A trip to the Disneyland Tencenniel Part 2

A quick trip to Fantasyland on the Skyway.

(Note: large scan so all of you sign freaks can look at the Welch's stand, the Fantasyland Theater and the Fantasyland Art A Fair where animation cels could be purchased.) A quick pose with Snow White and a rubber faced Grumpy.

A Trip to the Disneyland Tencenniel Part 1

From a collection of slides taken in 1965 are these two nice images of the Submarine Voyage. In the second image, the mermaids look a little tired and are taking a siesta.

Kaiser Aluminum Venus

One of the most spectacular and obscure images I have found...the Venus Historic Symbol of Beauty in the Kaiser Aluminum Hall of Fame in Tomorrowland. Another large format slide from 1956 showing the Venus in the Kaiser aluminum frame. I love the design on the walls in the background as well as the space age frame. For more information and a drawing of Venus at the Kaiser Exhibit, check out Kevin Kidney's Blog post of February 27, 2007.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Captain Nemo Organ

A fantastic shot from a large format slide taken in 1956 is the interior image of Captain Nemo's Pipe Organ from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea exhibit in Tomorrowland. The detail on the organ is fantastic, especially the N medallion on the pipes. This organ was later recycled and now is home within the ballroom scene in the Haunted Mansion.

Souvenir Friday- Club 33 Membership Card

The first Club 33 Membership cards were like credit cards with the members name. Upon completion of the meal, an impression of the card would be made and the member would receive a bill in the mail. This card is for Donald W. Douglas Jr of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The rules on the reverse are pretty strict with payment time, number of people to be admitted to Disneyland and the member having to be present. The card could also be used at other Disneyland restaurants and shops. I wish this would still work and get me into Club 33.

Main Street Large Format Slides

Some more large format slides from 1956, this time of wonderful Main Street. The first image is almost as photographed as the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship- the Main Street Trolley heading down to Town Square. It appears the photo was taken in the early evening with some long shadows and an uncrowded street.

The second image is also of a highly photographed subject, the Main Street Station. Even to this day, incoming families and groups pose for the obligatory photo standing in front of the Mickey Mouse Topiary. Although these days the topiary is quite a bit more high tech. I do like the stanchions and velvet rope just sitting there in the middle of the photograph as if they were a family posing in front of the topiary.

Rocket to the Moon Large Format Slides

Two large format slide images of the TWA Rocket to the Moon in 1956. The first shows the rocket standing proudly with the Flight Circle in the foreground. I believe this is before Coxpilot was working the attraction. The shot includes another style of the great Tomorrowland lights.

The second shot really shows off the theater buildings and the front entrance to the attraction. Also the family in the foreground is really moving quite fast, probably heading to the Phantom Boats before they disappeared.

Tomorrowland Space Bar

A nice wide open shot of the famous Space Bar in Tomorrowland. I believe this is from around 1959 as it appears there is some construction going on in the left hand side of the image for the Monorail. Actually the image is from 1956 and the construction is the Tomorrowland station for the Skyway. (Thanks Progressland!) I also like all the Eames style chairs in front of the restaurant and the light posts. Note the image is large so you all can take a nice look into the details.

A Family Trip To Disneyland May 1956 Part 7

The grand finale of the trip to Disneyland. I hope you like the Dumbo ride as the family took many photographs. The first is of the flying Elephant actually flying.

And another flying shot.

And a couple posed shots showing dad and daughter.

The finale is a nice image of Sleeping Beauty Castle before boarding the fire truck to town square.

A Family Trip To Disneyland May 1956 Part 6

After the excitement of Adventureland, the family headed over to Fantasyland. A quick rest on the benches at Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Of course the requisite shot of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. Look in the background for two workers constructing Storybook.

A Family Trip to Disneyland May 1956 Part 5

After Frontierland, the family trekked over to Adventureland to ride the Jungle River Cruise. Of course the family had to take some pictures that every other tourist did, but also took some other shots as well. The first is a rare image of the head hunter with lots of skulls in the trees surrounding him. It appears the ride was a bit more gruesome than it is today.

The next two images are of the animal inhabitants. The first is the obligatory shot of the African Elephant.

The next is of the Rhino coming towards you. An early and effective mechanical movement.

Finally a nice shot of the Jungle Cruise boat and the dock. Welcome back to civilization and the most dangerous part of the journey, the Southern California freeways.

Souvenir Friday- Opening Day Participant Pass and Disneyland Guest Tag

A very scarce item from July 17, 1955 is the participant pass for the Disneyland Opening Day Ceremonies. Unlike the press preview tickets with their wonderful graphics, this is a simple pass with just the name and a serial number. However, the person who held this ticket was an integral part of the ceremonies, most likely a participant in the parade.

The next piece is not related, but also just as scarce. The tag would have been worn by a VIP guest in 1955 or 1956. I like that Dumbo was used instead of one of the Fab 5. The story is that the Studio did not want to allow the use of Mickey and his gang, so Disneyland used Dumbo and Tinkerbell as the mascots. That is until Disneyland was a success and then Mickey and friends made their appearance on merchandise and graphics on maps and handouts.

A Family Trip to Disneyland May 1956 Part 4

A quick run west across the park brings us to Frontierland. Dad seems to have liked the Mark Twain but not much else in Frontierland as he only took two photographs. Both are of the Mark Twain. The first has a nice panoramic feel to it, with the lovely young daughter posing on one of the fence posts.

This shot shows the Twain at the landing. I think I like the theming in this photo with boxes and baggage on the front of the main deck.

A Family Trip to Disneyland May 1956 Part 3

Continuing where the family left off yesterday, we head into tomorrow...Tomorrowland. A quick stop at the front to pose at the Clock of the World.

Then to the icon of Tomorrowland, the TWA Rocket to the Moon. This is a site that appealed to many photographers. However, I never tire of seeing photographs of the rocket.

A close up shot of the base. The gentleman in the suit and hat is taking a picture of the sign with a camera on a tripod. I wonder where those photographs are now?

A Family Trip to Disneyland May 1956 Part 2

Continuing on with the family trip in 1956 up Main Street to the hub and Sleeping Beauty Castle. A quick snapshot of the activity at the courtyard.

For those who like details and obscure signage, here is a close up of the Fire Sign that is on the A shaped sandwich board.

A short walk towards Tomorrowland and a look back shows this view of the Castle. I like the wooded feeling in the foreground as if the castle was surrounded by a forest.

Now on to the next land, Tomorrowland.

Tune in tomorrow to see more....

A Family Trip to Disneyland May 1956 Part 1

Starting a new series of black and white snapshots in one of the old style cardboard photo holders. All photos are dated May 1956. We start off at the Main Street Train Station. It appears the little girl was prepared for her visit with her Mousekeeter hat. The two images at the beginning of the roll have this funky ghost image from loading the film.

The second image is of Town Square and the Main Street Station.

The final image for today is looking down Main Street with the Horse Drawn Trolley coming towards us. Look how empty the streets are, no clanging of bells to have people move out of the way.

A Sunny View of the Matterhorn

For a lazy Sunday, a nice sunny view of the Matterhorn. Almost looks like a postcard.

Two Jungle Cruise Views

A dealer at the San Diego Comic Con had some Disneyland slides. The majority were souvenir slides, but there were these two nice views of the jungle sites from the Jungle Cruise. The first is an ancient Cambodian Shrine idol built by ancient Cambodian Shriners.

The second slide is of the second most feared animal in the jungle, the African Bull elephant. And I think everyone knows who the most feared animal is in the jungle....

Monorails on the Move in Tomorrowland

Two slides from seperate collections. The first shows the skyway with the Monorail track and Rocket to the Moon in the background and the Submarine pool in the foreground. Unfortunately the slide is very scratched and washed out.

The second view is of the opposite view of the Monorail gliding over the Submarine pool.

Now I am off to the San Diego Comic Con. Next week I will be back to my regular publishing schedule.

Cascade Peak From the River

One of the more scenic elements on the Rivers of America was Cascade Peak with the three sisters falls. A nice image of the falls as taken from the front of the Mark Twain in the early 1960s. This is approximately where the old Mine train now rests.

More Opening Day July 17, 1955

Continuing with the images from the viewmaster reels. The first image shows the Teacup ride with no doors and no chain. I believe a chain was added shortly afterwards and a door added in the 1960s to keep people from spinning out.

The second, third and fourth image today are of the Horse Drawn Street car. I love the worker carrying the large mirror used to lighten the area for filming.

There must be someone on the trolley the photographer knew or was famous. Any body recognize a famous face?

More Opening Day Activities July 17, 1955

The park opened at in the early afternoon prior to the telecast. Most people hung out on Main Street to have a view of the parade and festivities. The first image is from the stairs leading to Main Street Station showing the Opera House and the early crowds. I wonder if they all kept their tickets?

A similar shot down Main Street showing Town Square decorated for the festivities.

Another shot of the forklift method for the camera. I believe they are testing the camera and the set up.