The New Fantasyland - Part 4

A big thank you goes out to Christopher who donated today’s images. Christopher worked at Disneyland during the 1983's “New Fantasyland” opening.

First up is this neat key. I’ve saw one of these on EBay years ago and I thought it was plastic so I passed on it, mistake!! They are not plastic and they are kind of rare. Walt was a “Wizard”? Here is what Christopher has to say about it.

“This key was created based on the graphics of the event. The text/graphics on the mounting board were exact duplications of the event tickets (All tickets & announcements for the events -Cast Previews, Press Events, Open Ceremonies, etc- used the same proclamation graphics that included the key graphic) and I suspect this was supposed to be some sort of special give-away, but rather it ended up being available to cast members who participated in the ceremony.”

Next we have a Family pass. “1983 New Fantasyland Family Pass: An extra Cast Member Passport handed out that year (basically an extra cast member ticket issued to Disneyland cast members and not WDW cast members)” I wonder how large of a family you could bring?

And what post would be complete with out some guide book scans! These are also from Christopher, this was the guide given our during the New Fantasyland’s construction. I wonder how many thousands of kids were disappointed when most of the land was closed.

This weekend: Tomorrow we’re heading to the Mountain, Magic Mountain! Sunday; full guide post plus a bonus!

VIP Party - February 21, 1982

Set your time machine back exactly 26 years from today and you can join Mickey and the gang for a VIP Party! February 21, 1982 – 12 noon to 10:00 pm, “See you there”!

Did this VIP occasion have a more specific purpose? I guess if you had gotten this ticket in 1982, you would know why you are a VIP, so the mystery remains…

A friend of mine looked at the picture of Mickey and friends on this ticket and commented that the characters don’t look like that anymore, they are all “glitzy” and “over plus’d” now. I hadn’t really noticed it, but come to think it, Mickey & Minnie have not looked “right” since the 50th and the endless “dream” promotion.

Tomorrow, can you believe it; The New Fantasyland – PART 4!

Knott's Annual Pass & A Trio of Complementary Tickets

Well, well, well, looks like Knott’s Berry Farm had the term “Annual Pass” a few years ahead of the Mouse. I’m not sure when Disneyland started the “Annual Pass”, but I think it was way after 1971. Disneyland did have a “Main Gate Pass” (link), but they seemed more exclusive than these Knott’s passes or at least they looked more exclusive.

“Norma Lane” had two years of free admission to Knott’s. Apparently Jeanne only got one year, I wonder what she did to Norma to get left off the 1972 pass?





Here a nice Trio of “Complementary Gate Admission” tickets. The first one here is pretty old, 1969 would be my guess.

The second one is from the late 70’s with the Roaring 20’s dancing lady. OK, yes, I have posted this image before (Rides-a-plenty post) but hey, I did re-scan it for this post….

And from 1982, it's a "Guest" admission. I like the train image on this one. This is globe paper but it’s thick like cereal box cardboard. This pass includes unlimited rides and attractions. I believe that just as Disneyland had done in 1982, Knott’s also was phasing out the lettered tickets.

Speaking of Knott’s lettered tickets, I’ve got tons of them (are you surprised?). I was thinking of doing a detailed A thru D Knott’s ticket series like I did for Disneyland. I’ll start it in march and do a series post each week, that sounds fun.

Tigger's Ticket Tuesday

Who doesn’t love Tigger? He is “the only one” you know! Voiced by Paul Winchell (thru 1990) Tigger seems to make children and adults happy. “He is cheerful, outgoing, competitive in a friendly way, and completely confident in himself” (Wikipedia Link).

From May 1980 it’s “Tigger’s Ticket Book”. This is a complete and unused book filled with fun and value. First lets look at the Main Gate Admission ticket. Tigger looks ready to “bounce”, poor Eeyore looks sad, well, I guess he always looks that way. “Good for adult on day of event only” This “Child/Junior” ticket book must have been sold on special days that also allowed adults to use it, that’s weird!

A $15.80 value for only $6.00, now that is a deal!

Free prize entry coupon. I wonder what the free prizes were???

This “early-bird” coupon is so special that Tigger is doing a dance for us! Currently you can get “early entry” with a multi-day pass, I did it in October and it was kind of cool sliding by all the “regular” guests. But in 1980, this little ticket not only got you in the park early, but during the early-bird “Free play period” you got unlimited use of the attractions! And even after the free play period ended, you could use this ticket for one more ride!

The rest of the book has twelve of these little “Any A thru E Attraction” coupons, two to a page.

Unrelated side post: While attempting to clean my “Blogger Desk” this weekend (Hey, I found a wood surface under all that stuff, who knew!) I found this old newspaper promo from 1955 for Disneyland. Not sure where I got it, I know I’ve seen parts of it before, but of course the front page is missing!

I have two questions if anyone knows, (1) what newspaper is this from and (2) What’s with the “StratoSnak”? Did this become the “Space Bar”? Did the Space Bar have “fully-automatic food service with push button piping hot meals” (that sounds like a vending machine to me)? Neat art work. Was there really an “aluminum pig” also? It’s shown on one of the other pages.

That’s it for today’s Post. T.T.F.N.

Star Tours 1987 - Part 2

Today let’s take another look at the Star Tours Grand Opening. In part one of the Star Tours post (link) we learned that the update plan for the Adventure Thru Inner Space area was originally going to be based on Disney's 1979 "The Black Hole". That idea still intrigues me; yes the movie was mediocre at best and a black hole financially. But it had some great sets, cool space scenes, robots, rockets and lots of future stuff. Plus it would have actually been tied to Disney.

With that said, I do love Star Tours, it’ fun and “dated” just enough for me. Today’s two featured ticket scans were most kindly donated by Major over at "Gorilla’s Don’t Blog"(link). Thank you Major!!!!

Our first ticket is an “Interplanetary Launch” for Thursday, January 8, 1987 - 7pm to midnight. Hey that's four days before the cast premiere on my part one post! This ticket really is the First Launch. I like the little stub for a special meal; I’ll take mine from The Space Place! These Star Wars graphics are nice, although C3PO doesn’t look very happy; maybe he’s upset because they mounted his feet to that platform?




This next one is fascinating to me. I would say this is the ancestor to the Fast Pass. You had to present this at 11:15 to get on the attraction. I wonder why this one was never used, someone lost out! “May the force be with you” nice touch…

Here is a photo of how I remember Star Tours. HUGE Lines! This photo comes from Raymond over at “New Fantomorrontierstreet Land Videblog” he has some incredible photo’s (all his own I believe) of Disneyland in the 80’s and 90’s, you should give his blog a visit, you will enjoy it! (link)

And now, of course, a few 1987 Guide Book scans with Star Tours in it! I only have one Guide Book from 1987, there may be one dedicated to Star Tours, but I have not seen it (If it’s out there, I gotta get it).

Here is a close-up of the StarSpeeder 3000. Is that Captain EO I see in the bottom right corner?

And the Tomorrowland Page – Lots of Mickey ears - lots to do here, I miss this Tomorrowland.

Thanks again to Major for the contributions, I really enjoy seeing new stuff and sharing it with everyone. It’s one of the main reasons for this blog….

The New Fantasyland - Part 3 & The Complete Guide

I want to thank Christopher for posting a comment yesterday about the New Fantasyland. He worked at Disneyland in 1983 and recalled the New Fantasyland opening on May 25th. He also added this fascinating tidbit about the “Flights of Fantasy” parade.

“1983 was the first time they ever announced discontinuing MSEP, so initial guest feedback was lukewarm, but I truly think this was one of the more impressive outings for the Parades Dept. It began gaining respect by Summer's end, but not enough to save it. (It's final run was Labor Day weekend '83) I know you referenced a 2 year run for FoFP, (and from a very reliable source), but the following year was "Happy Birthday, Donald" themed, including the summer parade” WOW, I love this stuff.

While digging thru my collection for something I knew I had but didn't know exactly what it was or where it was and I found it! This is the Fall 1983 edition of the Disney News. And guess what? It confirms May 25th, 1983 as the opening date of the New Fantasyland!

First of two pages inside that are dedicated to the New Fantasyland.

Hey Christopher, I got a close-up of this one for you, are you in there somewhere?????



Second Page.

From the back of the Disney News magazine a promo for “Never Cry Wolf” Oh yes, I waited in line for hours to see that mega hit.

Now as we get to the full Guide, lets have a look at the ticket that I found hiding inside the guide, I love those surprises!!! Here’s what interesting, this is a “2 day” passport from July 30th and 31st 1983. The guide makes no mention of such a thing. I wonder when they started these “2 day” passports” (a future research project).

And now the complete 1983 Guide can be found in PDF format here:


* Disneyland Guide - 1983

***** BONUS MATERIAL *******

Only on Vintage Disneyland Tickets do you get such a fine Sunday bonus. Below is a link to a large PDF file of the complete 1965 Vacationland Magazine. I have a bunch of these, most are ok but a little repetitive with thier use of stock photos. This one however has some great stuff, a super ad for the New Universal Studios, updated Plaza Inn article, neat Knott’s ad and lots more!

* Vacationland - 1965

See you on the next Post.

The New Fantasyland Part 2 - Pirate Ship Removal

Following up on a yesterday’s New Fantasyland post. I was unsure that the pirate ship just fell apart when they tried to move it, I have seen a picture of the ship when it was built in 1955 and it appeared to be “moved” into place, so it just seemed logical that they could “move” if out of place, I guess not.

****** WARNING ***** Today’s post contains 10 graphic images of the Pirate’s ship removal. These were graciously donated by Progressland. “Heartbreaking” is how they were described and it’s an accurate description.

First, for happiness and reference, let’s looks at two photos from the good old days. December 29th, 1956, from Major’s site “Gorillas Don’t Blog”. She looks brand new still!




From Dave over at “Daveland Blog” This image with the Sails unfurled is from April 1958. Hey Dave, that slide looks familiar :-)

* BEFORE YOU SCROLL DOWN READ THIS WARNING *

>>>>> If you are a hardcore Pirate ship fan, you may find the images below disturbing. Continue at your own risk. <<<<<

These appear to be from Late August / Early September 1982. Enjoy or ?

Ok, now just to get everyone back into the retro vintage grove, here is a placemat from a much brighter day on the Chicken of the Sea. Date unknown, anyone want to guess? Anyone want to guess what caused that stain on the lower left corner? Tuna I bet!

Well, that was interesting! Tomorrow we’ll head back to 1983 for a complete Disneyland Guide post, and maybe a visit to Knott’s too!

The New Fantasyland - 1983 - Part 1

One of the best “refurbishments” done at Disneyland has to be 1983’s “New Fantasyland”. While the old Fantasyland was whimsical and fun, it was done on the cheap, and the medieval style facades were starting to look a little dated.

The traffic flow was greatly improved, the general look of the New Fantasyland was made more consistent with the “Old English” town theme as in Peter Pan and Pinocchio.

When you visit Fantasyland today, it still looks fresh. By contrast, the 98’ Tomorrowland refurbishment got stale in about 20 minutes! My only disappointment in the New Fasntasyland is the destruction of the Pirate ship and Skull rock; those were two icons of “Northern” Fantasyland. I heard the Pirate ship was to be moved but fell apart when they tried to move it, Hmmm, why do I not believe that? (When new, they built it backstage and trucked it to its location, they couldn't reverse that process 30 years later?) And Skull Rock could have been left in place, there’s just a stupid waterfall there now! (Rant over)

Now, for the post. First up is one of those “Commemorative Passports” Not quite as large as the opening day Toontown Ticket, but still good sized at 9 ½ by 3 ½ (minus the entry stub that’s missing on the right side – someone used this passport, how dare they!)

Next up is a flyer for the “Directors Guild of America” I like the paper stock on this one. You can tell they used the background for many of these flyers, I like the Silver print on this one.

What post of this type would be complete without a Guide book! How cute, all the Pinocchio characters got on the cover, I wonder why?

Here is the “New Fantasyland” page from the 1983 Guide book. Notice the new “Walkway to Frontierland” *** I will be posting this entire 1983 Guide Book this weekend ***

Here is the Gate Flyer give out with the Guide Book. The front is very proud of the new “Flights of Fantasy” Parade. According to Yesterland.com, “In the summers of 1983 and 1984, the Electrical Parade again went dark to make way for Flights of Fantasy.”

A fine lineup of entertainment for you enjoyment. The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Buddy Rich and his Band, Papa Doo Run Run, and of course the world famous “Krash”!

A little plug for the New Fantasyland. Hey, no mention of the Pirate Ship!

The back has a little advertisement for a new thing called “The Disney Channel” It will never work!!!

Does anyone know the actual date the New Fantasyland opened? I was unable to find an exact date on the internet. This button shows “May 1983”.

And last today is a link to You tube (Link). I have posted this link before so pardon if you have seen this. This is the 30 second commercial for the New Fantasyland. I love this commercial. I have watched it hundreds of times (yes I am that strange). It’s simple and true to Disneyland. Notice the music and Paul Frees’ voice at the end.




I hope you enjoyed today’s post, I’m ready to hit the New Fantasyland first thing on my next visit.