Treehouse Entrance, March 1963

The title doesn't say that these are SNOOZLES™, but they are. If they weren't way too dark, they'd be nice, but somebody had their settings all wrong. Don't blame me! Believe it or not, you are seeing them after they've been lightened up as much as I dared.

It's March, 1963, and folks are excited to see the new Swiss Family Treehouse; it had only been open for about five months at this point (it debuted on November 18, 1962), and still had that new treehouse smell (that joke never gets old). Mom paid an extra $7 to get the ULTRA cats-eye glasses, and it was money well spent. The boys are dressed alike, but are not twins. Sorry, Melissa! A single trashcan is visible, it was carved from a giant piece of bamboo.

Whoa, this one is even darker for some reason. The lanterns aren't lit, which makes me believe that it was actually still fairly light out, despite these spooky images. In this low light the treehouse looks more like a messy construction site. One lonely cast member dreams of his break.

Random Knott's Berry Farm

Here's a nice selection of vintage Knott's Berry Farm scans for you!

We'll begin with this one, dated "January, 1962", over near Old MacDonald's Farm. Grandpa and Grandma are riding the old mule-powered merry-go-round with the grandkids. The very late afternoon lighting is warm and inviting, and it looks like everyone is having fun!

From March, 1963 comes this photo of a guest posing with an Indian chief - the chief is clearly loving his job. I get it, the whole business is a bit icky when seen with 2023 eyeballs. 

This next scan is from a May, 1958 photo showing the gentle and patient burros near the entrance to the Gold Mine (where guests could pan for REAL GOLD). A shack like the one pictured here would sell for 1.2 million dollars in L.A. today (how's that for biting commentary?!). 

Two Leftuggies™!

Who's in the mood for Leftuggies™? I just took them out of the oven and they are pipin' hot. 

We'll begin with this wonderful Skyway view (from September, 1963) looking down at a portion of Fantasyland. One might not expect to see so many trees, but there they are. To the left is the little queue structure for the Motor Boat Cruise, and to the right is the Matterhorn Chalet. I can hear the distant sound of yodeling! Two sailors check their ticket books (I suppose) to the left of the "G".

No doubt the photographer saw "Big Yellow" coming and wisely decided to take a quick pic! Other fun details: motor boats basking in the warm sunshine (possibly ready to lay their annual clutch of eggs), and the little bandstand. Oh, and the ticket/information booth.

Why did I include this zoomed-in view? I kind of forget, but I probably had a darn good reason. Maybe I liked the feathered hat? Or maybe I'm just plum loco!

Next is another Skyway view, this one dated "October 1986" (I mean, maybe it's from the Peoplemover? I doubt it) and overlooking a chunk of Tomorrowland, including the Tomorrowland Terrace (and the nearby stage in the "down" position), "America Sings", the Peoplemover, the Rocket Jets, and Space Mountain. 

Do you think that the massive crowd is waiting to ride Space Mountain? I can't imagine what else would attract so many guests. "Mission to Mars" is easier to see in this zoomed-in view. 

It's lunchtime for a lot of people, ice-cold Space Mist goes perfectly with a cheeseburger. Was the stage still being used for groovy musical acts in 1986? I don't remember the plants being there earlier, maybe it had been temporarily decommissioned. 

Town Square, April 1974

Here are more scans from a big lot of 1974 slides. As I've mentioned, many are mysteriously dark, as if they were duplicates - but they aren't. 

This first one is from right near the flagpole in Town Square. As many of you know, the flagpole required a "C" coupon. A plethora of music stands and sheet music are set up, zooming in I can see that the song they will be performing is Prince's "Erotic City". Unusual, but I'm all for it! 

See what I mean? TOO DARK. It's clearly a conspiracy by the Freemasons! By now the Disneyland Band has returned from waxing their mustaches and curling their hair, and the distinctive notes from "that song" are entrancing the crowd. 

A Pair From December 1979

Folks visiting Disneyland at the end of 1979 didn't know it, but  that was a great time to be at the park! An adult “Deluxe 15” ticket book was $8.50 (a $15.60 value!). And there you could still visit some attractions that are much-missed today, such as the Motor Boat Cruise, the Keel Boats, Adventure Thru Inner Space, Mission to Mars, the Peoplemover, the Skyway, America Sings, the Submarine Voyage, and more. 

This first scan shows the entry plaza (is there a more official name for it?); it's after noon, and only a few guests are arriving at this late point in the day. Others relax in the shade (looking at their ticket books, perhaps?). The Grand Hotel can be seen peeking up in the distance, as well as the sign for Chao's, a restaurant legendary for its effect on the digestive system.

Next, we're in Town Square - this is an unusual angle, I guess the two ladies to the left were the subject? I'm not really sure. It's almost a random glance. Check out that lady's colorful sari! The guy in the white shorts looks super "1979" (maybe he was a fan of John McEnroe), I wonder what he's carrying? 

Disney Gallery Holiday Catalog, 1999 - PART 2

It's time for more Disney Gallery holiday catalog scans, courtesy of Sue B.! 1999, Prince's favorite year. 

I like Mickey Mouse, and I like him as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. But I don't need a porcelain doll with Mickey in that costume! Your mileage may vary. The tree topper is OK, but I like a more traditional star or angel.

It would be something to visit a friend's home and see this "SPELLBOUND" tapestry displayed un-ironically. "This is my Picasso etching, a watercolor by Paul Klee, and my Disney tapestry!". Collectible watches, that was a thing. Probably still is a thing!

Those of you who have met me know that I tend to wear denim jackets. My hair is liberally greased and combed, and I often have a toothpick dangling out of the corner of my mouth. Yes, I am very cool, maybe even cooler than The Fonz. The "charger" (I call it a plate) would make everything taste better, especially balogna sammiches. Those silver medallions are from the Liberty Mint, I'm sure they are legal tender.

One of the things I think about when I look at this catalog is the sheer volume of Disney collectibles that were (are) being produced at all times. SO MUCH STUFF! I could see one of these porcelain villains sitting on somebody's desk at an office - a subtle warning to all who mess with that person.

I admit that the Cruella sweater would look good under my denim jacket (on those colder days, you know). And who doesn't love to bedazzle their outfits with pavé crystals, including Disney character pins? WE ALL DO IT!

In this year of 2023, it would be sort of fun to toast the upcoming New Year with these Mickey Millennium champagne flutes. Should auld acquaintance be forgot...

Remember how so many people were scared of Y2K? Folks were stocking up on MREs, guns, ammo, Pez dispensers (and candy), everything one might need to survive the impending disaster. But the rest of us proudly wore Mickey 2000 leather jackets (and glow-in-the-dark t-shirts)!

I'm sorry, but you can only choose one of these items. Which will it be?? I figure you can't go wrong with 5 troy ounces of genuine silver (with gold select highlights), so that's my pick.

For a while I got caught up in the pin sets that the Disney Store sold, I remember having quite a few. My favorite was the Peter Pan pin set, mounted on a map of Neverland. But I sold them all long ago, along with most of my other modern Disney pins.

It took long enough, but we finally have some Pooh merchandise! By Steiff, no less. Pooh is made of mohair, whatever that is. Is it made of Moe Howard's hair? Like Walt Disney himself, I find myself drawn to miniature things, AND to trains, so that pewter alphabet train is just the thing. I'd need a bunch of extra cars to spell out M-A-J-O-R   P-E-P-P-E-R-A-G-E. 

THANK YOU, Sue, for scanning and sharing this classic Disney Gallery catalog! We have two more installments coming up.

Christmas Parade, 1963 - PART 1

Today I am sharing the first of four blog posts featuring 25 very nice photos of the big Disneyland Christmas parade from the 1963 season.

Before the parade began, guests gathered around the tree in Town Square (or maybe it was just in the way, causing a traffic jam). It looks beautiful in the bright SoCal winter sunshine. Note the roped-off area with seating, I don't know if those would be available for special guests or if anybody could sit there. 

Alright, let's get this parade started! And what better way to kick things off than with Vesey Walker leading the Disneyland Band? I'm going to say that they are playing "Jingle Bells", I can tell by the position of the fingers of the Saxophonist! The giant presents behind the seated guests hold a surprise, but you won't see that until the final parade post.

Thanks to "Jason's Disneyland Almanac", I can tell you that this parade took place on Sunday, December 22nd (the Candlelight Processional was performed that same day). The temperature reached a pleasant high of 72º Fahrenheit (22º Celsius) with a low of 53º (or 11º Celsius). Attendance was 42,050. Jason's book mentions the debut of the "Parade of Toys", as well as the "Christmas In Many Lands Parade" - I assume that these photos show the latter. And for those who need to know, the park opened at 10:00 and was open until 9:00.

I can't tell if these children represent Switzerland or Austria - or some other country. Any guesses? Note the pantomime horse, imported from Pantomimia. 

Next is Czechoslovakia; I've always wondered if those kids are really of Czech origins, and if so, how did the park find them? If you look to the left, you can see two Guides (one with a yellow rectangle behind her). This parade was a few years before "It's a Small World", by the way.

A little ballerina stands atop a paper boat. The flag of Denmark tells us that this must be a salute to Hans Christian Andersen's "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", a beloved (and sad) tale that Disney used in "Fantasia 2000". 

A group of beautifully-costumed carolers from Victorian England recall Charles Dickens. For years, carolers like this strolled the park during the holidays - these might be those same performers. 

Well, that's it for part one. Stay tuned for more from this 1963 Christmas parade!

 

SNOOZLES™

It's Snoozle time! Always use protective eyewear. These slides are from the seemingly-endless lot from April, 1974; and like so many from that batch, these are pretty dark. But they are not a total loss!

First up is this unusual view taken from aboard a Horse Drawn Streetcar, our photographer had a front row seat as the conveyance made its way up Main Street toward the Plaza. Don't run over that sweeper! It's a bit blurry, but a lady in green is taking our photo. If you're like me, you always stick your tongue out when you know your picture is being taken. 

Meanwhile, over on the Rivers of the World, a crocodile suns himself in the green waters. He's not dangerous at the moment, as you can see, he has recently swallowed a guest whole. That thing will keep him going for a few weeks!

Some Magic Kingdom, July 1974

It's Magic Kingdom time! A somewhat random assortment, though all dated "July, 1974". Nearly 50 years ago! 

We'll start with this view of the Diamond Horseshoe building, with a crowd gathering for the next show. Was Wally Boag performing in Florida at that point? I admit that I am biased, but the façade of the Diamond Horseshoe is kind of "blah". I'm sorry, people who love it!

I'm sure that folks in 1974 never dreamed that the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction (and its beautiful tropical lagoon) would be removed in less than 25 years! I loved Disneyland's "Submarine Voyage", and it always seemed to me that the Florida iteration was even more wonderful. The "Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride" apparently now stands on this acreage.

My ignorance of the Florida parks kicks in! I can only assume that the charming bridge seen here is spanning part of the castle moat. Is it the same bridge that we saw before, with Alice talking to children?

And I could have sworn that I have shared this photo before, but if so I can't find it on any past blog post. I know you'll tell me if you've already seen it! We have a nice shot of one of the beautiful WDW locomotives crossing a bridge - presumably the waterway is one of the many canals on Disney World property? I think somebody once mentioned that this bridge could swivel sideways to allow larger boats to pass - maybe that was from the other time I posted this picture!

 I hope you have enjoyed today's visit to the Magic Kingdom.

Beautiful Peoplemover, April 1974

Oh boy, the PeopleMover! A ride that many of us miss so much. It's stunning to think that it has been gone for 27 years - grown adults with children never had a chance to ride it.

Check out this first beautiful photo, a dynamic composition with Peoplemover trains in three flavors (lemon, blue raspberry, and cherry) move steadily on the track - cherry and lemon are heading toward the Plaza, but will soon turn left and into the Adventure Thru Inner Space building. Blue raspberry is heading back toward the load station with the rotating platform. The photo is just a tiny bit too dark, but still has some good color and energy.

Holy Toledo! Just look at those crowds! This was pre-Space Mountain. Any ideas what ride attracted such a mob?

Next is this neat and unusual view heading back toward the station. I've always wondered about the angled texture on the roof of the Peoplemover - was it purely decorative? Did it add strength to the fiberglass? Inquiring minds want to know!