Souvenir Friday- Main Street Vehicle Fob

A piece that has been in my collection for 30 years is this nice enameled fob featuring a Main Street Vehicle. The back is marked for Walt Disney Productions. I believe this may have been for a watch although it could have been sold by itself or in a set with cuff links and tie tack. It is finely made with great detail on the car and nice blue enamel. I can imagine this being in the pen shop on Main Street.

Unknown Location Knott's Berry Farm

Although a rather dark image, it appears to be the barn where the horses for the Stagecoach live. I assume that this was towards the back of Knott's Berry Farm. The photograph was taken during a Christmas holiday visit to Southern California in 1964. I tried brightening up the image without distorting the color and image.

California Alligator Farm

Once an amusement park across from Knott's Berry Farm featured alligators, crocodiles and caimans. The park opened in 1953 at this site and closed in 1986. The animals were moved to Florida on a 707 airliner to live in a private estate owned by the inventor of Nautilus exercise equipment. The images are very dark as it appears that the family visited the park after a full day at Knott's Berry Farm.

Goofy's Car Christmas 1964

One of the highlights of the Christmas Parade in 1964 was Goofy's Automobile. A trick car that looked like a jalopy put together from several different cars. the car could do many tricks. I have heard many stories from Bob Gurr, but I don't remember one where he talks about this car. It was most likely built by the studio special effects crew.

Happy Labor Day- Tomorrowland Cast Member Group Photograph

Before Mission to Mars was changed to Pizza Port, a group of cast members posed for a group photograph in front of the attraction. While you are enjoying Labor Day, say a thanks to the hard working cast members who help to make Disney attractions and parks the magical place we love.

Souvenir Friday- Dumbo Plastic Pin on Original Card

A nice late 1950s or early 1960s souvenir is this fun Dumbo pin. What is great about this pin is that it is on the original card and plastic packaging. Notice on the back that the pin was made in Hong Kong.

Christmas 1964 Parade in Frontierland

A nice you are there as a spectator to the Christmas 1964 Christmas parade picture. The parade used a different route than used for modern parades, starting in Frontierland and ending on Main Street. I assume Honest John and J. Worthington Foulfellow are pulling a float featuring Pinocchio. The crowd looks a little chilled.

Burning Settlers Cabin Tom Sawyer's Island

A nice dusk view of the Burning Settler's Cabin on Tom Sawyer's Island in 1964. The cabin is fully engulfed with flames and the dead settler is in front of the cabin wearing his red shirt and jeans. You can even see the flames reflected in the water. Maybe the cabin will returwith Star Wars land, but instead of Indians burning the cabin down, the Empire will have hit the cabin with their blasters...

(This posting is from Wednesday... I was having some technical difficulties.)

Temporary Dock on Tom Sawyer's Island

For the Christmas season in 1964 it appears there was a temporary dock constructed on Tom Sawyer's Island. The temporary dock is almost in the space now occupied by the Fantasmic stage. I do not think it was used as a stage as there is not a railing in front of the dock. Any ideas what the temporary dock would have been used for?

Mark Twain and Cascade Peak 1964

A lovely view of the Mark Twain passing by Cascade Peak. The scene appears to be late afternoon just as dusk is settling in. The trees are in their winter look with all the leaves off. I just hope that this scene can be somewhat replicated with the new Star Wars land construction.

Souvenir Friday- 1958 Disneyland Mail Order Catalog

One of the best methods of determining when souvenirs were sold (and also which souvenirs are out there...) are the various mail order catalogs published by Disneyland. This catalog features many great souvenirs including a nice line of T-shirts, some great pieces of jewelry, classic toys and a full listing of the Strombecker models. Some great souvenir ideas include purchasing ticket books or buying the Story of Walt Disney written by Diane Disney Miller.

Pigs On Parade- Christmas 1964

The three little pigs parading as part of the Christmas Holiday Parade in 1964. The pigs kind of look like they just woke up with scrunched faces that look like they have been sleeping on their side...you know when you wake up with an imprint of the seam of the pillowcase on your forehead. In the background is a giant doll character. The parade looks like it was fun to watch.

Just Around the Riverbend

What I love most about rivers is

You can't step in the same river twice

The water's always changing, always flowing

Castle Rock, Tom Sawyers Island 1964

A great view of Castle Rock on Tom Sawyers Island. A large group of guests are climbing to the top via the narrow staircase. The natural playground was quite a draw. I wonder if the knew Pirates would one day raid the island and take it over.

Row, Row Your Boat....

Gently down the Rivers of America. The only ride that requires full participation of guests is the Indian War Canoes (now renamed the Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes.) This looks like it a was a chilly day to be out on the water, December 1964. My favorite rower is the boy in the white jacket dragging his paddle in the water.

Souvenir Friday- Aurora Airplane Model With Free Trip to Disneyland Contest Form

Looking at the pictures of today's souvenir, you would think that this is a model kit blog. However in late 1955, Monsanto plastics promoted toys made out of plastic. The promotion was a contest to write a fourth line to a jingle extolling plastic used in toys. The winner would win a family trip to newly opened Disneyland. I have seen the contest slip by itself, but usually do not see the box and toy. Also the sticker on the front of the box is nice with the castle graphic. Even if you did not win the grand prize of a trip to Disneyland, many of the other prizes are nice.

Swiss Family Treehouse at Dusk

Somewhere in this dark image is the Swiss Family Treehouse. The crowd wraps around the tree walking up the steps and even outside into Adventureland. I was not able to correct the image when I played with the brightness controls. Maybe I should send it to Major Pepperidge so he can do his magic.

MIne Train and Waterfall

A nice view of the Nature's Wonderland Mine Train passing by Cascade Falls. The timing of the photograph was great with the engine spotlighted by sun and the darkness of the falling sunlight as dusk approaches. The load of guests look very happy with their ride so far...

This image was chosen by my son Logan to post today...thanks Logan!

Indian Village On the Banks of the Rivers of America

This tableaux of a friendly Indian Village had been seen for many years on the banks of the Rivers of America. The village has now been removed for a new land featuring the world of Star Wars. This is the 1964 version with the boy fishing with his dog and much activity by the rest of the village. One of my favorites is the building of the canoe.

Knott's Black and White Snapshots From the Late 1940s

A small group of three black and white snapshots from a visit to Knott's Berry Farm in the late 1940s. The three visitors enjoyed the Conestoga wagons that were part of the covered wagon stage area. First up is the husband (or maybe boyfriend.)

And of course his best girl posing in the same wagon.

Of course the requisite shot with some residents of ghost town. She is very evocative of the late 1940s with her dress, coat, bobby sox and saddle shoes, an inspiration for those who attend Dapper Days.

Souvenir Friday- Freedomland Playing Cards

A common souvenir of many tourist areas is a deck (or in this case) a double deck of cards. This is for Freedomland the lovely Bronx based theme park created by CV Wood and in existence for a few short years in the early 1960s. The graphics are very mid-Century modern with the train and steam boat rendered in an appealing illustration. I have not seen these cards on any other site featuring Freedomland.

Meeting Mr. Hatter in Fantasyland

A crowd of guests are congregating on the it's a small world promenade to meet Mr. Hatter. Some interesting items in the background including the Fantasyland souvenir stand on the very far right with a rack full of postcards. In the middle background is an ice cream outdoor vending location themed to Casey Junior. I believe this was removed and Star Recycling located in North Anaheim had this in their yard for many years.

New Orleans Square

A colorful part of Disneyland is New Orleans Square. This view is from when this land was brand new and quite a draw for guests. The guests are dressed in the late 1960s height of fashion.

French Market New Orleans Square

Still one of my favorite restaurants is the French Market in New Orleans Square. It is a relaxing spot in the park with a view of the Railroad and the Haunted Mansion. The restaurant now features a fun band playing New Orleans style jazz. Looks like this was one of those chilly but sunny Southern California winter day.

Omnibus on Main Street

A great view of the Main Street Omnibus showcasing the lovely small attraction posters that were painted on the side of the bus. Also showcased is the great lettering seen on the bus along with the nice pinstriping. The bus was manufactured by WED using a modern chassis and engine and sheet metal as designed by Bob Gurr. I still enjoy taking a ride down Main Street on the second story of the bus.

Souvenir Friday- 1982 it's a small world Japan Doll

In 1982, a new set of it's a small world set of souvenir dolls were sold at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The dolls look similar to the 1964 set of dolls. The box art uses the art developed for the souvenir book, wrapping around the box with vignettes of each land. I believe that Disney themselves made and sold these at the souvenir shops found at the end of each ride. A great souvenir for a lucky kid to bring home.

America on Parade and Main Street Signage

Today I feature two images, the final photograph of the America On Parade set of photographs (which I could not post yesterday) and the first image from a new set of snapshots. The final AOP image features the Minutemen defending their country and gaining their liberty in the American Revolution.

The second image shows Main Street with the Horse Drawn Trolley featuring three conductors training on the driving of the trolley car. In the background is the Sunkist Citrus House in all its glory. The place to get a glass of orange juice or lemonade. The window display at the Swift's house has caught the group of guests eyes.

Taking the Baby for a Stroll- America On Parade 1976

Just a day in the park with a mom taking a baby for a stroll in the baby carriage. The parade did feature some interesting vignettes. I love the hair and clothing styles in the crowd watching the parade.

Saloon Girls America On Parade 1976

Continuing with the America on Parade images, this one features a scene out of the Golden Horseshoe Review. The piano player is playing a lovely tune with a couple of show girls belting out the lyrics while hanging out on the piano. Quite a fun scene from the parade.