Random Disneyland Stuff

I've scanned a few random vintage paper Disneyland items for today's post. I hope you enjoy them!

First up is this nice, unused ticket for the original launch of Star Tours back in January of 1987. Just about 30 years ago! I wonder who received these? Did you have to order the tickets? It's just over 20" in length, so I'm amazed that it wasn't folded in half (or worse) at some point. 

The artwork resembles that of artist Drew Struzan, with its combination of airbrush and Prismacolor pencil - though it isn't quite up to his amazing quality. I like the additional stubs, one for a free meal at the Space Place or Tomorrowland Terrace, and another admitting the bearer to the premiere party. Maybe you would have bumped into a big celebrity, like Harry Anderson or Nell Carter. Helpful hint: always ask a famous person for money. They love it!

Next is this nice decal from Disneyland's "tencennial" celebration in 1965. It's about 4.5 inches in diameter; once again, I have questions! Could these be purchased at the park by any ordinary schmo? They're not exactly common. Or were they produced for use "in house"? Either way, it's safe to say that Disneyland's first decade truly was fabulous. 

Ooooo, scary! Those glowing red eyes, glaring from the Matterhorn. What could it be?

It was an invitation to see "what's gotten into the Matterhorn" on June 25th, 1978! This was after a major refurbishment - previously, the interior of the faux mountain was more of an open plan, but in '78 the "ice caverns" were added, and the ferocious abominable snowman could be seen at various points throughout the ride.

The invite has a nice die cut cover; were these mailed to most SoCal locals? Or just to members of the Magic Kingdom Club, perhaps? I'm guessing that a lot of people showed up on that day, and that they had a great time. 

I hope you've enjoyed today's random Disneyland stuff!

Christmas Tree, 1956

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Just look at that flocked tree. I've never seen such a flocking tree! Flockety flock flock. This lovely photo, circa 1956, shows a trio of pals posing in front of that very 50's looking tannenbaum, all white with red ornaments. The guy on the right looks guilty because he stole an ornament as a souvenir. It all seemed so harmless at the time.

Sadly, this next shot is a bit blurry, but I included it anyway. There's that red fire hydrant that we all love and adore and have photos of in our wallets.

Santa's Village, November 1957

We've already seen some of Steve Stuart's family photos of Santa's Village up at Lake Arrowhead; but I have a few of my own to share as well, and December is the time to do it.

Guests are at the entrance to the park, passing giant candy canes and oversized mushrooms (no fungi pictured here, unfortunately). I've always liked the way the ends of the logs that make up the building were painted with decorations - they remind me of traditional Swedish Christmas items that my grandmother had. 

Two boys are bundled up against the cold as they pose next to a simple painted plywood choo-choo. Features like these were about as low-tech as could be, but I find them to be very charming. 

Is this an old fire truck? I'd expect more water storage capabilities, but what do I know. Not much! Either way, it's big, it's red, it's a truck, and kids love it.

Looks like this crazy mechanical clock thingy is for the "Night Time Toys" shop. Or maybe it says "Right Time Toys". "Fight Time Toys"? I like that much better! Baseball bats with nails in them, brass knuckles, nunchucks - anything a person needs to fight dirty. What time is it? Time to fight!

Japanese Village and Deer Park, October 1972

I am happy to be able to share some new scans featuring the "Japanese Village and Deer Park", which was located right near Knott's Berry Farm, Movieland Wax Museum, and the Alligator Farm (not to mention a few miles from Disneyland). See some info in previous posts HERE and HERE. 

This was a place where visitors could see some animal shows (dolphins, seals, trained bears), Japanese dancers, visit peaceful gardens with koi and doves and deer (of course), and so much more!

This first photo shows one of the karate demonstrations. Hi-YA! There's punchin', kickin', flippin', and smashin'. Fun for the whole family, really. There was a suggestion box, and each year I tried to get them to include flame throwers, but some ideas are just too good, so it never happened. Notice the "Nabisco" sign just above the rooftops - a familiar sight to folks driving through Buena Park.

A trainer (?) sits near a dolphin pool to have a chat about... well, whatever it is dolphins like to talk about. Advanced mathematics, for instance. Painters of the Northern Renaissance. The latest in architectural trends. Let's face it, those dolphins are smart.

Here's a scene from the trained bear show. There's a furry fella up on that swing - my tiny brain almost remembers seeing this very trick being performed. It's been a while, folks. Apparently, bears have no fear of heights. But they love pic-a-nic baskets. Notice the hoop, probably set aflame, for some critter to leap through.

And finally, here's a lovely lady in a traditional polyester kimono, carrying a big chrysanthemum thingy. It's probably a purse full of Screaming Yellow Zonkers. What else could it possibly be? 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Japanese Village and Deer Park!

Midget Autopia, 1957

I have two nice images featuring the Midget Autopia in Fantasyland, circa 1957. 

First up is this fun shot showing a little black roadster right after it had passed through the familiar yellow building (a garage, I guess?). The boy is having a great time! Comparing the two photos, I don't think the "crash doors" were working. 

Look at how raw the landscape is - mostly dirt with a few pitiful plants struggling to grow. I can only assume that the attraction was quite new; love the line of unused vehicles to our right. Fantasyland Station can just be seen in the upper left.

Zooming in a bit to the right, there is some kind of construction going on. The only thing I can think of is that it has to do with the Motor Boat Cruise.

There's that cool kid again! What, no martini, no cigarette? He's sitting with an elegant blonde. "I'll drive, baby, you just sit there and look pretty. Ring-a-ding-ding!". That was his younger brother in the previous photos, I wonder if some cast member thought it would be cute to pair them up with dames? The girls don't show up in any of the remaining photos, sadly.

Santa's Village, June 1958 - Part 1

It's the perfect time to share some of Steve Stuart's fun family photos, this time at charming Santa's Village! Here's Steve:

It’s off to Santa’s Village at Lake Arrowhead.  And here I am with the great man, himself.  I should be about seven years old in this picture.  (I wonder what button I’m wearing on my sweater-?)  I believe I’m standing in front of the Candy Kitchen – but I’m afraid I’ll have to rely on others to ID the buildings and the rides, as I have little knowledge of the specifics, although I did visit Santa’s Village several times as a kid.

[Editor's Note: Here is a typical pinback button given out to kids - presumably it's just like the one that Steve is wearing].

My mom, a couple of four-footed friends and me seem to be enjoying ourselves, if the expression on my face is to be believed.  That – or I’ve just fed the goats jalapeño-spiked feed.  (Hee, hee, hee).  And true-to-form, my mom looks as though she just stepped out of a fashion photo shoot.

Okay, evidently I really didn’t try any ‘funny stuff’ with the goats, as I seem to be getting a bit more up-close and personal, as this image would attest.

There will be more from Santa's Village - from Steve Stuart, and from me too!

Thanks so much to Nanook for more great memories.

Frontierland, July 1958

Here are two nice photos of Frontierland in the early days. We'll start with this uncommon view of the Indian Village, where one could catch a canoe around the river, or watch traditional Indian dancing, or learn a thing or two about the way that different tribes lived. 

I love the look of this area, with the wide dirt paths (did it turn to muck when it rained?), and Flintstones-style benches. 

What a beautiful photo of the Columbia! As pretty as a painting. The Columbia was brand new, having debuted only a few weeks before this picture was taken. Of course it would have been nice if the sails had been unfurled, but you can't have everything.

Even More Tomorrowland Construction

Are you sick of these Tomorrowland construction photos yet? If so, don't worry, there aren't too many of them left. 

By now this is kind of a familiar view, as we've seen a few others taken in the same general vicinity. Cement pipes, open trenches, and a tangle of wood and metal scaffolding make for a mess of a scene. But a fascinating one! 

It's amazing to think that this massive project was completed in less than one year!

Walt Disney World, December 1971

I have another small group of slides from Walt Disney World from its first year - it had only been open since October 1st, as you know. None of them are anything amazing, but like Disneyland, I like seeing photos from the early years.

I put these in the order in which they were taken (based on the number stamps on the slides), just because. Here's the first one, taken by a sandy beach at what I believe was the Polynesian resort by the Seven Seas Lagoon. If the photographer had panned to our left a bit, we would have seen the spire of Cinderella Castle. 

I'm not sure what that station is - a Monorail station? Or perhaps that's where guests disembarked from boats that had crossed the lagoon? Whatever the case, this is the most exciting photo that has ever existed in the history of the world.

Hooray, we're inside the Magic Kingdom; Town Square, to be precise. There's the Christmas tree, so we know this really is December. A Horse Drawn Streetcar passes - does anybody know if those are exactly the same as Disneyland's? Looks like there's a slight breeze, do the Florida parks ever get cold?

There's more from WDW to come!

Snoozer Sunday

Here are two rather "blah" images for this Sunday post. Readership plummets on Sunday! 

I think we all remember this scene from "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", when each guest's car goes out of control, crashes through haystacks and fences,  then plunges underwater, only to be attacked by poisonous carnivorous sea turtles with British accents. Blimey!

Here's one of the best loved sights as seen from the Storybook Land Canal Boats. Say, doesn't one of the Three Little Pigs live there? Things don't seem to be going so well for him. Oh well, he can always crash at his brother's pad, though he'll have to put up with a bunch of preachy lectures.