A Couple of Random Images

For today just two random images. One shows the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship in a typical shot. What is nice is the lack of theming and landscape around the ship. The photo is circa December 1956.

The second image shows a street scene. The cute factor is the dad taking a picture of his daughter standing on the back of the trolley. The daughter is holding Mickey Mouse balloons and in front of dad appears to be a Christmas present. If you look closely, you will also see another lady taking a photograph of the scene.

More Japanese Deer Park Images

Here are some more photographs from the Japanese Deer Park in 1968. There was a whole bunch of images of the deer, but I only posted one. Enjoy.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Magic Slate 1964

A very unusual Magic Slate is this Disneyland one for 1964. I like the early rendition of the Haunted Mansion in the upper part of the slate along with the modern style tiki pole and Tiki Room bird. Some very cool graphics on this, rendered in a mid century modern illustration style.

Japanese Deer Park Buena Park 1968

About a month or so I posted images of the Fuji Folk at the Japanese Deer Park located in Buena Park, California. Here are some more pictures of the park, before the marketing team needed to create characters. The original park idea was to emulate the world famous Nara Deer Park in Japan. The Nara park is centuries old and features tame deer who will eat out of your hand, located in a rural setting near some of the most revered shrines in Japan. Japanese Deer Park showcased the culture and arts of Japan in a nice quiet way. The biggest draw was the deer, but there were other draws including Koi ponds, Japanese garden and feeding doves. The first image is of the gated entrance with a Tori gate.

The second image shows the popular Koi fish pond filled with fish.

The third image shows some of the garden, pools and architecture found in the park. It also shows how close it was to the Nabisco factory.

The final image shows one of the employees feeding a dove.

A Trip On the Skyway 1960

Three nice images taken by a photographer riding one of the old style circular buckets. The first image is actually the last image of the trip, the descent to the Fantasyland station. A pretty nice view of this area which is basically unchanged.

Workding backwards is the second image. A nice overview as you make exit the Matterhorn and cross over into the castle courtyard. Directly below is the Alice In Wonderland ride and in front of you is Fantasyland with Dumbo and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate ship.

But the best view is the last, moving backward to right as the Skyway exits the Matterhorn. The picture shows the ever popular Motor Boat Cruise, the boarding Chalet for the Bobsleds and of course the Monorail track and a nicely posed red Monorail. Man I miss the Skyway!

Mark Twain and Columbia At Dusk

Picture number 1 shows a nice shot of the Mark Twain approaching dock at dusk. In the background almost obscured by the Mark Twain superstructure is the construction site and wooden forms for Cascade Peak. The photograph was taken in 1960 when construction was finishing on the new Nature's Wonderland Railroad.

The second image is a moody, backlit photograph of the Columbia sitting in Fowler's Harbor. Although not showing much detail, I like the moodiness and composition of the image.

Cinderella's Village Storybook 1960

Taken from the vantage of one of the Storybook Canal boats is this dramatic image of Cinderella's village as seen in miniature. One of the best three dimensional representations of the various lands and structures from the animated films, Storybook Canal boats are sometimes overlooked. The artistry of the model makers from WED (and now WDI) are evident in the detail of the structures and how the buildings and scenes all mesh together.

Two Shots of the Submarine Voyage 1960

Two nice and very different images of the Submarine Voyage from the same trip in 1960. The first shows the lead submarine Nautilus entering the falls. The surprising fact is no barrier to the lagoon, just a clear shot.

For the next image, the photographer boarded the Skyway in Tomorrowland and focused his camera to the submarine pens. There is quite a number of subs in the dock not being run.

Souvenir Friday on a Saturday- Grad Nite 1963

Delayed due to a business trip to Utah, I now present souvenir Friday on a Saturday. This is the souvenir from one of the first Grad Nites held at Disneyland. Basically a way for the park to make more money and to celebrate graduation from High School. In the 1960s most adults graduated from High School and then went into the work force, so High School graduation was a high point. And what better way to celebrate than spend a night at Disneyland with the park just to yourself and several thousand other 18 and 19 year olds. The bands playing were quite a mix. So relive your youth (or pretend you are from the 1960s) and imagine yourself at Disneyland for Grad Nite.

Main Street Outdoor Vending Carts 1965

One of the long standing traditions at Disneyland is the Popcorn vendor and Ice Cream vendor in the Plaza on Main Street. The Popcorn cart is on the Frontierland side and has quite a crowd. I like the bobby soxer with her haircut and the older couple enjoying their popcorn.

The next shot is of the Ice Cream Vendor on the Tomorrowland side, right in front of the Monsanto Home. The lady with the Enid Collins purse is a nice touch. The photograph is date stamped June 22, 1965.

Thunderbird Midway Car Ride

This slide also comes from the collection of various locations. I believe it is somewhere in California. I remember going to various school carnivals as a kid and even as a teenager, but never saw any ride like this one. A fairly elaborate car ride with great Ford Thunderbird style vehicles. Also the operator has added realistic touches with the broken down vehicle as well as gas station signs.

Two Extinct Views from 1983 Walt Disney World

From a large collection of slides that included various theme and amusement park come this modern slides of Walt Disney World. The first is an image of the Harpers Mill water wheel with the woods and growth.

The second image shows the best version of Tomorrowland. This shot was taken looking towards the entrance with Mission to Mars on the left and Carousel of Progress on the right and Rocket Jets and the Peoplemover in front. I love the visual chaos of the slide with all the motion and lights, something Tomorrowland at both parks is currently missing.

Two Views of Main Street Transportation Late 1950s

Two nice photographs showing a couple of ways to get down Main Street in the late 1950s. The first is the Horse Drawn Fire Enging stopping to let some passengers off at the Main Street Cinema.

The second image is from the Plaza Hub showing the Horse Drawn Streetcar. The car is filled with riders, so many that they are even hanging off the back of the car. Cost to ride one way was a dime, with proceeds going to purchase the horse a decent hat!

Two Fun Photos for Sunday

Here are two fun photographs for a Sunday. The first is the usual image of visitors at the floral Mickey Mouse. I would date this slide to 1967 with the freshly printed Pirates of the Caribbean poster on the fence.

The second image is from the same time period showing the funky Mark VI Autopia car design that was in use at the Fantasyland prior to the introduciton of the sleek Mark VII Autopia Cars that were in use at the Tomorowland Autopia in 1967. I don't think I will ever get tired of looking at the various Autopia, Junior Autopia, Fantasyland Autopia, Tomorrowland Autopia and Midget Autopia photographs that are out there.

1963 Trip to Disneyland

Three images of a 1963 visit to Disneyland. The color and movement of Fantasyland is very nice, Midget Autopia is running and Gideon the cat is a rare costumed character. The back of the image with Gideon reads Taken July 20, 1963 at Disneyland Rex-6 years. Enjoy!

Souvenir Friday- Monorail Magic Slate

One line of merchandise that was sold early in Disneyland's history are Magic Slates. Created so kids could draw pictures over and over and clear the slate with the pull of the magic covering, the slates were sold as generic but also as character approved pieces. Disneyland did have a whole series, and in 1959 when the Monorail and the Matterhorn Mountain came into existence, a Magic Slate was created to capitalize. With one of the best illustratioins of a sweeping Monorail this Magic Slate is one of the tougher versions to find.

A Mixed Bag of Images

All of these images came from the same photo album, but are definitely of different places. The first is a great image of the end of the Alice In Wonderland Ride with two different smug caterpillar cars on the track. Unfortunately the photo was not mounted in the photo album and has some wear.

The second image is of a cute play ground area. I believe this may be the Santa Ana Zoo as on the same page was some images from Knott's Berry Farm. It may be Los Angeles but it does not look like San Diego. The little flying saucers do look like they were fun to play in.

Finally I believe this image is from the San Diego County Fair. It does look somewhat like Knotts, but not as permanent. Notice in the far right corner is a hanging. I also like the shuffle board building.

Color Snapshots of A Day at Disneyland Circa 1961

A remembrance of a Day at Disneyland circa 1961 (give or take a few years.) The first shot is the obligatory pose in front of the floral Mickey Mouse. Unfortunately no posters are seen in the picture.

Then off to a quick trip around the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain. First we see the hardy guests who have decided to work up to an appetite rowing the Indian War Canoes.

Also a shot of the scenic wonder of Cascade Mountain with the Three Sisters Falls.

Next a quick trip to the Matterhorn to compare the water falls.

Then a quick walk over to the Submarine Voyage lagoon and to see the wonder of transportation, the monorail.

All of this walking has made us hungry, lets go to the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship for lunch. What shall we have?

More Images from A Crowded Day

Two more images of the crowded day in 1962. The first shows the way in which Disneyland controls unruly kids....they place them in a cage and take them around a track.

The second is a shot showing the young girls first driving lesson. It looks like she has already run into the back of the car in front of her.

Two Views of A Crowded Day

Two views of what must have been a busy summer day in August 1962. The first shows the exit and entrance area to the Submarine Voyage with the blue Monorail in station.

The next is a nice family posed shot in front of Storybook Canal Boats. Too bad the image is out of focus on the sign in the background. I believe it is a Kodak picture spot sign.