Monday, April 30, 2012

Autopia and Fire Engine, Oh My!

More images from what I am calling the Pink Slide collection. First up is a nice view of a kid driving on the Midget Autopia. I like the scenic elements to create interest for the rider.

Another image of the same kid now driving on the Fantasyland Autopia. Walt Disney took a common amusement park ride, changed it a little and made it into a memorable and exciting attraction. Note the elaborate bumper system and no guide rail.

Last image is of Fire Engine number 1 on Main Street. Let's hop on board and head to the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Classic Knott's Berry Farm

More photographs from the pink slides, this time the family visited Knott's Berry Farm. These images show classic attractions and exhibits from Ghost Town. First up is Old Betsy the train relic from a mine.

Next up is a nice shot posing in a covered wagon at the Covered Wagon Stage. I like how close the stage and the wagon is to the parking lot.

My favorite image is of panning for gold. The little boy is so intent on the instructions from the employee.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Employee Cuff Links

Chuck Whelan was a member of Human Resources for Disneyland in 1955 and interviewed many of the early cast members. He had these cuff links made using his Disneyland business card to add a little extra flair to his outfits. He was a fan of Disneyland and actually appeared on the cover of a Vacationland prior to his retirement. By 1975 he had retired from Disneyland.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Posing With Character

Still mining the images from the batch of pink colored faded slides. Today's post features the family posing in various locations around Disneyland. The day chosen to visit Disneyland appears to have seen very light attendance as seen by the ghost town look of this photo taken at the entrance. I like the action of the boy looking at the train....which if I was him, I would definitely be looking at that beautiful train.

Next up are pictures of the boy posing with characters. First up Alice and a rubber head Mad Hatter posing in front of Snow White Adventures.

Next image is a pose with the Big Bad Wolf standing in front of the Midget Autopia.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Frontierland

More images from the pink slides, this time some nice shots of Frontierland. First up is a nice shot of the family posing on Tom's Treehouse.

Next up is an image of the Mark Twain pulling into the dock.

A wonderful "you are there" view of the Indian Village dancers. Just imagine you are one of the kids sitting there watching the Native American dancers.

Final image is of Rainbow Ridge from the top deck of the Mark Twain. Quite a spectacular image showing the town and the load station for Nature's Wonderland Railroad as well as the Pack Mules as well as a nice shot of the rare ticket booth.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tomorrowland of Yesterday

Tomorrowland was an interesting place circa 1961. First a caveat, these slides were not just red, but they were actually pink, so the colors are slightly off. However, the photographer had a great eye. First up is the George Washington submarine voyaging through the lagoon. I never tire of seeing gray subs.

Next up is a nice image of the Flying Saucers with loads of guests having fun on the ride.

The last image shows some 1950's Tomorrowland mixed with 1960's Tomorrowland, with the Time Clock of the World in the middle and America the Beautiful and Monsanto attraction in the background.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Entertainment At PMR Night At Disneyland

Having some computer difficulties....so I missed posting over the weekend. These two images feature the bands that played for the enjoyment of the PMR families. First up is a day shot with the Dateniters playing in the band.

Next up is the Spacemen with Kay Bell on the Tomorrowland stage.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Pacific Ocean Park Postcards

Several of the original postcards for Pacific Ocean Park from when it opened. The cards are nice featuring artist renderings of the park and its lands. First up is a view of the entrance to the theme park.

An interesting area was the New England fishing village. This is the location of several food stands and restaurants.

A scarce view is this rendering of the Sea Circus showing the various performing pools.

My favorite ride is the Banana Train ride. This is an overall view of the ride, which once was the end of the pier. I wish that I could go back in time and experience this attraction.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

More PMR at Disneyland

A couple more images from the PMR night at Disneyland. The first it appears the refugees with all their happy vibes are shuffling down Main Street. Note the nice banner across the street welcoming all of the guests.

Two guests purchase balloons to recapture their childhood from a rather unhappy looking cast member. I love some of the balloons including one with the Mickey Mouse Club design with Disneyland on a scroll under the design.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

PMR at Disneyland

Continuing with photographs from the Pacific Missile Range family night of May 1, 1964. First up is the original Disneyland sign that stood on Harbor Boulevard. Note that the Pacific Missile Range is noted on the marquee.

Next up is a photograph from the interior of Monstro. I like the look of the families in the boat and the ride operator as well. It looks a little chilly.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pacific Missile Range Family Night At Disneyland 1964

In the 1960s and 1970s Companies and other recreation leagues could rent out Disneyland for a night of fun. In 1964, Pacific Missile Range located at Point Mugu in California held a family fun night. As part of the package, the Disneyland publicity department photographed the night. Here are two images of employees from PMR having fun in Fantasyland. First up this happy couple is almost ready to be whisked off to Never-never land.

Here is a much happier scene on King Arthur's Carrousel. The smiles are very infectious.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Vintage Postcards from Storytown USA Lake George, New York

A trio of vintage postcards from Storytown USA located near Lake George, New York. This park is still in business and is now operated by Six Flags as the Great Escape. Luckily most of the Story Town and Ghost Town have been lovingly kept up and you can still visit the houses today. First up is a shot of the front entrance to the park with Mother Goose and Cinderella greeting guests.

Next up is Danny the Dragon. Danny was originally a ride at Freedomland. When Freedomland closed, Storytown purchased the ride. Unfortunately Danny is no longer in existence.

To capitalize the Western and Cowboy craze, Storytown added a ghost town. Of course the ghost town needed a Marshal and this is Marshal Bill McKay who also sings and plays guitar. He is all decked out in his Western Wear and Acme boots.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The Mark Twain and Circarama

First up is a snapshot of the Mark Twain (marked as Show Boat) coming into dock. The Twain is filled with guests.

The image of the couple in Tomorrowland with the background of the Circarama attraction. The photo is marked Joe and I watching a huge fountain of water- Disneyland. I have scanned this at a high resolution so click on it and check out the rarely seen entrance sign.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Souvenir Fridays- Pacific Ocean Park Costume Designs

Here are a couple of nice renderings for costumes at Pacific Ocean Park. Created by Dave Constable in the late 1950s. The costumes appear to be for ticket takers and other types of hosts and hostesses. First up is the female designs.

And this is the male designs for costumes.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Indian Village Dancers

This post is dedicated to Major Pepperidge due to his love of images from the Indian Village. I do have to admit these images are better than the typical shots. First up are two photos of dancers in the dance circle. The crowd appears to be large and having a good time.

The dancers would pose with the guests. This one is marked Indian Chief and Me at Indian Village Disneyland.

Another tourist poses in front of the Plains Indian Tepee.

And for the sign geeks, a close up view of the sign for the tepee.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Indian Village War Canoes and Caboose

First up is an image of the Indian Village War Canoes ticket booth. A very nice rustic booth with some great design and decoration. A Native American girl is working the ticket booth, keeping the theme.

For the sign geeks (and we are all sign geeks!), here is a close up of the ticket sign for this attraction.

This image is a repeat, but I love the sign on the caboose and thought this would be a nice complement to the Indian Village sign.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Last 2 Images From 1960 Disneyland Photo Album

The last two images from the photo album show the Skyway and Mark Twain. First up a view of round buckets over Fantasyland. Quite a colorful scene below the Skyway buckets. Note the construction wall around the lagoon for the Chicken of the Sea ship.

A nice shot of the Mark Twain heading around the bend with the fishing dock in the foreground.

Monday, April 09, 2012

Disneyland 1960 Images from Photo Album

More photographs from another page of a Photo album. The photographs are marked for 1960. The captions are always fun to read. First up is the Matterhorn.

Next up is an image of the Indian Chief who greets the Mark Twain and Columbia.

Final image is of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, however mis labeled as Prince's Castle.