Random Disneyland Stuff
Here's some RANDOM DISNEYLAND STUFF. Not the most interesting ephemera, but it'll just have to do.
First up is this flyer from the Summer of 1977, printed in groovy colors befitting the era. There's a special mention of Space Mountain, which had debuted to great acclaim on May 27th of that year. You could also enjoy the original Main Street Electrical Parade, and "Fantasy In the Sky" fireworks. Big Bands were still a popular draw at Disneyland, including Buddy Rich, Les Brown, Louie Belson, Freddy Martin, Bob Crosby, Count Basie, and more.
The other side features a psychedelic illustration of the Royal Street Bachelors, along with ticket book info. A "Deluxe 15" book for an adult was $8, or about $42.00 in today's money. Rent a baby at the Baby Center, do your banking at Disneyland because you have nothing better to do, board your cat Mr. Floofers, and get a stroller even though you don't have a child. It's all possible at Disneyland!
Next is this tuba-shaped sticker for the Music Festival Program, circa 1980. I wasn't sure exactly what the Festival entailed, and found a brief description on the Interwebs: Disneyland's 1980 Music Festival was a celebration of the park's 25th anniversary that featured a variety of musical performances: youth bands, marching bands, choirs, singers, and drill teams. I could have guessed that!
A related item is this more-generic sticker, "I performed at Disneyland Band Festival Program". I'm assuming that this is the ongoing program in which musicians from schools from all over SoCal could go to the park, and "learn from Disney professionals". Nice! My niece was in her high school band in San Luis Obispo, and she got to participate in a similar program (which goes by a different name, I believe). In spite of enduring a six-hour bus ride (each way) to and from the park in one day, she had the time of her life. Ah, youth!
Stay tuned for more Disneyland ephemera.
9 comments:
Not exactly psychedelic, '77 was beyond that time. But definitely the shockingly colorful seventies!
"July 24-30 To Be Announced". One of the most popular big bands. I have their best selling vinyl LP, titled "Guess!". I see they also appeared on Sept. 4-10.
I like the colorful Castle at the top of the flyer.
The backside does look psychedelic, definitely acid influenced, or maybe Aristocats influenced. Pluto is looking a little dazed; maybe there's something 'special' in his bowl? I wonder if anyone could come in to the Lost Children facility and pick out a child of their choice, "Yes, I'll have that one, aaand that one over there. Yes, the redhead."
Major, I would assume that one would place their rented baby into their rented stroller.
Sooo, the Music Festival Program was basically the same as every other summer night at Disneyland? I guess they made the sticker tuba-shaped so they could fit all the text onto it... a piccolo would've been more fun!
The artwork on the Band Festival Program sticker looks nicer; the Disney characters are prominently featured. I tried to figure out what tune is depicted by the musical notes. I thought it might be the "Mickey Mouse March" because there are a lot of notes that are the same, but maybe not.
I do like the eye-bleedingly colorful flyer, and the stickers are nice too. Thanks, Major.
Just how do they figure that Space Mountain is "....even more fun at night!"? That statement must have been written by Marty Sklar. Personally, I think it's "even more fun" to bash him two days in a row!
This is a nice set of Random Stuff, Major. I especially like the two stickers. Thanks for sharing with us!
The "Space Mountain" flyer is probably Disneyland at it's finest: gearing up for the excitement of Summer: as it WAS a big deal...as Christmas was too. "The most exciting attraction in 22 years"...and it was...I'm not sure how it was more exciting at night...but perhaps the queue upstairs, which had views of the stage offered a more interesting ambience than merely standing in line. I remember in '77 when Space Mountain opened the lines were quite incredible, and the old "E ticket" attraction lines did not compare. I remember getting in line at the beginning of Tomorrowland, then snaking through past the Mary Blair murals...going up the red Speed Ramp (it was kind of red rubbery stuff) into the largest maze and lines which snaked around to both sides of the stage, until finally getting into the building...to stand in line even more. However, it was worth it...as a kid I thought so anyway. It holds up even to this day. The Duke Ellington Band (I have some great personal stories about Mercer Ellington: but that's for another time..) and other greats of the big band era...of course these attracted a certain segment of the population who would come in to dance and have dinner. Plaza Gardens was in it's prime. The Electrical Parade it it's prime....many things in their prime and I'm not sure if this Disneyland can ever be recreated again. The Music Festival and Band Festival were kind of the same thing if I remember correctly: getting local and free talent to play at the park: and they would get free admission...and the chance to perform at the most famous theme park in the world with a captive and enthusiastic audience. Of course, these groups would also bring in a group of paid attendee's like moms and dads with cameras....it kind of worked out for everyone. From my memory, it wasn't like an "event" but more like the college band program. I do remember a promotion/event called "Music Music Music"...but would have to dig into the recesses of my memory bank to figure out that one: maybe someone on here remembers. Thanks Major.
1977 was The high point in American culture, across the board.
In space alone….Voyager, Star Wars, Space Mountain.
MS
That flyer was used for many years and has many feature variations including Matterhorn With snow monster , and Big Thunder , an electrical parade drum float.
The Space Mountain complex was pretty spectacular at night … it was literally a whole new extra Tomorrowland . The stark white lighting of just the Space Mountain sloped cone made it look GIGANTIC against a starlit sky. The quality of the architectural finishes , the landscaping and lighting was outstanding for the Space Mountain complex - it made everything feel
More real and at the time very futuristic and contemporary. Today I feel designed don’t create these atmospheres and surroundings and go with the cliche , tacky , low hanging fruit of design.
“WELCOME TO WDI : if you have no imagination or design experience and have been put on a Tomorrowland project team : just add Toy Story Little Green aliens to everything. At WDI we’ve upped our standards - so up yours.”
These items are very much of their respective moments, as befits ephemera.
Design graphics are often the first things to follow a style shift since they are quick to change and comparatively inexpensive. Clothes, paint colors, cars and architecture are slower to follow.
I’m still amazed at the range of guest services available. I wonder if you could take out a mortgage or get a crop loan at Bank of America on Main Street? I remember the trip to that bank when Dad pulled out all our funds and moved the farm accounts to United California Bank because UCB offered better terms for crop loans than BofA. I think I was 6 or 7. Dad never had a good word for BofA since.
Great examples today, Major! Thank you.
JG
Couldn’t agree more Mike C., Space Mountain complex is what sold me on LOVING Disneyland forever. Sadly bastardized for a long time, but those were glorious evenings with bands and dancing and food and mood. All tucked into a space which barely existed beforehand (though used to televise the moon landing).
Both Voyagers are still going! A five year mission operating after nearly fifty. 1regained it’s thruster just this week. Both left the solar system long ago…the most distant manmade objects by far, zooming thru interstellar space.
MS
“…complete banking facilities…”
I’m picturing a 70s bank with a couple shelving units [in the lobby] of gifts to choose from—when depositing money….electric blankets, crystal bowls and vases, serving platters, electric can openers. I think I still have a couple of those gift items, after all these years.
Fun post and comments!
Better late then never. Mike C summed up today's design theming, or lack thereof. One can only hope Disney gets the Epic Universe message to up their game. And quickly. As for the entertainment and services of the 70s, I think that standard will never be repeated. The Big Band era and its generation have disappeared, and services or whats left of them now have to pay for themselves, if not contribute directly to the bottom line. I enjoyed the music but never really appreciated it at the level of a coworker who was a music major. Being lead kitchen at Hill's Brothers, I'd let him take long breaks or early departures of his shift to walk over and enjoy the performances. The Royal Street Bachelors and Teddy Buckner were an iconic part of NO Square. I can still hear them playing to this day having spent many hours working Pirates. Also, it was cool to have a checking account with the Disneyland BoA logo. KS
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