Flying Saucer Publicity Photograph

Another Disneyland publicity photograph. This time it is of the Flying Saucers in Tomorrowland. The caption taped to the reverse reads: FLYING SAUCERS are now a reality based in a "Space Station" in Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Here the guests may climb aboard his own craft, fasten his safety belt and actually take off in free flight and guide his own space ship.

Souvenir Friday- Early Disney Name Badges

As a companion piece to last Friday's post on early Disneyland name badges, here are two related badges. The first is a real early and low number badge for the Disneyland Hotel and Restaurant. Also made by the LA Stamp and Badge company.

The next is an interesting badge. The badge reads WED Imagineering and has a number. The piece itself only measures 1.75 by 0.5 inches. The back is a simple safety pin glued to the piece of metal. I am not sure if this was a name badge, a visitor badge or someone just took a serial number piece and made it into a badge. Whatever it is, I do like the graphics on the front.

Swiss Chalet and the Matterhorn Mountain

An early 1960s Disneyland publicity photograph of the Matterhorn Mountain. The caption on the back reads: "Snow-capped" Matterhorn Mountain, rising 14-stories into the Anaheim skyline, is one of the chief landmarks and a highly popular 1959 addition to Disneyland. Two bobsled runs carry guests high up inside the Matterhorn and racing down, around and through the mountain before splashing to a halt in a "glacier lake" at the bottom. This Swiss Chalet is located at the entrance to the bobsled runs.

In the Roundhouse

Today I present two nice behind the scenes photos for the train fanatics. The first is engine number 1 the C.K. Holliday in the round house getting ready to steam up and head out on to the tracks. I like the flags on the cowcatcher.

The second shot is of engine number 3 the Fred Gurley sitting in its bay in the roundhouse.

The final photograph for today is the E.P. Ripley, engine number 2 out on the tracks in front of Main Street Station.

Riding the Rides

Two different photographs taken by two different groups, but have a common theme of people riding the rides. The first shows the happy family waiting for the start of the trip down Main Street on the Horse Drawn Trolley. It would appear that dad is taking the photograph.

The second image is from inside on of the original 1955 train sets. Here is what the photographer wrote on the back: The Matterhorn from the Disneyland train which goes all the way around the park.

January 1960 Trip Number 4

For the final set of photographs, we end up in Tomorrowland or at least close to it. The first image captures a speeding Monorail overhead.

The final image is of the Monsanto Home of the Future still wrapped as a present. I do not know what I like best about this picture, the home in the background, the popcorn boxes or the plaid pants.

January 1960 Trip Number 3

The exploring photographer traveled through Sleeping Beauty's Castle to take some nice images of Fantasyland. The first is from the location which eventually became skull rock.

The second is of the Alice In Wonderland ride with the attraction poster sitting on top of the Mushroom ticket booth.

January 1960 Trip Number 2

The intrepid photographer is now making his way down Main Street, deeper into Disneyland. He spots the Plaza and decides to take a photograph of the Matterhorn mountain. He does manage to get the horse of the horse drawn trolley he is riding into the image in the lower right hand corner.

He also takes an image of the second wonder of Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Souvenir Friday- Early Disneyland Name Badges

Well, they really are not name badges but rather identification badges. The first name badges did not have names on them, rather the badges had employee numbers. The earliest were made out of brass and quite heavy. The early one from 1955 is numbered 268 which is quite a low number. The back of the badge is marked for the LA Stamp and Stationary company, the company which made many badges for police and fire departments over the years. The second badge is made out of aluminum and quite a bit lighter. The only cast members with names on their badges during this time period were the supervisors and managers. I have seen only a couple of those throughout the years.

January 1960 Trip Number 1

Another nice little grouping of images is this set from a visit in January 1960. The prints are all marked Kodacolor print and measure an odd size (3.5 by 2.5 inches.) The pictures begin with Main Street Station.

Since Major posted an image of the Main Street Flower market on his blog (Gorilla's Don't Blog), I thought I would copy him and post this image as well.

Black and White Images from 1961

A nice little grouping of snapshots from 1961. The first is a father and son moment looking at the mighty sailing ship Columbia.

A busy day at the fishing pier. I wonder if any one kept the fish they caught?

A nice view of the Indian Village.

The Matterhorn with a climber on the top and a nice shot of an employee. I do want the hat she is wearing.

Trash Cans at Disneyland

The same photographer who took all the sign images, also took pictures of the trash cans throughout the park. Here is one of my favorite trash cans, the bamboo themed one in front of the Tiki Room.

A picture of the Main Street trash can at Town Square. This is one of the most distance views in the entire collection. I would say the picture was taken on a Monday or a Tuesday when Disneyland was closed.

I am back in Colorado so look for more postings on a daily basis. Thanks to all of you who stopped by my booth at the NFFC show to say hello.

First Aid, Rest Room, and Telephone Direction in Fantasyland.

Since I am in California visiting my parents and going to the NFFC Disney show and sale on Sunday, I do not have access to my regular computer and can not take a picture of a souvenir item. Therefore, I will post another sign. This time the First Aid, Rest Rooms, and Telephone sign from Fantasyland. And for Vintage DL Tickets, a corner of the ticket booth!

Penny Arcade Main Street Cashier Sign

For today's image, the photographer marched into the Penny Arcade on Main Street. The glittery sign on the Cashier cage caught his eye.

Disneyland Letter Mail Boxes

One of the unique innovations at Disneyland was placing Letter Boxes throughout the lands. By doing so, sales of postcards increased as people were more willing to purchase a postcard and drop it into the easily accessible mailboxes. In addition this increased the word of mouth advertising about Disneyland, enticing more guests to arrive. One of the nice traditions that has been maintained is the mailboxes throughout the park. The next time you are at Disneyland, buy a postcard, slap a message and some postage on it and send it to a loved one or a friend. A friendly cast member will collect the deposited mail and send it to the United States Postal Service.

One More Disneyland Sign

A rather unassuming sign, but one that makes Disneyland fans take notice. What is behind the sign? How does the new attraction and construction look? What are they building there? The photo is dated 1966, what do you think is behind the barricade?

Some Signs at Disneyland

I am traveling this week, so the posts will be quick. All the posts this week will feature image of signs or other scenic elements at Disneyland. This image is of the Kodak Picture Spot in Fantasyland with Story Book Canal boats in the background.

Unknown Kiddie Land Rides 1950s

A phenomena in the 1950s was for small Kiddie Land parks to open in shopping malls and other areas throughout the United States. Many were found in California and in the Southwest where the weather allowed year round operation. In fact, the Mile High Flea Market in Denver still has a kiddie land type of park that closes in the winter. I believe this park was in Southern California, potentially San Diego as that is where the photos were found. Mom sure liked trying to take a picture of her two boys on the boat ride. You can see a small berm in the background and a parked car in the third image.

This is my favorite image with the happy worm ride in front and a nice carousel in the background.

Sea World at San Diego Calif

Written on the reverse of the photographs is Sea World at San Diego Calif. I have a soft spot in my heart as this was the theme park which I grew up with. I went there many times with my Grandparents and mom, as well as with school groups. I have seen it change from a very small park focusing on sea life and education to a park that now boasts thrill rides and themed environments with a tenuous link to the Sea. However, there are still parts of the park that remind me of the early years. When I looked the images it brought back some memories. The first image is of the sea stadium with the fun dolphin and porpoise show. I vividly remember the volcano that would erupt on cue. In the background is the Hawaiian Punch Village restaurant.

The second image shows the patio with a prominent tiki and nice rattan furniture at the Hawaiian Punch village. This was the place to grab a snack and a cup full of Hawaiian punch.

The next two images are from the Japanese Pearl Diver area of Sea World. Here one could see the Pearl Divers dive down to a great depth and pull up clams. The clams would then be opened and a pearl would be revealed. It is now home to a Manta Ray exhibit.

The next image is of a sculptural fountain outside the Sparkletts Water Fantasy Show. I love the design of the spouting fish fountain. This fountain is now gone.

The last image is of the Seal and Walrus show at the Royal Crown Cola Theater. I believe the park still has shows in this theater, although it is no longer sponsored by RC Cola.

Souvenir Friday- Inside Disneyland January 1969

Thirty years ago cast members received this Inside Disneyland in the mail. One very interesting article on a display of history that was placed in the Administration building. Anyone know if the display is still on the walls? Also for Vintage Disneyland Tickets is information on Operation M.O.U.S.E.

A Pirate Ship With a Color Shift to Red

A grouping of slides I have purchased are pretty nice images but all have turned a nice shade of red. Some pop right back into glorious full color, and others do not. These three images are of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship restaurant in Fantasyland. The first image is from the Skyway as is the second image.

One of the sights I miss most at Disneyland, Skull Rock.