POP near its end - RIP

This is a special post for my neighbor and grand fellow blogger Jed over at Vintage Disneyland Goodies. He mentioned on his latest post that he may want to stare at photos of POP in ruins. Well, here you go! My dad took me to see POP from the street around the same time as these photos. It freaked me out on the one hand, but on the other hand, it may have sparked my theme park hobby (obsession).

I got these a few years back from a Coast Study website, they actually had current photos of the same area, but I can find the link! POP - RIP

*** I found the website, it's a great site, lots of coastal pictures - now & then. This one above are from 1972! Here is the link: California Coastal Records Project ******

Here is a current photo of the same area in September 2006:

Hall of Chemistry - 1956?

This just in…. I got this from a win on EBay as part of a bunch of things from the late 1960’s. This looks older than the rest of the stuff, codes on the back may place it in 1956, anyone know?

What does this have to do with Vintage Disneyland Tickets, well, not much! This was one of those attractions that was included with a general admission purchase. So, since you did have to buy a Vintage Disneyland Ticket to get in the park, by association, this brochure fits in my blog. Boy was that some twisted logic or what?

It’s a weird shaped brochure, folded in on itself and it has an irregular top cut. I got a new scanner last night so I thought this would be a good way to test it. It’s still a 9” x 12” scanner, so I had to break it down to usable chunks.

Here's the whole thing, enjoy.

This should satisfy those (like me) who have been missing posts from my friend over at Vintage Disneyland Goodies, he'll be back soon! If you have not been there, go, it's a great blog!

Star Tours - January 16, 1987

Please set your time machine back exactly 21 years ago today so you can use one of these tickets to see the new Star Tours. Of course you have to actually work for Disneyland in order to attend this Cast Premiere event.

Star Tours opened on January 9th, 1987. The "Cast Premier" was held January 12-16, 1987 - 7pm to Midnight. These are "Airline" style tickets, with Boarding Pass and Jacket.



Inside there is a boarding pass for each night of the Cast Premiere. That was nice of Disneyland to give Cast memebers one for each night. Then again, they probably had to work some of those nights so they couldn't use them all!



Here is today's ticket, we traveled to 1987 remember!

Here is a great full length video of Star Tours on YouTube.

Last today, lets pay tribute to a former occupant of the Star Tours attraction building. Adventure Thru Inner Space had a very popular run from 1967 to 1985, it was one of my childhood and teenage favorites. I went to the park one day in October 1986 (see my rainy day post) and I discovered it was closed, forever. That was a sad rainy day.

This great "Castle Paper" Adventure Thru Inner Space ticket is from early 1968, I bet the attraction still had that "New Attraction" smell. The message about not being accompanied by an adult is so weird to me!

According to Wikipedia, Star Tours II is in the works:

"In April 2005, at the Star Wars Celebration III, Star Wars creator George Lucas confirmed that a Star Tours II is in production. This new ride will apparently be prequel-oriented. In a concept release, the sequel is described as being based on the Pod Racer sequence in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.[citation needed] The new ride system will consist of a glasses-free 3-D High Definition screen and an improved motion simulator."

Wikipedia (link) actually has some great information on Star Tours. I did not know it was originally going to be based on Disney's 1979 "The Black Hole". I can see why they changed that idea. I paid to see that movie and I still want my money back!

Please stand by.... Part 2

Once again, due to circumstances beyond our control today's regularly scheduled post is delay until tomorrow. Please accept this February 1977 Readmission ticket to re-join us tomorrow.



OK, so the circumstance was that I watched part 1 & 2 of the new Fox Series "Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles". I think it was excellent, I recommend it to any Terminator Movie fan, it weaves itself between T2 and T3 in a unique way.

New Post tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by....

Skyway to Fantasyland - One Way Ticket

This is the first post where we will examine the "stub" style of Vintage Disneyland Tickets. These tickets are like the old movie theater tickets. Measuring a nice and neat 2" by 1". The big hole in it is so it can feed through the ticket dispenser.

These were used for a couple of reasons. (1) Some are so old they pre-date October 1955 when the first ticket books went on sale (link), therefore each ride had to have its own tickets. (2) Guests that purchased General Admission tickets or guests that ran out of tickets from the ticket books still wanted to enjoy some attractions so they needed a ticket.

These type of tickets were printed for specific rides (like today's post) and also for lettered attractions (Printed A thru E, I have a few to post later). This style was also used for General admission tickets and other "special" tickets. These were sold directly at attractions that had their own ticket booths (Matterhorn, Train Stations) and at the main ticket booths in each realm. I do not believe this style of ride and A-E tickets were sold at the Main Gate, anyone know?

Today you are looking at a "Skyway to Fantasyland" Ticket. 35 cents please. I would date this in the early 1960's based on the "D" ticket price in the ticket book (link), however, the ticket price on these "standby" tickets is sometimes a little higher than the tickets from the book. You should have listened to the little message on the tram about the value of ticket books! This ticket is in nice condition except for a staple holes someone put in it!

Because these were always bought in the park and with the intent to use it within seconds, not many remain. They are the rarest of Vintage Disneyland Tickets. As much as I treasure this ticket, I would give it up in 1/2 a second to RIDE the Skyway once again. Can you hear me Jay, Tony, Ed, anyone, Walt?

Weird message (warning) on the back, this isn't on the tickets from the ticket books. I think maybe this is a standard "Globe Ticket Co." message that is on all their ticket stock.

Here is a picture I took in January 25, 2007 of the ticket display Disneyland had in the waiting area of the Opera house. Wow are these nice, look at those low serial numbers!!!!! They are killing me! Wait, did you notice my ticket above is a low number also? Sweet!

We'll visit these types of tickets again soon. I don't have a lot of them, but I have some good ones. And I have an AMAZING source of scans and information on every type of these tickets Disneyland sold, so we'll have plenty to look at.

Knott's May 1971 - Gold Nugget "A" & Silver Dollar "B"

"Howdy Friend!" Since our last post was Disneyland in May of 1971, let's visit Knott's Berry Farm, circa May 1971. I'll try to keep this post "text light" since it's "scan heavy". Also see previous Knott's Post "Sunday Brunch at Knott's"

While Knott's ticket books at this point were the same size as Disneyland's, they have lettered tickets, a welcome message and Globe paper, there are some significant differences.

First you'll notice The welcome message is of course more "Old West" style. It encourages "Good American Fun" I like that message!




Knott's only had two lettered tickets in 1971. This is the "A" ticket or "Golden Nugget" ticket. This is the better of the two tickets, Knott's lettered ticket values were always the reverse of Disneyland. Isn't the prospector cute? Or is he scary?

The "B" Ticket or "Silver Dollar" Ticket is for all the "lesser" value attractions.

Inside of the back of the ticket book. Not just an attraction list like Disneyland, but you get a mini map, which is not really to scale, but you get the general locations.

Back of the back. I love that family, dad's cool with his pipe. Date code of "715" on the lower right.

Here is the guide map that shows the same price as the Ticket book. It's not dated anywhere that I can find, but it must be around 1971.

It opens up to a large map, so I scanned it in two parts. It's a weird map because the orientation is with North at the top (which is how most maps work) but the park looks sideways to me like this, the entrance should be at the bottom (like Disneyland maps). It is fun to look however!

And just because I like these old post cards of the "Gold Mine" here you go. Hey Knott's experts; What time period are these from and are they both the same place just different angles?

I enjoyed our little Sunday trip to Knott's, I hope you did as well.

Back to the park tomorrow.

Magic Kindom Club Books - Disneyland May 1971

"A member of Disneyland's Magic Kingdom Club is entitled to special privileges offered exclusively to club members only". The main special privilege was that you could get a deal on ticket books! You would get a slightly lower price on the book. Sometimes you got a few extra tickets and other times the books had Magic Key tickets, good for any A thru E attraction. In a future post, we'll learn all about the "Magic Kingdom Club" and even review some sales propaganda, oh I mean literature! (Is anyone noticing I throw out these "future post" comments a lot? I think I better start a list!)

This May 1971 set of tickets books offered a discounted price and two extra tickets. They had the usual A thru E tickets. If either of these books had any tickets left, I might be able to find out what those extra two tickets were. But oddly, while both of these books have the admission ticket attached (rare in itself), they are otherwise empty as can be, not even a lonely "A" ticket. How did this happen? Maybe some members didn't go and gave their ticket books to those that did? Or? You know this stuff keeps me awake at night!

Here's the back, showing the stupendous value you got by being an exclusive member. Pardon the folds, someone committed a sin and folded these in half!


For comparison, below is an Adult Book (non Magic Kingdom Club) also from May 1971. 20 cents higher than the Adult "Club" book above, plus (or rather minus) it has two less tickets. This book however, has never been folded.

And last up today, the "Adventures in Disneyland" list from the back of the Adult "Club" book. I don't know about you, but I just love to read these things and imagine away...

Tomorrows post? That's a mystery still to be solved.....

50th Post!!! & What Constitutes "Vintage"

This is my 50th post on this blog, can you believe it? It seems like I just got started yesterday (time does fly when you're having fun). I hope everyone who visits my blog gets something from it, be it fond memories of the past or just fulfilling that lust for anything Disneyland.

One of the first comments posted to my blog was a question "How old do you consider vintage tickets to be?" Well, I am not sure. Does "Vintage" require a certain number of years? Is something "Vintage" if they no longer make or produce it? I'm thinking it's like Beauty, "Vintage" is in the eyes of the beholder or in this case, the blogger. That said, here we go...

First up is a set of tickets I purchased on March 28th, 2000. This was the first day the new ticket booths were open, the ones they use now. The old booths were still there so there was some confusion that morning as they were still setting up the new chains for the new lines. Since we arrived extra early (as always) we ended up being first in the correct line. A nice lady opened the window and told me "you are the first guest at this new booth". So while I am not sure I was the first guest at the first new booth, I sure was the very first guest at that booth.

Check out the bar code serial numbers! I did not get ticket #00000001, the ticket lady pulled a test ticket and kept that one (I wonder if it will end up on EBay someday? of if was was even #1 or if her ticket machine only issued even numbers?) They don't used the magnetic strip anymore, just the bar code. Interesting promotion they were having at the time; Adult Socal residents got $10 off, but children didn't get this deal, so the ticket price was the same for me as it was for my 5 year old son.

This next set of tickets is from December 25th, 1995 and are on loan to me by a co-worker. She took her daughter to Disneyland on Christmas 1995, how sweet! I like how they made these look like similar to the old "E" Tickets, nice touch, Walt would have approved.

Special thanks to Priscilla for letting me scan these tickets!

Tomorrow, Post #51! And many, many more to come...

Walt Disney World - Florida Here I Come

Today's post is delayed and short but sweet. I was busy during my normal "blog creation" time yesterday because I was booking my final arrangements for my trip to Walt Disney World this summer!!!! Oh boy am I exited. I have never even been to Florida. The Magic Kingdom has been calling my name since 1971 and I finally get to answer.

So in honor of my up coming Florida adventure, here is a nice Unused 1979 Magic Kingdom 8 Adventure book. This book has all of it original tickets including Admission and the Transportation Ticket. I guess you can't just park your rent-car at the lot and walk (or Tram) in to the front gate. Hmmmm, fascinating.

$7.50 for a Child in 1979, that's a little bit more than the 10 ticket book for a Child at Disneyland. I think WDW always had slightly higher prices and less tickets in the book than Disneyland. Oh and there were less attractions. Why the higher price? That's a future posts subject all by itself.

During the next few months, I will from time to time be sprinkling my blog with Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center and the rest. Yes I collect that stuff too. Florida Here I Come!!!!

Knott's Tickets From Disneyland Via the Fun Bus?

This is an odd ticket. at one time the Walt Disney Travel Co made arrangements for tourists to visit Knott's Berry Farm, maybe they still do? The right side of the ticket is for the "Fun Bus" round trip from your Hotel/Motel to Knott's. I wonder what Hotel/Motel you are staying at? The "slash" Motel tells me it might not be the Disneyland Hotel.

The left side of the ticket is to be exchanged for a "Admission & 10 Attraction Ticket Book and Mrs. Knott's Famous Chicken Dinner"! This ticket is not dated, and due to its really low serial number (doesn't get any lower than that!) it may just be a test ticket, I'm not even sure where or when I got it.

Based on the fonts and logos I'd date this ticket in the late 1970's. Therefore, here for your viewing pleasure today is a May 1977 Mint and unused "Complimentary Book" for Knott's Berry Farm. This book & its tickets are vivid, crisp and clean, one of my favorites in my Knott's collection. These are the larger style tickets, Disneyland switched to the smaller size in 1974, Knott's kept the larger size for a few more years (future post subject alert!).

The back shows the $8.50 value in May 1977. Note; Knott's put its three digit date code on the backs of the ticket book ("577" on this one), Disneyland put there date codes on the inside of the backing. Also, Knott's code is reversed from Disneyland's, which are actually backwards themselves, if this was a Disneyland Ticket book from May 1977, the code would be "775". There will be a quiz at the end of this post.

If you study serial numbers like I do, you'll notice this ticket below is not from the booklet show above, that baby is full and so mint I didn't even want to bend it. This ticket below looks identical to the ones in the book above, except it was from a 1/2 empty book. I tore it out just for the thrill of it, and it felt grand!

I hope you enjoyed todays little "Cross-Post", I have always read that Walt Disney and Walter Knott were very cordial and friendly to each other, so it's kind a neat to see they did some cross promotion in the later years.

OK here's the Quiz; If a Disneyland ticket book were printed this today, what would its three digit date code be? You thought I'd forget the quiz part didn't you?

Main Gate Pass - 1962

How in the world did you get one of these? This pass lets you and a party of 3 through the Main Gate of Disneyland for the entire year of 1962! It even includes parking. This must have been the Ultra Premium Annual Pass of its day. I don't think you could buy these, in fact I would bet on it. Were these for "Special Guests" or Upper lever Disneyland employees? If anyone knows, please fill me in.

My Scan doesn't show it very well, but the paper has a machined / brushed metal look to it that shifts when you move it side to side. As with yesterday's Autopia License post, I'm am grateful I have this gem in mint unused condition, but I would also love to at least see one that's all filled in and was actually used.

Some rules on the back. No Special ticketed events. Not Transferable! Management reserves the right to cancel this pass without notice, so you better behave!

Since it's 1962 and this Main Gate Pass only lets you and your party of 3 through the Main Gate (and free parking), you and your party are on your own for the attractions that require individual lettered tickets for admission.

Somehow I would imagine whom ever got this nifty little Main Gate Pass above also had a bunch of these ticket books shown below in their pockets! This is a October 1962 Courtesy Guest Book with 5 Adventures in Disneyland. These books have no $ value's printed on them or on the tickets. These booklets did not include admission to the park.

And these tickets were Magic indeed. These beauties were good on any ride or attraction. I'd be sure to use them on "E" ticket rides, I can't imagine using one of these on the Omnibus, then again, yes I can....

And just because when I pressed the "preview" button I didn't see much color in this post, here is a very colorful postcard. I don't have a date, late 80's maybe? It has a code on the back 0100-11608, I have no idea what that means, but it's pretty....

After this post I am ready to use my Annual Pass! I think I might go Disneyland tomorrow!!!!