Below Decks Columbia Part 1

Today I start a series of slides taken of the museum located Below Decks on the Columbia. Opening in 1964, the exhibit features displays of life aboard a sailing ship in the 1700s. The first image shows the cargo of the ship, bales of steer hides.

The exhibit also features the working and sleeping areas for the crew.

And also features the working area for the ships chandler.

Tomorrow more views of Below Decks from 1964.

As Seen From the Skyway

Some very nice views taken from the Skyway. The first shows the iconic Tomorrowland structure, the TWA Rocket to the Moon along with a general view of the area.

The second shows the Storybook Canals load area and all the umbrella's in their bright colors.

The last image for today is a spectacular shot of the Skyway buckets riding over the construction site which will soon be turned into the Matterhorn. If you look closely in the lower left hand portion of the slide, you can see the Matterhorn advertising sign.

Fantasyland 1959

A group of slides from 1959 featuring Fantasyland. The first shows Dumbo flying through the air with the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship in the background. I love the sparseness of the surroundings in the background.

The next image is of the crowded land. I love the shield shaped design on the trash can incorporating a broom and dustpan.

The last image is for Vintage Disneyland Tickets showing not only the Casey Junior ticket booth but also the Central ticket booth.

1968 Views of Disneyland

Just some nice views of Disneyland taken in 1968. Enjoy!

Friends

A selection of images showing friends and family of the girl who poses with characters. The first is of her riding the Autopia. It looks like Dad won the argument and is driving.

The second shows one of her friends posing with one of the horses for the Horse Drawn Trolley. I like the bridle on the horse with the Disneyland Gothic D.

Finally a shot with what appears to be a cousin, sitting on the benches at Town Square.

More Characters

Today I am back with more pictures of our favorite girl posing with the characters. Today she snagged Dopey. I have no idea why the bandaged thumb was placed in front ot the camera.

The second is a picture with a rare character, Jacques from Cinderella.

Souvenir Friday- Plantation House and Red Wagon Inn Serving Tray

A souvenir from the early days of Disneyland, a serving tray featuring the placemat from the Plantation House and the Red Wagon Inn. The placemats are fairly easy to find, but this is very difficult. The tray is a Camtray and the placemat has been fiberglassed into the tray.

Kodak Picture Spots at Disneyland

Years ago Kodak was the camera and film sponsor at Disneyland. In order to increase the use of film, the marketing folks came up with the idea of marking certain scenic areas throughout Disneyland as picture spots. There would be a sign explaining the spot and how to take the picture. In the early years the company gave away brochures listing the spots. Here are two images taken at picture spots. The first is the obligatory entrance shot with the Mickey Mouse topiary and the Main Street Station.

The second is of one of my favorite spots at the park, the Snow White Grotto and the Snow White Wishing Well. I love how high the frogs are squirting the water.

An Image for the Disneyland Paper Collectors

All I can say is wow- this is a nice shot of the Carnation menu in use!

Some More Characters

More images of our enigmatic girl and characters at Disneyland. This must have been an annual tradition as she is wearing two different outfits and in previous images she has worn different outfits. I like that she posed with a great variety of characters, J. Worthington Foulfellow, The Big Bad Wolf and Fiddler Pig.

I like this polka dot dress and also the nice early view of It's A Small World.

Check out the Keds shoes on the pig!

Time for Some Ice Cream

After the excitement of meeting the characters, it is time to get ice cream. The first image is from the Carnation Ice Cream fountain on Main Street.

The second image is in the restaurant row by the Rivers of America by Aunt Jemima's. The ice cream cones look very good.

Strike A Pose With Character

Growing up I never really participated or cared for character interactions at Disneyland. I was there to ride the rides and soak in the atmosphere. Now as I get older, I appreciate the characters, their costumes and the interaction between guests and the characters. The enhancement the characters add to Disneyland is one thing that separates Disneyland from other theme parks. The first image is of the Alice In Wonderland crew in front of It's A Small World.

The second is of Snow White taken at the Alpine Gardens. The Alpine Gardens was once the location of the Monsanto House of the Future. When it was removed, the waterfalls and features were left in place and landscape was planted. I like the sign in the background with the sun, the Matterhorn logo and the D for Disneyland.

Although not a costumed character, Dumbo had to be included with the images. Check out the signage for the Art Corner in Fantasyland in the background.

Negatives

Delving into a collection of negatives I have chosen two photographs to post. The first is one of my favorite spots in the park, the Court of the Angels in New Orleans Square. This is my favorite time period with the large paper mache lacquer statues and flowers for sale.

The other is from the Plaza Inn before it was remodeled. It does look just like a house from this angle...with the exception of the red light on the table and the fire sprinkler head on the ceiling of the porch.

Souvenir Friday- Opening Day Train Ticket

Amongst the lucky folks who were at Disneyland on opening day were a few really lucky folks who were part of the broadcast and had the honor of riding the train as it pulled into the station. This ticket and memo outlines the requirements for a member of the Freight train passengers. I am wondering if there is a companion piece for the Passenger trains?

I dedicate this post to Vintage Disneyland Tickets and his Globe paper obsession!

The Simple Joys at Knotts Berry Farm

One thing that I believe is being lost these days is simple joys. Kids love water and watching water. Both Walters knew this and included water in their parks. The kids in these images taken in 1957 are fascinated with the water flow and the pump used to create the flow.

And because this image was with the others, a nice posed shot in front of the authentic and original steam train.

Amusements From an Older Time

Today's post features two images of amusements I never really got to participate in. The first shows a classic fairground carnival with a side show featuring a magician named Jack Harris and hundreds of rabbits. The little girl is quite content with her cotton candy.

The second shows the entrance to fun house on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in the late 1940s. Shuttered in 1971 due to increasing liability concerns, the house featured the usual spinning platters and barrel for the enjoyment of the patrons. This is one of most fun entrances to a fun house I have seen.

Mouse Ears- The Fashion Accessory for Everywhere

Okay, maybe not everywhere, but definitely cool while at Marineland! Three images showing how pervasive the Mickey Mouse Club was in the culture in the 1950s. Also, three nice images of Marineland, a park that never quite receives the love that it deserves. The image of the girl and her dad on the tram is very nice and the stadium shot is also nice. So, put on your Mouse Ears, march on out the door to work and don't forget to vote!

1958 Trip in Black and White

A set of black and white views of a family trip to Disneyland in 1958. The first image shows the happy family riding in the Viewliner. I believe the young boy is holding a Tinkerbell Magic Wand.

The second shot is captioned "Andrew at Disneyland & wouldn't he try hard to get his head stuck in the fence." I wonder if he did get his head stuck while waiting for his chicken dinner at the Plantation house?

The classic family group shot in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

A great image of the dad and the youngest beginning their descent into hell aboard Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Finally a night image with the young boy in his Davy Crockett leather jacket sitting on the mail box in front of the INA building. I love the detail of the new Grand Canyon Diorama sign.

Scenes From a Ride on The Nature's Wonderland Railroad

These are all taken from different groupings of slides but really complement the last three posts on Rainbow Ridge. Once you left the town, you visited many different scenes along the track. These are some of my favorite images.

This one is neat with the Matterhorn in the background.

A nice view of the falls from the Mark Twain.

The last image is a you are there shot with the natural arch bridge with the Mule Pack ride. The young lady is still tightly holding her wanted poster.