This article is HUGE, 50 pages! Including a three page fold out map of the park. And on the reverse side a nice three page panorama shot of the Rivers of America. Today's post will have just a few pages, but please download the entire article in high resolution PDF format if you have a chance:
National Geographic 1963 Walt Disney Article (72mb)
I sure like this cover; to me, it feels like “Camelot” at its peak, America’s innocence still not lost.
This map has a neat look to it. “J.E. Barrett – Staff Artist” I am guessing this artist was with the magazine? I don’t recall seeing art like this on other Disney material of the time. High resolution version of the map here: 1963 Disneyland Map (10mb) 
The reverse side is this great panoramic shot. There is text below the picture, but you’ll have to download the whole article for that. High resolution version: 1963 Panoramic Rivers of America (2mb)
This is really a fine and detailed article with great photo's and layout work.
Please read this last page, some fascinating stuff here. The “One Nation Under God” show with the “Hall of Presidents”, references to the French Quarter Square in old New Orleans, the Haunted Mansion under construction in Frontierland!
But most of all read the last few paragraphs were Walt discusses his mortality; it gave me goose bumps…
Bonus Sunday: Mott's Miniature's full guide post, plus ?
10 comments:
Tim - That's an incredible article. I've kept a copy of that issue for years. It sure does evoke Disneyland's golden age, and I felt exactly the same way when reading that last paragraph.
Thank you so much for posting this wonderful National Geographic issue! Did you do all of this scanning yourself?? If so, double thanks.
Thanks Dave, I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the vibe in those last couple of paragraphs.
Chappell, you are welcome and yes I scanned them all myself. At first the scanner intimidated me, but now it's like therapy. I sure love to share this stuff, I'm glade it's being enjoyed.
Oh and I did “dismantle” the magazine for these scans, never fear, I have two copies!
What a fantastic article. I sure hope we get to see ol' Abe in action again soon.
You've done it again Tim. Great work. Thanks
I first found this article when I was a kid. My grandparents had NG magazines in their attic going back to the 40's, and I would grab a stack, bring them down, and be amazed at that amazing publication.
Then I found this Disney issue, and looked at it until the cover fell off. My best friend's mom gave me their mint copy, and I still have it!
My father had a 20+ year National Geographic collection by the time I came around. It wasn't long after I began reading that this issue became my favorite.
As you've said, it was truly the golden age of America; We had promised ourself a wonderful future, and the cynicism and general decline in decency that empitomozed the late 60's had not yet crystalized.
Thanks for sharing this---
I remember when I first heard about this issue of National Geographic. A quick phone call to my mom - "Hey Mom, can you dig around in our attic and look for the 1963 issue of National Geographic?" Alas, our collection didn't start until 1965. Luckily, it's pretty easy to find a very good copy on eBay. And, thanks mom for looking.
It's amzing, who could imagine that place would be a success forever I guess because it's not going to die ever haha
nice information. Glad to see this informative stuff.
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