Thursday, May 10, 2012

Disneyland Views From the Monorail

Three views taken from the Monorail in 1962. First up is an image from Monorail station focusing on the Matterhorn.

Next is a picture featuring an overview of Tomorrowland. Note the Moon Rocket has the Douglas logo.

Final image is the Main Street Station as taken from a speeding Monorail. I love the you are there aspect of this image.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Pigs

Pig photographs from October 1962. It appears the pigs are playing in front of the Matterhorn. The children seem very enthused to pose with the Pigs.

The last image is one of my favorites with all three pigs posing and employees working the Matterhorn in the background.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Three Views of Disneyland

Three left over photographs from Disneyland. Not that left overs are bad, meatloaf and turkey taste even better the day after, especially in a sandwich. These images are nice, but just not a rare view of interesting locations. First up is a nicely composed image of the Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer's Island Raft and the Golden Horseshoe Review. I am liking the Injun Joe raft.

Next up is an image of Fort Wilderness in all its glory. I truly miss this attraction as it holds many fond memories of my childhood with many games of hide and seek as well as Cowboys and Indians.

Final shot for today is of the Haunted Mansion. It appears the guests are contemplating what is inside the house.

Monday, May 07, 2012

Two Tree Houses

Disneyland has two tree houses. One is a bit more simple and has been enjoyed by guests since 1956. This tree house is of course Tom's Tree House on Tom Sawyer's Island.

The other tree house at Disneyland was the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. Now that attraction has been updated to Tarzan, but I would guess that the majority of my readers miss the Swiss Tree House and can still hear the Swisskapolka song.

Saturday, May 05, 2012

Temporary Traffic Information Center

On first glance, this does not look like Disneyland. Rather, the photograph appears to just be a house in the middle of Orange Groves. But Disneyland historians will note that this is the white house where early Disneyland offices were located. This house is the subject a chapter in Van France's book A Window On Main Street, where he created the training program while dealing with the CHP officers. Also an interesting note is the back is marked 955-DL-489. Disneyland should have created this for their Leap Day celebration.

Friday, May 04, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Red Wagon Inn Breakfast Menu

Before there were character breakfasts and Mickey Mouse Pancakes, the Red Wagon Inn served a small selection of breakfast items. All made with Swift's Premium Meats, the same the family could purchase and use at home. Notice it costs a quarter more for the ice chilled melons when in season and who does not want stewed prunes to go along with breakfast?

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Tiki Gardens 1970s

Two more images from the 1970s featuring the Enchanted Tiki Room Gardens. First up is the Tangoroa Tree. I like the couple sitting in the foreground.

Next up is Maui the tiki who roped the sun. This tiki is the time keeper in the legends.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Tiki Room and Tahitian Terrace

A couple of great snapshots from a visit in the late 1970s. First up is a view of the signage and Uti found outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Next up is one of my recent favorite shots with a view of the entrance to the Tahitian Terrace. Some fantastic signage on this A-frame including a picture of a sign I own in use.

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Fantasyland

More from the Pink Slides....this time views of Fantasyland. First up of course is everyone's favorite flying pachyderm, Dumbo. Note the flapped wing ears on the Dumbos. I love the vibrancy and activity in the background.

Next up is a view of the always thrilling Motor Boat Cruise. The outfits for the cast members are really nice.

Next up are two you are on the ride views from Storybook Canal Boats. A nice view of Cinderella's castle on the hill.

Also a view of Alice in Wonderland church.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Autopia and Fire Engine, Oh My!

More images from what I am calling the Pink Slide collection. First up is a nice view of a kid driving on the Midget Autopia. I like the scenic elements to create interest for the rider.

Another image of the same kid now driving on the Fantasyland Autopia. Walt Disney took a common amusement park ride, changed it a little and made it into a memorable and exciting attraction. Note the elaborate bumper system and no guide rail.

Last image is of Fire Engine number 1 on Main Street. Let's hop on board and head to the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Classic Knott's Berry Farm

More photographs from the pink slides, this time the family visited Knott's Berry Farm. These images show classic attractions and exhibits from Ghost Town. First up is Old Betsy the train relic from a mine.

Next up is a nice shot posing in a covered wagon at the Covered Wagon Stage. I like how close the stage and the wagon is to the parking lot.

My favorite image is of panning for gold. The little boy is so intent on the instructions from the employee.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Employee Cuff Links

Chuck Whelan was a member of Human Resources for Disneyland in 1955 and interviewed many of the early cast members. He had these cuff links made using his Disneyland business card to add a little extra flair to his outfits. He was a fan of Disneyland and actually appeared on the cover of a Vacationland prior to his retirement. By 1975 he had retired from Disneyland.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Posing With Character

Still mining the images from the batch of pink colored faded slides. Today's post features the family posing in various locations around Disneyland. The day chosen to visit Disneyland appears to have seen very light attendance as seen by the ghost town look of this photo taken at the entrance. I like the action of the boy looking at the train....which if I was him, I would definitely be looking at that beautiful train.

Next up are pictures of the boy posing with characters. First up Alice and a rubber head Mad Hatter posing in front of Snow White Adventures.

Next image is a pose with the Big Bad Wolf standing in front of the Midget Autopia.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Frontierland

More images from the pink slides, this time some nice shots of Frontierland. First up is a nice shot of the family posing on Tom's Treehouse.

Next up is an image of the Mark Twain pulling into the dock.

A wonderful "you are there" view of the Indian Village dancers. Just imagine you are one of the kids sitting there watching the Native American dancers.

Final image is of Rainbow Ridge from the top deck of the Mark Twain. Quite a spectacular image showing the town and the load station for Nature's Wonderland Railroad as well as the Pack Mules as well as a nice shot of the rare ticket booth.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tomorrowland of Yesterday

Tomorrowland was an interesting place circa 1961. First a caveat, these slides were not just red, but they were actually pink, so the colors are slightly off. However, the photographer had a great eye. First up is the George Washington submarine voyaging through the lagoon. I never tire of seeing gray subs.

Next up is a nice image of the Flying Saucers with loads of guests having fun on the ride.

The last image shows some 1950's Tomorrowland mixed with 1960's Tomorrowland, with the Time Clock of the World in the middle and America the Beautiful and Monsanto attraction in the background.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Entertainment At PMR Night At Disneyland

Having some computer difficulties....so I missed posting over the weekend. These two images feature the bands that played for the enjoyment of the PMR families. First up is a day shot with the Dateniters playing in the band.

Next up is the Spacemen with Kay Bell on the Tomorrowland stage.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Souvenir Friday- Pacific Ocean Park Postcards

Several of the original postcards for Pacific Ocean Park from when it opened. The cards are nice featuring artist renderings of the park and its lands. First up is a view of the entrance to the theme park.

An interesting area was the New England fishing village. This is the location of several food stands and restaurants.

A scarce view is this rendering of the Sea Circus showing the various performing pools.

My favorite ride is the Banana Train ride. This is an overall view of the ride, which once was the end of the pier. I wish that I could go back in time and experience this attraction.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

More PMR at Disneyland

A couple more images from the PMR night at Disneyland. The first it appears the refugees with all their happy vibes are shuffling down Main Street. Note the nice banner across the street welcoming all of the guests.

Two guests purchase balloons to recapture their childhood from a rather unhappy looking cast member. I love some of the balloons including one with the Mickey Mouse Club design with Disneyland on a scroll under the design.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

PMR at Disneyland

Continuing with photographs from the Pacific Missile Range family night of May 1, 1964. First up is the original Disneyland sign that stood on Harbor Boulevard. Note that the Pacific Missile Range is noted on the marquee.

Next up is a photograph from the interior of Monstro. I like the look of the families in the boat and the ride operator as well. It looks a little chilly.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pacific Missile Range Family Night At Disneyland 1964

In the 1960s and 1970s Companies and other recreation leagues could rent out Disneyland for a night of fun. In 1964, Pacific Missile Range located at Point Mugu in California held a family fun night. As part of the package, the Disneyland publicity department photographed the night. Here are two images of employees from PMR having fun in Fantasyland. First up this happy couple is almost ready to be whisked off to Never-never land.

Here is a much happier scene on King Arthur's Carrousel. The smiles are very infectious.