Fantasyland Souvenir Stand 1960

Another Fantasyland image is this souvenir stand situated between the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and the Storybook Canal Boats. Some of the items for sale include the souvenir plastic hard hats in white and yellow, sun hats, guidebooks, and on the circular rack are postcards including the rare oversize postcards on the bottom. I like the castle graphics on the bottom of the circular rack and of course all of the pennants adding color to the simply designed booth. This shot is pre skull rock.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk Through Entrance 1960

Another great view of Fantasyland circa 1960. This is the entrance to the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk Through attraction, now long closed due to supposed security concerns. There is a great E-Ticket magazine article about this attraction and its wonderful Ken Anderson designed flats and displays. Some of the details in this shot are amazing, on the left hand side is the ticket booth continuing the royal joust theme and right in front of the entrance is a trash can which also mirrors the theming. And the 1950s salmon pink turnstile is stunning. From the collection of large format slides.

Fantasyland Railroad Station 1960

Another rare shot of Fantasyland, the Railroad station that was removed for the construction of Its A Small World. Be sure to look at the sign that included Disneyland Santa Fe Railroad and the ticket booth window with the great crown design. Even though located somewhat away from the center of Fantasyland, it still has the paint scheme of the joust with the checkerboard and flags. From the same collection of large format slides.

Mad Tea Party Spinning Tea Cups Ticket Booth 1960

Continuing on the Fantasyland tour, this is the rare image of the old ticket booth and ride exit for the Mad Tea Party Spinning Tea Cups from 1960. Check out the signs in the window and the edge of the Mickey Mouse Club Theater on the left hand side. From the same collection of large positive slides.

Exterior of Snow White Ride Fantasyland 1960

The old style Fantasyland was a very festive and colorful place. The buildings were not much to look at, but the imagineers did try to conceal them with bright painting, wonderful attraction designs and drapery. The concept was that the castle was decorated for a jousting tournament. The shield designs on each of the attractions helped to further the concept. And the murals by the load area were the best renditions of the characters. From a large size positive slide taken by an employee.

Metropolitian Bus Station Disneyland Parking Lot 1960s

A very obscure image, the bus station that was located in the parking lot. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, the bus was a much more common mode of transportation and many Disneyland visitors arrived at the park via local bus service. They would get off at this stop decorated with Attraction Posters. Of course, not too many people ever thought of taking a picture of this structure.

Concrete Dinosaurs Rapid City, South Dakota 1960

Heading north of Disneyland quite a bit today to show three slides of the wonderful concrete dinosaurs in Rapid City, South Dakota. Sculpted and built in 1936 as part of a WPA project for the city of Rapid City, the dinosaurs have a definite cartoony look about them. This is evident in the three slides. The slides are from a trip a group of recently graduated nurses took across the country in 1960, visiting several sites including Disneyland and Pacific Ocean Park. However these slides were an unexpected find and are a joy to look at. For those interested, the concrete dinosaurs are still surviving in their park in Rapid City.

Frontierland New Orleans Area Restaurant Row 1960

View of what I like to call restaurant row in Frontierland, and at the time the New Orleans themed area of the park. View shows the Malt Shop and Don Defores Silver Banjo Restaurant. The Malt Shop sells Pizza and other quick foods, not really themed well but I guess it probably workedl. These buildings are still standing although now used for backstage storage. Rumors are swirling the area will be totally renovated and a new larger restaurant constructed on the site.

Main Street Magic Shop Before Opening 1960s

Several years ago a dealer in Disney items offered to me a box of large format positive slides. From what I can tell, the photographer was an employee of Kodak. In the slides are some great shots such as this one showing the Main Street Magic Shop and Tobacconist with Main Street being worked on. Several of the shots are sans people and of items and places I have never seen photographed. I want to thank Tangaroa for scanning the slides for me.

Indian Trading Post 1971

Great shot of a 1970s outfit in front of the Indian Trading Post in Frontierland in 1971. This structure still stands today as the B'rer Shop once filled with B'rer Animal plush, but now full of hats. I absolutely love the outfit and the crowning touch is the Mickey Mouse Balloon. Photograph is written on the back Me at Disneyland my After Prom and date stamped June 23, 1971.

Coming to Main Gate on the Tram 1960

Another parking lot view, this time from the old parking lot trams. Image shows the Main Gate of Disneyland where the tickets were purchased. And of course, the towering structure of the Matterhorn mountain can be seen. A great feature of the driver is his racing helmet as if he was speeding towards the park. Image is dated November 1960.

Skyway View of Fantasyland Junior And Midget Autopia 1958

Photograph taken from the Skyway showing the line and start areas for Junior Autopia, Midget Autopia, Motorboat Cruise, Fantasyland Viewliner station and the old Fantasyland Train station. And in the very background can be seen the adult autopia, otherwise known as the 5 freeway (well at that time it was listed as the 101 highway.) Photograph is dated September 1958.

Amazon Belle at Jungle Cruise Dock 1968

I like this photo for the intense color and look of the Jungle Cruise boats. It was one of the darkest days when the boats were rethemed to fit in with the more realistic look of Indiana Jones. I liked the striped canopies and the wonderful names. Now, the boats just look drab. But I realize Disneyland must change and grow, but sometimes it is not for the better. Photo is dated January 68.

The Tomorrowland Space Couple Late 1950s

Most likely snapped from the Skyway, a great image of Mr. and Ms. Tomorrowland standing in front of the Autopia. It must have been during the summer as there are lots of guests sitting under the shade canopies. I like how no one is mobbing the space couple. If this were taken today, there would be a crowd of people around them trying to get autographs or their picture taken with them.

Walt Disney and King of the Leprachuans 1959

One of the other kind of photos I collect are vintage photos of Walt Disney at Disneyland, the studio or promoting a film. This wonderful St. Patrick's day themed photo is of Walt Disney, Pat O'Brien and Brian Connors promoting the Disneyland TV show I Captured the King Of the Leprechauns. The ABC tear sheet states: Pat O'Brien (left) shows a leprechaun pipe to Brian Connors, king of the leprechauns and a skeptical Walt Disney, in this scene from "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns," on "Walt Disney Presents" Friday May 29 (ABC-TV, 8-9 PM, EDT)

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Pablum Baby Station Main Street January 1958

Great image of the Pablum Baby Station on Main Street. This was the First Aid and Baby Care center, sponsored by Pablum baby foods. The scene is just amazing, many strollers parked in the Stroller Parking area, the nurse in the doorway, the signs, the teenager in her poodle circle skirt and the map on the circus striped wall. Photograph is dated on the reverse Janaury 22, 1958.

Check out this great Haunted Mansion photograph of the old cemetary and gravestones on Jeff's website. http://www.athenamama.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/272

Bakerland Brochure- Auto Advertising Mimicing Disneyland 1950s

When I first saw this in a stack of paperwork, I thought it was the most unusual Disneyland brochure I have ever seen. Then I picked it up and looked at it, and noticed it was for an auto dealer cashing on the popularity of Disneyland. The card would be personalized, in this case sent to a family with the name of Baker, to promote sales of new cars. The graphics are just amazing especially the rocket and the Mark Twain like steamboat. The advertising on the interior is also very cool. Size of the brochure is 18.5 inches in height by 3.75 inches in width.

Color Photo of the Viewliner Train Tomorrowland 1958

Wonderful color view of the Tomorrowland Viewliner in station at the Tomorrowland station. Great view of the front of this train powered by a V8 engine and replaced by the Monorail in 1959. This is one of the earliest extinct attractions I learned about from the Janzen brothers early E Ticket magazines. It is still a visually stunning train and ride. Also, be sure to look at the Skyway buckets overhead.

Wild Animals Cage Casey Junior Railroad Fantasyland 1955

Great image of a rather prim and proper Grandmother type sitting in the Wild Animals cage on Casey Junior train. I have had this photo in my collection since I began collecting Disneyland items way back when. I love the juxtaposition of her in her classic suit sitting in a cage and her great big smile as she is really enjoying herself. Photo is dated October 1955 and is unfortunately a little out of focus.

Native Arts and Crafts Jungle River Cruise 1958

One of my favorite scenes in the Jungle Cruise, the Native canoe full of skulls. I like the jokes told about this scene, such as "look...some native arts and crafts, the one on top, that is Art." or "Look there is my last crew. They must be having fun as they are still smiling." This scene is not usually photographed so this is kind of scarce. Photo is dated January 1958.

Mad Hatters Tea Cup Ride Early 1960s

Great photograph of the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland. I love the girl with the hair and the grin getting out of the cup, she looks so happy but also a little dizzy. Up in the upper right hand corner can be seen the Skyway with the old buckets. Snapshot is undated, but early 1960s.

Busy Day on the Rivers of America 1950s

This photograph is from a series of photos taken in this arty, soft focus style. I like how the photographer managed to get almost every piece of river craft in the picture. Also, this shows the old Tom Sawyers Island raft dock that was located right across where the Pirates of the Carribbean went in. The other Keel boat is docked at the current dock on Tom Sawyers Island. Photograph is circa 1959 and was probably developed in a home studio.

Purchasing Tickets at Main Gate Disneyland 1960s

When going through photo albums and accumulations, I am always on the lookout for unusual views. Most tourists took the same picture, the giraffes in the Jungle Cruise (or for that matter the animals on the Jungle Cruise), Sleeping Beauty Castle and the burning settlers cabin. However, there also is a somewhat large number of people who took photos of the parking lot. But I rarely see this view, purchasing the tickets at the Main Gate. I like the sailors in uniform in the background and how the girl is standing back just a little. I think the guy is going into shock a little at the price, just as everyone does today with ticket prices. Image is from a color snapshot that is undated, but circa mid-1960s.

The North Pole, Santas Village Lake Arrowhead, California 1960

One of the theme parks with as long a history as Disneyland, Santa's Village was located in the San Bernadino Mountains. The park opened a couple of months before Disneyland and was built in another two locations. Unfortunately, the Lake Arrowhead park closed in the late 1990s and the Santa Cruz park closing in the 1970s. One park still remains open outside of Chicago, although it has changed quite a bit. However, the rides for the Lake Arrowhead park were auctioned off after closing, with some of the rides making it all the way to Oregon. I managed to get a nice grouping of signs, some stationary and the hats worn by the employees.

The main focal point of these parks is the always frozen North Pole. Basically a large pole with freezer coils running in it to keep a sheet of ice on the pole. Other parks based on Santa's theme have these poles, including the one located in Colorado Springs, Colorado whose name is North Pole. If you are in the Colorado area, I recommend a trip to the park to revisit a classic Santa's Village style park.

Astro Jets and Skyway Sign 1956

As I was writing yesterday, the Space Bar sign was reused in 1956 when the Skyway Ride was constructed. Here is a great publicity 8 by 10 featuring the Astro Jets ride in the foreground, with the Skyway sign in the background. You can also see the ticket booth for the ride on the left hand side. Though unmarked, I believe this photo was released by Disneyland Publicity in 1956.

Tomorrowland Space Bar October 1955

Very rare view of the Space Bar that was in Tomorrowland and closed in 1956. The restaurant was located where the Tomorrowland Skyway terminal was placed in 1956. In fact, the large sign structure was kept and the signage changed from Space Bar to Skyway. The fact that Tomorrowland was basically not complete can be seen by the temporary planters and the barren feel of the area. Vintage snapshot dated October 1955.

1956 Disneyland Rainbow Caverns Mine Ride Gate Flyer

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Disneyland used to advertise the newly opened rides and attractions using flyers given out at the front gate as you arrived at the park. This is an example of one of the earliest, advertising the opening of four attractions in June of 1956. The attractions are the Rainbow Caverns Mine Ride, Mineral Hall, Professor George J. Kellers Jungle Killers and the Junior Autopia in Fantasyland. I like the black and white storyboard art of the train going through the Rainbow Caverns. And I hope Chris likes it as well.

1956 Disneyland Paper for Chris

The front and back of one of the coolest postcards from 1956 advertising the construction and opening of the Mine Train Ride through Rainbow Caverns, Stagecoach Ride and Mule Pack Ride. Wonderful birds eye view of the new attraction. Reverse has the following caption: Disneyland This is a Walt Disney Artist's conception of a section of FRONTIERLAND in Disneyland, featuring the awe inspiring Mine Train Ride, the exciting Stagecoach, and Mule Pack Rides, where one can journey through the many fantastic sights fo the Rainbow Desert and Rainbow Mountain areas, returning with a veiw of the famous Mark Twain River Boat and Tom Sawyer Island. The bottom lines state: This new DISNEYRAMA card is one of the many unique items distributed exclusively by the ART CORNER at DISNEYLAND, Anaheim, California.

Too bad Disneyland did not do other Disneyrama cards as they would be pretty cool. Check back tomorrow for the gate flyer for the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction.

Native American Dancers at Indian Village July 1955

Now that the park has opened, at least in this image, the Native American dancers are at the old Indian Village in Frontierland. The composition on this shot is wonderful, almost as if the dancer was thinking of a new routine, the plains tipi with artwork in the foreground and the great buffalo hide in the background. This was a well photographed spot as I have lots of different images. Slide is a Kodachrome slide with a July 1955 date stamp.

I want to thank all of the people who have recommended my site in their blogs. I do appreciate it. And if you want to read great observations about life, science and toys, I recommend Ed's Bad Ito site and also his daughter Elizabeth's site Adventures on the Animation Roller Coaster for great artwork. And I must plug the person who started me on this, Dan Goodsell and his wonderful blog of A Sampler of Things. Thanks.