Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Random Disneyland Stuff

I've scanned a few random vintage paper Disneyland items for today's post. I hope you enjoy them!

First up is this nice, unused ticket for the original launch of Star Tours back in January of 1987. Just about 30 years ago! I wonder who received these? Did you have to order the tickets? It's just over 20" in length, so I'm amazed that it wasn't folded in half (or worse) at some point. 

The artwork resembles that of artist Drew Struzan, with its combination of airbrush and Prismacolor pencil - though it isn't quite up to his amazing quality. I like the additional stubs, one for a free meal at the Space Place or Tomorrowland Terrace, and another admitting the bearer to the premiere party. Maybe you would have bumped into a big celebrity, like Harry Anderson or Nell Carter. Helpful hint: always ask a famous person for money. They love it!


Next is this nice decal from Disneyland's "tencennial" celebration in 1965. It's about 4.5 inches in diameter; once again, I have questions! Could these be purchased at the park by any ordinary schmo? They're not exactly common. Or were they produced for use "in house"? Either way, it's safe to say that Disneyland's first decade truly was fabulous. 


Ooooo, scary! Those glowing red eyes, glaring from the Matterhorn. What could it be?


It was an invitation to see "what's gotten into the Matterhorn" on June 25th, 1978! This was after a major refurbishment - previously, the interior of the faux mountain was more of an open plan, but in '78 the "ice caverns" were added, and the ferocious abominable snowman could be seen at various points throughout the ride.

The invite has a nice die cut cover; were these mailed to most SoCal locals? Or just to members of the Magic Kingdom Club, perhaps? I'm guessing that a lot of people showed up on that day, and that they had a great time. 


I hope you've enjoyed today's random Disneyland stuff!

8 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

Why do I think that somewhere I have one of those Star Tours invites-? Maybe not, but it looks awfully familiar.

And as far as those "Tencennial" decals were concerned, schmoes were forbidden to purchase them. However, schlubs could purchase as many as they pleased. (That's just how things were back then).

Thanks, Major.

TokyoMagic! said...

The "New Matterhorn" officially opened on May 27th, 1978, but they had a lot of problems with it so at some point, it closed down. When I went for my 8th grade graduation trip on June 9th, they were testing it with cast members all day long and guests were not being allowed to ride. They were also not able to give us a date that it would be reopening. I wonder if that invite could have been given to guests that came to the park after seeing ads in the newspapers and commercials on TV stating that it was open, only to find it closed.

Nice collection of items today, Major!

K. Martinez said...

Hard to believe Star Tours debuted at Disneyland thirty years ago, but it was in January of 1987. I remember going on Star Tours the first week it opened. Rode it first thing in the morning right after rope drop and that was it until later visits. The line went all the way down Main Street later in the day, so there was no way I was going to wait the six hours that was posted at the entry point just to ride it a second time.

These vintage paper Disneyland items are wonderful. It's cool that you have something from the 60's, the 70's and the 80's. My favorite has to be the die cut Matterhorn invite. If you have more ephemera and Disneyland paper items (which I'm sure you do), I'd love to see them here on the GDB.

Thanks for sharing these, Major.

Eric F. said...

My parents went for the Star Tours opening by accident. They took a weekend vacation for themselves and ended up having lunch with the guys that control R2 and showing them the insides and how he works. My dad was in heaven lol. They immediatly headed home to get us and go back as the park was open for 3 days straight. They gave everyone a special wristband and a watch when you went through the turnstiles. I still got mine! But this wasn't our first time on Star Tours. They had a sorta soft opening back in December and were filming the interviews with guests as they got off the ride. We were showcased on the Disney Channel during the presentation thing they had with Gil Gerard (Buck Rogers). Those were exciting times.

Unknown said...

I'm most impressed by the presence of the tickets still being attached. It's sort of like the vintage A-E valued ticket books that still have the park admission ticket still present. Terrific items, Major. Did you receive my Christmas wish list that I sent you, by the way?

Nanook said...

I don't remember the first time I rode Star Tours in the Park, for as thanks to being friends with some folks who worked for The Mouse, was able to ride it at Imagineering prior to opening. They had [presumably] set-up one of the units in one of their warehouses for testing, etc., and either in conjunction with a tour of Imagineering, or merely as a 'one time ride', I can't remember, guests would first stand in the warehouse watching the movements of the "ship" as it went through the motions of a complete journey, and then we would walk-up a ramp and experience the ride as would guests', when it officially opened.

I don't remember [if] the ride, as first installed in Disneyland, changed following that time, but I do remember just how fast and great the movement of each of the (four-?) hydraulic pistons controlling the movement of the ship was [along with a good deal of hydraulic fluid leakage, evidently a big issue for some time]. I was also surprised just how much 'force' was placed upon the film projector, the lamphouse and the film cabinet, and yet the image seemed unaffected by all those 'G' forces. Good times.

K. Martinez said...

Nanook, You guys have all the fun! Thanks for sharing about your Star Tours experience at Imagineering before it was installed at Disneyland. That's some pretty cool details you've provided there.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, perhaps you do have one of the Star Tours invititations. If so, lucky you! FYI, I shared a scan of this one with Mr. Vintage Disneyland Tickets years ago, so there is a slight possibility that you are remembering it from there?

TokyoMagic!, interesting, I didn’t know that they had so many problems opening the refurbished Matterhorn. Your theory about the invites being sent to previously disappointed guests could very well be right.

K. Martinez, I can only imagine how crazy the crowds must have been for Star Tours when it first opened. The thought of the line going down Main Street is just nuts! As for the paper items, I of course really love the early stuff, but have a new found appreciation for some of the stuff from the 1970’s. When I post some of those items you’ll see what I mean.

Eric F, wow, you and your parents had an amazing experience! How in the world did your parents wind up having lunch with the guys who were working on the ride?? I think I have one of those watches, but of course I got mine on eBay, not from actually being there. I’ve never seen the wrist bands, are they generic, or do they say “Star Tours, Disneyland” on them?

Patrick Devlin, ah, ticket books! I am fortunate to own a nice stack of old ticket books, complete with admission tickets. It was a case of, “right place, right time”. I didn’t get your Christmas list, be sure to resend it!

Nanook, how come everyone else but me has such good Star Tours stories? I’ve seen footage of the simulators as they lurch up and down and sideways, it’s a very strange thing - they almost look alive. Like the AT-ATs. In my opinion the new Star Tours doesn’t toss the audience around quite so much, which is a bummer, though I know that sensitive people are probably grateful.

K. Martinez, gosh, back then I would have flipped my lid to be able to get a preview of a new attraction.