Souvenir Friday- Aurora Airplane Model With Free Trip to Disneyland Contest Form

Looking at the pictures of today's souvenir, you would think that this is a model kit blog. However in late 1955, Monsanto plastics promoted toys made out of plastic. The promotion was a contest to write a fourth line to a jingle extolling plastic used in toys. The winner would win a family trip to newly opened Disneyland. I have seen the contest slip by itself, but usually do not see the box and toy. Also the sticker on the front of the box is nice with the castle graphic. Even if you did not win the grand prize of a trip to Disneyland, many of the other prizes are nice.

Swiss Family Treehouse at Dusk

Somewhere in this dark image is the Swiss Family Treehouse. The crowd wraps around the tree walking up the steps and even outside into Adventureland. I was not able to correct the image when I played with the brightness controls. Maybe I should send it to Major Pepperidge so he can do his magic.

MIne Train and Waterfall

A nice view of the Nature's Wonderland Mine Train passing by Cascade Falls. The timing of the photograph was great with the engine spotlighted by sun and the darkness of the falling sunlight as dusk approaches. The load of guests look very happy with their ride so far...

This image was chosen by my son Logan to post today...thanks Logan!

Indian Village On the Banks of the Rivers of America

This tableaux of a friendly Indian Village had been seen for many years on the banks of the Rivers of America. The village has now been removed for a new land featuring the world of Star Wars. This is the 1964 version with the boy fishing with his dog and much activity by the rest of the village. One of my favorites is the building of the canoe.

Knott's Black and White Snapshots From the Late 1940s

A small group of three black and white snapshots from a visit to Knott's Berry Farm in the late 1940s. The three visitors enjoyed the Conestoga wagons that were part of the covered wagon stage area. First up is the husband (or maybe boyfriend.)

And of course his best girl posing in the same wagon.

Of course the requisite shot with some residents of ghost town. She is very evocative of the late 1940s with her dress, coat, bobby sox and saddle shoes, an inspiration for those who attend Dapper Days.

Souvenir Friday- Freedomland Playing Cards

A common souvenir of many tourist areas is a deck (or in this case) a double deck of cards. This is for Freedomland the lovely Bronx based theme park created by CV Wood and in existence for a few short years in the early 1960s. The graphics are very mid-Century modern with the train and steam boat rendered in an appealing illustration. I have not seen these cards on any other site featuring Freedomland.

Meeting Mr. Hatter in Fantasyland

A crowd of guests are congregating on the it's a small world promenade to meet Mr. Hatter. Some interesting items in the background including the Fantasyland souvenir stand on the very far right with a rack full of postcards. In the middle background is an ice cream outdoor vending location themed to Casey Junior. I believe this was removed and Star Recycling located in North Anaheim had this in their yard for many years.

New Orleans Square

A colorful part of Disneyland is New Orleans Square. This view is from when this land was brand new and quite a draw for guests. The guests are dressed in the late 1960s height of fashion.

French Market New Orleans Square

Still one of my favorite restaurants is the French Market in New Orleans Square. It is a relaxing spot in the park with a view of the Railroad and the Haunted Mansion. The restaurant now features a fun band playing New Orleans style jazz. Looks like this was one of those chilly but sunny Southern California winter day.

Omnibus on Main Street

A great view of the Main Street Omnibus showcasing the lovely small attraction posters that were painted on the side of the bus. Also showcased is the great lettering seen on the bus along with the nice pinstriping. The bus was manufactured by WED using a modern chassis and engine and sheet metal as designed by Bob Gurr. I still enjoy taking a ride down Main Street on the second story of the bus.

Souvenir Friday- 1982 it's a small world Japan Doll

In 1982, a new set of it's a small world set of souvenir dolls were sold at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The dolls look similar to the 1964 set of dolls. The box art uses the art developed for the souvenir book, wrapping around the box with vignettes of each land. I believe that Disney themselves made and sold these at the souvenir shops found at the end of each ride. A great souvenir for a lucky kid to bring home.

America on Parade and Main Street Signage

Today I feature two images, the final photograph of the America On Parade set of photographs (which I could not post yesterday) and the first image from a new set of snapshots. The final AOP image features the Minutemen defending their country and gaining their liberty in the American Revolution.

The second image shows Main Street with the Horse Drawn Trolley featuring three conductors training on the driving of the trolley car. In the background is the Sunkist Citrus House in all its glory. The place to get a glass of orange juice or lemonade. The window display at the Swift's house has caught the group of guests eyes.

Taking the Baby for a Stroll- America On Parade 1976

Just a day in the park with a mom taking a baby for a stroll in the baby carriage. The parade did feature some interesting vignettes. I love the hair and clothing styles in the crowd watching the parade.

Saloon Girls America On Parade 1976

Continuing with the America on Parade images, this one features a scene out of the Golden Horseshoe Review. The piano player is playing a lovely tune with a couple of show girls belting out the lyrics while hanging out on the piano. Quite a fun scene from the parade.

Souvenir Friday- Gourmet Shop New Orleans Square Salt and Pepper Shakers

A rare set of salt and pepper shakers from the Gourmet shop in New Orleans Square. Any souvenir from a specific shop is very rare as not many shops created or sold specific souvenirs. The shakers may actually be samples as they came in a large collection from the main importer of souvenirs. The shape is nice and feels great in the hand. The top has a great desing in gold which is a nice touch. The front design is also interesting, I wonder if it was used on other items such as spoon rest, trivets or mugs.

Garden Party With the People of America, America On Parade 1976

Another image of America On Parade in Disneyland in 1976. This set feature the people of America having a lovely soiree. I call this the Garden Party. A couple questions have come up with what happened to the floats and the people costumes. I have seen one picture of the big headed person in Germany in EPCOT Center when it opened. The character was redressed in a German barmaid outfit. (You can check it out on Yesterland.)

The First Thanksgiving, America On Parade

One of the more memorable floats from the America on Parade was this one featuring the first Thanksgiving. The memorable part is the gigantic turkey who will be the main course. The turkey is surrounded by Pocahontas and the pilgrims. The turkey looks very happy not knowing its eventual fate.

Davey Crockett and Mike Fink Float America On Parade

A nice float celebrating the industriousness of the citizens of America, a keel boat used to transport goods on the Mississippi River. On Yesterland the float is marked for Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher, and the souvenir slide calls it Mississippi flat boat. I think the float encapsulates all three ideas. Note the cast member hanging out on the roof of the Main Street Hotel/Magic Shop.

America On Parade- 40 Years Ago

40 years ago both Disneyland and Walt Disney World hosted a large parade to celebrate the Bicentenniel of the founding of the United States. The parade was called America on Parade and used large doll like characters and oversized whimsical floats to show the history of America. It was a major deal with lots of merchandise and many viewers. I will be showcasing a nice set of snapshots of the parade taken from the sidewalk in front of City Hall. The first parade float was of Mickey, Goofy and Donald on a drum with the stars and stripes behind them. This float was based upon a drawing used on the Mickey Mouse magazine from the late 1930s.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Skyway Chalet Weather Predictor

One of my grail list items has been this lovely souvenir of the now lost Fantasyland Skyway Chalet. Most famously featured in the 1960 Disneyland Gift Catalog, the souvenir captures the charm of the Fantasyland Chalet. The souvenir also features design elements from the Skyway including the city shields from Switzerland and also the great clock design from the Chalet.

Kevin Kidney posted the 1960 Gift Catalog featuring the weather forecaster.

George Washington on Patrol 1964

The submarine George Washington starting its journey under the North Pole. I hope it can avoid steering into the Monoral track supports!

Tomorrowland on the Move 1964

Submarine Voyage, Monorail, Autopia, and Motorboat Cruise all in one image. From the Foster Family Christmas vacation in 1964.

Astro Jets and Tomorrowland Overview 1964

A nice view of Tomorrowland with the Astro Jets in the center. By 1964 there was not that much interest in the Asro Jets. In the background are some great signs for the Space Bar, Skyway and the Richfield Autopia.

Douglas Rocket Ready For Liftoff 1964

The original TWA Rocket to the Moon was rebranded for Douglas Jets in 1962. This view from 1964 is spectacular showcasing the lovely rocket and the rocket port which was were the attraction was. The day looks a little chilly but is uncrowded.

The Flying Saucers Have Landed- Foster Family Trip 1964

One of the best images is this close view of the Flying Saucers attraction found in Tomorrowland. It appears everyone is able to pilot the saucers quite well. Note the wear to the floor of the attraction. I do like the simple exit signs.

Caterpillars at Disneyland in 1964

Another image from the Foster's trip to Disneyland in 1964. The old end of the Alice In Wonderland attraction featuring a multitude of Caterpillars! I love the various colors and the openness of this image. Although the finale for the 1984 rebuild is much better.

Carnation Gardens In the Evening 1964

Recently a friend was at an estate sale and purchased a large group of Disneyland slides. The family was the Fosters from Denver and visited California in Christmas 1964. There is a nice range of images, from the normal attractions and Christmas decorations and parade. The first image is from the Carnation Gardens inside the bandstand. There is a band on stage, but it is too dark to see who is playing. It must be dinnertime as there are many families sitting at the tables eating their meal of hot dogs, hamburgers and Carnation milk.

Souvenir Friday- Mexican Boy and Girl Limited Edition Animation Cels

Recently there was a large auction that was all Disney items. The items ranged from early animation, Charlotte Clark Dolls, Merchandise from almost every animated film made during Walt Disney's lifetime and of course Disneyland items. Although these two items are not Disneyland items, they still feature artwork by a Disneyland designer. The two cels are of a Mexican Boy and Girl from the Los Posadas sequence in Saludos Amigos. The sequence was based upon artwork by Mary Blair. You can see the genesis of the it's a small world "rubber head" dolls. The cels were a limited edition of 250 and are hand inked and hand painted by the Disney Ink and Paint department. They were sold by the Courvesier Galleries in the mid 1940s. First up is the Mexican Boy in the original mat.

A closer image of just the cel.

The girl is just as lovely.

The back of the cels have this nice certificate on the back.

Knott's Berry Farm Stagecoach Ride

I posted a nice black and white snapshot of the Knott's Berry Farm stagecoach ride in 1960. Now here are a couple images from a couple years later. First up is a different load system. I assume this may have been the exit and the stagecoach has not pulled into the more permanent structure. The family appears to have visited the park late in the day.

The second image is of one of the bad guys getting ready to rob the stagecoach. You can tell he is a bandit by the way he wears his bandana.

Knott's Berry Farm Stagecoach Ride and Nice Roller Coaster Images

Two different images of two parks today. First up is a nice image of the Stagecoach Ride at Knott's Berry Farm. The loading looks efficient and the workers look very authentic. The photograph is dated 1960.

The second image shows a classic view of a roller coaster with a nice Ferris Wheel in the foreground. The photographer managed to snap the image as the coaster reached the top of the hill.

So So Walt Disney World February 1973

Two so so photographs from the early days at Walt Disney World. First up is a shot from one of the many viewing sites with Cinderella's castle in the background. Two redeeming factors are the babuschka head dress on the grandma and the lovely fashions on all the guests.

The second image is of the couple sitting on a planter in Adventureland. The sign is nice, but blurry! It appears the couple stayed a couple days as their clothing has changed.