Sign Painter In Action

A backstage view of the Disneyland sign shop in action with a sign painter adding a nice outline accent to a popcorn wagon. The photograph is marked on the reverse Bob Wisniewski, Sign Painter.

More Fun at Fort Cody

Fort Cody looks like a fun place to visit. Luckily the attraction is still open and welcoming visitors, although this version of the Fort no longer exists. The Fort originally opened in 1963 and then moved in 1968 to be closer to I-80 in North Platte, Nebraska. However, it appears most of the elements were moved. The Fort has been in the same family for two generations. For more information, you can visit Fort Cody Website. First up is an image of a teepee. While not as impressive as the teepees found in Disneyland, but still the kids are having fun.

Next up is a view of one of the relics that kids could sit on and imagine themselves at that time period. I like the painted signboard explaining the wagon and also the vending machines in the background.

Fort Cody North Platte Nebraska

A roadside attraction located in North Platte Nebraska is a giant fort and trading post. Fort Cody is named for showman Buffalo Bill Cody and opened in 1968. The first image shows the giant sign and statue of Buffalo Bill Cody in the parking lot. Unfortunately, this slide box had some water damage that affected the slide.

The second image shows the jail at Fort Cody. I like the sign with the names of the outlaws held in the jail. The jail and ground looks very rustic.

North Pole Colorado Visit circa late 1960s

South of Denver lies the majestic Pike's Peak and at the base of the peak is a little theme park called the North Pole. A Santa Claus park with lots of Christmas themed attractions and of course Santa Claus himself available for visitors. The first picture is of the entrance that basically still looks the same. The family looks excited for their visit.

Next is the family posing on a mushroom. I believe mushrooms show up at Santa Claus parks due to the connection to elves, and elves make the toys for Santa. Check out the wonderful shopping bag most likely filled with candy and toys.

The family once again poses at the old mill pond with the church in the background. This is still a park I love to visit and soak in the nostalgic vintage feel.

Souvenir Friday- Child's Sweatshirt

A great sweatshirt featuring some fun graphics for Disneyland. Based upon the graphics of the attractions, I would estimate the shirt as circa early to mid 1960s. I kind of wished this was my size as I would definitely be wearing it at Disneyland!

Frontierland Ticket Office

Not the central ticket office, but another Frontierland Ticket Office. This one is located near the entrance to Rainbow Caverns and the all the other attractions that traversed the Rainbow Ridge and Rainbow Mountain. Note that the Conestoga Wagons were half price when compared to the other attractions. Photograph was taken in early 1959. Another interesting sign is that Guided Tours were also available for purchase at this booth. The guy in the red sweater vest and white shirt appears to be a cast member.

Frontierland Central Ticket Booth

If you decided that Disneyland was way too much fun and you needed more tickets for the many attractions and rides, then you could go to a central ticket booth such as this one in Frontierland to purchase a ticket book with no admission tickets. The booths were themed to the land and the prices for the books were less than at the front gate. So let's grab a Jumbo 15 and spend the rest of the day riding everything!

Ride The Fast Freight

A great document of a rare sign for the Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad in 1959. Seeing this sign would make me want to ride the Fast Freight in the open freight cars.

Purchase Ticket Books Here 1959

Continuing with the documentation of the signs, here is an image of the main ticket booth sign at the front entrance. Check out the prices and note that a service man in uniform would only need to pay the same price as a Junior. At this time, the Guided Tour was only a year old. By the way, I will take a Jumbo 15 ticket book please.

Souvenir Friday- New Orleans Square Tea Towel

Some people call these tea towels or kitchen towels, but whatever it is called, it is a great design with a nice map of New Orleans Square. The towel was sold circa 1967. The towel features a nice cartoon map on both sides, when you put the towel on the rack, the map shows on both sides.

The map showing the U shaped street and the lovely buildings of the land.

When I was taking pictures of the towel, my cat Molly decided to visit New Orleans Square. It was like a cat Godzilla visiting Disneyland...

More Silhouette Signs

It was not only the Main Street vehicles that had the silhouette signs, but also a couple of other signs. I posted these years ago, but thought it would be great to end the series with these signs. First up is the Hotel Tram sign with no passengers. The colors on this sign is fantastic.

This sign is the Kodak Picture Spot sign with a figural cameraman in silhouette.

A couple other images of the Kodak silhouette.

Omnibus to Fantasyland Via Main Street

The final Main Street vehicle silhouette sign is for the Omnibus. The cost was the same, 10 cents or an A Coupon. Check out the lonely driver with no passengers. This is for K Martinez...since it is the last, I scanned both photographs I have of the Omnibus sign. Enjoy!

Horseless Carriages to Fantasyland Via Main Street

One more silhouette sign, this time it is for the Horseless Carriage. The ride is a quick trip up Main Street with minimal number of guests able to participate in one vehicle. I love the old street light that the sign is posted on.

Horse Cars to Plaza Via Main Street

Another shot of one of the silhouette Main Street signs. This is for the Horse Car and the cost was a B coupon or ten cents. It looks like the car is empty with no guests but the seats are very nicely ornate in the silhouette.

Souvenir Friday- Early Walt Disney World Kid's Shirt

I do not usually keep Walt Disney World souvenirs but this T-shirt is just so cool. Although not a fan of the characters, this shirt does remind me of the early Disneyland souvenirs. I love the colors and simple design of the graphic especially the background skyline of the attractions. I also like the guide button on Mickey. Of course the shirt is made out of the wonder material polyester (and rather thick polyester at that!)

Surreys Wagons- Ten Cents or One A Ticket

Another one of the great Main Street Vehicle signs with the silhouettes on top of the attraction. This is for the surreys wagons. The Main Street light fixture is very ornate and very nice.

Fire Engine- Ten Cents or One A Ticket

I love these signs with the silhouette toppers for the Main Street vehicles. Each of the vehicles had their own sign at the start of the ride in Town Square. The font is great old time 1890s style, setting the nostalgic vibe for Main Street. Look for more pictures of the signs for the other Main Street vehicles.

No Cash Accepted On Rides

Sorry for the delayed post, as I was having some technical problems with my scanner. Two more early 1959 signs from Fantasyland. The first is one I believe for the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through. The castle shape is a nice touch although the stand looks a little rusty. Note that the sign defines which ticket to use, but also that no cash is accepted on rides, that the guest is directed to the central ticket booth to obtain tickets.

The second image is also from the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through. I like the guest who is the epitome of 1950s teenage girl. The scarf, white glasses, pink sweater, plaid pants and bobbysox is great. Her surprised look just helps. This picture is also full of pink!

Central Ticket Booth- Fantasyland

Many years ago, Disneyland was not a pay one price location and individual rides required tickets. At the front entrance, a guest could purchase admission, or purchase a ticket book which included admission and a certain number of tickets. But what if Sally wanted to go on more rides than the number of tickets allowed in the ticket book? The guest could always head to a central ticket booth in each land to purchase more tickets. Each of the booths were themed to the land, with Fantasyland mimicking the Medieval fair of the other buildings. Here is an image of the ticket booth with Sally and her dad.

The next image is of the sign outside the ticket booth listing which lettered tickets worked for which ride. Note that most of the rides are a C ticket, but this is before E tickets were introduced (the photographs were taken in early 1959.)

Souvenir Friday- Blue and Yellow Disneyland Scarves

Some of my favorite collectibles from vintage Disneyland are the colorful scarves. Once a staple of a ladies wardrobe, scarves are rarely seen these days. In the 1950s and 1960s a common souvenir was a colorful scarf with pictures of the sights and attractions of the location. Of course, Disneyland sold these lovely scarves which depict the various lands in wonderful color. These two scarves have the same design, but one is in blue and the other is in yellow. The scarves measure 17 by 16 inches.

Cacti and Smoking Indians

The final two images from the 1958 trip. First up is a nice cacti that looks almost human. This was found in the desert on the Rainbow Caverns Railroad Ride.

The last image is of the young guest posing with the Cigar Store Indian outside the Main Street Tobacco Shop. The plethora of signage on the Tobacco shop behind her is great. Major- please do not look at the guide book slowly being rolled and folded by the young guest.

Skyway and Grog 1958

Two more images from a trip to Disneyland in 1958. First up is a "meh" view of Sleeping Beauty Castle from the Skyway. Major made the observation that the camera angle is low, so the pictures may have been taken by a child. That would explain why there is almost more interior of the bucket than the castle.

The second image is probably of the photographer. She is on the deck of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship restaurant with the great vending machine in the background dispensing Pirate Grog. Also note another nicely designed trash can next to the vending machine.