Some Views of Sea World

Three nice views of Sea World in the 1960s. First up are two images of the Japanese Village where the Pearl Divers would perform. This image shows Harold and Ethyl hanging out on the lovely deck.

This is the stage where a Taiko drum group would perform along with Japanese folk dancers.

This is a great image of the patio for the Hawaiian Punch pavilion. Check out the nice tiki in the middle of the image.

Town Square June 17, 1967

A nicely composed photograph with an interesting background, a foreground object to catch the eye, good focus and a large bouffant hairdo!

Subs and More, September 1963

Three nice views of Tomorrowland from September 1963, well actually two nice views from Tomorrowland and one nice view from Fantasyland. First up is the sub Skipjack cruising in front of Monorail Yellow. The 1960s Tomorrowland really was a World on the Move!

Next up is another view of the Submarine Lagoon with Monorail Blue coming in, Skyway buckets passing overhead and the Douglas Rocket to the Moon ready for lift off.

The last view is one usually seen from the Tomorrowland side of the Matterhorn, but this is taken from the Fantasyland side. Check out the lovely Alice in Wonderland attraction poster at the entrance to the ride.

Views From the Rivers of America- September 1963

The Rivers of America is the big draw in Frontierland and also home to many attractions. In addition to the Mark Twain, Columbia, Tom Sawyer's Island and the now gone Keel Boats, the river also served as a scenic part on the attractions in Fontierland. First up are two shots of the Indian Village that is just around the bend. First up a view with the mast and figurehead of the Columbia.

An unobstructed view of the Village, most likely the photographer was standing on the Mark Twain deck for this shot.

Speaking of the Mark Twain, here is a neat image of the ship pulling into dock while being serenaded by the Disneyland band.

The last picture for today shows the Mine Train and the Burro ride as seen from the Rivers of America.

Incidential Intelligence On Freedomland

Some more press releases from the Freedomland Press packet. The Incidential Intelligence on Freedomland has some nice information on the various designers and personnel involved in starting and operating the theme park. Some nice information and names for those nomenclaturist out there.

This is also a neat little piece definitely from a public relations firm.

To add a little color, here is a neat sketch for the lollipops sold at Freedomland.

Souvenir Friday- Freedomland Press Kit Part 1

I am going to show a piece from the archives of my collection over the next couple of Fridays. The piece is the Opening Press Kit for the Freedomland Theme Park that once stood in Brooklyn New York. The cover is plain with just the Freedomland logo. Inside are various press releases.

The first piece from the press kit details the accomplishments of the two builders, Milton T. Raynor and C.V. Wood, Jr. Most of you will probably recognize the name C.V. Wood, Jr.

September 1963 Adventureland

Three views of Adventureland in September 1963. First up is the newly opened Tiki Room with the nice shield and the United Airlines Tiki Room attraction posters.

Next up are two views of the Jungle River Cruise. Beware of the Hippos!

Here is the scene of bathing elephants.

3 Snapshots of the 1935 San Diego Fair

Three neat snapshots from the 1935 San Diego California Pacific International Exposition held at what is now Balboa Park. A great art deco style fair with some interesting buildings. First up is the Water Palace Building with a nice garden out front and some giant vases.

Next is the Electricity and Varied Industries building. The building has a nice art deco design.

Last image is the Tower of the Sun presented by Standard Oil. Great mural on the building.

A Trip to Disneyland September 1963 Part 2

Continuing with the trip in September 1963. The photographer liked the Main Street trolley as he took two pictures of this mode of transportation. The first is from Town Square which is very busy on this day.

Next up is a trolley at the hub. The foreground flag on the light pole is an interesting composition choice.

A Trip to Disneyland September 1963 Part 1

A nice series of slides I just purchased from a trip in September 1963. First up is the requisite view of the Mickey Mouse topiary. Check out the Art Corner attraction poster.

Next up is Mickey Mouse leading the marching band down Main Street.

Ride the Train to Tombstone Territory

An unusual and tough to find postcard from the long defunct amusement park Miracle Strip near Panama City, Florida is this view of their train to Tombstone Territory. The theming details are interesting, cliff dwellings in the background, emaciated cattle, but then a Northwest Pacific Indian Totem Pole and a Western depot with a lone cactus. Still I would have enjoyed visiting this park if it was still in existence.

Matterhorn 1959

While the Matterhorn is undergoing some major renovations and is shrouded in scaffolding, here is a 1959 publicity photograph featuring the mountain. I also hear the load/unload area is being renovated to fit the new bobsleds. The photograph is captioned: "Snow-capped" Matterhorn Mountain, rising 14-stories into the Anaheim skyline, is one of the chief landmarks and a highly popular 1959 addition to Disneyland. Two bobsled runs carry guests high up inside the Matterhorn and racing down, around and through the mountain before splashing to a halt in a "glacier lake" at the bottom. This Swiss Chalet is located at the entrance to the bobsled runs.

Souvenir Friday- Matterhorn Cast Member Shirt

A nice shirt from approximately the early 1960s. This is the costume that the guys working the attraction in summer would wear. The details of the shirt are cool, the Swiss embroidery and of course the patch on the chest.

Matterhorn Hat

Some black and white snapshots from 1961. First up is an unfortunately posed photograph of the young boy wearing the Matterhorn as a hat. Check out the nice background items and the camera he is carrying.

Next up is a nice side shot of Main Street Station with the attraction posters on the fence. Look at the great Nature's Wonderland and the rare Flying Saucers posters.

A great image of the Carnation truck with the background, showing where the truck was parked. Most images of this are shot from a straight on view so you can not see the shops next door to Carnation.

Last image is a you are there, waiting in line for the Flying Saucers shot. I am still really liking the pylon with the Flying Saucers sign.

A 1970 Trip to Disneyland

Three snapshots of a trip to Disneyland in 1970. First up is a nice view of Dumbo with the Chicken of the Sea pirate ship in the background. I like the color and visual movement of this photograph.

Next up is a beauty shot of the wife and daughter behind her walking in the Flower Market. The picture has a nice use of the natural light to highlight the figures.

Final image is of the dad standing in front of Fantasyland with Monstro and Storybook in the background.

Some Characters in 1959

By 1959 the costumed characters started looking a bit more on model, but still not quite there. The characters are a little too skinny without as much padding and roundness as seen by today's characters. First up is Chip and Dale with a bevy of fans.

Next up is a shot of one of the little pigs, a very skinny little pig. Also this slide was pink when I scanned it....and was tough to color correct.

Last image that came with these slides is a fantastic shot of the start of the Alice In Wonderland ride. I love the face the younger brother is making.

Flying Saucers

More pictures from the visit by the fraternity to Disneyland. This time the group decided to ride the Flying Saucers. First up is the load area with all the guests ready to go. I like the giant speaker pylon. Check out the blonde in her sailor outfit. Unfortunately the picture is a little too blurry and the employees are too far away, but it appears there is some sort of patch on the employee's hats.

And away they go, the start of the ride with the saucers going onto the ride surface.

Delta Tau Chi Visit Disneyland June 1965

I really do not know if this is a fraternity visiting Disneyland, but it definitely looks like a group of college fraternity. So I am imagining the Delta Tau Chi house (from Animal House) visiting the park. First up is a shot of a couple posing in front of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Note the 15 adventure ticket book in his pocket.

Next up is a group standing at the main hub with the Monsanto House of the Future in the background.

The last two are my favorites. First up a group shot in Fantasyland with a striking blonde standing in the middle of the group wearing her Navy influenced outfit.

Final image is of the guys standing in Frontierland after visiting one of the hat shops found in Disneyland.