Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Large Format Photographs- Part 4 Monorail and Submarine Voyage Lagoon
Monday, June 29, 2009
Large Format Photographs- Part 3 Monorail and Submarine Voyage
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Large Format Photographs- Part 2 Matterhorn and Skyway
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Large Format Photographs- Part 1 Submarine Voyage
Friday, June 26, 2009
Souvenir Friday- Global Van Lines Ephemera
The second is a sheet of stickers advertising the same thing. I believe they were created around the same time period.
For those looking to remember Michael Jackson and his connection to Disney, check out Vintage Disneyland Tickets and OC Historical blogs for some postings. Although not a huge fan, his music was everywhere making it a part of my teenage memories and I do feel sympathy for his kids.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Caterpillars
Matt- I hope you enjoy this!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Freedomland 1961
The next image is of Miss Fire Prevention hanging out with Smokey Bear in a 1960 Corvette. I believe this was taken in Satellite City.
Traveling to Old New York, a photo opportunity for American Gas Company, better known as Amoco. The vehicle the family is sitting in was for the antique auto tour of New England.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
1974 Was Groovy
This image is one of those photographs that should have been used as a how not to frame an image. Granddad has grown a Restroom sign on his head.
Here the little girl poses with Mickey. Compare this view to earlier shots of the characters and you can see that as more people went to Disneyland, the characters became more popular.
Finally a shot of the Main Gate ticket booth. Just check out the prices for admission. Oh and the fashion on the young lady. Also notice that child leashes are not a new invention.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Fowler's Harbor and A Drinking Fountain
The next two images are of a very cute German girl. It must have been a thrill to travel to Disneyland from Germany and meet Pluto. But then again, having to have your picture taken may not have been a thrill...
After posing, one becomes thirsty. And if you are small, there is always a step you can use to get to the drinking fountain.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Now for something slightly different- For Father's Day
This lucky kid is wearing a print of Roth's 1960 creation, the Beatnik Bandit.
Finally, a freehand design of a drag boat.
Luckily, I have been able to find one sweatshirt by Roth as well as my Dad found one of Roth's Rat Fink Hillbilly crash helmets. We also have collected promotional pictures, postcards and programs where Roth set up as a vendor. Now if I could only find a Roth T-shirt with a freehand design!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Nature's Wonderland Large Format Photo #3
Friday, June 19, 2009
Souvenir Friday- Candy Palace Candy Box 1950s
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Nature's Wonderland Large Format Photo #2
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Nature's Wonderland Large Format Photo #1
Over the next couple of days, I will show the other two images.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Opening Day Snapshots- Part 9
The next image is of Walt and Governor Knight climbing off the cab of the train. This would have been at the start of the telecast as the first train arrives into the Main Street station.
The last two are of Walt, Governor Knight, Mrs. Knight and the owner of the horseless carriage. The first shows them driving by before the grand parade. I like that you can see a banner over the side street by the Red Wagon Inn and the costumed security guard.
The same group in the parade.
Walt does look very satisfied in these pictures.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Opening Day Snapshots- Part 8
Next up is Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen riding the horses down Main Street prior to the grand parade.
And here the two are riding in the parade. Notice the camera crew in the background.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Matterhorn, Monorail, Submarines and Motor Boat Cruise Reach 50 Today
The design elements were a giant leap forward for amusement and theme parks. The Matterhorn was the first roller coaster made with tubular steel track and a sophisticated dispatch system. It did harken back to the scenic railways of Walt's childhood being set in a themed environment, but a roller coaster had not been placed in a thematic environment in many years. All of the large, fast steel tubular track roller coasters owe their heritage to the Matterhorn.
The Monorail of course was an engineering marvel. Running silently on a small beam, it was definitely a transportation method of the future. The concept was so intriguing, most Worlds Fairs featured some sort of Monorail for many years after. Other theme parks also built their own monorails.
Both the Motor Boat cruise and the Autopia showed kids their own personal future. At the same time, during the 1950s, a large freeway system was not very common. Most guests had never driven on such a road. In fact, there are many postcards showing a classic Los Angeles cloverleaf with the caption "Dig those crazy LA freeways!" Plus who could resist the styling of the cars, it was like being able to drive the dream car one read about in the newspaper from the GM Motorama or Detroit Car Show.
The Submarine Voyage was the tangible future at the time. The USS Nautilus had just traveled submerged under the North Pole making world wide news in the process. Nuclear powered vessels were seen as the vehicles of the future, the thought was that the future would see nuclear powered autos, trucks, planes and rockets. Submarines were one of the first practical uses for nuclear power. At this time, Disney published a book Our Friend the Atom showing how nuclear energy was the key to the future. Tie into this the military industrial complex at the time and the tensions of the cold war with the Soviet Bloc, and the attraction was seen as the future of America. Plus, it was one of the first rides to submerge the guests in a total environment.
You would expect Disney to celebrate this acheivement and honor these attractions. But there is no such thing, no special event, no cocktail reception, no special rides on Nemo with the lights on, no special merchandise, nothing, nada, zip! However, I hope by showcasing these images from my old post and expounding upon my thoughts, that today you appreciate and wish (or sing) these attractions a happy fiftieth birthday.