Monday, April 30, 2007

Horse Drawn Vehicles on Main Street July 1955 Pic #3

Sorry about the second image being blurry but the fire truck must have been responding to a three alarm fire in Frontierland. I heard there was a cabin burning out of control with a dead guy out front, and some eagles in a nest. Luckily they were able to put out the fire and the cabin has not had any fire near it for years. Some more images from the July 13, 1955 trip.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Disneyland Sanitation Department July 1955 Pic #2

Staying on Main Street, here is a nice image of one of the white wings of the Disneyland Sanitation Department sweeping and keeping the park clean. The most famous white wing who worked at Disneyland was Trinidad who was featured on his own postcard. White wings was the name of the custodians on Main Street who were dressed in white linen suits.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Disneyland July 22, 1955 Trip Photos Number 1

Today I am starting a series of snapshots taken on the first Friday Disneyland was open, July 22, 1955. The person who snapped the photographs kindly wrote on the back of each of them Disneyland July 22, 1955.

The first image is of the rare Bekins Van Lines horse drawn moving van. The sponsorship by Bekins ended in 1962 with Global coming on board. This van is usually seen in the background of Town Square photographs and postcards. Here a team of horses have been attached and it appears guests are riding in the front. I don't think this lasted long and the van soon became the stationary attraction.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Souvenir Friday- Matterhorn Coin Bank

One of my favorite souvenirs is what is known to Disneyland collectors as the Matterhorn coin bank. Produced in 1959 and featuring not only the Matterhorn, but also the Submarine Voyage and the lost city of Atlantis. This example is still on it's backing card and has not even had the little hole punched to be placed on a display rack in a five and dime store. I like the advertising on the side to save your pennies for Disneyland. Why no kid ever tore this open and played with it, I will never know. Maybe it was never sold and was dead store stock?

Thursday, April 26, 2007

1970s Fashion at Disneyland

Here are two images that show wonderful 1970s fashion on display at Disneyland. The first show the kids of a suburban family posing in front of the Global Van Lines Truck. The little girl to the right has a cute hippo applique on her shorts. And the boy in the cab is definitely checking out the trio.

The next photo is an urban group in line at the Matterhorn. The girl in the middle is wearing a souvenir hat with colorful applique letters spelling out California. The group definitely shows the fashion of the urban teens of the 1970s.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Caterpillar Car on Alice Attraction

One of the more unusual photos I have seen in a while, a nun having fun at Disneyland. I believe the kids are her neice and nephew. I like the detail of the caterpillar car.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Jungle Cruise Entrance Signs

Now that we have left the Enchanted Tiki Room, it is now time to enter the Jungle Cruise. The signage for the Jungle Cruise was once very vibrant and filled with different type styles and imagery. The skulls are foreboding along with the stretched animal hide used for the top sign and spears. The signs in the bottom image are from the true entrance and use an Asian font for one sign and for the ticket sign use a bamboo font with a cartoon witch doctor beating the drums. Who wouldn't want to brave the jungles to see the sights?

Monday, April 23, 2007

Exit From the Enchanted Tiki Room

The final sign is the exit only sign as seen on the bridge over the waterway. This little bridge has been removed during the many rehabs of the area and now you just walk out on the veranda and down some steps and back into Adventureland.

Before you leave though, make sure to deposit your trash in the appropriately themed Trash can. The bullet shaped trash cans have now been replaced with the larger square shaped trashcans. The interior holders are a standard size although Disneyland still themes the cans.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Enchanted Tiki Room Signs

More images of the signs surrounding and advertising the Enchanted Tiki Room. This sign once hung at the exit area, alerting the curious the way to the entrance. There must have been quite a stir when the Tiki Room opened and crowds everywhere needing directions to experience the new sensation.

The true entrance sign to the Tiki Room. A similar sign is still over the threshold.

A final Enchanted Tiki Garden sign.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

More Enchanted Tiki Garden Gods and Goddesses

Every time I visit Disneyland, I stop by and see the Enchanted Tiki Garden and Enchanted Tiki Room Show while eating a delicious Dole Pineapple Whip. And when I go by myself, my wife gets mad at me because she does not get to eat a Dole Whip...as there is nothing like it in Colorado.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Souvenir Friday- Pirate Ship Made Out of Shells

I look at some souvenirs and just ask why? This is one of those souvenirs...a pirate ship in full sail with the sails made out of sea shells and wood frame. Marked on the stand in silver is Disneyland. I do not think that too many of these sculptures were sold, and this was before Pirates of the Caribbean was up and running.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Koro and Maui Tiki Gods

Moving inside the Enchanted Tiki Gardens, the guests now meet several of the Hawaiian Island tiki gods and goddesses. Koro is the Midnight Dancer who is the party animal of the pantheon.

Maui is the time keeper, the one who captured the tropic sun. I like the ending tagline Maui tells us time to go Time for wondrous tiki show. Does anyone have the listing of all the signs and when they changed?

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Enchanted Tiki Garden Sign

When the Enchanted Tiki Room first opened, this sign existed to let the guests know that there was a neat pre show featuring the legendary gods and goddesses of the Islands. A great little piece of storytelling and also a nice way to enjoy the wait while the show inside the building was finishing. Now, the gods and goddesses just seem to come alive without any explanation.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Tiki Room Posters

Here are two images of the row of posters and entrance sign that once stood outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room. The posters did change over the years as there are postcards showing the entrance to Adventureland with different posters up. I like this variation on the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction poster as it has the United Airlines tag line "The extra care Airline."

Monday, April 16, 2007

Tonga Punch Hut Outside Enchanted Tiki Room

Three images of the Tonga Punch Hut located outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room. Now the location of the famous and appetizing Dole Whip stand, the hut was serving Tonga Punch a staple of the Tahitian Terrace menu. The images also show the increased ticket price for the Tiki Room as the room was not owned by Disneyland, rather it was owned by WED. The tickets were purchased separately. I would love to see the contractual arrangements for that, especially since Retlaw ran the train and monorail. The tickets for the train and monorail were part of the ticket books. The images do include a very pretty Wahine wearing her coral lipstick to match her bright Hawaiian print dress and leis.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Enchanted Tiki Room Entrance Signs

This wonderful sign once stood in front of the Enchanted Tiki Room alerting Disneyland visitors of the attraction. United then known as the Extra Care Airline was the sponsor as proudly exclaimed on the painted shield.

The second image shows Uti the Fisher along with the Barker Bird. In this shot he appears to be a bright pink although still wearing his little straw hat.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Swiss Family Treehouse Number 2

More images of the lost attraction- Swiss Family Tree House. I like the one with the No Smoking or Food sign and an ashcan right in front of the sign. For those expecting an SOP, I am taking a short break from scanning all those pages, but the SOPs will be back.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Souvenir Friday- Matterhorn Hunting Horn

Here is an unusual souvenir from the 1959 opening of the Matterhorn Bobsleds. A hunting horn with the Matterhorn decal on the front end. Made in Germany and imported for the opening year of the ride.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Swiss Family Treehouse Number 1

One of the lost attractions that does not get as much attention as other lost attractions is the Swiss Family Treehouse. Erected in 1962 to tie into the film of the same name, the treehouse was a nice spot to climb up and view the rest of Adventureland. Growing up I always wanted to live in a treehouse like this, with running water and multi-floor rooms. Here are some views of the rooms and signs on the tour of the treehouse.

This post is for Michael and Steven.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Some Obscure Signs

Within the large collection of sign photographs are some very obscure signs. These are two prime examples of signs that usually no one would have thought to document. The first is the actual sign for a Kodak picture spot. Most people took the photo of the scenic spot, but few took a photo of the sign.

And here is a sign for the State Flags which once graced the front entrance to Tomorrowland. Usually the signs are seen in the background of the images. It is amazing to think that one person went through and documented the signage. I am glad though he did not have to document each state sign as that would get a little boring.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

More Nature's Wonderland Buildings

Hello All. I am back from my trip and had a blast. It was great to see everyone. I am still waiting to download some pictures to complete the Pablum Baby Station post. So for now I will show two more of the buildings seen at Nature's Wonderland while in line. The first is my favorite, the combination hardware, fast freight and wagon repair shop that featured the name of the attraction. The art in the center features Bear Country, Cascade Peak and the Three Sisters falls.

The second shows the miners assay office.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Souvenir Friday-Toon Town Trolley Hat First Version

The first style of hat worn by the cast members who drove the Jolly Trolley in Toontown. Within the first year, Disneyland switched to a similar style hat without the large badge. This one is slightly dustry from display but is definitely a keeper. One of the more unusual hats for my hat obbsession collection.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Pablum Baby Station Main Street

A nice image of the stroller parking in front of the Pablum Baby Station. Pablum is still being made today and sold the by the Heinz conglomeration. The food has the distinction of being the first easy to prepare baby food and was developed to reduce rickets by having lots of Vitamin D along with other nutrients. Originally developed for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, it was a success. Pablum had the sponsorship for many years, then in the 1970s it became Gerber. I do not know who is the sponsor now, I will have the check the next time I head to Disneyland. The baby station is still in the same spot. By the way, at the extreme left on top of the sign is a great baby spoon silhoutte as I have another photo somewhere with that. If I find it when I get back home to Colorado, I will post the baby station sign.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Close View of the Rainbow Ridge Buildings

Here is a very close view of some of the Rainbow Ridge buildings. The blocks of color and composition remind me of some abstract art. I wonder what the photographer was focusing on. Sometimes the best shots happen when the photographer takes a photo he or she did not intend.

The blog may be sporadic in the upcoming week as I am off traveling again. So keep an eye out and I will try to update as I am able.