Thursday, December 25, 2014

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!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

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.

Monday, December 22, 2014

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.

Friday, December 19, 2014

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.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

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.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

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.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

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.

Monday, December 15, 2014

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.

Friday, December 12, 2014

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.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

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.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

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.

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

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.

Monday, December 08, 2014

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?

Friday, December 05, 2014

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!

Thursday, December 04, 2014

Baloo and Donald and Their Fans

Two more pictures of characters at Disneyland in 1973. First up is the classic bear from the jungle, Baloo. Baloo is popular with the kids!

The second image is of Donald and his fans. Donald is just as popular with the kids as Baloo. The mouse ears on the young guest in green is interesting with a 1930s style Mickey and silver ears.

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Two Sides of Pluto

A new group of slides from July 1973. This time the family had a small daughter. The daughter liked all the characters. Here she is interacting with Pluto. Pluto was entertaining and interacting with the guests in line for the Matterhorn. First up is Pluto's backside...

The next image, Pluto has turned around and is interacting with the small guest.

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

A Visit to the Tahitian Terrace

Today's image is a visit to the Tahitian Terrace and one of the main reasons I purchased this slide collection. The first two images are portraits of the couples who visited Disneyland together. Some items I like about the pictures, the lamp cover, the guest in the back wearing sunglasses, the drink in the wicker holder which I assume is how the Planters Punch Tahitian was served, the lovely dress worn by the waitress and the covering is the same as those used for the Tiki Room pre-show lanai.

This slide was dark and murky and in lightening it up some color and definition was lost.

The last image is of the entertainment for diners. The stage is fantastic with some great red highlights on the water giving off a hint of lava.

Monday, December 01, 2014

Trapped Safari and a Passel of Pachyderms

Two lovely photographs of the Jungle River Cruise. First up is my favorite scene that was staged by Marc Davis and added in 1964. I have not noticed the okapi in the peanut gallery before.

The second image is a passel of pachyderms in the elephant bathing pool. The elephants have some cute poses. Just remember it is okay to take pictures as they all have their trunks on!