Pretty Images of Disneyland on A Sunday

Since the weather here in Denver is gray, wet and cold, I thought I would post some photographs of Disneyland with great blue sky and what I would call pretty shots. They show classic scenes of Disneyland in 1956, filling me with joy and happiness. This is one of the main reasons to collect and post these images, to spark nostalgia and incite joy. I know that if I was alive in the 1950s and my neighbor showing the latest slides from his trip projected these images, I would be on the phone the next day calling my travel agent to purchase a trip to Disneyland.

A Grab Bag of Views For a Saturday in Fall

Borrowing the Grab Bag idea from Major Pepperidge on a Saturday, I present a selection of images that are not connected except in their composition choices. The first juxtaposes the glittery Nashville suit and Country music on the Tomorrowland stage. Just think about listening to 1968 Country Music Jubilee in the New Tomorrowland of 1967.

The next photograph reminds me of It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World with the treasure not being cash, but Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

The last photograph reminds me of 3-Dimension images with the stairs in the front and the detail in the background.

Have a happy Fall Saturday.

Souvenir Friday- Silk Scarf with Disneyland Scenes

This is one of the more unusual scarves sold at Disneyland. The most common seen are the scarves with Tinkerbell in the middle surrounded by scenes of the various lands. This one is much more interesting with sketched scenes of various locations throughout the park. The scenes starting from the top left are Frontierland Entrance, Rainbow Ridge Frontierland, Matterhorn Tomorrowland, Passenger Train at Water Tower, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Columbia, Hippos- Jungle Cruise, Town Square- Main Street and Submarine.

Scenes from a Cruise Down the Jungle

I have not visited photographically the World Famous Jungle Cruise in a while. Here are three nice shots, the first two are from the same trip. I have always enjoyed the Marc Davis staging of the lost safari and am happy to see that the scene still provides laughter to the Jungle Cruisers.

The second image is of the first incarnation of the African Veldt with the Lions not being in their den. I also like the Vultures in the tree, they add a slightly sinister aspect to the view.

From a different trip and different photographer is this nice view of the Monkey god in his house. I like the water with the bubble effect in the foreground.

Meet Me on Main Street

Disneyland's Main Street is the embodiment of theming to America just before World War 1. Walt Disney World's Main Street is very beautiful, but much more urban. I expect to see the slums and factories down the street. Disneyland on the other hand has the idealized Midwestern town feel and look. These 1968 photographs show Main Street at a perfect time. Once again I am struck by the activity in the images. In addition, there is very little jarring modern stuck into the scene, unlike today with corporate synergy requiring the advertising of every animated film, new tween property and blockbuster film the Walt Disney Company is producing. The advertising is of the time period, even if it is corporate advertising.

I am awaiting the comments on the shirt the couple on the lower right are wearing. Women's lib still was not in full swing!

The Enchanted Tiki Room in 1968

In 1968, the Tiki Room was fully sponsored by United Airlines. The synergy of United sponsoring a Polynesian show was spectacular. United's main flights were to Hawaii and the South Pacific and the flights included Trader Vic meals. The first image shows the front entrance with travel and attraction posters out front.

The next image is of the entrance in twilight. Check out the fashions on some of park guests!

The final image for today is a shot of Tangaroa and the shields on the A-Frame.

I hope you enjoyed your short trip to the islands, I know I have as I have not featured the Tiki Room in a while.

Matterhorn at Twilight

To tie in with Daveland's posts on the Matterhorn today are a couple images from 1968 featuring the Matterhorn mountain at twilight.

The Motorboat Cruise in 1968

The Motorboat Cruise was once a very popular ride as seen in these photographs taken in 1968. I don't think I ever saw this many boats running at one time. The first view is of the dock. The lady getting in the boat has to be careful or she may wind up in the river.

The second image is a fantastic you are there point of view showing what was so right about the New Tomorrowland of 1967. Look at all the action and attractions running in just one image. Today's shot would show a park empty and devoid of movement.

The Mary Blair Murals Tomorrowland

In 1968 the visitor could see the wonderful Mary Blair Mural's on the wall at the entrance to Tomorrowland. As you entered the land, the mural on the right focused on energy and the mural on the left focused on communication. For more information on the murals check out . The first image shows the Energy side.

And this is the communication side.

The last image shows a beauty shot of the front of Tomorrowland with the fresh and colorful Peoplemover and Goofy signing autographs. For Outside the Berm, it appears the planters had solid tubing and there is not any bubbles in the tubes.

Souvenir Friday-1962 Seattle World's Fair Brochure

Both Major Pepperidge and I have shown several photographs from the Seattle World's Fair on our blogs. This brochure is a recent find. The reason I like the brochure is the amazing pre-opening artwork. I especially like the Monorail depiction as well as the fun zone with the skyway overhead and the carousel and other rides. I believe this was produced in 1960 to entice sponsors.

Chicken of the Sea Restaurant

Continuing the exploration of 1968, two images of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant in Fantasyland. (Say that three times fast!) The images are perfect for those who want to model the ship as they show some different views than normally seen. Of course in the first one, our subject is holding a bag of merchandise and reading the Sunday Newspaper. I wish it was the comic section.

The second view is in the general area where the man reading newspaper was sitting. A nice side view showing some details as well as the Skyway buckets.

New Orleans Square

One of the prettiest lands is New Orleans Square. However, I hardly ever see any images of the winding street and the crowds enjoying the music. This photographer in 1968 spent some time photographing the land. The first slide is from the Rivers of America side. I love the detail of the gentleman looking at the 1968 wall map in the lower right hand corner as he enjoys his food at the Creole Cafe.

The second image shows the street just past Club 33. You can see the 35 address on the upper left.

The final slide is taken in front of the Blue Bayou with the band belting out some New Orleans style music. Check out the ticket books held by the boys in the foreground.

Evening descends upon Tomorrowland 1968

As evening came to Tomorrowland at the end of a nice summer day in 1968, the photographer was moved to take a couple of images. The first is a twilight shot of the Peoplemover at the entrance to the land.

The second is later in the evening showing the great signage for the Monorail and Submarine Voyage. Check out the attraction posters in the queue to keep people occupied.

Casey Junior Coming Down the Track

One of my favorite rides is Casey Junior. An exciting trip through Storybook on a small train. You get to see the highlights without the expense of time. And you can be a Wild Animal as well. The interesting item in the pictures is the exit is towards today's entrance and the long ADA required ramp has not yet been constructed. The slides are part of a large grouping taken in 1968.

Souvenir Friday-1968 Inside Disneyland Newsletter

Continuing on my trend of the week of 40 years ago this month comes the cast member publication Inside Disneyland. I have featured one of these prior to this post so I hope you are familar with the newsletter.

More 1968 Tomorrowland

From a different collection of slides with a date of June 1968 come the two photographs snapped as the photographer was riding the Skyway. The first image shows the lovely GE Carousel of Progress. Let's all sing along...There is a great big beautiful tomorrow....

The second image shows the lovely Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant and the fantastic elevator stage.

A September Night In Tomorrowland, 40 Years Ago

Tomorrowland was still a novel and interesting land in 1968. These two evening images show how crowded and vibrant the land could be, filled with people, lights and action. The first image shows the crowd in front of the Rocket to the Moon ride. Of course when the new Tomorrowland was built in 1998, instead of replacing an attraction with an attraction, there needed to be a revenue stream and the location was changed to a pizza place. Have to love '60's fashion as the lady in the center looks like she has escaped from prison.

The second image shows the stage that was located where Space Mountain eventually landed. In the center is the Rolly Crump designed ticket booth, immortalized by Kevin and Jody in miniature.

Frontierland Train Station

Two nice early views of the Frontierland Railroad Station. The station that is seen across the tracks, just out of reach of us normal guests was once in use. The first view shows the station with the elevation sign and the ticket booth for purchasing those long souvenir train tickets. Off to the left there appears to be an early attraction poster which unfortunately the photographer did not focus on.

Here is the Frontierland Train just departing the station. At this time, the theming was of a freight train with a consist of stock cars.

And just because it is such a cool photograph, this image is of the Main Street automobiles in use. I really like the attraction sign, I wonder where those are now?