Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Donald Duck's Contest Win a trip to Disneyland - 1960

From 1960 this “Entry Blank” is similar to the Monsanto's Easy Jingle Contest posted last month (link). First prize is a trip for two to Disneyland via TWA’s SuperJet (that’s a 707 by the way!). What's extra cool about this contest is a whole day visit to the Walt Disney Studios in addition to three days expenses paid at Disneyland!






This contest has five chances to win, one each month, August thru December 1960.






The cover of Vacationland Summer 1960. Mickey is still looking a bit primitive, since everyone is smiling they must all approve.





I like this picture of Walt, he’s sure did love those neat model models didn’t he? I’ve noticed he is always touching them or pointing to things on them…






Interesting back cover of the Summer 1960 Vacationland. “YES, 43 unique adventures and rides, including Walt Disney’s newest attraction “Natures Wonderland”. If you would like to see the entire Summer 1960 edition of Vacationland, check back on this coming Bonus Sunday.





I've posted this link before, but in case you missed it, this is a family in 1956 that won a similar contest to this and the Monsanto one. Their contest was with Scotch Tape. This is a great film of vintage Disneyland, well worth the lengthy download (it's 2 GIG's). Here is the link to the film:

1956 Disneyland Family Vacation download the 2GIG version, it's clear as a bell...

See you on tomorrows post....

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Airlines and the Magic Kingdom

Today’s post it a tribute to the Airline Industry. We just lost a couple more airlines last week, Aloha and ATA both gone, shut down virtually overnight. Let’s take a look back to some brighter times.

It’s May 6, 1972 and Eastern Airlines is the Official Airline of Walt Disney World. Hand written tickets on the great messy red carbon paper, what a way to fly! Eastern was once a big player in the airline industry, they ceased operation in 1991. Eastern and Disney parted ways in 1989.




Who remembers flying with all this stuff? "Ticketless Boarding", never heard of it in 1972!







1983 and Eastern is the “Official Airline” of EPCOT too!





Don’t forget Disneyland!!!! United Air Lines of course, whew, at least they are still around! Check back Sunday for the full post of the neat travel guide. You have until then to decide if you want to rent a Pinto or a Torino. (the Torino is $10 more)





Now as we veer off the Disney sky’s altogether, lets take a trip back a little further into the airline industry. From June 1959 an American Airlines Ticket packet. “First with jets across the U.S.A” Just six months into domestic “jet” travel, these are a neat look back at a simpler time.





“707 Jet Flag Ship” The plane that started a revolution in air travel. A 707 was the first plane I ever flew in, and it will always represent the “Jet Age” to me.







Now we have really traveled back into time. “New York Central Airlines” This odd ticket is not dated, but there is a reference to the safety record of 1929! Note: “No stunt Flying allowed” forget it, now I don’t want to go…





On behalf of Aloha, ATA, Eastern, United, American and New York Central Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to see you on board again in the near future. Have a nice day.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Knott's Berry Farm - The "B" Ticket Part 3

If you missed part 2 of this series, you can find it here (link).

Today, part 3 will take us from 1979 to 1981. From some point after June 1981 Knott’s went to a “Password” unlimited ride system. I don’t know the exact date of this switch, if anyone has information please pass it on. (Same thing with Disneyland. Although I can pin-point that date in 1982 a little closer – future post alert).

From April 1979 this Child “B” ticket actually has no changes from the May 1978 Adult “B” ticket in part 2, but this “orange” Globe Paper is so vivid I just had to post it.






March 1980 has a new attraction on in its Roaring 20’s section; “Wacky Soap Box Racer (Summer 1980)”. Missing and not on any other ticket: Independence Hall and Henry’s Auto Livery. Independence Hall is still there; maybe it went to free admission at this point? “Henry’s Auto Livery” is this when it was removed?








On the Knott’s “A” ticket post (link) I was not very kind to the “Wacky Racer” or it’s first incarnation the “Motor Cycle Chase”. Well, after doing a little more research, maybe I was wrong. I never rode the “Wacky” version, but according to Rollercoaster Database, the “Motorcycle” version went 40 mph! The “Wacky” version was slowed to 30 mph. Both much faster than I thought. Here are some Wacky guests having a great race!





This attraction had an odd track system and cycles or racers. It’s kind of a “monorail” with the smaller lower rail keeping the whole thing upright. Check out more photos on the Rollercoaster Database website (link).





I rode Motorcycle Chase when it was brand new. I swear it seemed slow and kind of boring. Maybe I was traumatized because I had just rode the “Parachute Sky Jump” and almost fainted, twice!





Fiesta Village gets a new attraction on this December 1980 "B" ticket; The “Dragon Swing”. This ride is still at Knott’s today, or at least it’s on Knott's website (link).







The Dragon Swing in full swing!





December 1980 is also when Knott’s started to put the date codes on the tickets themselves, something Disneyland never did. Here is the back of the December 1980 “B” ticket above, the bottom left corner has “8012”. They started this a little late in the ticket game don’t you think?







Last of the line, this March 1981 Child “B” ticket has only one attraction change from December 1980. The Whirlwind is being renamed “Greased LightningOpen Summer ‘81". Same ride, new theme.








March 1981's other change is when Knott’s downsized the tickets, Disneyland did this in 1974. Shown for size comparison: Top – March 1981 / Bottom – April 1979.







And last for today, a nice “Welcome” brochure. It’s not dated, but I would put it around 1981.












Tomorrow: Where is this slogan from: “'Love to fly and it shows

Sunday, April 6, 2008

More Knott’s Berry Farm Maps & Sunday Bonus

If you missed the Knott’s Berry Farm Map Comparison Post from earlier in the week, you can see it here (link). Today's post is technically part two.

Today we have 5 great map scans that were donated to the blog. This is so exciting to be pulling this information together from various sources. This is at the core of why I wanted to start this blog.

Christopher Merritt sent me the first three scans on today’s post. Christopher has a new Knott’s book coming out soon that I can’t wait to read!

A 1971 large size souvenir "fun" map by Paul Butler.






Another “fun” map, this one is from 1979 and by Bob Bates. I really like the art work on this one, the boarder is so "fun" to look at.





“For extra fun, here's a map of the long lost Jungle Island drawn by Robin Hall just prior to its demolition.” WOW, now that's rare! Thanks Christopher!





Chris Jepsen over at “O.C. Historical Roundup” (link) donated these next two rare scans from the Orange County Archive (link) a place I plan to visit soon! Thanks for the maps Chris!

From Chris “I think the attached 1953 map may not have actually been released. Note that edits are faintly visible on the street names. (They got Grand and Hwy 39 mixed up.)” – Full Map Scan (link)






Halloween 1976. Did you know “Knott’s Halloween Haunt” started in 1973? I sure didn’t. Check out the “history” tab on this neat website: http://www.ultimatehaunt.com/. - Full Map Scan (link)





Did you notice the Knott’s Bicentennial Logo on the 1976 map above? It’s also featured on the Independence Hall page of the 1976 Souvenir Guide book at the end of this post. This logo looks great, it’s official and classy.





Now as promised on Monday’s Knott’s “B” ticket post (link) today's Sunday Bonus is the entire “Knott’s Souvenir Edition” guide book. TRUST ME, this has got to be the finest guide/magazine that Knott’s ever put together. It’s got tons of original photo’s that are outstanding, be sure to checkout the food sections near the end, yummy....

The text is an easy ready and very informative. IMHO, this guide captures Knott’s at its finest hour. It still had all the great original charm and attractions, plus so many new and exiting things; this was a fun time to be at Knott’s. 36 all color pages cover to cover, this full "magazine size" guide makes for a big PDF file, well worth the download I guarantee it!



Knott’s Souvenir Edition Guide Book 1976 (93mb)







What? You haven’t had enough Knott’s yet???? Tomorrow: Knott's Berry Farm - The "B" Ticket Part 3.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Find Out What's Gotten Into The New Matterhorn

Find out what’s gotten into the New Matterhorn” It really was a great upgrade; I haven’t heard too many people that beg for the “old” version to be put back.

Gate Flyer from September 3-9, 1978.






Main Street Electrical Parade, Count Basie, The New Mousketeers, “Magnificent Music ‘N’ Motion Machine” (see back page below for details of this disco dream) and so much more entertainment! What was “Kids of the Kingdom” all about?





Facts & Features:





A summertime show you’ll never forget” Anyone remember?





Here is your guide complete guide in PDF format for your visit to 1978. Enjoy.

Disneyland Guide Book Fall/Winter 1978-79 (21mb)






Tomorrow is Knott’s Bonus Sunday!

Friday, April 4, 2008

What's gotten into the Matterhorn at Disneyland?

Mickey sure looks apologetic on this 1978Admit One” ticket. He’s got his sad face on and his hands are out; even his tail is tucked behind his shoe… Expiring December 15, 1978, this ticket was to make up for the Matterhorn being closed for a major refurbishment and update.

From MousePlanet.com: “The publicity for the revised Matterhorn centered around "something has gotten into the Matterhorn." The television commercial started with a fog-shrouded Matterhorn, and then it showed different glimpses of the new icy blue cave areas inside. "What's gotten into the Matterhorn at Disneyland? Glistening crystal ice caverns, howling winter storms… and something else." At this point you saw the two glowing eyes of the abominable snowman and heard his echoing growl. Then the commercial ended with a view of the Matterhorn through the fog again and the words, "The New Matterhorn…It could only happen at Disneyland.” Wouldn't it be cool to see this commercial?

It looks like the “New” Matterhorn took longer than expected. I’ve tried before to look into why there was a delay but I couldn’t find anything and I still can’t. I think the reason I can’t find anything on the web was explained very eloquently in a post at “Disneyland Nomenclature” (link). It’s all about “Folksonomies” (also known as collaborative tagging, social classification, social indexing, and social tagging). Apparently no one has tagged this subject.

To me there is a subtle irony with this ticket. Disneyland gave you this ticket because you (the guest) must have been expecting the New Matterhorn to be open (all those ads!). This ticket would “Admit One” to Disneyland. I guess the intent was that the Matterhorn would be open at a later date. But this ticket only gets you thru the front gate in 1978, you will still have to purchase an “E” ticket for the "New" Matterhorn!






The cover from the Fall/Winter 1978-79 guide book. The guide is effective September 10, 1978, The “New” Matterhorn must have been open for business by then. Check back this weekend for the entire guide book.





And last, I did make it to the Park today. It was a little cloudy but no rain and plenty of sunshine too. I found this neat little spot over by the lagoon, “Fantasyland” Autopia and the Matterhorn. I call this area “Three Fences” Check out the different styles! The left section is OLD and is only about 15 feet long, it's welded to a newer (late 90's?) black section. The green fence on the right looks 2007.





Come back this weekend; we'll have the Guide book above and more Knott's Maps!! And as promised on Monday's post (link) The Complete 1975/76 Knott's Souvenir Guide - this book is incredible!!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Disneyland Parking Tickets - Part 2

Before taking a second look at old Disneyland Parking Tickets, maybe check out the first parking ticket post here (link).

This parking ticket is interesting. "Good Only Thru Jan. 2, 1966" I wonder what the starting date was? "Delco-Remy" General Motors electrical component division, maybe this was part of the "Magic Kingdom Club" program? (Side note: There is a big multi-post coming soon on the "Club") Punched "void", I don't think it was voided because it was used, perhaps it's one of those "behind the scenes" tickets that was saved for some reason?






From 1986, this looks like a "free parking ticket". "Complimentary Parking Receipt" - I guess technically this is not the "free ticket" as the "free ticket" must have been exchanged for this ticket.





This is the ticket in 1985 that Disneyland would exchange for $2 out of your wallet or purse. Don't forget to mark you parking location...





"The Lion King - Parking Lots" That's the sequel that went straight to DVD!





This is that period when the old lot was closed, but the new parking structure wasn't finished yet. I remember seeing the construction walls for up around the "old" parking lot and thinking "WOW, this must be the new Westcot I've heard about" NOT!!!





I just got news I have to work in Orange County this morning. Hmmmmm, if the skies are clear I'm going to the park for lunch! Thank goodness my AP covers PARKING!