Tuesday, September 30, 2008

New Orleans Square

One of the prettiest lands is New Orleans Square. However, I hardly ever see any images of the winding street and the crowds enjoying the music. This photographer in 1968 spent some time photographing the land. The first slide is from the Rivers of America side. I love the detail of the gentleman looking at the 1968 wall map in the lower right hand corner as he enjoys his food at the Creole Cafe.

The second image shows the street just past Club 33. You can see the 35 address on the upper left.

The final slide is taken in front of the Blue Bayou with the band belting out some New Orleans style music. Check out the ticket books held by the boys in the foreground.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Evening descends upon Tomorrowland 1968

As evening came to Tomorrowland at the end of a nice summer day in 1968, the photographer was moved to take a couple of images. The first is a twilight shot of the Peoplemover at the entrance to the land.

The second is later in the evening showing the great signage for the Monorail and Submarine Voyage. Check out the attraction posters in the queue to keep people occupied.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Casey Junior Coming Down the Track

One of my favorite rides is Casey Junior. An exciting trip through Storybook on a small train. You get to see the highlights without the expense of time. And you can be a Wild Animal as well. The interesting item in the pictures is the exit is towards today's entrance and the long ADA required ramp has not yet been constructed. The slides are part of a large grouping taken in 1968.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Souvenir Friday-1968 Inside Disneyland Newsletter

Continuing on my trend of the week of 40 years ago this month comes the cast member publication Inside Disneyland. I have featured one of these prior to this post so I hope you are familar with the newsletter.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

More 1968 Tomorrowland

From a different collection of slides with a date of June 1968 come the two photographs snapped as the photographer was riding the Skyway. The first image shows the lovely GE Carousel of Progress. Let's all sing along...There is a great big beautiful tomorrow....

The second image shows the lovely Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant and the fantastic elevator stage.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

A September Night In Tomorrowland, 40 Years Ago

Tomorrowland was still a novel and interesting land in 1968. These two evening images show how crowded and vibrant the land could be, filled with people, lights and action. The first image shows the crowd in front of the Rocket to the Moon ride. Of course when the new Tomorrowland was built in 1998, instead of replacing an attraction with an attraction, there needed to be a revenue stream and the location was changed to a pizza place. Have to love '60's fashion as the lady in the center looks like she has escaped from prison.

The second image shows the stage that was located where Space Mountain eventually landed. In the center is the Rolly Crump designed ticket booth, immortalized by Kevin and Jody in miniature.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Frontierland Train Station

Two nice early views of the Frontierland Railroad Station. The station that is seen across the tracks, just out of reach of us normal guests was once in use. The first view shows the station with the elevation sign and the ticket booth for purchasing those long souvenir train tickets. Off to the left there appears to be an early attraction poster which unfortunately the photographer did not focus on.

Here is the Frontierland Train just departing the station. At this time, the theming was of a freight train with a consist of stock cars.

And just because it is such a cool photograph, this image is of the Main Street automobiles in use. I really like the attraction sign, I wonder where those are now?

Monday, September 22, 2008

Juxtaposition and Exit

Showcasing the old (horse drawn wagon) against the new and future (Monsanto House of the Future) at the main hub.

By the way check out the number of souvenir hats being worn!

And this is the perfect ending shot for a slide show....

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Main Street Flower Market

One of the more interesting places on Main Street was the Flower Market. I have been intrigued with this shopping location since finding the rare Flowers on Main Street advertising postcard. Here is a nice view of the market with the ladies auxiliary club shopping.

From the same batch of slides is this rather awkward shot of the Horse Drawn Trolley. My eye travels to the lady with the bright blue towel covering her curlers!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Behind the Scenes

I am in the mood for a wacky Saturday post. The first two photographs feature a behind the scene view of Disneyland. It appears the photographer was driving the access road around Disneyland. The first is a nice view of Cinderella's castle from Storybook.

The second is the Flight to the Moon attraction from the outside wall.

The final image is of the fishing pond at Knott's Berry Farm. Taken from a speeding car, it actually has pretty good focus even though the framing is off quite a bit.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Souvenir Friday- Knott's Berry Farm Coffee Cup

A nice early souvenir coffee cup from Knott's Berry Farm. I believe this is from the mid 1950s as it features the steam train. The train is in bas relief and brightly painted. Quite the cup to have your morning coffee in.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

A Trip Aboard the Mark Twain

The photographer whose work I have been posting for the last couple of days boarded the Mark Twain for a trip around the Rivers of America. Here is his first shot, showing the mighty ship at dock.

Since he did not make it on time for this sailing, he snapped a photograph of the ship in transit.

After successfully boarding the ship, and the ship successfully leaving the dock, our photographer noticed the Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad engine on the shore. The shores look rather barren here....

To document his trip with his wife and young son, he snapped their photo as well. Although it did come out a little abstract and would make an awesome 3-D image.

Finally, after the long trip around Tom Sawyer's Island, he exits the boat and manages to take a picture of Frontierland's Main Street.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Horse Drawn Trolley on Main Street

Two more photographs in nostalgic soft focus from the same photographer from yesterday. The first image is of the loading area with a full trolley.

The second shows the Trolley making its way back down Main Street with two other horse drawn vehicles. The first is the surrey seen on the right hand side, but you can also see the Main Street Fireman driving the horse drawn fire wagon on the left side.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Jungle Cruise in Soft Focus

Both of these photographs have a very nice soft focus making them seem dream like and maybe even a bit more exotic. The first image shows a busy dock with an observer on the observation deck.

The second image shows the outrigger canoe and tropical plants that were across from the loading dock.

I hope you enjoy the exotic getaway for today.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Souvenirs of a 1959 Visit to Disneyland

Four slides from a 1959 trip to Disneyland. The first two images show the true Indian Village crowded with people. I am going to assume the dancers were on break and all the visitors were checking out the tipis and other displays. In the first image, Sheriff Lucky is visiting the village to maintain the peace.

The third photograph is of the newly opened Matterhorn attraction from the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkway. Check out all the souvenir hats in this photograph.

Finally my favorite image, still life with napkins and mustard. A really neat you are there perspective on the Red Wagon Inn terrace.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Mark Twain Riverboat

Still a sight to see and a joy to ride, the stately and sedate Mark Twain sails the Rivers of America multiple times a day. The first photo is of the Twain loaded and ready to depart.

The second photo shows the Twain on the first leg of her journey. It appears our photographer has just barely missed boarding the riverboat.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

The Main Gate plus an Extra

Two images of the Mickey Mouse Topiary at the Main Gate. The first is a rare shot of no groups posing in front of the topiary.

The second shot is blurry, but of the same scene with the train in station.

The extra is this nice view of the benches outside of the Red Wagon Inn. I wonder what happened to the menu showcase and the printed menu inside? It would be a neat piece to find.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Souvenir Friday- 1957 Ticket Brochure With Tinkerbell

A very nice brochure handed out to happy families as they entered the Disneyland parking lot. The brochure is dated 1957 and features a simple drawing of Tinkerbell on the front cover and information on two different ticket plans. One being the big 10 book and the other being the guest cards which would allow you to ride the attractions in an unlimited times. The back has the operating schedule.