May 1957 Visit to Disneyland Part 2

The family continued up Main Street and visited Fantasyland. First up was a ride on the Skyway. An absolutely postcard worthy shot of the Fantasyland Skyway station. I love the forest green Skyway bucket.

A photograph from the start of the Skyway ride.

A later in the day shot of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I love the group of guys in suits standing at the Hub.

A nice view of the Omnibus stopped at the Hub. I wonder if the Omnibus Stops Here sign still exists.

World's Fair Wednesday- Futurama Interior Images

Having just acquired a large collection of World's Fair slides from 1958 and 1964, I am starting World's Fair Wednesdays. The first series are from the GM Futurama pavilion. The slides show the interior of the attraction, focusing on the exploration and settlement of Antarctica and eventually of space. First image sets the scene of Antarctica with some denizens of the frozen continent.

Some of the futuristic buildings built and designed to survive the harsh Antarctic weather.

The riders then proceeded to space exploration. Here are some of the orbiting space stations.

Two images of exploration and settlement on a harsh moon surface.

Seeing these images makes me want to jump in the time travel machine and see the exhibit (and everything else at this fair.)

May 1957 Visit to Disneyland- Part One

Once upon a time in May 1957 on a very sunny day, a family took a little trip to Disneyland. First stop was Main Street Station.

A quick ride on the Horse Drawn Fire Wagon. Notice that the storefront for the Wizard of Bras shop is now blank.

A long view down Main Street back towards the entrance.

The Horse Drawn Trolley making the turn at the hub in front of the castle. Shot is a little blurry to show the action and movement of this ride.

I have a request for my readers- anyone out there have an early 1970's Walt Disney World Cup or an image of the cup? A friend of mine needs it for a project he is working on. Thanks.

Thing From the Gate- Dixieland at Disneyland 1962

An exceptionally rare gate flier given out only on September 29, 1962 the second night of the two night Third Annual Dixieland at Disneyland. The flier alerted guests of the time of closing for the day and that tickets for the event were available. Check out the lovely spot illustration looking like the Strawhatters. This example was taped into a friend's photo album and gifted to me many years ago.

More Family Posing-1955

Some more of the family posing at Disneyland (and maybe Knott's Berry Farm.) First up is a rare shot of the organ grinder monkey at Disneyland. The entertainment on Main Street did not last long.

Next up is the brother and sister on everyone's favorite Milk Truck.

Last image for today is a two for one, somebody forgot to advance the film and now we have a ghost image on top of the image of the Stagecoach. I am still not sure if this is Disneyland's or Knott's.

On an unrelated topic, I met Jason from Disneyland Nomenclature at Disneyland and rode the Ghost Galaxy overlay on Space Mountain. Not knowing that much about it, I wanted to ride it and see how it is. Unfortunately, it was not that great (especially after waiting an hour) and it reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean, the movie not the ride. The music was Piratey and the ghosts seemed like out takes from one of the films.

Souvenir Friday- Children's Fairyland Oakland

I am sitting at the Disneyland Hotel waiting for the D23 Destination D 1955 Disneyland two day seminar to begin. Since I am the hotel, I have decided to post a souvenir not related to Disneyland, a 1955 brochure for Children's Fairyland located in Oakland, California. I do not currently have the capability to stitch the map together (no Photoshop on the laptop!). Here is the brochure:

For Major Pepperidge since I know he is already planning his birthday event for next year, a brochure on having your own birthday party with lots of friends at Fairlyland.

Posing at Disneyland 1955 (And Maybe Knott's Berry Farm)

Families love to pose in group shots...or at least Dad's like to pose their families in group shots. Here is the family from yesterday's cutouts posing at various locations. Note the various expressions presented by the family. First up is the family on a Horse Drawn Streetcar in Disneyland.

Next up is the family in front of a Stagecoach (now this one might not be Disneyland but rather Knott's Berry Farm...there is no graphic on the stagecoach and the person unloading is female and all the images I have seen of Disneyland's Stagecoach features male cast members.)

The last one is just mom and what looks like an aunt. Of course the aunt is holding a wonderful souvenir from Disneyland.

Cut Out Fun 1955

For many years at Fairs, Seaside Parks and other tourist attractions there have been cutouts in which visitors would stand behind, poke their head through, and have a funny picture taken to be sent home to family. Disneyland in the early years had a set of these cutouts located by the Red Wagon Inn. In the beginning, they were very simple. Later the cutouts became more elaborate. And the most elaborate were found at the Picture Gallery on Main Street and Fun Fotos in Tomorrowland. These are the earliest cutouts and appear to have been painted by the sign shop First up are two views featuring Scrooge McDuck. The sign says Shake hands with Uncle Scrooge Only $75 (Four Shakes). The cutout figure is of a kid wearing a Davey Crockett outfit.

The second cutout features Minnie and Mickey Mouse fishing, with Mickey exclaiming Hey Minnie Lookit the Funny Fish! Check out how buff Minnie is....

Rustic Disneyland 1970s

Looking at these photographs, I get the 1970s rustic feeling. The focus of the subject and topics remind me of what a family that had Holly Hobbie curtains and listened to Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and the Eagles. as well as watched Hee Haw would find worthy of a photo. Here is a shot of the family- can't you just hear Hotel California in the background?

Next up is It's A Small World....featuring topiary.

A somewhat moody and still rustic (check out the cowboy hat) of the Haunted Mansion.

A nice view of the Keel Boat at the dock with Tom Sawyer Island in the background.

Even the Red Wagon Inn appears rustic in this shot.

Maybe it is just the color of the photographs and the 1970s pebbled texture?

From the Gate- Disneyland After Dark Brochure

In the mid-1960's the marketing geniuses at Disneyland came up with an idea to boost attendance during the evenings. Disneyland instituted Disneyland After Dark which had specific entertainment, dances, shows, fireworks and a unique ticket book. The ticket book is Starlite ticket book which featured after hours evening admission for 2 and 10 ride tickets. Check out the fun spot illustrations on the brochure.

Mary Poppins, Gang and. Goofy?

An unusual assemblage of characters, the ever so lovely Mary Poppins with a Bert in a striped jacket, and two chimney sweeps.....and Goofy. This is one of the most unusual groupings of characters in the publicity images. The Bert does not look very on character, and the sweeps appear to be more Southern California rather than Cockney English. And throwing Goofy in there is just off the wall.

Bernard and Bianca Visit Disneyland

Another shot of unusual costumed characters. Though not a big fan of this movie, I love that the characters were created and walking around Disneyland. I assume the characters came out for the release of the Rescuers Down Under.

Souvenir Friday- Mickey Mouse T Shirt

A classic souvenir is a T-shirt from your favorite vacation spot. However in the 1950s, a T-shirt was still considered underwear or athletic wear and not something to wear out in public. Most T-shirts were purchased for little boys who could wear them. This classic Mickey Mouse design T-shirt is for a 6 year old boy. The classic logo reminds me of the topiary in front of the Main Street Station.

Winnie, Eeyore, Tigger and Heffalump and Woozle

A fantastic grouping of one of my favorite characters. I love the characters Woozle and Heffalump standing in the back. I also like the view of It's A Small World from this angle.

Mickey, R2D2 and C3PO and Star Tours

In 1987, Disneyland opened the motion simulator ride Star Tours extending the Star Wars universe to Disneyland and this world. In order to promote the opening, Disneyland stayed open for 60 hours. Mickey got dressed up in his Tomorrowland costume (which looks like it was designed in the 1970s and not used much.) Also on hand were the two droids R2D2 and C3PO. Both droids are part of the attraction, one repairing a Star Speeder and one working on the Star Speeder you ride. Of course Disneyland used this opportunity to promote the attraction with the Star Wars characters.

Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Prince John

In the late 1980s a friend of mine worked at Disneyland in the Disneyana shop. In order to show guests who came in and asked questions, my friend requested press photographs of the park and of the characters in the park. When my friend left the park, he took the photographs with him. There are some nice photographs, especially of some of the more obscure costumed characters. This set of character makes very rare appearances at Disneyland, but I still like seeing them.

Things From the Gate- Pirates of the Caribbean Opening Brochure

To advertise the opening of one of Disneyland's greatest attractions in 1967, Disneyland handed out this nice gate brochure. The front features the iconic auctioneer, while the interior features scenes from the ride as well as advertising for the Blue Bayou restaurant. The kid sitting in the front wearing the mouse ears looks kind of like Charles Phoenix. The back is blank backed.

A Visit to Disneyland by Grandma and Grandpa

A couple of nice photographs when someone's Grandmother and Grandfather visited Disneyland. The first shot is spectacular with the lovely couple posing in front of the entrance sign.

A nice view of Fantasyland with the Chicken of the Sea Pirate ship in the background and the Casey Junior train entrance in the foreground.

Santa's Village Santa Cruz

A couple of snapshots of visitors posing on a mushroom at the Santa's Village in Santa Cruz California. I would love to find the cup being held by the girl in the first photograph.

A bevy of beauties pose at the wishing well.