Things From the Gate- Two More Summer 1960 Gate Brochures

Two more Summer 1960 ticket brochures. First up is the second version of the 1960 brochure as it does not have the June 10th date and ticket prices have increased as compared to the last ticket brochure poster.

I am just showing the back of this brochure as the front and interior pages are the same. This is one of my favorite of this series. I wish I could have gone to the Dixieland at Disneyland events.

Souvenir Slides- Main Street and Tomorrowland

Three early souvenir slides from Disneyland. All three had turned the same flat shade of magenta. First up is Main Street with lots of traffic. The slide was taken during a Horseless Carriage event. I love the antique automobiles on Main Street giving it a true to life look.

Next up is a stunning portrait of the Motorized Fire Truck, looking brand spanking new.

The Fire Truck will bring us to the Hub, where we can head to the right and visit the world of tomorrow. I would purchase an ice cream if I could.

Weeki Wachee Mermaids 1952

Continuing a quick exploration of Florida by visitng the fun tourist spot Weeki Wachee Springs. The springs have crystal clear water and a US Navy World War 2 veteran decided to promote the clarity by having cute young ladies swim and act out skits under water. The attraction became world famous, especially after ABC purchased it in 1959. Then as tourists stopped coming to the area, the springs were almost sold and closed. Luckily the springs still exist as a tourist attraction and the mermaids still swim and perform in the crystal clear water after the State of Florida took it over as a State Park. A new book Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attraction was recently published and looks amazing.

This post is in honor of my mermaid friends.

Souvenir Friday- Gibson Greeting Cards

The last two Gibson Greeting cards in my collection. I hope you have enjoyed them.

Ringling Circus Winter Quarters Sarasota Florida

Beginning in the late 1920's, the Ringling Brothers Circus spent the winter season in Sarasota, Florida. The circus folks would relax and spend time at home, but the entertainers that they were, they wanted to continue to perform. So, the circus would put on a show which became a tourist attraction in Florida. By the 1950s when these slides were taken, the winter circus was drawing in excess of 100,000 visitors in winter. Since winter days in Florida are nice and balmy and sunny, a large outdoor theater was constructed. The acts would entertain the tourists. (WARNING- there be clowns ahead!)
First up is the dancing horses.

Next up are the daring flying folks on the trapeze.

I am sure this is a famous Lion Tamer.

What circus is not complete without clowns.

You Are There Storybook Canal Attraction

Some images to let you imagine that you are riding the Storybook Canal attraction. (Right now, I could use a nice day as it snowed last night!) First up is a blurry image of a passenger on one of the canal boats. Edit-It appears to be the image is on the Pirate Ship.

A looming view of Monstro as you gently slip into his mouth.

My favorite storybook scene, Mr. Toad's house Toad Hall with Moley's house out front. The City of Agrabah from Alladin now sits in the space. Toad Hall was moved and still exists, but not in as nice of a space.

Frontierland Souvenir Slides

A set of slides that a guest could purchase at any of the souvenir stands throughout Disneyland. Some nice views that I am sure were sprinkled into the slide shows shown by Uncle Charlie when he returned home. Unfortunately the film stock used has turned red over the years, so the color is not as nice as the best Kodachrome stock (cue Paul Simon...)

This mule train looks posed as if Disneyland hired a bunch of young models to pose.

Things From the Gate- Summer 1960 Ticket Brochure

Same design, this time for Summer 1960. Note that the ticket prices may change on June 10, 1960.

Casey Junior Railroad

One of my favorite rides and a must see every trip to Disneyland. It is a fun ride with great visuals and a quick way to see Storybook Land.

I hope you enjoy the quick trip through this fun attraction.

A Picnic at Lakeside Amusement Park 1972

The cover and short one page article on a picnic by the veterans and old timers of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad. Of course they rode the train at Lakeside as seen by the cover. I am a big proponent of frequenting and supporting local amusement parks and Lakeside has kept its charm and look. I am looking forward to hitting the park this weekend to see how the off season treated the park. I hope it looks as good as it does in these images.

Souvenir Friday- More Gibson Greeting Cards

More of the Gibson Greeting cards. This time the Time Clock of the World.

And the Mark Twain Riverboat.

Two Views of Tomorrowland

Two views of Tomorrowland on a Monday in the early 1960s. What is nice about the images is the park is closed and empty with the exception of workers. First up is a shot of the Monorail station with Monorail blue in station and workers doing some maintenance on the station. Below are several rare Nautilus General Dynamics posters on the posts.

A shot of Tomorrowland where it appears the asphalt has been swept and cleaned (there is a rope in the foreground with rags tied to it.)

Main Street Vehicles

Many readers know that us Disneyland fanatics lament the loss of activity in Tomorrowland. However, I also lament the loss of activity on Main Street. There used to be many vehicles driving on Main Street as well as vehicles parked on the side streets. First up is one of my favorite vehicles to ride as it still goes up and down Main Street. The Omnibus is a great way to view Main Street.

Other vehicles included the horse drawn fire engine. Though not a large capacity ride, it appears to be fun to imagine yourself as a firefighter in the 1910s.

Another way to ride up and down Main Street was to ride these Horseless Carriages. Talk about low capacity, but they were a lot of fun to ride. As can be seen in the background of this photo, the motion really adds to the atmosphere of Main Street.

Final image is of everyone's favorite (well at least one of my favorite) vehicles on Main Street, the Carnation Milk Truck. Usually parked on a side street, it enhanced Main Street. Walt loved to fire this truck up and run it on Main Street.

For a great history of the Carnation truck, check out post from Gorillas Don't Blog.

Three Stores on Main Street

One simple photograph, three different store fronts.

(Another favorite image from years ago.)

Things From the Gate- Winter Spring 1959 Ticket Brochure

I originally thought this was for Winter Spring 1959-1960, but based upon the dates on the back, it is from 1959. The yellow coloring does not work very well and is hard to read. I wonder who was the graphic designer for these brochures?