns was the "Blast to the Past" they even had an area with sand and beach music.

Another fun one was "Toon Avenue" (something similiar) They had IASW mall dressed up to look like diferent episodes of the Disney channel cartoon programs. That is when the motorboat cruise was given an overlay. I think it was the gummi Bears. It was fun seeing all the Disney channel toons walking the park.

[Opus1guy]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

the best one of the campaigns was the "Blast to the Past" they even had an area with sand and beach music.

Totally agree. And the finale to the Blast show on Main Street has never been topped, IMHO.

[LlamaLover]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

Another fun one was "Toon Avenue" (something similiar) They had IASW mall dressed up to look like diferent episodes of the Disney channel cartoon programs. That is when the motorboat cruise was given an overlay. I think it was the gummi Bears. It was fun seeing all the Disney channel toons walking the park.

Ah-ha! Here is another photo my mom found. I kept wondering why Tummi Gummi was in a Snow White anniversary display!



She also found these pictures of my brother with more Disney cartoon characters. I remember watching "TaleSpin" with Baloo and Kit Cloudkicker!

[paulthespecialist]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

I remember the comercials:
"The state fair at Disneyland is something special...something special da da da da!"

[tassie]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

I was there in April 198 and it was blast to the past. Even the subs had like a wolfman jack voice over.
I was there again in june 1992, and don't remember seeing or hearing about any theme

[innerSpaceman]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

State Fair featured a ferris wheel in the Hub ... but I don't recall there ever being one at the train station, over the Park entrance. I visited many times during this promotion, both years it was held ... and just don't remember that entry ferris wheel. It certainly would have caught my attention.

The one in the Hub blocked views of the Castle. Bah. But the best thing they put there was during the Circus Fantasy promotions, when the Globe of Death was located where the Parnters statue now is ... featuring roaring motorcycles zooming perilously close to each other inside a steel cage ball. Hahahah, what a beautiful sight in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle!



Yeah, but the best of them was Blast to the Past. And then the silly promotions of the 80's ended.

[AKComic]

Re: Why Was There A Ferris Wheel at the Train Station?

I remember the comercials:
"The state fair at Disneyland is something special...something special da da da da!"

A little off-topic, but... isn't it odd how some of those little promotional jingles and songs get stuck in your head, even though you haven't heard them for years? I found myself humming something absent-mindedly the other day, and suddenly realized that I STILL knew the words to "40 Years of Adventure", from the 40th Anniversary stage show that used to take place at the Tomorrowland Terrace:

40 years of adventure
40 years of fun
40 years of chills
Thrills and spills
The adventure has just begun...
40 years of excitement
Since the day it all began
Celebrating 40 years of adventure...
At Disneyland!