Vaya Con Dios Betty Kimball

Yesterday I read about the passing of Betty Kimball at the age of 97. Betty worked at the Walt Disney Studios in the Ink and Paint department. There she met Ward Kimball and they got married and were married for 66 years. Ward was definitely a character and it must have been a roller coaster ride. But based upon drawings and stories, Ward was deeply in love with Betty and Betty was his team mate in their adventures. From Ward and Betty's estate is this collection of postcards from Ward's trip to Greenfield Village in 1948 with Walt. Ward and Walt visited this museum in Detroit on their way back home from the Chicago Railroad Fair.

Ward sent this home to himself, reminding him of his love for Betty.

Stuff From the Gate- 1962 Cavalcade of Big Bands

One of the joys of collecting the ticket brochures is that there are several for special events. Due to the limited time these brochures were available, the special event are the hardest to find. This one is for the Cavalcade of Big Bands in 1962. If you compare this brochure to the previous brochure, the ad copy for the new construction is the same and the addition is the ad for the Big Bands event. This brochure is numbered 14 and dated 4/62.

Polaroids Including Backstage

More polaroids from the decorating department. First up is a souvenir shop in Fantasyland. A full rack of postcards and also souvenir slides can be seen.

Quick jump backstage to the First Aid location in Fantasyland.

A view of what appears to be a storage locker...maybe for more merchandise.

Three views of a shaded eating area in Fantasyland.

Backstage Photographs

From the Disneyland decorating department, some black and white polaroids of backstage. First up are two of the most blank restrooms I have seen....first up is the Ladie's restroom.

Next up is the Men's restroom.

I believe these two images are the backstage side of the First Aid department.

A quick jump and we are in Disneyland. These two restrooms still exist, I have always liked the signs. I wonder though if some guests get confused.

Souvenir Friday- Universal Theme Park Attraction Art

Three nice pieces of artwork for Universal Studios and their attractions at the theme parks. All the pieces are printed and then mounted to black stiff board, similar to storyboarding. I assume these were created for presentations. First up is the exciting climax to the ET ride.

Next up is a stage show design featuring the Ghostbusters from the Ghostbusters Spooktacular Show at Universal Studios Florida.

Final design is by Dan Goozee for an un-produced Phantom of the Opera stage show.

The China Closet

More images from the Decorating Department at Disneyland. This time it is the entrance to the China Closet. Some nice views of this little photographed part of Main Street. The location is still a door to the China Closet and the Corn Dog truck now sits on the street.

A view of the street from the Plaza Inn. This is where the Corn Dog truck is now parked.

A close up in black and white of the window. Some of the merchandise that can be seen include Snow White and Dopey Salt and Pepper shaker, Alice in Wonderland and White Rabbit figure, and the Milk Glass mugs.

Adventureland Ice Machine Study 1973

In 1973 a study was done to determine where ice machines could be placed in Adventureland. In order to place the machines in the proper position, Disneyland took some images of the backstage area for study. Some of these areas are very crowded and somewhat dirty. In the second image, check out the signs on the doors.

Art View of Gullywhumper

A nice soft focus art view of the Gullywhumper berthed at the Canoes.

Stuff From the Gate- 1962 New Construction in Adventureland Brochure

Three Wonderful ways to visit Disneyland ticket brochure number 13, dated 2/62 and promoting the new construction in Adventureland. The use of a Marc Davis sketch is very nice. The interior has changed and gone to a more stark design. Notice that Disneyland is selling a pay one price Passport that allowed a guest to ride any ride with the exception of shooting galleries.

Casa De Fritos Outdoor Seating Part II

The other 4 photographs taken for documentation purposes by the Disneyland Decorating department. I can almost smell and taste the Mexican (Americanized) Food.

Casa De Fritos Outdoor Seating Part 1

In the 1970's the painting and decorating department documented some locations throughout Disneyland. To tie into Kevin Kidney's blog post of yesterday, here is the Casa De Fritos outdoor patio. The Frito Kid is long gone, but the bright colored tables and benches are in place. This is the Casa De Fritos I remember from my childhood.

Here is a close look at the sign and menu. The menu is upside down, maybe a sign that the restaurant was not open?

Images of the porch. I remember eating here every year.

Souvenir Friday- Grad Nite 66 and Elitch's Gardens Souvenir Photographs

Two souvenir photographs. First up is a 1966 Grad Nite picture taken at the back of the entrance to Frontierland.

For a little local Denver color, a souvenir photograph from Elitch's Gardens. This dance hall is now long gone with a housing development in its place.

Tim- keep looking for more Grad Nite souvenirs.

Sea World 1970

Four somewhat blurry shots of the Shamu and Porpoise and Dolphin show. First up is two images of the Shamu show.

And then the Porpoise and Dolphin show. This was my favorite show as I clearly remember the cute cartoony pirate ship and the tiki floating in the water.

For all my tiki fanatics, here is a close up of the tiki floating on the water. He is very cartoony!