Dapper at Frontierland

Two very dapper dressers posing in Frontierland. First up is Mr. Dapper wearing his yachting cap and smoking a cigarette. I believe he is on the steps at the Old Mill.

Here is Mrs. Dapper with her classic camera and nice moccasin style shoes. She is standing at the Tom Sawyer Raft landing located by the channel from Adventureland leading to the Rivers of America. Take notice of the crowd in the background.

Traveling Sales

Souvenir Friday- Hollywood Bowl Program 1958

On a Friday night August 1st, 1958 at the Hollywood Bowl, the program was a visit to Disneyland. The program was quite the spectacle with Native dancers, Boy Scouts, Mousekeeters, Zorro and Antique Automobiles. The guest conductors were Buddy Baker, George Bruns and Paul Smith, all Disney composers. One section featured the Mousekeeters singing including Annette and Karen as well as Clarence "Ducky" Nash. Another section was a selection of the animated film Sleeping Beauty which would be released in a year. The costumes were borrowed from the Ice Capades and are most likely the same ones used for opening day at Disneyland three years earlier. I wish I could have attended as this seems like a very fun night with Walt doing some emceeing for the event.

An interesting article in the program is this one promoting Pacific Ocean Park and the rides at the newly opened theme park. I am wondering if the story about the chimpanzees drinking the perfume is true or just a publicity story.

Three Views of the Castle

Three views of the Castle. In each grouping of slides, snapshots and other photographs, there is usually one or more images of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Here are three different views. First up is a view from the Frontierland side showing the moat and drawbridge. Note the garden lights in the foreground.

Second view is a front view of the Castle from the hub. Off to the right is the ice cream vendor and in the middle through the Castle is a view of Fantasyland.

Saving the best for the last, here is a view of the Castle from Fantasyland. On the right hand side is the neat clock that was at Tinkerbell's Toy Shop. Some details are the lady out on the patio on the second floor of the Castle seen in the left hand side of the photograph. Also the number of adults and kids enjoying their ice cream.

Two Spectacular Frontierland Images

These two images are similar to yesterday's images of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. All four shots are from the same photographer and are large format color slides. The first Frontierland view is of the Mark Twain coming in to the dock. What makes this nice is that the photographer was on Tom Sawyer's Island and framed the shot with the vegetation. Also, captured is a pretty full Keelboat. Almost hidden but still in the background is the Golden Horseshoe Review.

Next up is a lost view, the inside of Fort Wilderness. The building is the Regimental Headquarters where Davey Crockett and George Russel met with Andrew Jackson. The lady on the left is holding either a 1956 or 1957 guidebook.

Glamour Shots Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship

Two fantastic and glorious color images of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship circa 1959. The first photograph features the rear end of the ship. Note the fantastic carved Mermaid and Chicken of the Sea logo, the umbrella over the dining tables, and the skull and crossbones flag flying. This is prior to the construction and theming of skull rock.

The second image shows the ship featuring the poop deck. You can see the Chicken of the Sea logo where yesterday's photographs were snapped. There is also a peak of Cinderella's Castle from Storybook Land in the background.

Nautical Couple on the Pirate Ship

A fun set of three color slides featuring a couple of guests dressed in nautical clothing visiting the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. At first glance, the couple looked like they are cast members for the restaurant. First up are portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Yachtsman standing at the wheel with the Chicken of the Sea sign in the background. Check out all the great lights and details of the ship.

The last image shows Mrs. Yachtsman posing near the rail. Notice the electrical outlet and also the faucet for hosing down the deck. Also check out that fantastic light and the large football field style lights in the background.

Souvenir Friday- 1981 Corn Dog Wrapper

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Disneyland used a very distinctive graphic of Sleeping Beauty Castle and fireworks. The graphic showed up on paper cups, paper plates and other food service items. This very ephemeral item is a corn dog wrapper. Luckily the guest wrote on the reverse that this was purchased (with a corn dog in it) in 1981 from the Stage Door Cafe. The bright orange and blue colors make me happy.

Three Amusement Parks Across the United States

Three postcards featuring various amusement parks across the United States. We start in New Jersey at the Playland Wildwood by the Sea amusement park. A classic seaside park filled with rides on a pier. The park was sold, altered and eventually succumbed to fire in 2002.

The next postcard features Lincoln Park located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The park features an 18 Hole Miniature Golf Course and Kiddie Wonderland. The train sure looks like it would be fun to ride.

The last postcard is of the Tio Viva in Taos New Mexico. The Viva is the oldest merry go-round in the United States. It is a must see at the Taos Festival. A constant delight to young and old alike.

Views of Adventureland 1959

The final three photographs taken during a trip to Disneyland in September 1959. All three are views of Adventureland. First up is the entrance area with the great decorations on the fence.

Not a good shot, but still interesting for the features on the dock. I do miss the striped canopy jungle cruise boats.

Last image is from one of the striped top boats and is a blurry image of the restless natives.

Castle and Monorail September 1959

Two different views of Disneyland in 1959. First up is the visual center of the park and one of the most photographed buildings in the park, Sleeping Beauty Castle. Note the ice cream vendor on the right hand side and also the glimpse of the back of the Horse Drawn Trolley.

The second photograph is of the newly opened attraction: the Monorail. I like the head on shot of the futuristic Monorail with the crowd under the beamway.

Two Views of Frontierland 1959

Two lovely views of Frontierland in 1959. The first image was taken while riding the Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad. The image shows the friendly Indian chief waving to the river traffic and in the background is a Keel Boat.

Next is an image of the Rainbow Caverns Mine train attraction. The balancing rocks are hanging in there and if you look closely, you can see one of the Hopi houses on top of the large butte.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Marshall Head Shot

After finishing his job as Marshall Lucky at Disneyland, the actor Dwight (Doc) Wood featured the job on his head shot. Head shot's would be sent out to agents to obtain film roles. Although it states on the head shot that Dwight was a Television and Movie Stunt Man, there are no credits for him on IMDB. This is a great shot of Doc in his Marshall outfit.

In this image, the badge he is wearing is for Dodge City.

Here is a similar badge marked for Disneyland.

Two Different Views of the Friendly Indian Village

Two views from two different angles showcasing the Friendly Indian Village on the banks of the Rivers of America. First snapshot was taken while riding on the Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad. In the middle the men are working on a dugout canoe. I like the blurred trees showing how fast the train was moving and the large corn stalk in the foreground.

This snapshot is from the vantage point of the Mark Twain or the Columbia and shows the waterfront view. The men are still working on the dugout canoe. You can also see the boy fishing with his faithful canine companion.

Columbia and One Unlucky Settler

A couple of more days of posts from this set of snapshots from 1959. Today features a nice view of the Mighty Columbia coming into the loading dock after the long journey through the Rivers of America. Get ready to go aboard and voyage on the three masted sailing ship.

The second image is of the poor settler who was attacked by Indians. His cabin was set afire and he was shot with arrows. In the 1950s most of the Western lore and films featured Indians who attacked settlers as a villain. Of course, history shows that the settlers were just as likely to be the aggressor and now this space has been re-themed to the cabin of Mike Fink. Mr. Fink is now being visited by Davey Crockett.

Santa Fe Disneyland Railroad At Main Street Station 1959

Today's post features the Santa Fe Disneyland railroad at the Main Street Station in 1959. The first image is an unusual view from outside the park. Note the chain link fence in the foreground, the delivery bicycle on the right hand side, the souvenir stand, and the great Disneyland 1959 banner hanging over the west entrance tunnel. The train is engine number 1 the C. K. Holliday pulling into station.

Next image is from the entrance looking at the station head on with the Mickey topiary in the foreground. It appears the train set is a mixed train, and there are no posters and no guests posing in front of the station. The bunting on the train adds a festive, Americana touch.

Main Street Views 1959

Some views of Main Street in Disneyland in 1959. First up is a view of the Flower Market with the Upjohn Pharmacy to the right and to the left outside of the picture is Carnation. Note the lovely lamp post sign plaque hanging over the street.

This snapshot view is of the Main Street Station with Town Square in its festive American bunting. The horse drawn wagon is a nice touch in this image.

Souvenir Friday- TWA Rocket to the Moon Script Circa 1955

Today's post is for the Tomorrowland fanatics. The post features the narration script for the original 1955 attraction TWA Rocket to the Moon. A simulated trip flying by the moon and seeing several sites along the way including satellites, manned satellites, the dark side of the moon, the light side of the moon, an archeological site on the moon and a look at the sun. The return trip included a view of a clear Southern California with smog having been removed about 15 years ago and a trip through a meteor shower. One of the advances noted is the ability to render hurricanes and storms harmless. Enjoy your trip on the TWA Rocket to the Moon.

Town Square Benches 1959

Two snapshots from 1959 showing the park benches at Town Square. I have seen lots of photographs, but I have not seen two images like these that focus on the park benches. The first bench is the one that faces Main Street Station. In the background is the Horse Drawn Trolley and the Omnibus. I believe the Omnibus is loading passengers.

The second park is located on the opposite side of the Town Square and faces Wurlitzer and the Hills Brothers Coffee House (you can see the Hills Brothers sign.) Also notice the small town touch of a small cannon in the park. A nice catch is Trinidad the White Wing working his job.