Souvenir Friday- Jungle Belle Model

A cool little souvenir from Disneyland is this carved wooden model of a Jungle River Cruise boat named the Jungle Belle. The model does capture the striped awning, red and white color scheme and the steam driven engine. I believe this model was made in Japan in the late 1950s. The model is approximately 6 inches in length. I have seen another one in a friend's collection.

Elephant and Pig 1973 Walt Disney World

Animals are the focus of the two images today. The images are from a trip in 1973 to Walt Disney World. The first image is of the elephant shower scene in the Jungle River Cruise. Looking similar to the same scene at Disneyland only with a slightly different view from the Jungle River Boats.

Next image is of one of the pigs meeting his admirers in Fantasyland. The characters are crowded with visitors but are able to roam the park.

Swan Boat and Richard Irvine Walt Disney World 1973

Continuing the exploration of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in 1973. Two fun boats that a guest could ride in 1973 are featured in today's photographs. First up is a Swan Boat. The Swans traversed the canals surrounding the Central Hub and by Cinderella's castle. I believe the image is taken of the boat on the Jungle side of the hub.

Next up is the Richard Irvine a paddle wheeler that traversed the Rivers of America leaving from Liberty Square. Walt Disney World has two river boats, a side wheeler named Joe Fowler and a rear paddle wheeler named Richard Irvine.

Cinderella's Castle Walt Disney World 1973

To a kid growing up in California and visiting Disneyland, the size of Cinderella's castle at Walt Disney World is very impressive. I enjoy the larger castle and the increased number of turrets as well as the restaurant in the castle. Here are two nice images of Cinderella's castle in 1973. First up is the fore court where many a show takes place.

The second image is of the Castle from a side view. Note the number and Gothic design of the turrets.

Walt Disney World Characters 1973

Heading east to feature Walt Disney World in 1973. Early photographs of Walt Disney World are fairly hard to find. The first image features a bashful Tigger with a crowd of fans. Written on the back is the kid's names with Tony the tiger (which this Tigger kind of looks like.)

Next image is of a Big Bad Wolf heading through Fantasyland with a crowd of admirers. I like the large tongue hanging out.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Flag

Disneyland has created many graphic elements within the park. These elements help to make the park seem more real and a true town. One of the graphic elements are the flags that fly throughout the park. In certain areas the flags are historical flags such as a 38 star flag found in Frontierland or the colorful flags seen in Fantasyland. Flying over Main Street station are unique Disneyland flags, one being an orange flag featuring Mickey Mouse and this flag, which is Disneyland with the Castle in the background. The flag measures 3 by 2 feet in size and is well made with sewn applique cloth details. For Disneyland's 50th Anniversary, Disney online sold a matched pair of the Main Street Station flags in a smaller size and just silk screened on nylon.

Storyland San Francisco Snapshots

Thanks to one of the readers of this blog, I now know that the images are from Storyland park that was located at the front entrance to the San Francisco Zoo. The Storyland had the unique castle but also other houses including Peter Pumpkin Eater. I love the kids being kids at the front door.

Although not part of the Storybook, I do like the family portrait on this Sphinx. The statues must have been located close to the park and the zoo.

Fun Architecture At A Story Book Land 1950s

A craze of the 1950s was the creation of Storybook Lands across the United States. Many were privately owned, but an equal or greater number were sponsored by Lion's Clubs, Elks, or other community service organization. The parks had fun architecture to make the stories found in Mother Goose come alive. Other architecture included crazy castles, birthday cakes, teapots and other themed buildings. The two images for today's post come from an unknown park and are circa 1950s. First up is a clown castle. I like the eyebrows and the hair giving the castle a distinct cartoon feel. The turrets behind the main castle are crazy!

Next up is The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe, although in this case the shoe looks more like a cowboy boot. The crowd of kids standing at the top of the boot looks like there is a preacher.

Knott's Berry Farm 1971

Two snapshots from a couple visiting Knott's Berry Farm in 1971. I have strong memories of Knott's of this era. First up is an image of Gold Mine Number 000 entrance. If I remember correctly this was located in Ghost Town and the entrance was just a facade. Note the details of wash and clothes hanging on the line.

Here is the happy couple posing in front of the old miner that was at the entrance to the park. I am particularly enjoying the girl wearing the large sombrero.

Early Ferris Wheel

A weekend find is this great cabinet card photograph of an early Ferris wheel. The card features a finely made Ferris wheel with the seats covered with straw canopies. Several employees work the steam driven ride including the brake man and a pretty girl selling tickets. In quick research I could not find a similar Ferris wheel. My first thought was that the wheel was located in Elitch's Garden. I can see where riding this would be a thrill.

Souvenir Friday- More Walt Disney Classic Images

Two more dye transfer prints released by Disneyland. These were sold at Disneyland at the Art Corner, both in Tomorrowland and also on Main Street. The images feature classic images from classic movies. First up is Bambi and Thumper meeting.

The second image also features two buddies, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket. This is when they first meet.

The prints have this label on the reverse.

Color Snapshots January 1968 Part 3

The last two color snapshots from January 1968. First up is an image of my favorite Disneyland mountain. It appears it was a lovely day with the waterfalls running. Note that Hans and Otto are climbing towards the summit of the mountain.

Final image shows our hero now wearing his glasses standing opposite the Enchanted Tiki Room. The gate decorations were purchased from Oceanic Arts and then embellished by WED and Disneyland Decorating.

Color Snapshots January 1968 Part 2

The second two color snapshots from January 1968. The first image shows the hub with a tour guide leading a group across the hub. In the background can be seen the towers of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Now the middle of the hub has the partner's statue (and the trees have been trimmed.) I also do not remember a popcorn vendor being in that spot for many years.

Next up is the standard view of Main Street Station and the Mickey topiary. I do not think the kids in the photograph belong to the photographer.

Color Snapshots January 1968 Part 1

Today I am starting a little group of color snapshots from January 1968. First up is a pose from our hero in front of the castle. So much in front of the castle that the tower is emanating from his head. He is quite muscular and appears to have been a construction worker or a stunt man.

Next up is a busy day at it's a small world. Note the great flying saucer lights that would be used to light the esplanade at night.

Elephant Slide

Though it sounds like the name of a band, these are two nice images from an unknown park. I love the steel slide with the cute elephant graphic on the slide almost as much as the clothing of the kids. The plus is the attitude shown by the young girls. The second snapshot shows that there was quite a line to ride this fun little slide. I would assume that these slides existed in many small neighborhood parks across the country.

Souvenir Friday- Walt Disney Classics

Walt Disney Classics was a collection of dye transfer prints of classic animated scenes. The Classics were sold at the art corner at Disneyland for those guests who wanted their favorite character which was not available in the animated cel collection. The art featured is very nice and feature classic scenes. First up is a nice image of Chip and Dale hanging out in Donald's yard.

The next is of Dumbo which is one of my favorite characters. Dumbo is shown with his magic feather behind the big top.

Main Street Station and Adventureland

Although not the best photographs of Disneyland, these last two images from the visit I have been posting the last couple of days are still from early Disneyland. I hope that the photographer learned more about their camera and had better focused photographs. First up is a view of Main Street Station with one of the Disneyland and Santa Fe passenger train sets coming into the station. Don't mind the disembodied head, it will soon be placed in the Haunted Mansion.

Next up is a blurry picture of the family posing at the backside of the Adventureland sign. Check out the huge elephant tusks on the sign.

Different Views of Sleeping Beauty's Castle

One of the main visual attractions at Disneyland is Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Almost everyone who visits Disneyland takes a picture of the castle. In the majority of the photographs, the castle is in the center and taken from the front. These two images are different in that the images are of a side view of the castle. The first features the right hand side as seen from the hub. Once upon a time, the Main Street vehicles went around the castle.

This shot features the family posing on the drawbridge and we get to see the castle at an angle. Note the sparse landscaping in the background and that you can see the edge of the castle.

Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship

Two black and white snapshots of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship in Fantasyland. It has been a while since I have posted images of this classic restaurant. Unfortunately the images are blurry which probably frustrated the photographer. When these images were taken, film and processing was expensive and the photographer had to wait days to see if the image was in focus and also framed. Today with digital, photographers are able to take many pictures and see the focus and composition immediately. If an image is blurry, we just delete it with no cost. First up is a blurry dream like image of the ship. I like the large pirate flag flying on the top mast of the ship.

Next a clearer image of the family posing in front of the restaurant. Check out the line to order a tuna burger or tuna salad.

Frontierland Black and White

Two nice black and white snap shots from Frontierland circa 1956. First up is a general overview of the commercial town of Frontierland with the Golden Horseshoe Review, Pendleton and Zocala Park. Check out the line for the Mark Twain, which was the location of the photographer for this picture.

Next up a cool image of two sisters sitting and waiting for the Mark Twain at the dock.

Souvenir Friday- 3 From 2 Parks

A fun small grouping of 3 souvenirs from 2 parks. First 2 souvenirs are from Knott's Berry Farm in 1951 from Dude Sands. The two pieces are folksy humor poetry featuring the home spun philosophy of the performer. Both are dated 1951 and one is marked for Knott's Berry Farm. Enjoy the whimsy of older times.

The third souvenir is from the Japanese Village located in Buena Park. A cute sticker showing two of the Fuji Folk, which happen to be my favorite theme park mascots. The sticker features Oto-Moto and Flip-Flop.

Meeting Sherrif Lucky

Two nice black and white snapshot views of an early Frontierland. First up is an image showing the Trading Post and the Pony Farm. The building is now the location for the Frontierland Shooting Gallery. I always like photographs showing adults acting child like at Disneyland.

This lucky guest was able to shake hands with Sherrif Lucky. Lucky kept Frontierland from devolving into lawlessness and fought with his nemesis Black Bart. In the background is the line for the Pack Mules. These images date to circa 1957 prior to the construction and opening of Rainbow Caverns.

Little Town

An amazing neighborhood attraction is this little town built in the side yard of a house. It appears the attraction was located in a suburban neighborhood. Unfortunately no location information is noted on the photographs, nor are there any visual clues to the location. First up is a neat castle made out of stones and pebbles. The moat design and stairs are nice.

A view of the town with all the houses and other structures. Definitely some craftsmanship on display.

Another view of the structures with the variety of buildings.

Any readers out there have an idea where this small town was located?