Primeval World

One of my favorite parts of a train trip around Disneyland is the section from Tomorrowland to Main Street, the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World. Like most boys, I had (well, still have) a fascination with dinosaurs. And to see the large terrible lizards in real size and action was always a thrill. To this day, I will ride the train to see the diorama's and marvel at the dinosaurs. Both of these photographs are press photos with attached information.

Breathtaking Battle- Disneyland dinosaurs Battle atop a volcanic mountain in this three-dimensional scene from 100-million years ago. The most feared of all, Tyrannosaurus Rex, shakes his massive tooth-filled head at a smaller Stegosauraus who makes up for his lack of size with two brains, armor plates and a death-dealing tail. They are among 46 huge "Audio-Animatronic" creatures in Disneyland's new "Primeval World" seen by passengers aboard the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad.

The Dawn of History is Now- Huge Brontosaurus herds like this roamed the earth 200-million years ago. Now Walt Disney brings them back to life in full-size, three-dimensional realism through art of "Audio-Animatronics". These are among 46 famous dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures seen in Disneyland's new "Primeval World" along the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad.

A Presidential Visit

A nice candid shot of Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie along with two of their grandchildren, Dwight D. Eisenhower II and Susan Elaine Eisenhower. I believe the image is from 1959 based upon the ages of the grandchildren. Mamie is very fashionable with her large tree of life handbag, most likely made by Collins of Texas. And Dwight II makes a bold statement in his plaid suit. His sartorial style must have let him capture the heart of President Richard Nixon's daughter Julie whom he wed in the late 1960s.

Aunt Jemima Pancake Race Part Two

Some more images from the Aunt Jemima Pancake Race. The lady in this first photograph is just so graceful and determined in this shot. The pancake is doing quite a flip as she positions her body just so.

The next two images show the actual race on Main Street. Some nice details in the background on the first one including a Monorail and Submarine Voyage poster up at the Opera House.

I like the observer in the background wearing his train conductors hat. And the crowd is really getting into the race. I believe the pancake had to be flipped high enough to pass over the ribbon strung across the street. This must have been quite the competitive sport back in the day. I am sure these ladies had special trainers and diets to compete.

Here is a winner from 1960 receiving her $100 check for winning the California race. I believe the two gentleman are from Quaker Oats. According the official web page for Aunt Jemima, Aylene Lewis was the actress who portrayed Aunt Jemima at Disneyland.

Aunt Jemima Pancake Race 1961

One of the many fun events held at Disneyland over the years was the annual Aunt Jemima Pancake race down Main Street. The race featured housewives running down Main Street while wearing a house dress and apron all the time flipping a pancake. The races were held in several cities throughout the United States. Disneyland was the site of the California finals to see who would go on to the Nationals. The photographs are from the 3rd Annual race which was held in 1961. The first image is a lovely shot of Aunt Jemima with a competitor. I wish the button was specific to Disneyland, but it is a generic Aunt Jemima Pancake Days button.

The next two show some of the competitors practicing back stage. On my permanent want list is one of the aprons and one of the frying pans they are using to flip the pancakes.

The Pendleton Store in Frontierland

A couple of Fridays back I posted letterhead and label used at the Pendleton Exhibit and store. I found a couple of images of the signage from the front of the building. The first shows the windows showcasing the Miss Pendleton line of clothing in a rustic setting.

The second is an image of the exhibit sign, designed to look like and in the same colors the Pendleton label on their famous Native American blankets.

Walt Disney Studios Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony Cartoons

Another visit to the Hyperion Avenue Studio. The first photograph is of a fellow ink and paint employee, Ingeborg Willy now Mrs. Burl Nelson.

The next image shows the paints, the brushes and the cels in a nicely composed still life.

The final two are some of my favorite photos from the album. The iconic Mickey Mouse sign, taken from the view inside the studio. I wonder why Disney did not move the sign to the new studio in Burbank?

Souvenir Friday- Coney Island Bobsled Postcard

One of the ancestors to the Matterhorn Bobsleds is the Coney Island Bobsled roller coaster. The attraction was originally constructed for the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair and was in Flushing Meadows as part of the amusement zone. The coaster was purchased from the World's Fair and moved to Coney Island in 1940. The track, if you want to call it that, is a half pipe and the cars run down the half pipe, banking on the curves and gaining speed. The cars are in a train similar to other roller coasters. The Bobsled was shuttered in 1974 and subsequently demolished in 1975. Walt Disney has been quoted to the effect he wanted the Matterhorn to be as close to a real mountain Bobsled ride as possible. However, in my opinion, the Coney Island Bobsled was more like a true frozen bobsled ride although not as nicely themed.

As a follow up and addition to the wonderful post on Jim Kurz by Major Pepperidge on his Gorillas Don't Blog, here are a couple interior images of the Frontierland Print Shop and some of their products.

It appears they had a variety of products. I do own one of the posters, but unfortunately it is stored away in storage. I do like the stack of non-personalized posters on the counter and wonder how many are still out there....

Two Views of the Main Street Omnibus

I don't know why the photographer took two views of the same side of the Omnibus, but I like that he did. Maybe he wanted to get a better image of the last attraction poster artwork. When Kevin and Jody did the scale model of the bus, they used similar artwork for the sides but I believe they put in a Tiki Room graphic which is not originally on the bus.

Souvenir Slide of Fred Gurley at Main Street Station

Great image of the Fred Gurley sitting at the Main Street Station. The engine was approximately in service as a Santa Fe and Disneyland engine for a year when this image was taken. In the background can be seen the Kalamazoo Manufacturing Handcar.

Souvenir Slide of Yellow Monorail

Just a simple and nice souvenir slide featuring the yellow monorail in front of the Main Gate ticket area. How I miss the look of the ticket area...sometimes a simple design works best than an over thought design.

A Family Collection

In January I visit California to see my family and the NFFC show. While visiting my family, I always hit the local swap meet. These 5 images were found in a photo album. The first three are of the son Rex and were photographed on July 20, 1963. Rex was six years old. Quite a lovely day at the park. The first image is of Rex and his Dad standing in Fantasyland.

The next image is of the Midget Autopia. I am assuming Rex is driving one of the cars.

The third image is of Rex standing next to Gideon the Cat from Pinocchio. The character design is actually very cute.

The next image is of Rex who is now 10. He is standing in front of the Fantasyland Autopia with the Mark V or Mark VI Autopia cars in the background.

And I believe this is Grandmom standing at the entrance. In the background is the new Pirates of the Caribbean attraction poster.

Knott's Berry Farm Pictures for Chris

Today's post are of four images from a View Master reel set. The set is in the vacationland series and is numbered A236 and the reels are numbered 232-A, 232-B, and 232-C. These images were picked by Chris for his upcoming Knott's Berry Farm book. Enjoy!

Another Saturday and More Views of the Walt Disney Studio on Hyperion Avenue

Sorry for the delay in putting up this post. My computer has been acting up. Here are more images from the Ink and Paint department member in the late 1930s. The first appears to be a ladies lunch with a great story being told.

The second image are of two happy employees in their lab coats worn when painting to reduce the amount of lint ending up on the cels.

This image shows the architecture of some of the surrounding houses. I believe the house in the upper left hand corner was one where the animators were housed during production of Snow White and Pinocchio.

This is one of my favorite images, the sundeck and patio. The chairs are a great design and the large ceramic trash can ashtray is amazing.

The final image shows one of the cels being inked.

Souvenir Friday- Blue Bayou and Souvenir Slides

For today's post I am showing a couple of new finds and also the packaging of one set of souvenir slides.
First my new finds. Although both from the Blue Bayou, each came in separate groups. The first was purchased here in Denver and I was very excited (finding Disneyland stuff here is kind of tough!) This is a place mat from the first year of operation of the restaurant. Written on the place mat is "Blue Bayou Where we at Dinner in Disneyland 8/28/67." A very sedate place mat and one I have not seen before.

The second piece came with a 1968 map, a ticket book, some gate fliers and a menu from the Disneyland Hotel. I believe this is the third revision of the menu. I love the green coloring to the outside. Somewhere I have a first year menu and its cover is dark blue. (Sorry about the flash and the blurriness.)

And this is how the souvenir slides I have been showing are packaged. Quite an engineering feat with very thin aluminum holding it all together.

Have a happy Friday!

Two More Souvenir Slides

Continuing with images from the souvenir slide set. The first is of the Santa Fe station, better known as Main Street Station. It appears the Kalamazoo Speeder is not placed in the front track as of yet. Slide is titled 25-3 Santa Fe Station.

The second image shows the World Famous Disneyland Band led by Vesey Walker. The slide is titled 25-1 Disneyland Band.

Two Souvenir Slides

I found a couple set of souvenir slides recently from a photographer I did not know did work for Disneyland. The sets are packaged eight slides to a set with an interesting aluminum holder. The slide sets are marked for Frank Holmes Laboratories. Unfortunately they are all rather red by now. I have tried to fix the color as much as possible. Based upon the images and the 1959 Main Street shield in the background, the images are from 1959. The first is from set 25 Main Street USA and is number 25-2 Horse Trolley Main Street.

The second slide is marked the same header and is 25-4 Quartet. The slide shows an early incarnation of the Barber Shop Quartet but do not appear to be the Mellomen Barber Shop Quartet from the Disneyland album meet me down on main street.

Does anyone have other slides from this series of souvenir slides? I will continue over the next several days showcasing the slides.

More Tom Sawyer's Island Signage

Today I am showing some of my favorite places on Tom Sawyer's Island. The first is the cemetery just outside of Fort Wilderness. I always enjoyed reading the descriptions and names for the graves. As I got older, I begin to want one of the grave markers as a souvenir. Now the cemetery and grave markers are long gone....

As I have told you all before, my favorite cave was the secret escape tunnel from the Fort. I remember ringing the alarm and running down the cave and out to the sunlight on the shore of the island. I heard the reason for closing it was some large fellow got stuck in the cave. I am happy that at least the bottom part of the cave is accessible these days.

Finally just an interesting shot of how themed everything was and can be. A requirement by the Anaheim Fire Department were Fire Hoses. Instead of putting them in an off the shelf metal cabinet, the imagineers designed a wooden box and appropriate frontier lettering. Now I want to know where the custodian is to sweep up the fudgsicle stick.

For those who love April Fools day (and he is much more creative than I am), check out today's post on Gorilla's Don't Blog