October 1956 Lonely Indian and Snow White

Pushing the way back machine 11 years to arrive in October 1956. First up is a very lonely Indian. Maybe he thought he could lay out on the sand and have a beach party?

The next place to visit is Snow White's Scary Adventure. The ride vehicles are just two seaters. I have left the image rather large so you can see some of the details of the mural painted on the wall.

1967 In Black and White Part 3

Final posting for this series of photographs from a trip in 1967. It appears the photographer enjoyed Fantasyland as it is the subject of the large percentage of the photographs. First up is a photograph of the entrance to Fantasyland.

Next up is the center of Fantasyland with the central ticket booth and two characters, the Big Bad Wolf chasing after a tasty Little Pig.

Of course the Dumbo attraction is highlighted. First up is an image of the ride with a couple of people waiting.

The photographer joined that line, and snapped this image while riding Dumbo.

Who can resist giant spinning Teacups. (I for one can, but I always like to watch them.)

Ending with a big finish is this nice image of the Matterhorn and Skyway taken from the ground by the Pirate Ship. I like the caption with Cable Car through Matterhorn.

1967 In Black and White Part 2

Continuing the exploration of a trip to Disneyland in 1967, the photographer entered the land of the old west. I like the two pictures below as they appear to be from about the same location but show the two large ships on the Rivers of America.

The newly opened land (misnamed here as New Orleans Street) captured the eye of the photographer. I like the angle of the image giving it a nice feeling of depth.

The only Tomorrowland image in the group is this shot of the Fred Gurley pulling into the Tomorrowland station. Once again a nice feeling of depth with the angle, the monorail track and the tall bushes and berm.

1967 in Black and White Part 1

A fun trip to Disneyland in 1967. I believe this was early 1967 as there are no Tomorrowland pictures in the set. Also it is interesting that the images are black and white. Enough introduction....first up is the ticket booths. Quite a crowd lining up to purchase tickets.

Once inside the park, there were still lots of crowds. There is also a shorts with black socks alert in the middle of the image. p>

Plaza Inn was the place to dine. p>

A great shot of the entrance to Adventureland with the Enchanted Tiki Room and also Uti up on the roof. But there is no barker bird. p>

Souvenir Friday- Dixieland at Disneyland Program 1961

Growing up I never listened to Dixieland music, rather I was listening to early Rock and Roll and Surf music. However, as I began to collect Disneyland memorabilia, I began to listen to Dixieland as I learned about the Firehouse Five Plus 2. Then I found this program and began to wonder how it would have been to listen to the greats of Dixieland at Disneyland. Every time I ride the Mark Twain, I picture Louis Armstrong playing and singing on the small stage. The other great part of this program is the fun graphics on the cover and the interior program. I love the crowded Mark Twain on the cover with multiple musicians, dancers and singers.

Beary Tales Souvenir Slides

It has been a while since I have given Knott's Berry Farm a little love, so I decided to show some souvenir slides from one of my favorite lost rides, Knott's Beary Tales. First off is a shot of some walk around characters outside the ride. I do not remember the walk around characters, but judging from this image, the costumes look fun.

First up is the crafty coyote who is the pie thief in the story.

One of the large set pieces is the balloon at the fair.

The family with the best pies pose for a picture.

Mr. Fox the snake oil medicine sales man.

Close In Photographs

My favorite two images from the assignment. First off is a close in photograph of the reloading of the Jungle Cruise Hippo gun. I love the detail and the focus in the image.

Next is my favorite, a close in view of the Alice In Wonderland control panel. I have always wanted to find one of the control panels in a pile of junk at a swap meet.

Families at Disneyland

I am assuming from these two images that one of the assignments was to show families. First off is a nice image of various family interactions in front of the Junior Autopia.

Next is a family eating lunch. My eyes keep focusing on that wonderful cup with the great graphics and the hamburger wrappers.

Popcorn and Drinking Fountain

Disneyland has always been a spot that attracts photographers. During the 1950s and 1960s many camera clubs popped up as the middle class had more free time and disposable income. A majority of the shutterbugs would attend classes which would have assignments and many of the neophyte photographers in Orange County and surrounding areas would head to Disneyland to fulfill their homework. I have been lucky to find several sets of these type of images, including these two images from a fairly recent acquisition. If the popcorn vendor had saved 100 of those boxes, he would have a nice little stipend.

This is for the fountain watchers, this one is in Adventureland.

Small Sketches of Disneyland

Instead of featuring photographic images of Disneyland today, I thought I would feature a nice set of small sketches of Disneyland. The sketches were purchased from the daughter of one of the main importers of souvenirs for Disneyland. I am not sure if larger paintings were executed of the sketches, or if they were actually used on merchandise. The sketches measure approximately 2 by 2 inches in size and are well done.
First off is Fantasyland featuring Sleepy Beauty Castle.

Next up is Adventureland featuring the Jungle River Cruise.

Main Street with the Horse Drawn Trolley.

Tomorrowland in all its futuristic glory.

Frontierland with a focus on the New Orleans elements.

The Groovy 1970s

The 1970s were definitely a groovy time. Nothing reflects the grooviness more than the fashion especially hair and clothing. First off is a nice image from the entrance to the Pack Mules and Nature's Wonderland.

The next shot is of a group hanging out at the front of Tomorrowland. The boy walking towards us has one of the groovy bags and wearing a bucket hat. The design of the entrance and the plantings are definitely groovy.

The last image from this set is of a lady with a fantastic hair do (left over from the 1960s) standing in line for the Matterhorn.

Moving later into the groovy decade, a couple of cute teenagers practicing their driving on the Global moving van.

It appears dad was very groovy. Check out the shirt, shoes and the pose! I am going to start a petition to have Tim from Vintage Disneyland Tickets wear this outfit next time he visits Disneyland.

Souvenir Friday- Hills Brother's and Plaza Terrace Menus

Today I feature two different menus. First off is a rare Hills Brother's Coffee House and Garden Menu. This menu is definitely different than the normal Hills Brother's Coffee House menu. The menu is from the early 1960s with a fantastic mid-Century modern design. Here is the cover folded showing the neat drawing of the restaurant.

Next is the menu fully folded out, the design is repeated as a mirror image.

Anyone want to order some coffee?

The next menu is from the Plaza Terrace. Based upon the graphics and the prices, I would date this to the late 1960's. This is the restaurant that shared the kitchen with the Tahitian Terrace. The restaurant did not last long under this name and with table service. Rather it changed quickly to Plaza Inn and to Buffet service.

Here is what was served, definitely a high end restaurant.

Making the Jungle Cruise Animals 1954- African Animals

Final day of the photographs showing the Jungle River Cruise animals being sculpted and constructed at the Walt Disney Studio's model shops. The images today all include the requisite cute young actress. First off is the giraffe being fed by an actress who was in the first set of photographs. Lots of stuff going on in the background.

Next up is one of the charging rhino's with the same actress. She appears to be holding a sketch of what the final animal should look like.

Finally images of the African Lion with two different actresses.

Making the Jungle Cruise Animals 1954- Never Smile at a Crocodile

Today I feature the creation of the crocodiles that are always looking for a hand out. I believe this is Bob Mattey working on the jaw of the crocodile. From the angle of the photo, it appears he is doing his best impression of an alligator wrestler.

A larger image showing the work shop and the full animal. Up in the upper right hand corner is one of the tentacles from the 20,000 Leagues giant squid.

Final image today is of another young actress posing with one of the animals outside. Reminds me of the Peter Pan song "Never Smile at a Crocodile."