Geisha and Dining at Japanese Village and Deer Park

Another souvenir slide showing part of the Japanese Village and Deer Park theme park. In the foreground, a Geisha girl in her kimono and parasol poses for the photographer surrounded by black swans and peacocks. In the background, park patrons enjoy a meal of teriyaki beef and chicken yakitori on the outside terrace. I do not believe that sushi was available, but it might have been. I am sure some kids tried the exotic Japanese foods, but more probably ate hamburgers (maybe with a grilled pineapple on top!) or hot dogs.

Flying Dolphins at Japanese Village and Deer Park, Buena Park California

A quiet competitor for tourist and local visitors was the Japanese Village and Deer Park located in Buena Park. California. The park featured a herd of deer imported from Nara Japan as well as other Japanese cultural exhibits and shows. Also included was a trained dolphin show similar to those featured at Marineland and Sea World. Although as seen in this picture the show had a distinctly Japanese theme, although the handlers look like typical Southern California surfers wearing kimonos. The image was a souvenir image published by Mike Roberts.

Final Two 1956 Images in Red

The last two images of the 1956 trip that have unfortunately turned red. The first image is just kind of meh showing the castle with a crowd in front. The guests are very dapper.

And here is the image in red...

The last image shows the condition that photographs are found. As you can see, the photograph was wet at one time and this photo has disintegrated.

Two Views Of Storybook Land 1956

Two views of Cinderella's castle on the hill in Storybook Land. First up is an aerial view most likely from the Skyway. You can see the meandering track for Casey Junior and the front of one of the canal boats. This attraction was brand new when this set of photographs were taken.

The second view is most likely from the Skyway as well...just a little bit further towards to Tomorrowland. The photographer must have been entranced by this vision of a castle on the mountain.

Here are both scans of the original red photographs.

Casey Jones Jr. Railraod Entrance 1956

A fun view of the entrance to Casey Junior. I love the signage with the full name of the train, note the cute little sign under the arch reading To The Tracks. These little signs were seen in stations during the early 1900s. The young girl in the dress is striking quite a pose.

Once again the original red scan.

Riding King Arthur's Carousel 1956

A nice picture of King Arthur's Carousel. It appears Dad is riding jingles with all the bells.

And here is the original scan of the red photograph.

Heading Out on the Dusty Trail 1956

Leaving the loading area for the Pack Mules to head out on the dusty trails of Frontierland. Our trail boss looks the part wearing his black hat, Levi Jacket and pants astride his mule. In the background is a rarely seen homestead of the Rainbow Ridge. A Conestoga Wagon is parked in the background.

Once again the original red image...

Pack Mule Ride Loading Area 1956

A nice you are there on the back of a mule image of the loading area for the Pack Mule attraction. The background shows a bit of the town of Rainbow Ridge and a nice bridge over the attraction. The attraction hosts costumes look like ones they would wear at home on the ranch, with nice straw cowboy hats.

And for those following this series, the original image in red.

Souvenir Friday- Tiki Statue From Adventureland

I always enjoy finding a souvenir that falls into two of my collecting interests. This lovely statue made by Coco Joe's in Hawaii was once sold at the Adventureland Bazaar. A guest could watch the Enchanted Tiki Room and purchase a tiki to take home. Based upon the price sticker, I would say it is circa late 1960s. The addition of flowers is very nice and adds a touch of color.

Dapper Family at Frontierland 1956

This image shows a nicely dressed 1956 family entering Frontierland. The day looks like it may have been on the cool side as the family is wearing sweaters. The young boy in the foreground does not seem to care because he is a rebel! Note that he is carrying a straw...in years to come he may graduate to a soda cup!

Here is the family in lovely red!

Fantasyland From The Fantasyland Skyway Station 1956

A now lost view is this great image of Fantasyland from the steps to the Fantasyland Skyway station. Due to construction of the new Star Wars themed attractions, this low hill will be re-sculpted and the station removed. Some nice parts of the image include the Casey Junior ticket booth and station, the original location of Dumbo and the Mad Hatter Tea Party and the back of the Skyway grand opening sign at the foot of the steps.

And as usual, your view of the red snapshot.

Snow Mountain and Mickey Mouse Club Circus 1956

Continuing with the red toned (alright let's just call them red) set of snapshots. This image is from the Skyway going over Snow Mountain. The image features some great details including the Autopia and the TWA Rocket to the Moon in the background, In the foreground is the trail to the Mickey Mouse Club Circus with some great lights. My favorite little detail is the couple of guests sitting in the shade of a circus wagon. The circus wagon was brought to Disneyland as part of the Mickey Mouse Club Circus.

Continuing with the original scan of the red image.

Over the long weekend, I read Todd James Pierce's magnificent book Three Years in Wonderland. If you have not picked up this book, I highly recommend it. The book tells the story of the development and opening of Disneyland with a focus on C.V. Wood. Todd has discovered many new stories about the creation of Walt's first theme park. I hope that Todd is working on a book detailing Wood's career post Disney.

Skyway View of Tomorrowland September 1956

I missed this view when I posted yesterday's image. This is the previous photograph to yesterday's image, as the bucket enters into the Tomorrowland station. Some interesting parts of the picture are the Phantom Boats in the lower left hand side, Tomorrowland Autopia track and the Space Bar in the background. Unfortunately at one point in time the photograph got wet and stuck to another image.

And the scan of the original red scan...

Tomorrowland Skyway Station 1956

The only snapshot picture of Tomorrowland in the red set is this nice view of the Tomorrowland Skyway station seen from an incoming bucket. Some nice details with the Autopia with no center rail. Check out the Richfield gas pumps, the Autopia police car and my favorite, the two teenage boys in the middle of the photographer looking at the cars. I can just imagine them saying to each other...so if we put a Cadillac engine, bore the heads out and put in a different cam shaft, we could hit 100 in one of the Autopia cars!

Just to continue with the posting of the original scan....

Interior of Passenger Train Disneyland 1956

One of my favorite images from the set of red photographs is this interior of the Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad passenger coach. If it looks like the inside of the school bus you rode during elementary school, it is because the seats were purchased from a school bus company. Mom and kids are enjoying a Coke from the Coke Corner or maybe a Pepsi from the Golden Horseshoe Review.

Just to continue the addition of the red scan, here is the original scan of the snapshot.

Drinking Fountain In Front of the Opera House on Main Street

Another red snapshot, this time the drinking fountain in front of the Opera House on Main Street. An interesting detail is the small stage in front of the Opera House. I wonder if that is where the barbershop quartet would perform? Unfortunately there is not enough detail to see what is in the store window right behind the drinking fountain or the poster on the Opera House. Disneyland was nice to the younger guests with a step stool to reach the fountain.

I don't know if any of you have tried, but here is the original scan showing the color of the snapshot.

Souvenir Friday- Tinker Bell Purse

One of my favorite souvenirs is the plastic Tinker Bell purse. I am sure this purse was on every little girls wish list when they visited Disneyland. This purse was actually played with and came with the various doll accessories- mirror, plate of fruit, pencil, plastic container, cookbook, clear plastic container, and my favorite a chemical flask and pie. The purse is kid sized and this one was well loved.

Main Street Cinema September 1956

Continuing with the red colored photographs of Disneyland in 1956. The picture shows one of the landmarks of Main Street. Now showing the early Mickey Mouse cartoons, during the 1950s, the cinema showed the classics of the silent cinema. The star of the movies are now unknown, but during the 1950s they were still somewhat famous. There is a nice crowd in front of the theater.

To continue with the posting of the original red photograph:

Gibson Greeting Card Shop- September 1956

Another red photograph from September 1956. Image is of the popcorn vendor in front of the Gibson Greeting card shop that was at the end of the Main Street. The popcorn has brought quite a crowd wanting to purchase a bag full of the hot and salty yumminess.

Here is the original scan showing the very red color to the photograph.

Back In Action- 1956 Red Snapshots

Hello All, I am back in action to posting images. The time off was due to a large work project requiring many hours at the end of the project. The project was remodeling the laboratory and moving a sister laboratory into the building. Now that is over and I can get back to posting on a regular basis. Thanks for all the kind words and concern expressed, it did help while I was in the middle of getting the project done.

Now to today's post. I picked up a nice set of snapshots with a some great views. The problem is that the KodaColor photographic paper has turned very red. I have corrected the color as best as I can. For those who are wizards at Photoshop, I have included a scan of the red photograph. The photographer was standing on the platform to the Main Street Station looking up Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty Castle. There is lots of activity around the Horse Drawn Street Car with another car heading away from Town Square.

Here is the non-color manipulated image so you can see how much color loss in the photograph.