It's A Small World 1966

It's A Small World was a recently opened attraction in 1966 and attracted many of the guests to ride through the world filled with Mary Blair designs and the Sherman Brothers song. Not only was the interior of the ride an attraction, but the line featured some fun topiary. We start our tour today with a long view of the show building.

A closer look in line. Check out the daring kid trying to figure out how a train goes between the building and the line.

A close look at one of the topiary.

Now on the ride, some nice interior scenes. First up is Russia and Eastern Europe.

Next up is Italy with the leaning tower in the background.

The Arabian peninsula.

And a fleeting glimpse of the Netherlands with the Dutch geese.

Jungle River Cruise 1966

It has been a long time since I showed a little love and respect to the Jungle Cruise, so here goes....the photographer really enjoyed the Sacred Elephant Bathing Pool, snapping three quick images of the elephants. The images are suitable for all ages as the elephants all have their trunks on.

The photographer also enjoyed the African Veldt. This is still one of my favorite scenes on the attraction.

A Trip to Disneyland November 1965 Part 2

More images from a fun trip to Disneyland in November of 1965. First up is the obligatory photograph at the front of the park with the floral Mickey Mouse. As can be seen in the second photo, our valiant young man liked both mustard and ketchup.

A rare image taken from one of the bobsleds running down the Matterhorn mountain. Check out the absence of hotels and motels in the background.

Final image is of the stalwart submarine Patrick Henry plying the tropical waters of the Submarine Voyage before they head under the Polar Ice Cap.

Souvenir Friday- Eraser Set and Art Corner Palette

Since Major Pepperidge decided to post his set of erasers on his blog, I thought I would post another unused set of souvenir erasers with a different design. These are not as fun as Major's but still neat in their own way with unique choices for the character used and the font for each land. I also believe this set is newer as one of the erasers is marked for New Orleans Square.

Staying with the theme of office supplies is this neat souvenir artist palette from the Art Corner. It really is a pen holder meant to be posted on the wall and pens put into the "brushes." The Mickey as artist graphic is a nice touch as is the mailing label on the box.

A Trip to Disneyland November 1965 Part 1

A nice grouping of photographs from a trip to Disneyland on November 29, 1965. The photographer enjoyed Frontierland as can be seen by the multiple views of this rustic land. First up is a way too cool dude posing on Tom Sawyer's island. Raybans- Check, Tennis Shoes- Check, Jeans- Check, Camera- Check!

A friend posing at the Keel Boat load area. Check out the great details in the background of the photograph including the Northwest Pacific Indian totem pole, Bertha Mae Keel Boat and the young girl carrying the bag.

Panoramic view of the Rivers of America showing the Columbia coming into the dock. I believe the lights on the right of the image were for the gazebo on the shore of the Rivers of America where the Strawhatters would play.

I believe this group of kids were being escorted by the young men and women in the pictures. I think it was a Big Brothers/Sisters event.

Cascade Peak with the Keel Boat Gullywhumper passing by. A favorite image of mine.

A happy couple pose at the Keel Boat landing. Written on the reverse is Disneyland November 29, 1965 Glen Bolander Diane Smith.

Photographs from 42 Years Ago

A select grouping of photographs from a visit 42 years ago this month. This time period was a golden age for Disneyland with the recently opened Pirates of the Caribbean as well as the New Tomorrowland. However, the photographer opted to take pictures of some of the older attractions. First up is a group of hipsters riding It's A Small World. Check out the fedoras and sunglasses.

My favorite shot of this group is this head on view of the Omnibus.

A nice moody shot of the Mark Twain and the Rivers of America.

Sleeping Beauty Castle with Christmas decorations still up. It appeared this was a nice Southern California winter day...clear and sunny.

It Was A Simpler Time

The following images and article appeared in the local Long Beach newspaper. If this happened today, there would be allegations of kidnapping and foul play. Here is the article: Together Again- Don Fallis, 32, at left with his sons Audie 6, and Tim, 4 are back with the rest of his family -- His wife, Eva at right and their other two children, Ricky, 6, and Donna 10. In the center is Fallis' brother-in-law, Gene Yount with his family who with Mrs. Fallis lost Mr. Fallis in Hollywood last Thursday. The Yount family includes Mrs. Imogene Yount holding 6-month old Timmy Joe besides Regina, 4. The other three (L-R) are Harold 11, Ronnie, 8 and Lourana, 9. (All Younts.) The two families were re-united in the Disneyland parking lot after Fallis drove all night from Flagstaff, Ariz. In the background is the Disneyland entrance. The park is closed Monday and Tuesday so the families will return Wednesday to tour the Magic Kingdom.

Check out the wonderful Enchanted Tiki Room poster on the Monorail pylon and the entrance to Disneyland.

Disneyland United Way Fund Drive with Alice and the Mad Hatter

Disneyland has always been a great supporter of local and national charities. Many of their employees have donated money and time to charitable causes. I believe the park still has a United Way drive. Here Alice and the Mad Hatter from Wonderland show the progress of the drive with Dumbo ringing the bell. Check out the employee parking backstage.

Souvenir Friday- Art Corner Postcards

For the New Years I thought I would post some of my favorite Disneyland postcards. First up is a nice interior view of the Art Corner. This is a very hard to find postcard. In it you can see the postcards for sale as well as the theme to the interior of the store. Theme you ask? The theme was streets of Paris, where great art was created in the early 20th Century with art exhibits on the streets.

Having the same theme as the store are these two flasher postcards (don't worry, they are not that kind of flasher.) First up is Mickey tipping his cap as a poster on a kiosk.

This one features a flying Dumbo as a painting at an exhibition.

One of my favorite designs is Donald Duck and his nephews riding a Jungle River launch and getting into trouble with a Hippo.

The last postcard is the hardest to find Art Corner postcard. It is of Sleeping Beauty and her forest friends dreaming of a castle.

Best wishes for a great 2010.

Two Celebrations

Today I am celebrating- celebrating the New Years. However, the images I am posting are of two different celebrations at two different parks. Both however are by the same photographer Mell Kilpatrick. First up is a birthday celebration with the time honored ice cream cake. This was held at the American Dairy Association Milk Bar in Tomorrowland. One cool thing about this image is the kids are using plastic spoons marked for the American Dairy Association in Disneyland. (Yes I have one, and would post it, but cannot find my spoons in the collection.)

The next image is of a proclamation of Walter Knott Day in 1961. The day was commemorated by the planting of trees in various cities in Orange County along with a plaque at each tree. I wonder how many of these trees are still alive and still have the identifying plaque?

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Please be safe out there. See you in 2010.

Mell Kilpatrick- Orange County Photographer

Most of you have probably seen or own one of the various books published featuring the Disneyland photographs of Mell Kilpatrick. The collection was kind of broken up years ago and I managed to get several images. First up is a rare interior view of Injun Joe's cave on Tom Sawyer's Island. I would assume that this was from the opening day of the island and the caves as Mell covered many events. Mell stamped the reverse of this photo with his address for his photo studio.

Next up is an unusual view of Northwest Pacific Indian totem poles. I know Disneyland had some totem poles by the Indian Village, but the shore just does not look like the Rivers of America. Another thought is at Knott's Berry Farm? Or maybe Mell did take a trip up to Washington and Oregon and snapped this photo and these are real Northwest Pacific Indian totem poles? Any ideas out there?

Sorry about the no post yesterday, the body said sleep not to blog!

A New Years Tradition and A Look Back at Mr. Lincoln

Today I feature two different press photographs. First up is the traditional meeting of the Rose Bowl participants at Disneyland. From the 1966 game in which UCLA beat the number 1 ranked Michigan State 14 to 12, are four stars of the gridiron. The two UCLA stars are Barry Leventhal (now an Academic Dean at Southern Evangelical Seminary) and Jim Colletto (now an offensive line coach back at UCLA after coaching in the Pros) shaking hands with the MSU stars Steve Juday (a runner up for the Heisman trophy and now a businessman) and Don Japinga (now an insurance broker.) Standing between them is the Rose Bowl Queen Carole Cota and tour guide Connie Swanson.

In honor of Mr. Lincoln returning to Disneyland, here is a 1988 press photograph featuring Abe. The caption on the reverse reads: Presidential Salute-- This life-like re-creation of our nation's 16th President highlights "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," which is offered to guests as a feature of "The Walt Disney Story." Presented by Gulf Oil Corporation, the salute to Abraham Lincoln is showcased in the Main Street Opera House and includes a timeless speech rendered by the Audio-Animatronics figure.

Six Flags Over Mid-America Injun Joe's Cave Dark Ride

Today's flea market was very cold and not well attended. However one vendor who usually has some photos and other paper ephemera was there. In his boxes was this little group of four pictures from an unusual dark ride. With the photographs was a picture of the St. Louis arch. After a little Internet digging, I believe the images are from a dark ride located at Six Flags Over Mid America with the name Mississippi Adventure. Actually the snapshots are from Injun Joe's Cave. The ride was created by Arrow Development. This Six Flags park opened in 1971 and this was one of the rides at the park. The ride closed at the end of 1979 and rethemed to a time tunnel. The park is now named Six Flags St. Louis and features many roller coasters and other rides.

Christmas Photographs for Boxing Day

Many times when purchasing slide collections there are other fantastic slides. Since it is boxing day, I have decided to show off a grouping of Christmas images from the classic Americana period. This set is one family celebrating Christmas in 1961 and 1962. First up is 1961 in a room that has the Colonial Design Aesthetic. I love the knotty pine walls. First up reminds me of the line from A Christmas Story- You will shoot your eye out!

Classic 1950s era Christmas Tree.

Caught cracking nuts!

A night shot with the tree lit up.

Christmas 1962 with an aluminum tree and red ball ornaments.

A plethora of Santas.

The traditional tree with lots of presents.

Opening the presents, check out the gifts of booze!

Two Eddie Haskells attending the party.

Tomorrow back to theme parks.