Souvenir Friday- Coney Island Bobsled Postcard

One of the ancestors to the Matterhorn Bobsleds is the Coney Island Bobsled roller coaster. The attraction was originally constructed for the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair and was in Flushing Meadows as part of the amusement zone. The coaster was purchased from the World's Fair and moved to Coney Island in 1940. The track, if you want to call it that, is a half pipe and the cars run down the half pipe, banking on the curves and gaining speed. The cars are in a train similar to other roller coasters. The Bobsled was shuttered in 1974 and subsequently demolished in 1975. Walt Disney has been quoted to the effect he wanted the Matterhorn to be as close to a real mountain Bobsled ride as possible. However, in my opinion, the Coney Island Bobsled was more like a true frozen bobsled ride although not as nicely themed.

As a follow up and addition to the wonderful post on Jim Kurz by Major Pepperidge on his Gorillas Don't Blog, here are a couple interior images of the Frontierland Print Shop and some of their products.

It appears they had a variety of products. I do own one of the posters, but unfortunately it is stored away in storage. I do like the stack of non-personalized posters on the counter and wonder how many are still out there....

Two Views of the Main Street Omnibus

I don't know why the photographer took two views of the same side of the Omnibus, but I like that he did. Maybe he wanted to get a better image of the last attraction poster artwork. When Kevin and Jody did the scale model of the bus, they used similar artwork for the sides but I believe they put in a Tiki Room graphic which is not originally on the bus.

Souvenir Slide of Fred Gurley at Main Street Station

Great image of the Fred Gurley sitting at the Main Street Station. The engine was approximately in service as a Santa Fe and Disneyland engine for a year when this image was taken. In the background can be seen the Kalamazoo Manufacturing Handcar.

Souvenir Slide of Yellow Monorail

Just a simple and nice souvenir slide featuring the yellow monorail in front of the Main Gate ticket area. How I miss the look of the ticket area...sometimes a simple design works best than an over thought design.

A Family Collection

In January I visit California to see my family and the NFFC show. While visiting my family, I always hit the local swap meet. These 5 images were found in a photo album. The first three are of the son Rex and were photographed on July 20, 1963. Rex was six years old. Quite a lovely day at the park. The first image is of Rex and his Dad standing in Fantasyland.

The next image is of the Midget Autopia. I am assuming Rex is driving one of the cars.

The third image is of Rex standing next to Gideon the Cat from Pinocchio. The character design is actually very cute.

The next image is of Rex who is now 10. He is standing in front of the Fantasyland Autopia with the Mark V or Mark VI Autopia cars in the background.

And I believe this is Grandmom standing at the entrance. In the background is the new Pirates of the Caribbean attraction poster.

Knott's Berry Farm Pictures for Chris

Today's post are of four images from a View Master reel set. The set is in the vacationland series and is numbered A236 and the reels are numbered 232-A, 232-B, and 232-C. These images were picked by Chris for his upcoming Knott's Berry Farm book. Enjoy!

Another Saturday and More Views of the Walt Disney Studio on Hyperion Avenue

Sorry for the delay in putting up this post. My computer has been acting up. Here are more images from the Ink and Paint department member in the late 1930s. The first appears to be a ladies lunch with a great story being told.

The second image are of two happy employees in their lab coats worn when painting to reduce the amount of lint ending up on the cels.

This image shows the architecture of some of the surrounding houses. I believe the house in the upper left hand corner was one where the animators were housed during production of Snow White and Pinocchio.

This is one of my favorite images, the sundeck and patio. The chairs are a great design and the large ceramic trash can ashtray is amazing.

The final image shows one of the cels being inked.

Souvenir Friday- Blue Bayou and Souvenir Slides

For today's post I am showing a couple of new finds and also the packaging of one set of souvenir slides.
First my new finds. Although both from the Blue Bayou, each came in separate groups. The first was purchased here in Denver and I was very excited (finding Disneyland stuff here is kind of tough!) This is a place mat from the first year of operation of the restaurant. Written on the place mat is "Blue Bayou Where we at Dinner in Disneyland 8/28/67." A very sedate place mat and one I have not seen before.

The second piece came with a 1968 map, a ticket book, some gate fliers and a menu from the Disneyland Hotel. I believe this is the third revision of the menu. I love the green coloring to the outside. Somewhere I have a first year menu and its cover is dark blue. (Sorry about the flash and the blurriness.)

And this is how the souvenir slides I have been showing are packaged. Quite an engineering feat with very thin aluminum holding it all together.

Have a happy Friday!

Two More Souvenir Slides

Continuing with images from the souvenir slide set. The first is of the Santa Fe station, better known as Main Street Station. It appears the Kalamazoo Speeder is not placed in the front track as of yet. Slide is titled 25-3 Santa Fe Station.

The second image shows the World Famous Disneyland Band led by Vesey Walker. The slide is titled 25-1 Disneyland Band.

Two Souvenir Slides

I found a couple set of souvenir slides recently from a photographer I did not know did work for Disneyland. The sets are packaged eight slides to a set with an interesting aluminum holder. The slide sets are marked for Frank Holmes Laboratories. Unfortunately they are all rather red by now. I have tried to fix the color as much as possible. Based upon the images and the 1959 Main Street shield in the background, the images are from 1959. The first is from set 25 Main Street USA and is number 25-2 Horse Trolley Main Street.

The second slide is marked the same header and is 25-4 Quartet. The slide shows an early incarnation of the Barber Shop Quartet but do not appear to be the Mellomen Barber Shop Quartet from the Disneyland album meet me down on main street.

Does anyone have other slides from this series of souvenir slides? I will continue over the next several days showcasing the slides.

More Tom Sawyer's Island Signage

Today I am showing some of my favorite places on Tom Sawyer's Island. The first is the cemetery just outside of Fort Wilderness. I always enjoyed reading the descriptions and names for the graves. As I got older, I begin to want one of the grave markers as a souvenir. Now the cemetery and grave markers are long gone....

As I have told you all before, my favorite cave was the secret escape tunnel from the Fort. I remember ringing the alarm and running down the cave and out to the sunlight on the shore of the island. I heard the reason for closing it was some large fellow got stuck in the cave. I am happy that at least the bottom part of the cave is accessible these days.

Finally just an interesting shot of how themed everything was and can be. A requirement by the Anaheim Fire Department were Fire Hoses. Instead of putting them in an off the shelf metal cabinet, the imagineers designed a wooden box and appropriate frontier lettering. Now I want to know where the custodian is to sweep up the fudgsicle stick.

For those who love April Fools day (and he is much more creative than I am), check out today's post on Gorilla's Don't Blog

As Seen On Tom Sawyer's Island

More signage from the same collection I have shown in the past. I believe the photographer of the signs was an employee at the Kodak shop on Main Street. He was obviously struck by signage and took many pictures in April 1966 of the signs throughout the park and even in the parking lot. I will continue to show them sporadically until I am through the entire box. Today's are more signs from Tom Sawyer's Island including directions to another secret cave. And also ambush rock which now has a watch your head notice painted on the rock.

Tom Sawyer Island Fort Wilderness Signs

Veering back to the signs up on Tom Sawyer Island, here are four signs that are now long gone. The imagineers and designers could make anything themed. Now that Fort Wilderness is now a modern interpretation of a frontier outpost, I doubt these signs will make a return.

For those who needed to dial for help when the Indians attacked.

Saturday Visit to 2719 Hyperion Avenue Walt Disney Studio

Well it's Saturday again and time for another visit to the Walt Disney Studios located at 2719 Hyperion Avenue in Hollywood. It looks like we arrived at lunch time. Let's join our friends in the Ink and Paint Department outside on the lawn. The first image shows a group of the ladies enjoying the warm California Sun. In the building behind them, a couple of animators are enjoying the view as well.

The second image shows Betty Ann Gunther (at least that is what is marked on the back) in front of one of the entrances. It looks like a busy day at the studio with lots of coming and going.

The next image is a group shot of the ladies of Ink and Paint. Identified on the back, they are Ann Esplund, Ivy Carole, Van Horne, Margaret ?, Mille Minnette. They are quite stylish with their bobbed and curled hair and gorgeous outfits. No wonder the animators were always trying to visit the Ink and Paint Department.

The next two are images of the buildings at the studio. The first shows the large windows of the building for the Ink and Paint Department.

The last image appears to be one of the sound stages.

Souvenir Friday- Pendleton Woolen Mills Frontierland Exhibit Letterhead and Clothing Tag

Continuing on a Frontierland excursion, the souvenir for today is a nice fully illustrated letterhead from the Pendleton Woolen Mills store that once was the mainstay in Frontierland. The engraving on the letterhead shows a vignette of the store with a list at the bottom of the various types of clothing and blankets made by the company. I have also included an unused clothing tag. The clothing tag was attached to the shirts, jackets and other items sold through the store. According to information I have read, the store would sell the item and ask for the purchasers hometown so the hometown Pendleton outlet could be paid a portion of the sale price. Both pieces were found at the bottom of a drawer when the Pendleton store was closing in 1990. Many of you may own these pieces as they were included with an issue of the E-Ticket magazine in 1990 as a bonus.

As a special for the readers of the blog, I have extra pieces of the letterhead. The cost for a sheet will be $5.00 (including postage.) E-mail me at Matterhorn1959 at Yahoo.com and let me know if you are interested.

Tom Sawyer's Island Signs Part Two

Continuing the exploration of Tom Sawyer's Island and the various signs on the island. The first shows the rarely used (and no longer marked) Huck landing. I believe this was used only on busy days to allow greater guest capacity. In the foreground is another cleverly camouflaged trash can.

Here is another sign also removed, but only more recently. Once hanging outside of the large wooden gates made out of tree trunks, it alerted guests that an unfriendly Indian attack could occur at any time and the gates may close.

Here is the actual exit from the secret tunnel.

Like any intriguing area for kids, there are other secrets as well. This sign points out one (I guess it is not that secret.) The imagineers definitely knew how to engage not only kids but also adults. How many of us want to explore secret areas? It is the lure of the abandoned building, calling to us to explore and not knowing what one would find.

The most intriguing area for me as a kid and playing on the island was behind this fence. I have always wanted to go back through this gate and look at what was hidden in the trees. Now it is used for storage for Fantasmic.