Knott's Berry Farm - The "D" Ticket

The Knott’s Berry Farm “D” ticket had the shortest life span of all the lettered tickets and the fewest changes; therefore it’s going to fit in one big post. Before we continue, let me say it’s been such fun putting together this Knott’s "A Thru D" series, I’ve learn a lot and I hope you did to. You can see the entire Knott’s lettered ticket series here (Link).

The very first “D” ticket, this Child's ticket is from May 1975. There are only four attractions for this “least valuable” of the lettered tickets. However, they’re pretty decent attractions. The Shootin' Galley and Archery Range were at Knott’s for a while, odd that I can’t find a photo of either one!

The Merry go round, in its old location. The Merry go round is now near what’s left of the lake. At least it’s there on the 2008 map, tomorrow, who knows!






May 1976 has a new land added; the Roaring 20’s and the “25¢ Arcade Games” are on the “D” ticket. I remember the Arcade, but I don’t remember how you used these tickets for the games, did you exchange them for a token? I think the Arcade is still there.




The last of artists Wendy Pelzer’s great concept art work. “Cloud 9” Did they build this?






A nice “Grey Globe Paper” “D” ticket from April 1979. This is the same grey found on many Disneyland “C” tickets. This is the last appearance of the Cable Cars.





I believe the area for the Cable Cars was used to extend the park and the Camp Snoopy kid’s area. Where did the Cable Cars go? I hope not busted in half like the Cordelia K. Steamboat!





OK Knott’s experts, I need help on this March 1980 “D” ticket. I figured this post would hold no surprises; the “D” really didn’t change much. BUT, what the heck is “Black Bart’s Trail (Summer 1980)”? This will disappear off the next “D” in 6 months.

What was it? I only find two hard references to “Black Bart’s Trail”. (1) Disneyland 57/58 had a character named “Black Bart” (See post on Gorilla’s Don’t Blog) but that makes no sense in this context and (2) There is a reference on Ultimatehaunt.com (link) that talks about a 1978 “Black Bart’s Trail of Terror” which is described as a “fun house” maze of mirrors and hallways near the graveyard in Ghost town “One of the first things you encountered in this "fun house" maze was an upright coffin, which featured an authentic dead body!” WOW, Knott’s went for some serious realism! But I don't think that is what this ticket is talking about, does anyone know?





January 1981, last of the “D” tickets. No changes except “Black Bart’s Trail” is gone.

Here, take these and head to the Arcade, I hear there’s only a short line to play Asteroids!





Well folks, it’s been a fun series. There’s still plenty of Knott’s tickets and stuff in the vault, so fear not Knott’s fans. Check back soon for more Knott's fun.

Bonus Sunday

Welcome to Bonus Sunday here at the blog. Today we have two extra nice items for your perusing pleasure.

First, have you seen the new Monorail at Disneyland? I haven’t seen it in person yet, but check out this picture from “DarkBeer's Monday in the Park” article on Miceage (link). This is a BEAUTIFUL machine; I have read it's whisper quiet and looks stunning gliding around Tomorrowland.

In honor of the new Red Monorail, here is the complete Vacationland from the Fall of 1959. This issue is full of fun stuff; lots of neat ads and as page 15 says “Something for Everyone!”

Vacationland Fall 1959 (43mb)





Up next, from Knott’s Berry Farm it’s the Mott Miniature Collection complete guide. This was the coolest display Knott’s every had. My first memories of Knott’s are these Miniature Displays. I was so enthralled with this collection when I was a kid, all I wanted to do at Knott’s was just see these displays! My dad would patiently stay with me for hours while I checked out each and every one.

Most of the displays have funny names; “C.D. Boyd – Photographer”, “T.R. Ash – Second Hand Store”, “A. Bullina China Store” and many more.

The Mott Miniature Collection (80mb)





From what I have heard, the collection was broken up and auctioned off. I am not even sure if the building is still there, somehow I think it's gone too.





Interestingly, my strongest memory of the Mott’s display is not included in the 45 pages guide above, it’s the tiny TV! Just to show I’m not crazy, and Ken over at “Outside the Berm” knows I’m not crazy because HE HAS THE TV!!! Here is a neat old ticket for Mott’s showing the TV, not dated, mid 1960’s?



*******EBAY ALERT********

I search EBay all the time for “Vintage Disneyland Ticket” and I find all sorts of things with that search, but I have never found this, an actual Vintage Disneyland Ticket Booth????? (EBay Item number: 200218778523).

This looks like the real deal to me. Ok, first I am sure this will be priced so far over my head I wont even see it, but if somehow I could buy it, where would I put it? Living room? Den? ….

These are two pictures from the EBay auction. The auction states "one of six".

Tomorrow: Knott’s Berry Farm – The “D” Ticket - Part 1 of 1.

The Magic Worlds of Walt Disney - National Geographic August 1963

Here’s a lavishly well done article all about Walt Disney and Disneyland. This article is from the August 1963 Edition of National Geographic. There is a much smaller article from the October 1962 Edition, but it’s only two pages, I’ll post that another time.

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 ?

Silver Pass - 1994

Quick post today, light on text. I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date.

This "Silver Pass" from 1994 seems like GOLD to me! How in the world did you get one of these? I am guessing you couldn't even buy these, but then how did you get it? Better question, do they still have these?

Hey Jason, notice it's Disneyland "Park"....

Tomorrow: Per a readers request, another Disneyland Magazine article.

Special Guest Cards 1957 and Wonderland Music

Going way back to June 1957, these "Special Guest Cards" were special indeed. Although not inexpensive, they must have been like gold. It's not clearly stated, but it appears you get into Disneyland and get unlimited use of the rides and attractions. No big deal in 2008, a huge deal in 1957!

This poor adult ticket has a hole in it, did someone punch it thru for a button?

This "sleeve" from the Wonderland Music Store came with these tickets when I got them, but I don't know if it's from the same year? It was open from 1955 to 1972. I think this sleeve is for sheet music, it's larger then the scan shows by a couple of inches.

It appears that the Wonderland Music Store moved around a bit during its 17 year run. From Davelandblog, this is from 1957/58.





From Stuff from the Park, March 1960, it seems to have moved "two doors down"....





And from Gorilla's don't blog, 1970 finds Wonderland near Mr. Lincoln! I should know this, but what's there now?

Tomorrow: A Silver pass...

Take a LOOK at Disneyworld - April 4, 1971

In Honor of my upcoming trip to Walt Disney World this summer, lets take a look at Walt Disney World six months BEFORE it opened. Today's posts comes entirely from the April 4th 1971 edition of LOOK magazine. I sure like the HUGE size of these old LOOK and LIFE magazines, I still feel like kid when I hold one of these classic magazines. They measure 10 1/4" by 13 1/4" just in case you are curious.

The Mickey on the cover looks a little odd to me, I can't exactly figure it out, but he has a Twilight Zone look to to him as do the early WDW TV commercials.





You will notice that WDW looks like it's pretty far along at this point. Most of these photo's look like completed areas.







This blurry page is not a scanner error, several of the pictures in this article are like this, my guess is two fold; (1) It's artistic and (2) I think they are trying to hide the fact that the place isn't quite finished yet.





"Thousands of Acres of Computerized fun" Thousands? The Mickey Mouse Musical Review sure looked neat, was it? From Wikipedia: "In October, 1971, the Mickey Mouse Revue show opened as an 'E' ticket attraction in Fantasyland, in the Magic Kingdom, Florida. The show ran until it was closed on September 14, 1980. The building that housed it was renamed the Fantasyland Theater. Mickey Mouse Revue found a new home at Tokyo Disneyland park in Japan, where it plays to this day in the Japanese language."






More blurry fun! Check out the text on this page, Disney was still claiming it would build "Walt's" EPCOT, 20,000 people and all...





Hey, where exactly is that submarine floating? Looks too big to be the lagoon at WDW.





Is that Castle finished?





I wonder if THIS is what Walt had in mind for the Florida project?







And now a couple of full page ads. [Disclaimer alert: I in no way endorse or approve of cigarette smoking, it's nasty and deadly] That said, this is 1971 and cigs were cool still. These Eve ads used to really creep me out as kid. That art work reminds me of my cousin who lives in Topanga Canyon and grows all her own food! "Smoke Pretty" and I guess you "Die young"!





2nd Disclaimer alert: I do fully endorse and approve of Mustangs, in fact I just so happen to drive an 06' Mustang GT, but I'd trade it for that 1971 Mach-1 in heart beat! Of course that has to include the stylish model and that Lear Jet too! A better idea for safety; buckle up.

Knott's Berry Farm - The "C" Ticket part 2

Part 2 is the final part of the Knott's Berry Farm “C” ticket series covering 1978 thru 1981. To be more specific on that date in 1981 “Knott’s Berry Farm went to an 'unlimited' park ticket on Friday December 18th 1981 - ticket books were discontinued and guests 'paid-one-price' thereafter.” This information comes from Ken at "Outside the Berm” (link), thank you Ken!

This May 1978 Adult ticket has no attraction changes from the May 1977 ticket where we left off in Part 1 (link). There is small change however, about a 5¢ worth! The “C” ticket now sports a 45¢ price tag.





For a change of color, here is a May 1978 Adventures Ticket. This is good for any attraction so we’ll pretend it’s being used as a “C” ticket.






April 1979, no changes, just posting it because I am officially obsessed with Globe Ticket paper….






I think the “Tail Spin” in this incredible concept art actually became the “Propeller Spin”. Chris Merritt was kind enough to supply this blog with the artists name; Wendy Pelzer, who worked under Art Director Rick Cambell's direction. Wendy produced some fine work for Knott’s.






December 1980, last of the larger style tickets. No changes again, just vivid Globe paper.





More of Wendy’s great concept art. Did they build the Sky Diner like this?






Last of the “C” tickets, from 1981. This is when the tickets shrunk down to the same smaller size that Disneyland had switched to in 1974! Knott’s also went to A-B-C with these smaller tickets, eliminating the “D” ticket. I would guess they knew the “pay-one-price” day was coming. The "Archery Range" and "Merry Go Round" join the "C " ticket, moved up from the old "D" ticket.






Where is the Cordelia K. these days? Is there enough water anywhere at Knott’s to float her?