Sunday, April 5, 2009

Bonus Sunday

Welcome to Bonus Sunday. I had two items planned for today, however due to technical difficulties (I’m on a hike today) you’re only getting one item, but it’s good one!




From 1970 this Schwinn Diamond Jubilee catalog is just amazing. Almost all the photos were taken at Knott’s Berry Farm in its grand heyday. At 47 pages, this must be the zenith of the Schwinn product line, there are so many variations it’s mind boggling.


Complete Schwinn at Knott’s Catalog – 78mb


Here’s a few pages from the catalog, but do yourself a favor and download the entire catalog, if you had a Schwinn Bike in or around 1970, its in there!

These “Girls” look more like women to me. Hey that fountain is still there (link).






That does not look like Whittles!






How fun is this? I want one! I’d also like to see how two of those fit in the lunch-box sized trunk on that ’66 Mustang!






How about some accessories? There are six pages of them!






On Christmas morning 1970 I had this exact bike waiting under the tree for me, it was the best Christmas and bike I’ve ever had. $56 was a pretty decent amount in 1970, and although I was only 5 1/2, even then I understood this was big deal. Right away I put on a 2 foot tall sissy bar with a metallic purple banana seat and I took off the chain guard (I was too cool for that!).


Saturday, April 4, 2009

Trip Report

I had a couple hours to visit the park on Thursday, I debated if it was worth fighting the spring break crowds. Let me tell you, it was well worth it! The spring break crowds didn’t show up, at least not by 1pm. It was a pleasant visit, a little overcast, but perfect weather to walk the park three times in two hours.

First thing thru the gates I find Alice and the Mad Hatter hamming it up with the Disneyland Band and guests. If you like Alice be sure and visit “Vintage Disney Alice”.





Check out Alice here, someone threw her a kiss, I love the way she grabs it and tucks it away!








Goofy is totally perplexed here; “How do those kids even know who that guy is”?





These guys were playing in New Orleans Square. I just missed a more snazzy tune, this one is a bit slow.








This guy was jamming on the previous tune.







New Orleans Square or Ghost Town?






My newest fun thing to do; get a Gumbo Bowl just before noon then sit right next to the Pirates of the Caribbean line and count how many people comment on my food. (22)






Speaking of food, by sheer coincidence the new Roundup & Barbecue had its grand opening just moments after I stumbled across it at 11:15am. Yes it's $28.95 for adults, $35 after tax and tip. (My Gumbo with large coke was $12). The folks inquiring didn’t seem to mind the price, however they wanted to eat now but were told to come back at 11:30am.






The entire crew was getting a pep-talk. That photographer looked official or he’s from the X-files.






Forget about the food (like I’m ever gonna eat there?) This whole area is a vintage Disneylander’s dream. I don’t remember every being able to photograph this “Natures Wonderland” relic from this side. It looks great, the refurbishment really came out well.






And this area just gets better; you can walk right up and touch the vintage Surrey. You bet I did!






These two were behind ropes so I didn’t touch them, I just gazed.








I’m looking through you”…






This woman herself was not smoking, nor was her baby. However, folks nearby were smoking. Let’s hope she just didn’t see the sign.






Mickey usually is a little nicer to me! He was in a big hurry; he didn’t slow down one bit, he didn’t even have his “handler” with him.






This is why Mickey was in such a hurry.








Three Fences are doing very well. I’m starting to get weird looks from people when I take pictures of this spot.






My camera traveled beyond the fence for this shot. (Maybe this is why I was getting the weird looks?)






I’ve been chronicling the crumbling monorail support section near the Tomorrowland Terrance for months now, in fact, since September 12th (link), again on December 13th (link) and again on January 30th 2009 (link). So when I came upon this new construction wall I was glad to see someone at the park is finally going to fix it.






Still looks the same, the spackle and paste is peeling off just like I said it would.






Upon closer inspection, this isn’t a construction wall, it’s more of a falling debris shelter.






Tell me they are going to fix the track and not just leave this eyesore up to “catch the pieces as they fall”, that would be a lame maintenance plan.






Smile inducing.






The newest Monorail was buzzing around the track. This thing is ORANGE. No color shifting here, it’s orange as a pumpkin!







When did Aliens take over Tomorrowland? I thought that was part of the “Tomorrowand 2055” concept that died? Hey, I’m digging that original “Men” sign, which looks 1967 to me. This is the bathroom on the left side of the American Sings building.






Taking a cue from this photo (link) over at Videblog, this is the pylon that had one of its legs cut while it was back stage in 1997. You can see where it was welded back. You can also see that something else you to be attached that was welded off as well. Also, calling maintenance, I see some rust!






Say it isn’t so? I’ve seen these before and assumed they were reproductions or something, but after comparing them to vintage photos, this appears to be 1967 Rocket Jet. Ugh.






And one last maintenance issue. PLEASE fix this! Moisture is obviously getting inside and sooner than later lots of tiles are going to start popping off. Give me $200, I'll go to Home Depot, get the supplies and fix it myself! On a side note, if they don't want to fix it, I want one of those tiles!!!!






Eric the Piano Man was sounding mighty fine.







How do you do?






Totally ridiculous, but those girls seem to like it.






Hey, I want to ride up front. Nice new pavement.






A few shots of the Omnibus as I head out of the park.








It's so shinny you can see yourself!






I think I’ll drive this baby home instead of my car, I’ll figure it all out.





Update: I forgot to post the Dapper Dan's looking dapper as ever.





Friday, April 3, 2009

June 1958 Disneyland Flyer

From June 1958 here’s a fun Disneyland gate flyer. I’ve recently seen one of these sell on eBay for $50, which is just crazy money. There’s one currently on eBay (link) its only at $16, that seems more reasonable, I'll be curious to see the final price.







Lost children could be found at the end of E. Plaza Street, “Report to the matron in charge.






What a super map! This is very similar to Daveland’s magnificent interactive home page of his Disneyland picture website (link).  If you haven't been to Dave's site, you're missing an amazing collection of Disneyland photos.








The precursor to Vacationland, this is the cover to the Disneyland Holiday magazine from the summer of 1958.






The world of tomorrow is here today, yes its 1987 at Disneyland! There’s a rare Viewliner sighting in the upper right corner.






Cute.





Comeback on Double Bonus Sunday for this entire issue of Disneyland Holiday along with the 1970 Schwinn at Knott’s Catalog.

Comeback tomorrow for early April trip report.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Youth Activities Price Sheet - Disneyland 1962

Here’s a fun look at the “Youth Activities” department of Disneyland in 1962. The price sheets below were mailed in this envelope, weird that they slapped this big label on a #10 envelope. I vaporized the address, 2 years with Photoshop and I finally figured out the “clone tool”!






The “Winter Season 1962” had those super special “Passports to Disneyland”, "admission to the park and admission to every ride and attraction as many times as you desire”.  Should I volunteer to be the leader for a FREE admission? I’ll do it as long as I get to be the ONE PERSON to pick up the ticket books and distribute them to the group.






The “Summer Season 1962" sheet appears to be a reprint/re-use of the “Winter Season 1961-62” sheet with some strike outs and corrections. The plans are changed for summer, with the elimination of the “Passports” and the addition of the “15 Adventure” books. But this was originally printer for winter, even the “Winter Hours” are shown at the bottom. Things that make you go hmmmm.






From my March 11th post (link) this 1962 Passport to Disneyland” was one heck of a deal for $4.50.






A trio of “10 Adventure” books from 1962, I like the soothing colors.






Have you noticed all the stylized “Disneyland’s” in each scan, fun symmetry. I’m out of my “B” ticket mood (sorry Alice) and I’m in an “E” ticket mood today. It’s because we're almost at the weekend and I might just be at the park as you read this!

Can you imagine having to choose just one attraction from this ticket? Pretend it’s 1962, you’ve got this one “E” Ticket, what's your choice? Temping as the Flying Saucers are, I’m going with the Pack Mules thru Nature's Wonderland.