Skyway September 1959 Part 2

Two more views of the Skyway at Disneyland. This time the black and white snapshots are the views one could see from the Skyway. First image is of Fantasyland with the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship sailing and the top of the King Arthur Carousel.

Next image is of the Storybook Canal Boats attraction, more specifically the mountain side town where Cinderella is located and the fantastic castle of her Prince Charming.

Skyway September 1959 Part 1

Another purchase from the Disneyana Fan Club Disney Show is this nice group of black and white snap shots taken in September 1959. The first two images from the collection show the Skyway in it's former glory. The first image is of the endangered Fantasyland ride structure. Designed as a Swiss Chalet and hidden amongst trees and rocks, this structure housed the ride equipment and also the load/unload area.

The next image shows the Matterhorn and the holes that the Skyway buckets would go through to showcase the new ice caverns. The view also included a peak of Matterhorn bobsleds running up, through and down the mountain. I do not usually see the Fantasyland side of the Matterhorn. The image includes some nice foreground views of the Mad Tea Party and the Fantasyland facades.

Souvenir Friday- Monsanto Adventure Through Inner Space Triviia 1977

It appears that Disneyland ride operators for the Adventure Through Inner Space ride had lots of time on their hands as they created a 15 page trivia sheet about the ride. This sheet is the June 8, 1977 revision and it includes not only the ride spiel with the number of letters and words, but also all the signs, rivets, lights, doors, mats, and anything else you may want to know. I think this was used to settle bets in regards to trivia. Nevertheless, the document is a very interesting read and filled with information for those who love the Adventure Through Inner Space.

This unique piece was in with the Monsanto items. I think it may have once held keys to doors and to the attraction operating system and board.

Early Morning Rowing

One of my strongest memories of visiting Disneyland during my childhood was rowing the Davey Crockett's Explorer Canoes on the Rivers of America. Since we were a family of 5 boys and our cousins consisted of 4 boys and a tomboy girl, we would load up on one of the canoes and paddle as hard as we could. When I saw these images on Sunday with yesterday's teacups post, my mind went back to those fun times. The first image shows a canoe heading out to the wilderness with the Hungry Bear restaurant in the background.

The next image shows the guests having fun and working hard to paddle past Tom Sawyer's Island. I believe this picture was taken right about the Mark Twain and Columbia dock. Check out the little kid in hid black cowboy hat who is totally out of sync.

Mad Tea Party in the 1970s

Over the weekend I was at the Disneyana Fan Club show and sale. One of the dealers had a set of four photographs from the 1970s for me. The first two posts from this group are of the Mad Tea Party in the 1970s. I do not remember the fancy posts and gingerbread detailing on the lamp posts. Of course one of my favorite ship to nowhere the Chicken of the Sea Pirate ship is in the background.

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

One of my favorite type of photgraphs are cut out photographs or those with backdrops. These two fun photographs are from the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. The images feature an antique automobile with a painted backdrop. Parents could reminisce about their past and kids marveled at the archaic vehicle.

Carol Visits Freedomland- the End

Three snapshots today of the petting zoo found outside of the barn for Elsie the Cow. This is one part of Freedomland that was different than the model park of Disneyland. Some of the detailing and theming to a Western barn is nice with some great signs. The animals do seem to be well taken care of and well fed. The first image shows my friend's dad feeding a sheep. Note the nice rock work and the deer pen sign.

A closer look at the sheep eating.

Final image is of Carol feeding the sheep. Check out the crowd and the fence behind her.

Thanks again to Mike for sharing the photographs. My thoughts are with you and Amanda during this tough time.

Souvenir Friday- Mini Airling Bag for Monorail

A fun little souvenir from the time period when the Monorail opened at Disneyland is this miniature airline flight bag. The bag features a great image of a swooping Monorail. A neat touch is the Alweg name on the bag. The bag is made by an airline flight bag company. During the 1950s and 1960s, many airlines had flight bags with their logos. The bags would be given away by Travel Agencies to promote the airlines. Travelers would place their carry on items in these bags. This bag is a miniature size about a third of the size.

Carol In Freedomland Part 4

More images from my friend's mom Carol and her trip on Freedomland's skyride in 1963. First up is view of Chicago and one of the sternwheelers as part of the Great Lakes Cruise. I really like the view of the roller part of the tower.

Next image is of Chicago and the Great Lakes Cruise but in the foreground is the Freedomland Stagecoaches.

Carol in Freedomland Part 3

More images from a visit to Freedomland by my friend's mom in 1963. Carol must have liked the view she saw from the skyride as besides these two images, there are more images taken while riding the iron ore buckets. The first photograph for today is a you are there riding the skyride and you can see the towers and a view of the Midwest portion of the theme park.

The second view focuses on the Santa Fe train on the trestle. In the background you can see Old New York.

Carol in Freedomland Part 2

Continuing with the pictures of my friend's mom Carol and her visit to Freedomland. Carol enjoyed many of the rides including the ore buckets skyride that went across part of the park. This view is of one of the stations with a neat Freedomland sign on the building.

The second image is the outside of the ride building with the Buccaneer name and a pirate hanging off the main mast. This ride was purchased by Cedar Fair in Ohio and was renamed to the Pirate Ride.

Once again my thanks to Mike for the pictures and sharing the memories of his mother.

Carol Visit's Freedomland 1963 Part 1

Recently a good friend of mine, Mike, lost his mother suddenly and I am saddened at the loss of his mom and his best friend. When my friend was going through her items, he found a nice group of photographs from his mom's trip to Freedomland in 1963. The first image is of his mom, Carol Versandi holding a 1963 Freedomland brochure. In the background is the petting zoo found in the Midwest section of the theme park.

Next image is of the Santa Fe Railroad crossing the trestle bridge after heading out from the Midwest station.

So Mike, my thoughts are with you and thanks for sharing your images.

Souvenir Friday- Pacific Ocean Park T-Shirt

A day late (yesterday morning a lot of little things went wrong and I was not able to post), but still a fun souvenir for those who love Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica. A child's souvenir T-shirt featuring the nice seahorse logo on the front.

For those who have not heard, my friend Christopher Merritt has written a new book on the history of Pacific Ocean Park that will be released this year. The title is Pacific Ocean Park: The Rise and Fall of L.A.'s Space Age Nautical Pleasure Pier.

To pre-order the book head to Amazon.

Spash Mountain 1989

Way back in 1989, a new mountain was opened in Disneyland. In the summer of 1989, I took a trip to Disneyland to experience Splash Mountain. One of my favorite Disney movies is Song of the South so I was very excited. I of course wanted some images from the inside of the ride, a tough thing to do with an old film camera riding a fast moving log throughout a darkened ride. However, I did manage some shots of the scenes. First up is an image of B'rer Fox trying to capture B'rer Rabbit.

Next is the show piece featuring dancing chickens and foxes on a steam boat. Most of you probably know that the audio animatronic figures were recycled from America Sings.

Final image and scene of the ride is B'rer Rabbit in his laughing place. I can relate.

The King of the Plaza

Two more snapshots from 1970 featuring scenes around the Plaza Inn. First up is meeting King Louie with the band marching past. King Louie is one of the characters rarely seen out in the park. However the character is a great one that usually draws a crowd.

Second snapshot is of a very happy guest posing with a cute cast member for the Plaza Inn. Note the great sign on the arch and also the lovely costume on the cast member, and the smile on the guest. I guess this would qualify as customer satisfaction.

Land of Adventure Disneyland 1970

Two lovely snapshots from Adventureland in 1970. The first photograph features a close up of a hippo from the Jungle River Cruise. Luckily out intrepid skipper has discharged his service pistol and scared away the charging hippo.

The second image is of a couple of ladies posing in front of the Tahitian Terrace. The Terrace is a long gone and missed Polynesian restaurant which featured great food and a floor show featuring Hula Dancers and Fire Dancers. The front features some fantastic signage.

Some Fun Miscellaneous Images

Today's post features a couple of miscellaneous images that are fun. First up is a shot from December 1963 with large toy soldiers somewhere in California (note the wearing of shorts in December.) I can imagine the house was decorated over the top with decorations.

The second image is of a couple of kids posing with Grandma wearing their souvenirs from Disneyland. You can see the ears and I am willing to bet the red cowboy hat is marked from Disneyland. I do not find many pictures of kids wearing or playing with their Disneyland souvenirs.