A Couple of Views Of It's A Small World

Two views of It's A Small World from the 1970's. The first is a birds eye (or at least Skyway rider's view) of the Small World promenade. Some details include a food seating area where the current Storybook line is now located, the end of the promenade is a road to a large cast member gate and the brightly colored souvenir stands. Also check out the boys in their suits and ties in the lower right hand corner.

The second view is a you are there shot with Alice and her friends meeting her fans. Alice is even waving to you.

T-I-Double-Grrrrr Tigger Day

A slew of images of Tigger posing on Main Street in front of the Hills Brother Coffee House and the Opera House. My favorite two are number 1 with Tigger giving thumbs up to the harem girl in yellow and number 4 where the characters and cast members are planning a big party after work! Oh and check out the op art print shorts on the little girl holding the doll. I wonder if she became a punk rocker? The seventies were so groovy!!

Crowded Days at Disneyland

Three views from different parts of Disneyland showing some of the crowds seen in the park in the 1970s. The first is of the Opera House with Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. I like the Lincoln profile architectural piece that looks like a penny.

The second is of the Monorail station with the scarce green monorail in station. As I look at this photo, I am nostalgic for and miss the old Monorail sign.

Finally the last shot is of the It's A Small World walkway filled with people. The brightly colored souvenir kiosk is a nice touch. The facade of Small World really works as a good "weenie" drawing people towards it.

Souvenir Friday- Town Square Cafe Menu

Although fairly modern this menu is one I treasure. The Town Square Cafe was the succesor to the Hills Brothers Coffe House and American Egg House on Main Street. This menu is from 1987, not that long ago when Disneyland had more full service restaurants and was more of a dining experience than it is now. The menu has a nice history and philosophy statement for Main Street as well as a diverse selection of food which could be ordered. I think I want the Ortega Cheese Burger with Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream and a Cinema Sundae. What would you like to order?

Busy Day at the Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion was only about a year old when these photographs were taken. It appears there is quite a long line to experience the attraction. I like the clothing styles seen in the visitors, especially some of the bright colored pants, shirts and hats.

Rivers of America 1970

One of my favorite rides is the relaxing cruise aboard the Mark Twain on the Rivers of America. The first image captures the majestic steam boat coming into dock. I like the color of this slide and the early morning feel as well as the blankness in the background.

Of course on the trip you will see the old flour mill with the water wheel and grinder (this photo is taken from New Orleans Square.)

If you are quick enough, you may be able to snap a picture of the friendly Indian Village. (This one is a little blurry so I think the camera moved.)

Or you can see other guests enjoying the pontoon bridge on Tom Sawyers Island. Notice the amount of tree growth on the island. Now this section is the site for some interactive Pirate play.

Santa At Disneyland

A tradition is for the big guy Santa Claus to end the Holiday parade at Disneyland. This image is from 1976.

I want to wish every one a happy holiday and I hope you received all the gifts you wanted and hoped for. Also, I want to wish every one Peace on Earth. Now to get back to watching the 24 hour Christmas Story marathon!

Time Machine- The Submarine Voyage

Borrowing from Daveland's blog is this time machine to take you back to the original Submarine Voyage with gray submarines and true to life animals under the sea. The first image is of the Submarine Patrick Henry in the lagoon. The submarines were all named after SSBN nuclear ballistic submarines constructed by General Dynamics during the cold war rush to beat the Soviet Union in weapons.

The next three show some of the various animated sea life found in the lagoon.

A Couple of Views from the Peoplemover

Two views of Tomorrowland from the Peoplemover circa 1973. The first shows the sweeping building and sign from the long gone but not forgotten Adventure Through Inner Space. Star Tours is now housed in the building, but the sweeping building still stands.

The second is the across the street neighbor, which is also long gone and fondly remembered, the Circlevision theater featuring America the Beautiful sponsored by AT&T.

And as a bonus, a night shot of the illuminated sign for the Fantasyland Autopia.

The Matterhorn From the Inside

Today's post was an exciting find in the collection of circa 1970s's slides. The first shows the view of the Matterhorn and Eastern Fantasyland.

Then I saw this slide and yelled. The interior of the lift hill in the Matterhorn. Off to the left can be seen another single sled.

Finally another slide I have included because it is a cool double exposure. The red monorail coming into station and also the dock area for the submarines. Don't stare at it too long as it may make you dizzy, you will fall and injure your head.

Souvenir Friday- Santa Claus Glasses

In the spirit of the Holiday come these two vintage souvenir glasses. The first is from the North Pole located near Colorado Springs, Colorado. A classic park still in the time warp of the 1960s, the park has similar rides to the now long departed Santa's Villages.

The second glass is from Santa Claus Land in Indiana. Now the home of the themed amusement park Holiday World, the park opened on August 3, 1946. The glass appears to be from the 1950s.

Skull Rock Disneyland 1975

Three nice views of Skull Rock and the Captain Hook pirate ship in 1975. The first view is a nice moody sunset shot with the lights just starting to come on.

The second is a great ariel image from the Skyway. I was just watching the Disneyland Secrets DVD the Disneyland USA segment with the voiceover of Leonard Maltin and Tony Baxter and Tony dropped some hints of maybe something similar to the Skyway being constructed allowing people to go up in the air....

Finally a night shot of the front of the boat with the last name, Captain Hook's painted on the bow.

Pirates of the Caribbean Old School Style

Continuing the deep dive into the collection of 1970s slides are these two slides from Pirates of the Caribbean. The first shows the outside of the building prior to construction of the walkway and the stairs up the Disney Gallery. (I will not acknowledge the thing Disneyland is putting in that location!)

The second shot is a little blurry, but I love the sense of action. It is one of my favorite scenes in the ride. I also like the stuffed toy dog they sell now holding the keys. I am happy to say they have not changed this section of the ride much.

Two More Backstage Images

Two more images from the backstage Christmas Parade preparations. The first shows a turtle character getting ready. In the background, the dancers are donning the various parts of their costumes.

The second image was really, really dark and I tried lightening it up without it going too far to pixelation. It is an amazing image of a very tired Winnie the Pooh after his Presidential bid. I love how the costume is just laid down on a big sheet of plastic, the only rigid part is his head.

Getting Ready for the Christmas Parade

In the early 1970s the photographer of these slides was invited backstage to see the preparations for the Christmas Parade. For those who do not want the magic ruined, please read another blog. For those who love backstage shots including character costumes hanging and people getting into costumes, come along and take a look. The first image is of a dancing broom although it looks like Cousin It from Addam's Family.

The second image is of King Louie in costume. In the background is a Datsun truck with the Smoke Tree Ranch logo on the door. Oops actually anonymous is correct, it is the Retlaw logo.

The third image is of Hop Low from Fantasia in front of chiller plant.

The next image shows the Seven Dwarves float with the carved animal organ and lots of activity.

Next up is Baby Hiathi from Jungle Book with the Nissan truck parked in the background.

Finally two images of Owl from Winnie the Pooh standing in front of the circus elephants from Dumbo.