Opening Day Snapshots- Part 7

One of the biggest events on Opening Day was the parade featuring characters and floats representing each land. Of course our photographer was there for the parade. First off is the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves float. The costumes were borrowed from the Ice Capades.

Next up are the Native Americans from Frontierland. In the middle of the street you can see the camera stand that was raised and lowered by a forklift. I like the camera guy in the striped referee shirt, co-ordinating the shot.

Finally a shot of the Fantasyland characters. The big guy is Roy Williams. I heard he had quite a sense of humor and probably enjoyed his costume and horse outfit. Also Peter Pan, Wendy and what looks like Cinderella are being chased by Minnie Mouse.

Souvenir Friday- Opening Day Items

First off for opening day items is the photo folder which holds the opening day photographs I have been posting. I love that Disneyland's camera shop also developed film. This must have not been used very often. I have only seen two of these folders.

The next item is an Opening Day gold ticket. The original recipient was kind to only have an entourage of 4, I have seen a ticket where the entourage is 99.

Opening Day Snapshots- Part 6

Two different scenes from Opening Day. The first is of the Adventureland entrance. The trees and bamboo definitely look like they were just planted.

The next shows two employees of Sunny View Farms up on the roof of the building getting a better look at all the activity and festivity. Written on the reverse of the photo is Don + Paul (Baker) on top of store.

Opening Day Snapshots- Part 5

More opening day snapshots. The first is from the Indian Village (and should have been with yesterday's post, but it got hung up in the Photoshop machine and did not come out until today.) You can see the original dance troops were made up of entire families.

The next image is of Davy Crockett's pal Georgie Russel. Played by Buddy Ebsen, here he is with his daughter Cathy.

Finally one of my favorite photographs, a group of singing frontiersmen by the Frontierland Railroad Station. I wonder how they carried the accordian all the way out west?

Opening Day Snapshots- Part 4

Two snapshots showing the original Indian Village performers and a view of the Indian Village. Sorry about the quick post...gotta go.

Opening Day Snapshots- Part 3

Some more celebrities at Opening Day. First off is another shot of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. It appears there was no shortage of funny hat souvenirs on opening day.

Next up is Art Linkletter and one of his son's (possibly Jack) take an elevated look at the parade route.

Finally, a shot of whom I believe was the first Disneyland Merchandise VP, Bob Burns. Written on the back is Ferne and Bob Opening Day. Bob Burns was Merchandise Dir. 1 of 7 VPs. (Jason S.- I am looking at you to confirm, anything in your compendium?)

Opening Day Snapshots- Part 2

Some more from opening day. All the images today are of movie stars. Calista kindly identified almost everyone on the back of the photographs. Based upon the photographs, many of Hollywood's young and bright stars attended. First off is Annie Oakley, Gail Davis, from the syndicated TV series which aired in 1954 to 1956.

Next up is Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher.

then one of the biggest stars at the time, Fess Parker. Noted on the back is Fess Parker at Frontierland entrance.

The last image for today is marked on the back Some movie star! Don't remember his name. Any guesses out there?

Opening Day Snapshots- Part 1

I was lucky enough to purchase items from Calista Wehrli many years ago. She was an early Disneyland employee who worked for the lessee Sunny View Farms. One of the items I purchased was a group of snapshots from opening day. Now, I present for your enjoyment, part 1 of the snapshots.

The first image is of the newsstand at the front gate. Written on the reverse is train and entrance. It also appears the special opening day supplement was in the paper as it looks like it is displayed on the middle board. (I believe this is where the last souvenir stand before you exit is now located.)

The next image is of Bobby Burns in news boy outfit. From what I can gather from a couple of other photographs, Bobby is the son of the Manager of the store.

Next up is a shot of the store. Written on the reverse is Our Store!

The final image for today is of Bob Cummings.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Railroad Engineers Hat

The classic hickory striped engineers hat with the last patch design before the trains were sold by Walt's family to the Disney company. Simple but very effective.

Swimming Under the Sea

I have recently found a couple of good groups of images showing the sea creatures in the Submarine Voyage lagoon. Unfortunately, this is not the best. I blame it on the film stock of the 1970s. However, I still enjoy any shot of the old Sub Voyage and its denizens of the deep.

Random Views

From the same photographer as the last couple of posts are these random views. First off a nice view of Frontierland and New Orleans Square from Pirates.

Next up is a view of the Frontierland train station. I can hear the land line telegraph code even now...

A view of the Pendleton shop in all it's glory.

Last image today is of Pluto meeting his adoring fans in front of the Hills Brother's Coffee shop on Main Street.

The Magnificent Matterhorn

A great set of views of the magnificent Matterhorn. Taken in 1977 as evidenced by the Space Mountain building, we see several views of the top, along with a nice view of the sign demonstrating the seating arrangement on the single sled ride vehicles. (The question is where can I get one of those signs?) Finally a rare shot from inside the mountain, showing one of the single sleds going up the lift hill. Enjoy, I know I really like these photographs.

Pirates, Pirates and More Pirates

A series of pictures from the 1970s featuring every one's favorite bad guys, the Pirates of the Caribbean. The first image is of the old sign. I remember walking under this sign many times over the years.

The next couple of images shows the haunted pirates in the cave surrounded by their treasure. Remember, Dead Men Tell NO Tales!

A pirate just hanging out waiting for the opportunity to pillage and plunder.

Finally, one of the last pirates you meet. He will eventually come to an end like the skeletons due to his shooting in the armory.

More Country Bears

Some of the other performers from the classic Country Bear Jamboree. I love the humorous signs posted on stage in the first image. The staging really does capture the Marc Davis drawings.

Souvenir Friday- 1955 Disneyland Lessee Employee ID Card

A find from many years ago is the ID card for an employee of Sunny Fresh Farms. Sunny Fresh Farms store was located on Main Street and offered fresh fruit. A guest could even order boxes of fresh fruit from the catalog. This card is for an employee who was there on opening day, although the card is dated 7/22/55. I believe in the rush to get everything done, the ID card process stopped and was only picked back up when the rush was over. I do have her snapshots from opening day and will be posting them up shortly.