Main Street & Adventureland Entrance, 1950s

If your Spidey Senses were tingling this morning, it might mean that:

A) You were bitten by a radioactive spider, and/or

B) You knew that it is Steve DeGaetano's birthday.

As always, Sue B. has something for the occasion, and undated photo of a vintage birthday party. 3 elves with pointy blue hats sit in a basement (?) at a card table with a magnificent tablecloth, and the finest, most comfortable metal folding chairs. Putting kids in the basement is wise, they can blow on those noisemakers all they want, and folks in the rest of the house won't be disturbed. I like the birthday boy's bow tie! A clip-on, presumably. The boy to the right is hoping that a clown was not engaged for this party. Happy Birthday, Steve!

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Today's photos remind me of "Pepperidge's Third Law", which posits that: "Early photos of Disneyland are just generally more interesting than most because of their earliosity". I'm trying to get this carved into the walls of the Lincoln Memorial, but so far it's all been roadblocks and red tape. 

What do you do when standing on the steps up to Main Street Station? Well, you can continue up and ride the train, or you can do an interpretive dance about how you are feeling at that precise moment. "Look Mabel, that man is experiencing a combination of happiness and muscle spasms!". "Land sakes!".

Town Square and Main Street look pretty busy, it must have been summer vacation (the patriotic bunting might be a clue). It looks "June Gloom-ish", but we've had some June Gloom in September, so you never know. 

The gray skies kept things cool and pleasant, but pictures like these contain 11% less joy than a bright sunny pic. Still, there's enough happiness to keep me content! I love this photo looking across part of the moat (aka the "dark water system"), with guests coming and going across the bridge to Frontierland. I don't know how long those tree stumps were there by the entrance, I'll bet the trees were cut down by teenagers. You know how they are! 

 

Vintage Ephemera!

It's time for some Vintage Disneyland Ephemera! I have three good ones for you, starting with this wonderful caricature, shared with us by GDB pal JG. He said I was going through yet another old box of stuff that hadn't been moved for 25 years, much less opened.  No idea what I would find,  and there this was... A caricature portrait of me in 1965.  This has to have been made on the same trip as all the pictures I shared with you some time back, the same trip where Mom and Dad gave me the 20K Leagues storybook.

See some of JG's family photos HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE!

The drawing is on clear acetate film and it is held in a paper folder. The brown marks are from the old cellophane tape that used to hold the acetate square in the frame. I think it's funny that I'm drawn as the Spaceman in a bubble helmet when I would eventually use a photo of that guy as my avatar years later.  My avatar pic was taken in 1968 in New Tomorrowland though.

I love this, especially the fact that JG has himself riding a rocket into outer space - much cooler than most Disneyland caricatures I've seen. THANKS for sharing, JG!

Next is a true rarity, a card that was presumably handed out to guests as they entered the park (not sure if that means at the ticket booths), for the legendary Flying Saucers attraction, which debuted on August 6, 1961. The card is graphically minimal, I'm kind of surprised that it is essentially all typography, with no fun illustration of somebody controlling their own saucer. I looked for one of these for a long time, and was thrilled when I finally got one.

And finally, from September 1970 comes this groovy table "standee" advertising Dixieland at Disneyland. This is printed on die-cut rigid cardboard, with a fold-out easel backing so that it could be placed on a table or counter in a lunchroom (or wherever). It's 14.5" from top to bottom, so... larger than most Disneyland paper items. Bob Crosby was the star of this iteration of Dixieland at Disneyland; you may have heard of his older brother, Bing!

I hope you have enjoyed today's Vintage Disneyland Ephemera.

Bobsleds, October 1968

Here's a fun pair of scans featuring two friends who were aboard a Matterhorn bobsled, preparing for their thrilling ride through the icy slopes and caves! A Cast Member ("George") appears to be telling our riders how to behave. Keep your hands inside the vehicle! Don't stand up! No smoking! No spitting or cursing! And so on. I like his shirt and need one to wear every day. Imagine if they sold nice copies of these old costumes (or at least the shirts) in the shops! They'd make a ton of money! 

Did they just return from their trip? It's hard to tell. The lady with the pale yellow top looks like she's getting ready to exit her bobsled. Notice the Alice in Wonderland attraction in the distance.

Snoozles From March, 1961

Unlike a box of chocolates, you pretty much know what to expect from Snoozles™. Bad pictures!

I understand that guests aboard a Skyway gondola had limited mobility and not a lot of control of their view inside that tiny bucket, but having a photo perfectly bisected by one of the gondola's supports is pretty bad. It's too bad, otherwise it would be a decent picture.

From the same batch comes this photo taken from a Storybook Land canal boat; maybe our photographer liked the passing Casey Jr. Circus Train? Or the Matterhorn looming in the distance? Or gramps' hat? Whatever the case, this is a C- photo.

Walt Disney World, March 1976

Let's head on down to Orlando, Florida, to visit Walt Disney World, circa March 1976. The park had been open for less than five years at that point! As I've said before, I sure wish I could have seen it in its early state, but... I still haven't visited. D'oh. Today's images are from a small batch of only five slides.

First up is this view from near Cinderella Castle, which I assume is more or less behind the photographer (?), with part of the moat in front of us, and a pretty bridge crossing over the water. Notice the flowers on the lawn to the right, making a Bicentennial graphic. 

OK, I'm going to need your help with this one, because I have NO idea what this restaurant is; it looks like it's in Fantasyland, though it also has some odd architectural details that might be Adventureland-ish too.  

This next one appears to have been taken from a Monorail, which was either leaving or arriving at the A-frame Contemporary Hotel. Our photographer grabbed a quick shot looking out at the Seven Seas Lagoon (I believe). Look at how flat Florida is! But it always has those pretty clouds. I would imagine that a similar photo taken today would show a lot more hotels and other development surrounding the lagoon.

This next one is pretty great, a beautiful view of Space Mountain, which had debuted on January 15th, 1975. The Skyway is overhead, adding color and kinetic movement.

And finally, we have this shot of the Sunshine Tower located outside the Tropical Serenade, (aka The Tiki Room). Just look at those light crowds! I'll bet March was a great time to be outdoors in Florida, though I've heard that daily rain showers were (and still are) frequent.

I hope you have enjoyed these photos from Walt Disney World!

Beautiful Views From September 1959

Here's a pair of especially nice photos of Disneyland, circa September 1959. Only about three months after the Matterhorn, Monorail, and Submarines debuted, which was an exciting time! 

It seems that the photographer was attempting to capture the general ambiance of Tomorrowland in a single photo, with the Mark I Monorail ("Li'l Stubby"), the crowds waiting for their Voyage Through Liquid Space, and the venerable Skyway overhead (with a cameo by the Astro Jets to the right). I usually think of September as being hot in SoCal, but there are more than a few coats and sweaters seen here, which seems odd. Still, it's a fun image; the crowds add color and implied energy.

Next, we're in Fantasyland, since we see the Matterhorn Chalet to the right. There'd never been any roller coaster like the Matterhorn, and it looks like there were plenty of guests anxious to experience it for themselves. A rather unimpressive, earless red balloon floats nearby. The passing "Big Blue" Monorail is fun, it appears that one girl is looking right at us from her window. 

Nice Main Street, 1960s

Here are two pretty nice photos from Main Street, USA - undated, and probably from the early 1960s.

Here's Vesey Walker and the Disneyland Band performing in front of the Opera House, which was not used for much until the sets from "Babes in Toyland" were exhibited (1961 through 1963). Since we can see the attraction posters for the Submarine Voyage and the Monorail, we know that this photo is post-1959, and I am surmising that it is also pre-1961. Just a guess! A small group of guests looks on curiously as they pass by, it might be a family with a few of the kid's friends. 

When I think of the Flower Market on West Center Street (which I do all the time!) I generally imagine it looking just like this next photo. But it did evolve somewhat over the years, with the colors of the artificial blooms changing, and new offerings of things like wind chimes and garden figurines, and other tchotchkes.

A Pair From July 1962

Here are two slide scans, both date-stamped "July 1962", though they are not from the same batch. 

Huggable Pluto stands in front of the turnstiles to greet guests (but only after they have purchased their tickets); he strikes a Napoleonic pose, if only he had a bicorne hat. He would have looked like he escaped from Elba, or perhaps the Funny Farm. Could it be that our guest was just showing up at almost 5:30? It is beyond comprehension. Perhaps they were there to watch one of the great Big Bands at the Plaza Gardens, such as Snoot Doodle and his Kit and Caboodle.

Next is this nice photo taken from the Indian Village - the one that guests could visit, and where they could watch performances of traditional dances, and where they could get a look at the kinds of arts, crafts, and dwellings that some tribes enjoyed. The passing Columbia sailing ship is packed with guests standing at the rail, possibly due to sea sickness as they began their exciting voyage. TO DEVIL'S ISLAND!

 

Two From January, 1962

Here's a pair from January, 1962. Old Major Pepperidge wasn't around quite yet! BUT SOON. A family in sweaters and coats passes the Crystal Arcade, where one could buy Crystal Light, Crystal Pepsi, and Cristal champagne. I can only imagine what other wondrous souvenirs were offered in '62, I'll bet there were things that would fetch astronomical prices today.

The photographer's timing was a bit off, but he still gets points for trying to get a good picture of two girls on their Snooty Caterpillar as he crawled down the leafy exterior slope of the "Alice in Wonderland" attraction.

More BUPIX!

It's time for another selection of BUPIX! Photos from the personal collection of GDB friend Bu, from his days in the 80s, when he worked as a balloon vendor, and in Guest Relations, AND as a Tour Guide. He has kindly provided some fun commentary to go with today's pictures, which makes them more fun. Here we go!

These photos are from another “Tour of Tears”…(as the TG’s called them) where we would follow a TG around, “in disguise” as guests, to make sure the TG’s were up to snuff.  It wasn’t popular for a variety of reasons, so it didn’t last long. Looking back, it was just accountability, and if you were doing everything you were supposed to, there was no reason to be crying about it.  But… we are human beings, so I understand the anxiety around it all. In retrospect, we should have made it more a “feedback session”…than a “three strikes you are out”.   Two leads were on the tour to make sure there was agreement and objectivity. 

Small World Leg People.  I took this photo because I was a bit horrified.   Come on ladies…really?  That’s all I can say about that one.

Looks like we were in “Disneyland State Fair”… which sounds kind of tawdry, and it was in the most sanitized of ways… but kind of fun, and thematically worked fine on Main St.   This was at the conclusion of the night… and the best thing about State Fair, is all the leftover food from the little stands in Town Square was given away.  There’s Rosemarie and Holly… closing comp room person, and closing phone room person… I think I just stopped and said “LET ME TAKE YOUR PICTURE” (as I often did). Hence the snarly kind of looks.
 

In the next photo… looks like we took the long way to security and Cash Control….and decided on some “photo ops”… this one with Rosemarie on a scooter.  She has an umbrella: perhaps it was raining (?). Rosemarie was a very pretty young and glamorous lady: the photos don’t do her justice. (Rosemarie has movie star hair and nails!).

You’ve seen Alexis and Kara in other photos… here they are at the Tour Gardens. That clock was a little Mickey clock to make sure Tours left on time. There are some of the new Tour Tags that Stacia Martin (some of you may know who that is) designed. I don’t think she got credit for that… and possibly zillions of other things she did art for as a Main St. Merchandise employee (at that time)… so I will give her credit now!  She was and is an amazing artist and Disney Historian.  She knows her stuff.  Hello Stacia if you read this!

Next is Barbara, my co-hort on the Tour of Tears… we just look like a typical American couple… ha!   I think we were anything but. Barbara’s family owned a lot of Orange County farmland… when it was Lima Beans.  Barbara went on to a long Disney career as many did, and I often think “what if I stayed?”  Well… my life would have been much less exciting for sure.  No regrets at all, and I will say again that Disneyland was the best “College” of life that anyone could ever wish for. There are more things there that I’ve taken into my many many many versions of myself since then that are still valid and relevant.  Not for everyone… but I suppose, not all jobs are.

THANK YOU, BU! As usual, seeing these photos makes me wish that I'd been able to work in some capacity at the park - I think that Bu was high enough up the ladder (as a TG) to enjoy himself a bit more, though I know he was also held to a high standard. Still, he got to work with a lot of pretty girls, and that's not a bad thing! I hope everyone has enjoyed today's pix... there are more to come.