Souvenir Friday- Tinker Bell Bell

A really cool souvenir is this ceramic bell featuring Tinker Bell. There is a set of salt and pepper shakers in this same shape, but this one has a different graphic and also has a handle. The souvenir is circa early 1960s.

World Leaders Visiting Disneyland

Every recent anniversary for Disneyland, the Disney publicity machine rolls out images of world leaders and other VIPs visiting Disneyland. This publicity photograph is from the 35th Anniversary and features world leaders. I know this generates columns in newspaper and online, but I still believe in the original Van France training that every guest is a VIP and should be treated that way.

Views of Marineland 1963

Marineland was one of the first seaquarium attractions in the Los Angeles. Always a small park with the main draw being Bubbles the whale. Many tourists did make their way out to the Palos Verde location since it was located fairly close to Hollywood. First image is of one of the shows in the Stadium with a great animal actor front and center.

Next up is one of my favorite type of shots, people having lunch at a theme park. The striped umbrellas are a requirement for eating locations at any amusement park. I am not sure what the outfits are that the girls are wearing.

Final image may not be Marineland, as it may be the Los Angeles Zoo. I do like the interior of this greenhouse with the vertical lines of the frame and glass.

More Images From the Mid-1980s Disneyland

Three more images from Disneyland in the Mid-1980s. First up is a great shot of Mark Twain looking like the wedding cake it is sometimes called. The Twain is coming into the dock.

Next image is another attraction found on the Rivers of America, the stage on Tom Sawyer's Island. And in the background is the mighty sailing ship Columbia. This picture brings me back to the good old Disneyland when I started collecting.

Moving east to the other side of the park, a great image of the classic 1967 entrance to Tomorrowland. Notice how everything is framed to the vertical draw of the Rocket Jets.

Ganesha and the Jungle River Cruise

Three black and white snapshots of the Jungle River Cruise in Disneyland circa 1963. First image shows one of the crocodiles looking for a hand out!

Next up is a quick shot of the elephant bathing pool. You can see a couple of the younger elephants and a glimpse of the matriarch taking her shower.

The best image of the group is this one of Ganesha on the shores of the Jungle River Cruise. The statue was originally out in the open but has now been moved to the ancient Cambodian Shrine, made by ancient Cambodian shriners.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Welborn Ring Holder

Many years in the past, I posted one of my Eleanore Welborn items on this blog for a souvenir Friday. Now as I read descriptions of Welborn items on E-Bay and other internet sales sites, I see my post referenced for the history of Welborn souvenir items. This ring box was the same as the person I purchased it from sent me a link on Welborn which was my post. I am happy to receive this great souvenir item from 1955. The box is a ceramic heart shape with the Sleeping Beauty Castle on the front. On the bottom of the holder is a great graphic for Welborn and also features the American Souvenir Incorporated (ASI) mark as well. The holder is very petite measuring 2.5 by 2.5 inches. Enjoy.

Pacific Ocean Park Images

Two scans of large format photographs showing the entrance to Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica, California. First up is an unusual angle of one of the sculptures in front of the Westinghouse Enchanted Forest attraction. I believe he is the Pied Piper of Hamlin, maybe Chris Meritt can help? (For those who do not know, Chris is working on a POP book which should be out next year.)

Next up is a shot of the iconic entrance to the park. The bubbles leading to the sea horses on top of the structure is a great design touch. In the background you can see how close the park was to residential apartments and the city of Santa Monica.

1985 and 1990 Publicity Photographs

Two publicity images, one from 1985 for the Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration and one for the Thirty Fifth Anninversary Celebration. The first image is of the fireworks display over the castle to celebrate 30 years of Disneyland. Check out the crowd, I wonder how long they waited for those spots....wait a minute, in 1985 there were not many annual passholders who would stake out a spot for four hours.

The second image is from the 35th Anniversary and features the Magical Dream Machine. Some fantastic prizes were given away including new 1990 Geo's.

Views From On High

More Disneyland images from the late 1980s. All of the pictures are taken either from the elevated beamway of the Monorail or the cables of the Skyway. First up is one I believe taken from a Monorail high over Tomorrowland. I like the background of it's a small world and the mashup of the many attractions.

Next up is a shot taken from a Monorail heading towards the Disneyland Hotel passing by the Tomorrowland Skyway terminal. Once again the mashup of the attractions is something I miss.

Last image is from the cables for the Skyway above Fantasyland. The fairly new Dumbo is shining brightly and the umbrellas add a nice touch of color to the image.

Views of Disneyland Late 1980s

Four neat views of Disneyland in the late 1980s. First up is the Disneyland band performing music for the masses on Main Street. The band uniforms are classic 1890s.

Next up is a view of the Plaza Inn. The Inn appears not to be very crowded. I believe the Inn was still open and serving food during this time period. Check out the old outdoor vending cart and the infamous "Yellows" costume.

A couple of images featuring the classic 1967 Tomorrowland. First up is a nice long shot view of the Rocket Jets with the Peoplemover load platform under the attraction.

Final image for today is this great shot of the entrance to Tomorrowland with the Peoplemover and the sweeping spires of the Circlevision 360 building and in the background the peak of the Matterhorn.

Souvenir Friday- Buckskin Joe Coffee Cup

A fun souvenir from Buckskin Joe is this milk glass coffee cup. Some great graphics of the attractions and a list of several of the movies and television shows shot on the dusty streets. The films are Cat Balou, The Cowboys, Barquero, Brothers O'Toole, The Duchess and The Dirtwater Fox, The White Buffalo and TV Specials.

Buckskin Joe Lost to A Private Collector

More images of Buckskin Joe from the 1960s. This park closed several years ago and has now been moved and rebuilt on a private ranch. These pictures show the town and the construction of the buildings. I really like how the boys of the family are themed to the trip.

Next up is a nice shot of the boardwalk in front of the Land and Assay office. Note the boys now are holding toy rifles.

Final image shows two of the gun fighters standing in front of the Mine. The mine in later years was very kitsch with fantastic wax figures including Alfred Packer the Colorado Cannibal.

Buckskin Joe I miss You

A now lost roadside amusement park was Buckskin Joe. The park was themed to the Old West and was the site of many a major motion picture and TV series. Located in the scenic area of the the Royal Gorge in Colorado, the town was filled with many original houses and commercial building moved from ghost towns. The town still exists having been purchased and relocated to a large ranch owned by one of the Hunt brothers. The Hunt brother who owns the town is a collector of the Old West and spent millions of dollars on a tintype of Billy the Kid.

These images are from the mid-1960s when the park was in its prime. The first image shows the entrance to the park.

One of the attractions at the park was the stagecoach which would run up and down the dusty main street.

Groovy Playground Denver 1960s

As I look through collections of photographs, I find some very cool looking playgrounds. This groovy, very mod style playground was located outside of the Denver Zoo in the 1960's. The concrete animals look like modern art sculptures.

A Mouse Centric Post

Two publicity images featuring Mickey Mouse as a costumed character at Disneyland. First image promotes the Disneyland Pigskin Classic which was a pre-season collegiate football game and the Great American State Fair in 1990. The poses feature Mickey along with Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. Both events were designed to increase attendance in the months of lowered attendance, prior to the explosion of annual passes which now create full days throughout the year.

The next publicity shot is of the various versions of Mickey and Minnie throughout the years. The first feature the costumes borrowed from Ice Capades, then the first in house costumes, to the classic Mickey now seen at the parks.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Hallmark Wrapping Paper

In the late 1950s, Hallmark was the official greeting card company of Disneyland. One of the benefits of this relationship was a collection of Disney themed wrapping paper and other gift accessories. Of course Disneyland was also featured in this line of wrapping paper. The design features each land and landmarks rendered in a mid-Century Modern cartoon style. My wife keeps asking me if she can use it to wrap up presents for me!

Disneyland 1967- Last Three Images From a Friend

The last three images from a friend of this blog. The first one is his favorite picture of the group, a dancing line of Dwarves passing the entrance to Storybook Canal boats. Do they even use the Dwarves costumes any more?

The next image is a great shot of Monorail Red in front of the Matterhorn. In my humble opinion, there is no bad shot of the Matterhorn.

Last image is of the Indian War canoes from the Mark Twain with Tom Sawyer's Island in the background. I just want to step into this image and enjoy the attraction.

Once again thanks to the fan, reader and friend of this blog who sent me these wonderful images.

Two Views Of Fantasyland 1967

Two more pictures from a reader of this blog. Taken by his grandfather in 1967 on a trip to California that included a visit to Disneyland. Although not known for his photography skills later in life, these images are nice. First up is a shot of the Storbybook Canal boats load and unload area. The lead must be discussing load policy, or asking her to the Fantasyland summer party.

Next up is a shot of the Tuna Pirate ship with the tropical setting for Skull Rock and dining area in the background.

1967 Disneyland Images From a Reader

Today I start a nice series of pictures from a reader of this blog featuring Disneyland in 1967. A little background on this set. The reader's family was from Akron Ohio and on a tour of California in 1967. The images were taken by the readers Grandfather. About a year ago, the reader moved his grandparents into an assisted living home, cleaned out the house and scanned these images. He was influenced by all the Disneyland blogs to scan and share these wonderful images.

First up is the iconic castle image.

A busy day on Main Street with some groovy fashions and all the classic storefronts in place.

Final image is a great view of the three crocodiles waiting for a hand out. Picture was taken from the Swiss Family Treehouse.

Captain EO

The 55th birthday of Michael Jackson was on August 29th. Known as the King Of Pop, he was also a Disneyland Attraction starring in Captain EO. Although not a favorite attraction, it was quite impressive for the star power attached to it. Starring Michael Jackson at the top of his popularity, also starring Anjelica Huston and directed by Francis Ford Coppola and Executive Produced by George Lucas. First up is a picture of the star, director and producer.

A publicity shot of Michael doing what he did best, dance and sing.

The rest of the week I will be showing some neat 1967 Disneyland images from one the readers of the blog.