Floridaland Character Cutouts 1970

Like most theme and amusement parks, Floridaland provided photo opportunities for guests. These two cutouts are very fun in a hillbilly kind of way. First up is a little gender bending gunfighter.

Next image is of a Daisy Mae style girl holding a gun and protecting the still. Love them Daisy Dukes!

Ghost Town at Floridaland 1970

Floridaland was an interesting theme park with a very different theme, or rather a lack of theme. The front entrance featured tropical birds in a jungle setting, a large deer park, a porpoise show, but the largest attraction was a ghost town featuring live gun fights. The first image shows the jail in the ghost town. I am not sure of the significance of John Whitlock.

The second image is an up close and personal shot of the gun fight on the ghost town street.

Floridaland Skyway 1970

Two images showing the small but pleasurable sky ride at the Floridaland amusement park in Osprey Florida. The amusement park opened in December 1964 and closed within a few years of when these pictures were taken. In the first photograph, the train station for the small zoo style train can be seen. The skyway seats are very brightly colored.

The second image is a closer view with the train in the station.

Souvenir Friday- Theme Park Writing Utensils

A little while ago at my local flea market, a vendor showed up with a person's vintage pen and pencil collection. Of course I perused the collection looking for pens and pencils from amusement and theme parks. I scanned several of them that I found for souvenir Friday. The Disneyland pen is one I have not seen before. The pen uses the same graphics as found on the telescope that was sold at Disneyland in the mid to late 1960s. The Universal Studios pen features the Glamour Tram going back and forth.

Happy Christmas to All

A review of some of the Christmas images I have posted over the life of this blog. First up is a nice Christmas themed artwork from Meadow Gold dairy and Mary Blair.

Next up is the Disneyland Christmas tree from about 1958.

A lovely view of the Carnation Cafe in December 1963.

A night image of Main Street.

Ending with the rare views of the Christmas Bowls in 1955.

Christmas Bowl at night.

So to all my friends of blog- Have a Merry Christmas and I hope you received what you wished for!

Walt Disney World Indian Village and Baloo (Well at least the backside of Baloo.)

Heading to Walt Disney World to visit Frontierland and to take a look at a fun parade. First up is the Florida version of the Friendly Indian Village as seen from the steamboat Admiral Joe Fowler or Richard F. Irvine with the Walt Disney World Railroad in the background.

The second image is of a parade. Unfortunately the photographer managed to take a picture of the backside of Baloo. In the background is the majestic Cinderella Castle and the drummer from the marching band in front.

Diamond Horseshoe Revue Walt Disney World

Heading to Florida for a stop at the Diamond Horseshoe Revue at Walt Disney World. The show was based upon the Golden Horseshoe Revue in Disneyland but featured a couple of different numbers. The first image features the Police Gazette scenic element and some very cute dancers.

The second image is of the lead singer holding her heart over her head. I am not sure of the sequences or names for the musical numbers or performers.

South Dakota Tourist Attractions 1957

A couple were married in 1957 and spent their honeymoon traveling through South Dakota visiting various tourist attractions. The first image is a nice postcard of the South Dakota Reptile Gardens. The attraction is still open and vibrant. The postcard caption reads The Black Hills Reptile Gardens consists of the largest collection of reptiles on display in North America. the building shown on this card is the gift shop which is operated in conjunction with the reptile house. The building front is made entirely from minerals native to the Black Hills.

The next picture is of Rockerville ghost town which is a tourist attraction with a neat ghost town facade. The facade was filled with gift shops and other attractions. The town was bypassed by the highway and has declined since the 1960s. From what I can tell, the facade has fallen into disrepair.

Souvenir Friday- 1955 Disneyland Holiday Festival Plaque

Added to the collection this year is this plaque given to participants in the first Disneyland Holiday Festival. The plaque was given to the Lodi High School Band for their participation. The plaque now hangs with three other Holiday plaques. I am missing one from the second annual event...if any one knows of one for sale.

Mickey and Minnie in Formal Dress

Three last images from 1973 trip. The first two are of the kids meeting Mickey Mouse in front of the Opera House on Main Street. Note Mickey is in his formal outfit and also his gloves are regular white gloves with five fingers and not the oversized three finger gloves. In the first photograph, the lady in the window kind of gives me the creeps.

The last photograph is of Mickey's perennial girlfriend Minnie Mouse. Note she is in her formal outfit with no polka dot skirt. Mickey does have some nice legs.

Strike A Pose

The family posing in front of several buildings in Disneyland in 1973. First up is a slightly different angle of the family in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Based upon the clothing, I would say this is a nice summery day. The flags on the drawbridge add a nice color to the image.

Next up is the family in front of the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square. The details of the architecture and iron work have always impressed me. The Blue Bayou is one of the best restaurants in Disneyland with the perpetual twilight being a unique feature.

Frontierland Ships 1973

The two large ships that sailed the Rivers of America in 1973. First up is the older vessel, the majestic Mark Twain heading out from the dock. I like the steam coming out of the stacks as the ship heads out.

The next image is of the sailing ship Columbia. Created in 1958 and below decks in 1964, the ship continues to sail around the river.

Monorails and Matterhorn and Submarines and Autopia, Oh My!

Tomorrowland in 1973 was one filled with motion and activity. The background to most of the attractions was the mighty Matterhorn mountain. The first image shows Monorail Green passing by the Matterhorn and the line for the attraction. I hope the guest taking a picture hanging out of the window did not hit any trees.

The next shot is from the Submarine Voyage dock and shows the Submarine Voyage, the Matterhorn, Skyway, and Monorail Yellow. This image instantly transports me to my childhood and the many hours spent at Disneyland with my family on our annual trip.

The third image is also from the Submarine Voyage area and shows how the various transportation modes wound through Tomorrowland and each other. The Autopia cars add a nice splash of color and motion.

Souvenir Friday- Giant Button

In the mid-1960s, Disneyland sold a collection of souvenirs that were a unique three dimension design. The souvenirs were all flat items, such as postcards, pennants and buttons. The items featured scenes of the park that appeared to be in three dimension. Today I am showing a large button that is 6 inches in diameter. The image is found on a postcard, a pennant with the image inserted into the pennant and this button. The image is a group of the characters in front of the Castle with several Main Street vehicles. I have seen the same souvenirs featuring the characters on Monorail Blue and also the characters with the Omnibus.

Fantasyland Attractions 1973

Today's post are of Fantasyland and attractions found in 1973. First up is an overall view of Fantasyland featuring multiple attractions. I like the Casey Jones Jr. Sign and the Mermaid on the Chicken of the Sea ship. The color and shapes are fantastic and interesting.

Next up is a nice view of the Storybook Canal boats. I am drawn to the bright red hat worn by the cast member.

Coke Corner and Patrick Henry

Two more images from 1973. First up a twilight shot of the family enjoying a break at Coke Corner on Main Street. A little sugar and caffeine and the kids should be running around the park with a second wind.

Next is an image of Patrick Henry diving and entering the show area for the Submarine Voyage. Best of luck to the hearty crew and I hope they make it under the Arctic sea and do not hit any icebergs.

Main Street Scenes 1973

The Flower Market on Main Street is rather busy and brimming with guests. The color of the flowers make the scene very pretty. The old Carnation Company sign adds a sense of realism to the scene.

The Horse Drawn Streetcars are one of my favorite attractions. The leisurely trip up or down Main Street with the sound of the horses hooves clip clopping on the street is a great way to start or end the day.

Disneyland Arrival 1973

The joys of arriving at Disneyland when the parking lot was in front of the entrance. I remember the walk to the parking lot tram just as this mom and her kids are doing. It appears that the day was going to be busy with lots of vehicles already parked.

Getting through the line at the gate, we gaze upon the floral Mickey Mouse and the Main Street Station. It is now time to decide which tunnel to enter, right or left?

Souvenir Friday- Lot of 1956 Souvenirs

A bit of a different post for souvenir Friday. This lot of items were purchased together from a local Colorado antique mall. The interesting part of the lot is that there is a Disneyland in Natural Color guidebook in the group as the rest of the items are from 1956. This means that the Natural Color guidebook was still on souvenir stands in the middle of 1956. I would surmise that the guidebook was on sale the same time as the regular 1956 guide book. The other items include a June 1956 Disneyland News that has been personalized for the family, 3 gate fliers from 1956, 1 Disneyland general brochure, 3 Red Wagon Inn children's menu, and 3 Knott's Berry Farm Steak House Menus dated 1956.

Finally just a note that today Walt Disney was born in 1901. Happy Birthday Walt!