View of Disneyland From the Disneyland Hotel

Going through some photographs I purchased a year ago, I came across this nice aeriel view of Disneyland taken from the Disneyland Hotel. I do not believe this was taken from one of the towers, but from a flying helicopter over the Disneyland Hotel. However, I could be mistaken. I believe the image is late 1964 or early 1965. Construction can be seen in New Orleans Square and also behind the Haunted Mansion. Over in Fantasyland construction is taking place for It's A Small World. In the lower right corner is a nice overhead look at the Disneyland Hotel Miniature Golf Course. I am sure there is more in this image, class please discuss.

Souvenir Friday- Carnation Lands Ice Cream Shakes Brochure

Moving to Colorado has really decreased the amount of Disneyland and Disney related items I find when I am at Swap Meets and Antique Stores. However once in a while I do find some really great items. Last Sunday I was at the Colorado Springs swap meet and a seller I know has been cleaning out his barn of accumulated items. In the box I spied the words Tomorrowland and Frontierland and knew I had found a nice Disneyland item. The brochure was given away by Carnation Ice Cream and features floats and other Ice Cream desserts inspired by Disneyland. The brochure is dated 1959 and features some great graphics. I love brochures that tie merchandise or sales with Disneyland.

Submarine Voyage Construction 1/1/59

I do not find many commercial photographs of Disneyland, but this is a spectacular shot. In just five short months, this patch of dirt, concrete and rebar would be filled with water, sea creatures, mermaids, a giant sea monster and submarines. Right now the submarine pen and tunnel is just concrete and dirt. In the middle of the lagoon sits the construction office. The workers are taking a break for lunch. The photographer is still alive and I believe the owner of a company called Photomation in Anaheim.

Mark Twain Dock From the River

Here are two unusual views of the Mark Twain Dock taken from the Mark Twain. Behind the flags and the large elk mounts, Frontierland, Sleeping Beauty Castle and the majestic Matterhorn are in the background. The large mounts are now long gone, but the flags still wave. And if you look closely a rare 1890s Pickup truck can be seen in Frontierland! Those settlers were quite the inventors.

Welcome Douglas Families

Two more Douglas photographs. The first spotlights the large banner that hung over Main Street welcoming the Douglas company to their picnic and Day at Disneyland event. I believe this was the same day that Walt Disney and the Douglas Executives christened the new Rocket to the Moon ride under Douglas sponsorship.

The second image shows Mrs. Jean Douglas enjoying the Flying Saucers at night in her fancy dress gown.

And for those asking where the pictures came from, they were part of a large collection of Disneyland items that I bought about 2 years ago. The original owner worked for Douglas and obtained the images from the company when they were cleaning out their files.

Douglas Rocket to the Moon Ceremonies

Two more images from the Douglas Rocket to the Moon Ceremonies featuring Donald Douglas, Jr., Walt Disney, Joe Fowler and other dignitaries. The first shows Douglas and Walt discussing the ride.

The second is of the dignitaries on the stand. The space lady on the left has a wonderful head piece!

Rocket to The Moon Under Douglas Sponsorship 1961

The Rocket To the Moon was originally sponsored by TWA. In 1961, the sponsorship changed and Douglas Aerospace took over sponsorship. I believe these are from August 6th when the Flying Saucers Opened and Douglas took over as the sponsor. The first image is the Rocket Ship at night taken by the Douglas photographers and developed by them.

The next image shows the happy Douglas employees on the ride. In the crowd is the CEO of the company, Donald Douglas Jr. I hope the man smoking the pipe knows it was a non-smoking area with all that rocket fuel sitting under him.

The final image is of Walt speaking to Donald and other employees. The reactions of the employees run the gamut from amusement to intense concentration. I wonder what Walt is saying as he points out the lady's purse.

Civil War Dispatch Ride Freedomland

The final three slides are from the Civil War Dispatch ride in the South section of Freedomland. The premise of the ride was that you were a reporter in the 1860's and out riding in your wagon to get news stories. The ride as you can see was horse powered and you would ride by several camp scenes and then ride across the battlefield as cannons were firing. I think the last image (unfortunately blurry) is of the start of the battle and the cannon is firing.

Souvenir Friday-Freedomland!

Today I am showing a brochure, a flier, a bag and the Menu from the Brass Rail Steak House that was in Chicago. The graphics on the brochure remind me of some of the Pacific Ocean Park brochures done in the same time period. Tomorrow the finish of the Freedomland slides with a trip through the South.

Northwest Fur Trapper Ride Freedomland

Today's images are from the Northwest Fur Trapper Ride set in the location that would be Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and more. I am not sure how the ride flowed or what the scene set up was. I do know the ride was like going around the Rivers of America in a Keel Boat. The first image is of the ride vehicle, a flat bottom boat. Some amazing Disneyland like images in this group. I have posted a close up of the sign in front of the cabin which reads Pelts peddled here.

The Great Southwest Freedomland

Today's images are all from the Southwest Section of Freedomland. The biggest ride here was ore carts which was basically a lightly themed skyway ride. The photographer and his family did not ride this attraction, opting instead to ride the mules. Here are several shots of the Mule pack ride. In the background of the Indian Burial ground is one of the towers for the sky ride.

The last shot is of Fort Cavalry. I love the arrow directional sign on the tower. Also the souvenir shop seems to be fairly busy.

And for those enjoying these images, Jordan at the Perky Pickle blog is showing his collection of silk screened ride posters from Freedomland. Let me say they are amazing.

Chicago Fire and Midwest Farm

The first slide is from one of Freedomland's most famous and beloved attraction, the burning building from the Chicago Fire. The building was concrete and fitted with gas pipes which could be lit and burn. Similar to the burning cabin at Disneyland, but in this case it was interactive with kids assisting fire fighters and the crowd watching. It looked like it was a good show with lots of people watching.

The next image appears to be the most boring exhibit at Freedomland, the midwest farm where Elsie the Cow lived. Not very exciting and pretty open space. The only thing that redeemed this display was that most visitors were New York City residents and had probably never seen a farm or cows in pasture in their life. The train trestle in the background is the only clue this was in Freedomland.

Freedomland Transportation Rides

Today I am showing two different styles of transportation at Freedomland. Both appear to be stolen from Disneyland. The first is a Stagecoach ride through the wilderness and desert. The ride was sponsored by Wells Fargo and Company.

The next is the Santa Fe Railroad with similar cars and engine. In fact the engine is named the Chas Holliday and the cars are named after Southwestern cities. I do like the guy climbing the trestle through the bushes. He is either a friendly Freedomland employee retrieving a stuffed animal or a crazed train nut trying to get a closer image.

Requested Close Ups from Freedomland

I have received a couple requests for close ups of the Freedomland pics. I hope these help. The first is of the attraction poster that is seen on the fence in the front entrance image.

The other is of the sign seen out in front of the Fire Station.