Two From the 50s

Today's "Fun Friday" scans are full of 1950s goodness, which is almost as good as "chocolatey goodness". Almost. 

I sure love this first shot of a Surrey packed with an entire family while Gramps takes their picture. So WHO is taking the picture we are looking at? Walt Disney himself, I say, and who's going to argue with me?? It better not be you, JG! "Here folks (*cough*), let me take your picture". "Gee, thanks, mustachioed stranger!". It's late-afternoon during the holidays (note the decorations), which means it was probably around 4:00. Perhaps the park closed at 8:00. Also notice the Bekins moving van, which appears to be ready to back into the "garage".  

Everybody's having a swell time! The boy to the right is wearing a powder-blue jumpsuit, evidence that he is actually from Planet Zebuloid-42.

Meanwhile, over in Tomorrowland, we get a nice look at the entrance (or is it the exit?) to CIRCARAMA, sponsored by American Motors. I never noticed before, but it appears that there was a little "moat" in front of this attraction. The signboard displays a tantalizing list of features, including the "Moon Ride" (hey!), "Kaiser Aluminum", "Space Bar", and "Space Station X-1".

Views From June 22, 1965

Today's photos are hand-dated "June 22, 1965". We've actually seen some photos from this batch before, but I was on LSD and forgot to use Jason's Disneyland Almanac for some date-specific facts. It was a Tuesday, the park was open from 9:00 AM until midnight; the temperature reached a pleasant high of 71º, and a low of 58º. Attendance was 41,650, and a special event was going on - HUMDINGER! I don't have any photos of Humdinger '65, but here's a link to a photo of a sign from the 1967 version.

Three nice people are resting in front of the not-yet-open Haunted Mansion. You might recognize Ralph and Florence, who'd been to the park in 1963 (Ralph also enjoyed riding the Pack Mules). There's something about Ralph's outfit, I thought he was a priest at first. Perhaps the lady in blue is his sister, let's call her Ophelia. 

Next, we're up in the branches of the Swiss Family Treehouse, sponsored by Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa mix (just add water if you hate delicious things). Ophelia never dreamed that she would ever be in such a treehouse - she's more of a yurt gal (and proud of it).

A Cornucopia of Canoes

I'm continuing a look at the Canoes (from December 3, 2024), with more photos from the Mysterious Benefactor. Canoes were the Teslas of their day when you think about it. 

Jasper Morgan's 1787 book "Canoe Tips for Teens" has a number of basic rules for beginners, and the first one - the most important one - is, "Always stand in your canoe". It seems a little crazy, but you're not going to argue with Jasper, are you? The fellow in front has excellent canoe posture, or "CP" as it is called in the biz.

The instructor is a bit cross, somebody has been snapping their gum, and he's having flashbacks to the Battle of Saratoga. Look at that blond dude, the preppy bad guy from every 80s movie.

This young lady is doing her best, but I don't know if I can forgive the Tasmanian Devil t-shirt. When the canoe returns to shore, employees will give her a Mickey shirt to cover up her indiscretion. OR ELSE!

I'm assuming that the Columbia was moored in Fowler's Harbor (as usual), and this Canoe was just getting underway.  The fellow at the back hasn't switched on the secret electric motor yet! 

I wonder if KS knows the guy in front? His concentration is off the charts! He's preparing for the canoe races at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles - only to discover that there was no event for canoes, and there never has been. Notice that his watch is authentic to the 18th century.  

And finally, let's not forget that the number TWO rule from Jasper Morgan's book is "Have Fun". These guests are doing a great job!

MANY THANKS to the Mysterious Benefactor!

New Orleans Square, September 1983

GDB friend Sue B. scanned more slides taken by her father, Lou Perry. These are from September, 1983, and feature the beauty of the New Orleans Square vicinity. 

I admit that I am not entirely clear as to what restaurant is right in front of us in this first picture. "Pirates of the Caribbean" is to the extreme left; looking at one souvenir handout, it is listed as the "Royal Street Veranda", while a few years earlier it was the "Mint Julep Bar". So which is it?? I hate not knowing things, but I also hate learning. 

There's a big river nearby, built during the Great Depression by the WPA (using materials leftover from when they created the Pacific Ocean). Everyone's walking away, was it something I said? Looking to the left, you can see some sort of low stage jutting out from Tom Sawer Island. This was long before Fantasmic! was a thing, perhaps Dixieland Bands performed on it on pleasant evenings.

Winding streets with charming shops are not the sort of thing one would expect at an amusement park, but that's what you get in New Orleans Square. Want to create your own unique scent? Go to the Parfumerie! Want a Millennium Falcon covered in thousands of Swarovski crystals? Go to Cristal d'Orleans - in about 40 years. I'll wait.

Hey, look at these crazy stairs. You know, now that I think about it, I don't really know what's at the top of those stairs. Club 33? The steps are wired so that anybody going up them will be electrocuted. We don't need to worry, since this area is now verboten to mere mortals.

MANY THANKS to Lou and Sue!

More Special Guest Photos!

Here's a THIRD installment of personal photos from GDB pal JG. We're into the color snapshots now! As before, JG has provided some text to go with the pix. Let's start with this great photo of JG and his mom on the Dumbo ride! Mom and I, riding Dumbo. I like how the candy-striped booms match the colors of the little hats on the Dumbii.

If only this was a stereo slide, that lantern would be popping out like crazy. This is a pretty standard picture of the Columbia heading to the dock at ramming speed. I think the Captain may have been waterskiing.

And finally (for today), this beautiful shot looking down on Fantasyland and the Carrousel: A nice view of the carousel and SBC from the Skyway. The power lines can just be seen faintly to the right, but the Convention Center isn't visible. I don't think construction started on the SpaceShip building till 1966? I'm not sure when the Convention Center construction began, but I have one slide from '66 that shows it well underway.

MANY THANKS to JG for sharing these! There are eight more to go, do I divide them into two posts? Or three? Stay tuned!

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For those of you in the SoCal area, I encourage you to attend Chris Merritt's presentation about Knott's Bear-y Tales (this is the 50th anniversary of that attraction!), at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange, CA, on Thursday, January 9th at 7:30. I'll be there! I'd love to say "hello" to any Junior Gorillas who happen to show up. It's sure to be a good time.

Snoozles™

Sunday Snoozles don't taste so great, but they are full of riboflavin; and, not to be rude, but all of you look like you could use more riboflavin in your lives. 

The Jungle Cruise, along the Rivers of the World. Oh, that water is dark and scary, and full of things that want to eat you, or suck your blood, or lick your eyeballs. It's like visiting Hollywood, am I right? ZING! The jungle itself looks kind of scraggly, but we know that it is on its way to becoming lush and chocolatey (I couldn't think of another adjective). Hey! There's a snake in that tree. About twice a week, he reaches into a passing boat and swallows a guest. Will it be you?? 

Next is this view of Schweitzer Falls, named after Alfalfa Schweitzer (who later changed the spelling of his last name to "Switzer" for tax purposes). About 1/3 of this photo is so dark, it could be full of flying leeches and electric piranhas - two creatures that I have no patience for. 

US Navy Airships, 1950s

I was in the mood to share some old airplane photos today, but looked in my folder of scans and found today's vintage pictures of US Navy airships. Unusual! The photos are from different batches, and apparently from different locations, though I believe that both are from the 1950s.

Sadly, both slides have no information written on the cardboard mounts; this landscape has sort of a California feeling to me, but it really could be anywhere. Lakehurst, New Jersey? Akron, Ohio? Oxnard? I have no doubt that one of you will know. Anyway, down on that plain are two silvery airships, basking in the sun, I think one of them is about to lay a clutch of golden eggs (they turn silver as they grow).  

I was going to say that this next one could be in Florida, but those hills in the distance (as low as they are) made me rethink that theory. Zooming in on the tail of the nearest airship, it appears to bear the marking "ZW-4", perhaps that will tell you something - I looked it up and got bupkis.  Anyway, it's always fun to see a blimp, even in picture form!

Tomorrowland, 1956-ish

Tomorrowland, 1950s-style. My favorite! After singing doo-wop around a trashcan, my friends and I would ride our scooters (made from scraps) over to Disneyland, combing our greasy hair the entire time. Those were the days. 

There it is, right in front of us! All we must do is take a few steps forward and we will be in THE LAND OF TOMORROW. Maybe buy an ice cream bar first, they might not have ice cream in 1986. My understanding is that they'll eat a "miracle food of high energy plankton gathered from the oceans of the world" (anyone? anyone?).  Plankton? Give me two scoops! That boys in front of us are all bundled up, you can't tell, but this was likely December (based on other photos in the batch). The Clock of the World and the Moonliner beckon to us, but be sure to appreciate the beautiful attraction posters along the way.

Next is one that is not as crisp as I'd like, but I still enjoy the image of guests gathered in front of the Rocket to the Moon attraction. Another hint that this is an early ('55 or '56) photo is that no females are wearing pants... it seems as if, by 1957, you'd see that a lot more. Mom (to the right) is examining her ticket book, I'm assuming the girls with her are a combination of her own children and maybe some of their friends. As JG pointed out in an earlier post, the "TO THE ROCKETS" sign is awesome.

Gate Handouts, 1960 to 1964

I hope you find vintage Disneyland paper ephemera as interesting as I do! Today I'm going to share scans of five "WELCOME" gate handouts, all sharing a similar design that began in 1960. These are among the first paper items I collected, and I still love them. Below is a look at the covers of all five:

Here's the 1960 version. The simple graphics on the cover show five characters who fit into the five themed areas of Disneyland. You know them as well as I do! As you can see, the brochure offers handy information about special shows and exhibits (including the Upjohn Pharmacy and the Monsanto House of the Future), as well as tips on where to get first aid, where to board your beloved pets, lockers, rest rooms, and more.

The other side unfolds to reveal a charming little cartoon map of the park, with callouts for each land listing the attractions found within. Interestingly, the Monorail is listed, but was not represented in the drawing. 

The 1961 example looks much like the one from the previous year; in fact I used to just think that there was only one "blue one", until a friend set me straight. One of the main differences is the omission of the Crane exhibit in Tomorrowland.

Now the map shows the Monorail with its track extending to the Disneyland Hotel, and it also lists the Flying Saucers as one of the Tomorrowland attractions. 

Next is the 1962 version, somebody finally came up with the genius idea to switch out the color. And it's orange, voted "Best Color Ever" in LIFE magazine. For some reason, this '62 handout is considerably harder to find than all of the others, and I've never had a good theory as to WHY.

Notice that the Enchanted Tiki Room is listed under the header "Complete Meals and Specialty Foods" - as most of you know, the Tiki Room was originally planned as a restaurant.

As far as I can tell, the map hasn't changed much (except for the color of course). 

Next, the pink one - from 1963. Another example that I should upgrade, but... you know. Lazy. Or cheap. Why not both?

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room is now properly listed as an Adventureland attraction. I can't think of any other significant changes from '62. Feel free to point out anything I missed

And finally, the green 1964 example, the last of this style; in 1965, they came up with a whole new design for the "Tencennial".

The map changed drastically, and I can't say I love it. Green and grays, and combinations of both. Like a moldy avocado. And it has been reduced to minimal graphics for some reason. Why not just keep using the fun drawing from the previous four years? Meanwhile, there were changes to some older rides ("Astrojet" became "Tomorrowland Jets" - not that you would know it from this map), but nothing major was added.

Well, that's it for this batch! Maybe it was too much, but it felt wrong to split these up into more than one post. I'm just happy to know that the time you spent reading this blog article kept you out of the speakeasies and opium dens.

New Year's Day

Happy New Year! Did you have fun last night? I sat in my home all by myself, staring at the wall, but it was pretty fun. So, what photos could I share on January 1st? I know just the thing! I have two vintage images from the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena - well, actually from after the parade, when the flower-covered parade floats were parked near the Rose Bowl for guests to admire up close.

The 1954 parade's theme was "Famous Books in Flowers"; See's Candy (still a SoCal favorite) sponsored a float featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I haven't been able to find any mention of Disney's involvement with See's, but the characters are all easily recognizable as "the Disney versions". Grumpy! Sneezy! Happy! Dopey! Crunchy! And the rest. To the right of the cottage we see two interlopers, one wearing a chef's toque, which means he is whipping up a batch of candy, hopefully some classic liver brittle. Just like grandma used to make!

You'd hardly know it, but the stately San Gabriel mountains are back there - sometimes the televised parade would show Pasadena in glorious sunshine while the mountains had a frosting of snow. Beautiful! But this day looks smoggy, sadly - unusual for a Winter day. The float with the clock is the "Cinderella Float", sponsored by Minute Maid Orange Juice. 

Let's all hope that we have a sane and happy 2025!