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Fowler's Harbor

Rivers of America: The S.S. Columbia's home port - Fowler's Harbor, is named for Disney Legend, Admiral Joe Fowler. Initially, Walt Disney called the area Joe's Ditch, believing that a harbor was a horrible waste of money. In time, Walt recognized the importance of the Fowler's Harbor dry-dock, which is vital to maintaining the Mark Twain and the Columbia.

Fowler graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917. He earned a Masters Degree in Naval Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in 1921. Fowler designed everything from gunboats to carriers, and supervised all West Coast shipyards during World War II. A veteran of both World Wars, Rear Admiral Joseph Fowler retired from the U.S. Navy in 1948.

Through a mutual friend (C.V. Wood), Fowler met Walt Disney, and the two eventually became good friends. Fowler's shipbuilding expertise was vital during the Mark Twain's construction in 1954. Fowler also supervised construction for the Rivers of America. In order to keep the water levels constant, he had the riverbed lined with clay. After Disneyland's opening, Fowler was the park's General Manager for about ten years.

During Walt Disney World's construction Fowler held multiple titles in the Walt Disney Company. He was Walt Disney Production's Senior Vice President (Engineering & Construction), Chairman of the Board for WED Enterprises (Imagineering) and Construction Director for Disney's Buena Vista Construction Company.

Admiral Joe retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1978. The 99 year-old Navy veteran died December 3, 1993 in Orlando, Florida.

Nature's Wonderland Railroad Engine

Passengers sailing along the Rivers of America may come across a rusty old locomotive. Marked NWRR, the engine was part of the Mine Ride Through Nature's Wonderland. The Mine Ride ran though Frontierland until 1979, when it was replaced by Big Thunder Mountain.

Boarded-Up Mine Ride Tunnel

Part of the old Mine Ride tracks and one of the old tunnels boarded up. The Mine Ride Through Nature's Wonderland was replaced in 1979 by the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Mine Ride Through Nature's Wonderland Tunnel

This tunnel to nowhere acts as another reminder of the Mine Ride Through Nature's Wonderland that was replaced by Big Thunder Mountain. Near the Big Thunder Ranch, this tunnel sits directly above the now beaver-less Beaver Valley Pond.

Mineral Hall - Window

An inscribed window reminds guests of one of Disneyland's old attractions, the Mineral Hall. Nestled next to the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, the hall was in operation from 1956-1963. The Mineral Hall featured a free exhibit, which included a mineral display lit by black-light. Operated by Ultra-Violet Products, the shop sold gifts and mineral samples. Selling anywhere between 10 & 50 cents, the Disneyland-themed mineral samples were labeled as Walt Disney's Mineral Land - Rocks & Minerals.

The window and former Mineral Hall location are currently part of the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante dining area.

Mineral Hall Building

From 1956-1963, the Mineral Hall was located in this Spanish Mission style building. Next to the building is an inscribed window, a reminder of one of Disneyland's past attractions. Operated by Ultra-Violet Products, the Mineral Hall featured a free exhibit, which included a mineral display lit by black-light. The shop also sold related gifts and mineral samples. Selling anywhere between 10 & 50 cents, the Disneyland-themed mineral samples were labeled Walt Disney's Mineral Land - Rocks & Minerals.

The window and former Mineral Hall location are currently part of the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante dining area.

McDonald's - Conestoga Fries

The Disneyland Resort's three McDonald's locations were permanently closed on September 8, 2008 - closed were Disneyland's Harbour Galley & Conestoga Fries and Disney California Adventure's Burger Invasion. A ten year contract between Disney & McDonald's had expired, and the Walt Disney Company chose not to renew. However, McDonald's service at other Disneyland Theme Parks was not affected.

According to Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, the Disney-McDonald's connection dates back to World War I. Ray Arnold Kroc was the man who franchised McDonald's restaurants, making it a global chain. Kroc and Walt Disney happened to be ambulance drivers in the same Red Cross Company, both men had also lied about their ages to volunteer in 1917 (neither one was older than 16 at the time).

Photo courtesy of C_h_a_r_l_e_s. Thank you!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/c_h_a_r_l_e_s/37291565/

Pumpkin the Pardoned Turkey

Pumpkin, the lucky turkey pardoned by the President at Thanksgiving gets flown from the White House to Disneyland (Anaheim). Pumpkin and Pecan (two are officially pardoned, Pecan is the alternate) will live out their days at Big Thunder Ranch as celebrity turkeys.

Official Presidential turkey pardons were not granted until 1989, when President George H.W. Bush pardoned the tom turkey that was gifted by the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board. The board traditionally presents the White House with a few dressed turkeys and one live one. Other Presidents, Harry S. Truman & John F. Kennedy have spared the live turkeys, but neither granted official presidential pardons. The idea for pardoning supposedly came from President Ronald Reagan, who joked about pardoning the gifted live turkey. However, it was President Bush who finally followed through on the idea, creating a new American tradition.

Though the official tradition started in 1989, the pardoned turkeys did not come to Disneyland until 2005, where the official turkey (and the alternate) were flown to California to act as Grand Marshall in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Since 2005, the pardoned turkeys have been invited to become lifelong residents of the Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland.

Every Fall, the Official White House website runs an annual contest to name the two pardoned turkeys.

2008 - Pumpkin & Pecan

2007 - May & Flower

2006 - Flyer & Fryer

2005 - Marshmallow & Yam

2004 - Biscuit & Gravy