Golden Horseshoe, August 14 1956

Disneyland was just over a year old when these two photos were taken. The Golden Horseshoe Revue was considered a "must see" attraction back in those days - - before kids turned their brains to mush with rock music and television!

The Mark Twain is returning to the dock, and there is a small group awaiting the next voyage around the Rivers of America. There aren't too many people there, considering that it is mid-August (each slide was carefully hand-dated). What gives? In any case, now that we've seen the untamed wilderness, we are glad to be back in civilized company. Let's go see the rootin' tootin' show over at the Golden Horseshoe!


Any vintage interior shot of the GHR is welcome, even if it's not the best photo in the world! There's a very young looking Wally Boag holding one of his balloon animals (an ephemeral souvenir if there ever was one). I love the painted stage curtain with vignettes from the wonderful Pecos Bill cartoon. The audience has it's share of crew-cut kids, and one towhead with a cowlick barely in control.

Son of Casey, 1958 and 1959

Here are two very similar photos taken by the same photographer, one in September 1958 and the other a year later. Good old Casey Jr. is his usual smiling self, and why wouldn't he be? He's got a great job! And he looks good doing it, with the bright, cheerful colors and whimsical decorations. The Skyway Chalet looks appropriately alpine with a hillside full of conifers.


One year later, we see Casey Jr. again. Unfortunately, it was overcast, so this photo feels rather gloomy compared to the first one. Never mind, Casey is still glad to see us! I've always like the way his "hat" contains the headlight.

Three From Knott's, 1960

I've got three sorta "ho hum" slides from 1960's Knott's Berry Farm for you today, starting with this nice shot of guests reflected in the mirror-smooth lake. When you flip the image upside-down, you can hardly tell!


If you were in the mood to pan for gold, you were out of luck... looks like this area was closed. A few years ago, you only had to pay two bits to strike it rich; now the price has doubled.


Something tells me that Cordelia Knott (rather than Walter) wanted to put this lovely rose garden in front of the Farm Bakery. To the right would be the Steak House, and out of frame to our left was the Candy Parlor.

More WDW Construction, May 1971

Here are the last of my pre-opening construction photos from Walt Disney World (see the others here, here, and here).

As usual, I don't have much to add in regards to commentary, since I am not familiar with Florida's Magic Kingdom. I guess I'll have to rely on my super-genius readers to help fill in the blanks!

This first photo shows an area in front of Cinderella's Castle (I think!), looking towards Main Street. I have no idea what those barely-begun buildings are to the left, or what that sunken cement area is in the middle (the moat?). There's plenty of dirt and mud, for you fans of that sort of thing!


We're still in Fantasyland, but beyond that I don't know what that building is in front of us... I imagine that it eventually contained one of the famous Fantasyland dark rides. To our left, the Skyway towers, and in the distance, is that the Haunted Mansion?


Jeez, what a mess! Piles of junk everywhere. The peak-roofed building just to the right of center resembles one in Disneyland's Fantasyland. And there's still lots of structures that are only just framed in... it's hard to believe that in just five months, the park will officially open for millions of visitors to enjoy!

The Story of The Haunted Mansion!

You may have seen this mentioned elsewhere, but it bears repeating. Here's the official info:

On Friday May 1st, Patrick Hurd presents:

The Story of the Haunted Mansion.

You’ll learn how the wish of one man to provide a loving home for his family, became the nightmare that destroyed one generation after the next.

The 32 minute story is visualized through the art work of over 40 talented artists.

Nearly 300 original pieces of artwork were created exclusively for the story!

The short films voice cast includes actor Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser MD, How I Met Your Mother), Corey Burton (The Haunted Mansion Holiday’s Ghost Host), Peter Renaday (The Ghost Host from the classic 1969 Haunted Mansion LP), and voice guy extraordinaire Brian Sommer!

Find out how your favorite characters came to live and die inside Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion…and the surprising way their stories intertwine.

Visit the Window to the Magic video feed on iTunes on May 1 (that's today!) to download the high quality video for free HERE

Or visit Patrick’s YouTube channel HERE

So you think you know all about the Haunted Mansion…

You don’t know half the story!

Lost Safari, June 1964

This first slide caught my eye as I was about to put it in the "don't scan" pile! It turns out to be pretty interesting. The Jungle Cruise had already had one upgrade in 1962, the Elephant Bathing Pool. Now in 1964, a new addition was in progress... notice that the now-famous "Lost Safari" scene is incomplete; the tree that would eventually hold four porters and one hunter is now only big enough for one porter! Also note the workers to the left and the right. Oompa Loompas!


Here's a slightly closer look... the porter on the tree is unclothed, allowing us to see some of his mechanical bits. Naughty! Both the Rhino and the tree are on some sort of rectangular supports. Rhinos are famous for trapping people in trees, threatening them with their poisonous horns, and then eating them!


Here's a look at the completed scene, from June 1969.

More '58 Fun

Here are a few more from the '58 family!

This is one of my favorites, a great shot looking back at the suspension bridge on Tom Sawyer Island. Mom looks like she's having a swell time! She has her Mickey Mouse "I Like Disneyland" flasher pin on. Sister's stripey shirt can just be seen behind mom, and junior is mostly concerned with not falling.


OK, this one might actually be from another trip. Doesn't that kid look a bit smaller? And yes, his outfit is completely different. Even if mom brought him something warm to wear at night, she wouldn't bring another pair of shoes. Would she? Anyway, the kid is pestering the wooden Indian out in front of the Tobacco Shop, maybe trying to pick his pocket. Crime doesn't pay! Look, the Indian's rifle still has the complete barrel.


I love this picture, presumably from the day after the trip to Disneyland. The kid still wants to wear his Donald Duck squeaky hat, even during a visit to the local playground. I have a hat just like it from when I was a kid!

Christmas Parade, 1959

You like-a da Christmas, eh? I like-a da Christmas! Especially when the real one is still many months away and I don't have to deal with it too much. (Insert frowny face).

Today's photos are from the 1959 Christmas parade. Man oh man, people loved to take endless pictures of the parades! I've got tons of 'em, and I may have to finally delve into that stack as my reserve of slides grows ever smaller. Forgive me.

Looks like Disneyland once again chose to celebrate the cultures from around the globe. That was an idea that just wouldn't die! Here we see the Japanese (I presume) "Wisteria" float, with its bonsai and rock garden and the wigged, powdered and kimono-wearing geisha. The kids hauling the float aren't working hard enough. Mush!


This must be the entry for China. That's a pretty modest float, reminiscent of what you might see in a small town parade! Look at all the little dolls on the float. Weird.


And last, but not least, is umm.... Sweden? Norway? Denmark? Oxnard? All I know is that I dig those red stocking caps. Looks like they are doing that dance where you clap your hands and then slap your partner. Always good for a laugh! They have Charlie Brown's Christmas tree (after it got a little love) on the float.

Fantasyland, '58

Welcome to Fantasyland, 1958! Never mind the "57" in the file name, I screwed up.

Anyway, here's sis riding a pack mule... I can't quite read her expression. Maybe she's going to cry. Or laugh. Or she's just squinting in the sunlight. Who knows. The good thing is that if a spontaneous game of basketball breaks out, she can referee.


Here she is again, being the perfect big sis by patiently helping her little brother out of the Dumbo vehicle. Behind them is a Fantasyland eatery that I don't know the name of in spite of it being in a zillion photos. And might I also add: poster alert!


Yes, I see that same "pasted on" smile when I take pictures of my niece and nephew. They can't help it, they've been trained to do it! The kid is strapped onto his wooden horse, a white one from the days when they weren't all white. In fact, I've never really bought the theory that everyone wants to ride a white horse, somebody in Imagineering came up with that bright idea and they are sticking to it.

Progressland & More, June 1964

You know it, you love it - the New York World's Fair! It was the next best thing to Disneyland. Except for Knott's. These are all from June 1964, and it looks like June Gloom is not exclusive to Southern California. I would prefer to be there on a day like today, although I admit that the photos aren't going to turn out as nice.

I've been hearing a lot about Walt Disney's "Progressland", let's go check it out! The fact that there are two naughty nuns in front of us is a good omen. The building is impressive during the day, and even more so at night when controlled lighting give the illusion that it is spinning (and changing color). Oh man, look at the line!


Now we're much closer to the building, but first let's stop and listen to the band concert; It's time for the big tuba solo. The conductor is completely ignoring the band, and frankly they don't even need him. Wave that baton around all you want little man, it's US that the chicks dig.


The World's Fair was frequently inspiring, but it was also educational. The Equitable Life building reminded folks that the population of the USA was increasing at a warp factor of eleven. By 2009 that number would increase by over 100 million (yeesh), for a grand total of approximately 306,000,000. But there's nobody quite like you!


The Eastman Kodak pavilion was famous for the five gigantic photo prints (yes, actual prints!) that appeared on top of the building - - at 30 feet by 36 feet, they were the largest photo prints in the world. The photos were changed roughly every three or four weeks. I'm sure many of you recognize this picture of Emmett Kelly. Junior! Yes, his dad originated the famous "Weary Willie" character, but Jr. did alright too. Eastman Kodak... "was looking for a suitable representative to appear at the company's Pavilion during the New York World's Fair. Emmett Kelly, Jr. met Eastman Kodak executives in their board room and wowed them with his mime performance. He was immediately signed up and became one of the top attractions during the World's Fair two year run. Kodak was so pleased and impressed by Emmett's success during The Fair, that they asked him to become a touring Ambassador of Goodwill for them."