Thursday, November 29, 2012

Hello George Pacific Ocean Park

Meet George part of the Sea Circus as POP.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Space Wheels

In 1960 Pacific Ocean Park added a double Ferris Wheel for an attraction called the Space Wheels. To add to the excitement, the ride was lit with lots of lights at night.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Loading the Ride

Pacific Ocean Park was a mix of themed attractions and the usual midway style of thrill rides. One of the rides was a zipper style of Ferris Wheel. Here we see two nice young guests loading into the ride. Note how dapper the two are dressed for their date nite.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Oktoberfest At Pacific Ocean Park

Cue the polka music because it is Oktoberfest at Pacific Ocean Park. A nice group of local Los Angeles German Club members pose near the Sea Serpent coaster. I love the fish graphic up on the wall.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Souvenir From Disneyland Decal

An unused set of water based decals for marking merchandise as being a souvenir from Disneyland. The decal could be put on souvenir ceramics, ashtrays, and other items.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Bring Me the Head of King Neptune

Pulling the large cast head of King Neptune from the mold. One of the major scenes in Neptune's Kingdom was a larger than life King Neptune seated on his throne.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Molding Fish For Neptune's Kingdom At POP

The artist is weighing out Stafoam (a latex product) to mold and create a giant starfish. The models would then be placed into the Neptune's Kingdom attraction.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Starfish for Neptune's Kingdom Pacific Ocean Park

An artist pulls a Starfish model out of a mold to be used in Neptune's Kingdom. The attraction was a major dry for wet effect featuring the denizens of the deep.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Entrance to Pacific Ocean Park

A nice view of the iconic entrance to Pacific Ocean Park in 1960.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Paratrooper Ride at Pacific Ocean Park

Part of the midway at Pacific Ocean Park was this paratrooper ride. The paratrooper was said to mimic the motion of jumping and landing. The background is the Sea Serpent Roller Coaster and also the entrance to the Union 76 Ocean Highway as well as the Magic Carpet ride.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Donald Duck Disneyland Card Game

Although not very park specific, this card game published by Whitman in 1955 does have some nice tie ins to Disneyland. First up is the colorful box with Donald Duck in a Frontierland Davey Crockett outfit and Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background.

The front of the cards feature book style illustrations for the characters. There are some unusual characters chosen such as Flower, Thumper and Dumbo. The cards feature 4 of the Donald Duck cards and 4 sets of these character cards.

My favorite part of the cards is the back with this early and nice graphic of the characters looking at the park from a hot air balloon. The attractions are completely smooshed together.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Zulu the Young Tourist

Some snapshots taken by Zulu in the late 1970s. The photographs are scenes that most people decided to snap an image of...but still great fun to look at. First up is a shot of the attacking Hippo on the Jungle River Cruise.

My favorite man made mountain with Hans and Fritz waving from the top of the Matterhorn.

One of the quiet locations in Disneyland is the Snow White Grotto. This is one of my favorite places to stop by and just relax and breathe for a couple of minutes when I am at the park.

A crowded day as seen by this image of the Sleeping Beauty Castle from the hub. Check out that 1970s crowd.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

1987 Views of Disneyland

Even more photographs from my friend Zulu. Luckily he was pretty good at this photography thing and was interested in signs and other interesting views. First up is a postcard quality shot of Fantasyland with my favorite man made mountain in the background.

Next up is an image of the Main Street Train Station with an excited crowd anticipating a fun filled day at Disneyland.

A nice view of the east side of Main Street. The lamp post is for Snow White's 50th Anniversary.

Final image for today is one of my favorite stores on Main Street, Disneyana. Some wonderful items have been sold through this small shop.

Monday, November 12, 2012

More Views from Zulu

First up are two views of each souvenir stand at the entrance/exit area. Usually the last stop before making the walk to the car (or in many cases, the ride on the tram.) Both locations have similar souvenirs.

A view from a now missed and treasured location- the Disney Gallery that once was over Pirates of the Caribbean. I know I visited the store every trip I made, but I do not remember taking pictures of the interior.

The last image is of the window display for the Disney Clothiers shop on Main Street. Check out the reflection of the Penny Arcade in the window.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Main Street Signs From Zulu

It is a snowy and cold day here in Denver, so I am going to go visit my friend Zulu on Main Street to look at various store signs. It is a nice sunny summer day in Anaheim. First up is the Kodak Camera Center, with the great nice Kodak logo.

Next up is the Mad Hatter shop next to the Opera House. I love the Mad Hatter style hat as a logo.

One of my favorite stores on Main Street is the Candy Palace with the lovely smell of candy, and the fun of watching the chefs create candy.

Final image on this sunny day is the China Closet. This is a great store filled with souvenir statues of your favorite Disney characters.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Souvenir Labels

One of my favorite ephemeral items in my collection is this strip of labels meant to be pasted on souvenirs and sold at Disneyland. The graphic design with the castle on a shield, the design screams Fantasyland.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Frontierland Fun

Zulu having fun with his sister in Frontierland. First up is a nice shot of Cascade Peak and the Three Sisters falls.

Next up a view of the Indian Village on the banks of the Rivers of America as seen from the Mark Twain.

Zulu and his sister playing on the rocks on Tom Sawyer's Island. I miss the simple theming that this playground used to be...

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Random Zulu Photographs

Some random photographs from my friend from his trips to Disneyland over the years. First up is a great view of Dumbo with the old Fantasyland paint scheme. Zulu certainly looks like he is having the time of his life.

Next up is a view of Submarine Voyage with the Carousel of Progress in the background. I never tire of nice Submarine shots.

A rare view of the exit from Country Bear Jamboree. I miss the little waterfalls as seen in the background.

Last image is a kids eye view of the Tobacco Store Indian on Main Street. Some interesting and tantalizing glimpses of the Tobacco Store and Main Street Cinema in the background.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Even More Big Thunder Mountain Photographs

The last 5 images my friend Zulu snapped of Big Thunder Mountain in the early 1980s. First up is a view of the tracks, with a train heading out to the perilous journey through the parched desert.

Next up is a nice view of the rock work. Tony Baxter really did an exceptional job with this attraction.

A back view of the attraction showing more of the rock work and landscaping.

Two views of the load and unload areas. Some great theming and also one of the best hidden queues with the line snaking under ground and out of guests line of site.

Monday, November 05, 2012

More Big Thunder Images

I kind of lied a little yesterday as my friend took a whole roll of film photographing Big Thunder Mountain. I have four today and five more for tomorrow. First image is one of my favorites and a nice homage to the Nature's Wonderland Railroad attraction. I like the dinosaur skeleton and the nice splash effect when the trains come rumbling through.

Next up is a nice view of one of the mining set pieces seen from the line. I am not sure if this decoration and set piece is still out at Disneyland.

A view from behind on the walkway between Frontierland and Fantasyland.

Last image shows the wonderful rock work. Big Thunder is one of the best examples of rock work.