Sunday, May 17, 2009

Walt Disney on What’s My Line? - 1956

No Bonus Sunday today, just a little something I found that I thought would be fun to share.

Here’s a link to a YouTube video of Walt Disney on What’s My Line?, November 11, 1956. I hadn’t seen this before even though I’ve seen quite a few episodes of What’s My Line? when they used to run it on the Game Show Network. Dorothy Kilgallen mesmerizes me.

Bennett Cerf ends up recognizing Walt’s voice, typical Bennett!  Check out how Bennett praises Disneyland and then asks Walt if he's built that Sky ride yet!  The Saturday Evening Post article Mr. Daly talks with about Walt will be shown on Magazine Monday in a few weeks…

Walt Disney on What’s My Line - YouTube Link



Saturday, May 16, 2009

Disneyland Birthday Fun Card

What will you celebrate?” I answered Disney’s question a few days ago, which just happened to have been my birthday. Disneyland is giving away a free ticket to the park on your birthday. If you have an Annual Pass, your choices are; a ticket for someone else to use or some kind of super fast-pass or an upgrade if your Annual Pass is blocked out or the Birthday Fun Card. It’s a pretty cool give-away that’s easy and there’s no “odds of winning”.

The Birthday Fun Card seemed like the best deal; it's good for one year from your birthday, plus Pluto is adorable isn’t he?





Your Birthday Fun Card is loaded with an amount equal to a one-day one-park ticket. Adults - $69, Children - $59. 





You’re given this flyer along with the Birthday Fun Card. What, you can’t use it on food or drinks? What else would I buy at Disneyland besides food & drinks? I haven’t used it yet, I guess I’ll find something in the clothes store or the Emporium.





What’s with all this Lawyer stuff? It’s a FREE gift! After you read this you’ll be afraid to use your Happy Fun Card (link) without your legal counsel present. #8 – “Disney Gift Card Services, Inc.” Was it really necessary to form a separate legal entity to give stuff away?

Offer not Valid in the following states; 

AL,AK,AZ,AR,CA,CO,CT,DE,FL,GA,HI,ID,IL,IN,IA,KS,KY,LA,ME,MD,MA,MI,MN
MS,MO,MT,NE,NV,NH,NJ,NM,NY,NC,ND,OH,OK,OR,PA,RI,SC,SD,TN, TX,UT,VT
VA,WA,WV,WI,WY.




Friday, May 15, 2009

Disneyland Passports - 1977


In case anyone is doing the math; this marks my 500th post here on the blog (Hey Dave, Major & Matterhorn1959, I'm half way to the 1000 club!).  It’s a little overwhelming to look back at all my old posts, who is this crazy guy with all this paper stuff? What’s even more overwhelming is how much stuff I haven’t posted yet or even cataloged or organized!

For today's post here are a couple of neat Passport’s to Disneyland from May 1977. These are from the day’s when ticket books were still the standard issue and these were available only to “Magic Kingdom Club” members.






The child passport for $6.50. These are in super shape for being 32 years old. I love the little strings.






These 1970’s passports look very similar to the one’s from the 1980’s, except when compared to a 1982 ticket, they’re HUGE! The 1977 one is also on a much nicer card stock.





Thank you to everyone who has commented and emailed me (or even if you have just read my blog).   I’ve enjoyed every minute of doing this blog and reading all the other great blogs on my “favorites” list, you should see my browser choke when I open all 35 blogs at once each morning .  It’s hard to imagine there was a time when my Disneyland obsession was kept all bottled up.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Disneyland Escorted Tours by Greyhound - 1967

Anyone up for an Escorted Bus Tour to Disneyland??? I like how this 1967 Greyhound bus tour brochure neglects to show a photo of an actual bus!






I’ll take the 5 day package since it includes a visit to Universal Studios and a trip to Solvang (Pea Soups Andersons anyone?). Although the 4 day package has Knott’s, Marineland and the Wax Museum, all that’s scheduled on day 3, that’s not enough time for all three places!






The prices seem pretty reasonable, of course remember, the smell of Diesel fumes and an overflowing toilet are included for free….


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Country Jubilee - May 10, 1980

This was supposed to be posted last Saturday, but that darn laziness thing took over! From May 10, 1980 it's Disneyland's Country Jubilee.






Not being a huge country music fan, I don't recognize any of these groups. It does seem there was plenty of "Nighttime Entertainment".





25th Anniversary goodness...





"Encore Nights" Still quite a few unrecognizable bands for me.  June 7th has a few familiar names, K.C. & the (I'm your boogie man) Sunshine Band, Shalamar & Papa Doo Run Run... Does Disneyland have anything like this any more? Does FantasimcSummerNights have any entertainers lined-up?


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Busch Gardens - Van Nuys, California.

Welcome to Busch Gardens - Van Nuys, California. This undated (add scream sound here) brochure appears to be from the earlier days of the gardens. There is no mention of the log ride or the expanded areas (link), in fact, this might be one of the first brochures, does anyone know?







The Skyrail was actually fun, even with my fear of heights. It was neat to see (and smell) the beer being made. Heck you can still smell the beer (the hops?) when you drive by on Roscoe Blvd.






I remember the gardens being more lush. I also vividly remember my dad making my mom wait in line with him for the free beers even though she didn't drink. Ah the gold old days...








An actual ticket to the park has eluded me thus far, but at least you can park your car with this!




Monday, May 11, 2009

Radio & Television News - August 1956

Welcome to Magazine Monday! Picking up a magazine from the “Obscure” stack, today’s feature is “Radio & Television News” from August 1956. This appears to be a magazine for Radio & TV repair and sales stores.






This two page Disneyland article is all about the sounds of Adventureland and the Jungle Cruise. Although not as tech savvy as today’s systems, the original sound effects system was pretty astonishing in its complexity and the realism it provided.






Cartridge-type” players and Dual tracks with auto reverse! I wonder where the room with all these machines was/is located.






The advertisements are aimed at TV repair men, but still fun to look at. That lady is mad as heck; she “missed her favorite program” because the repair man put in a cheap picture tube! Hasn't she ever heard of Tivo?






Wow, that’s a big TV Camera and its not even Color! Can you believe your cell phone takes better video than this monster? And your cell phone has the recording studio built in; CBS isn’t showing you the room full of equipment that it actually takes to run this beast.






Have you ever heard of the New Isophase Sound? Me either. I guess it never caught on, looks like it should be in the House of the Future.






Use this beautiful Viking to crank up your Isophase speakers. That tape deck sparkles like a jewel.






Tired of repairing radios and TV’s all day? Since it 1956 and the cold war is ramping up, why not go work for IBM and their project “Sage”. Should you be caught or captured, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.


Sunday, May 10, 2009

Bonus Sunday

Welcome to Bonus Sunday, from Friday's post, here is the complete issue of "Backstage" from the summer of 1976.


Backstage / Summer 1976 - 50mb







There's a fun picture story about Jonathan losing his parents!






I can't say I really understand the humor in some of this, but I am digging the artwork!


Friday, May 8, 2009

Backstage (Disneyland) Summer 1776-1976

From the Summer of 1976 it’s Backstage Magazine. Another cast member magazine, this one has some fun stuff inside.  The covers are pretty nice too, but you really need to view the front and the back together for it to make sense.





“One of those days”






There are three of these “Uh-oh” pages in this issue. They are really funny; I like the 3rd one the best! These all remind me of Major’s “Day at Disneyland” April 1st post from last year (link).  Although Major's photo was MUCH funnier than these.










Some cute coupons… What does E.R. mean in the context of being a cast member?






There’s a bunch of these silly comics too…





Come back on Bonus Sunday for the entire issue.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Magic Mountain - First Season Brochure


Today’s post might not look very exciting, but it is pretty rare. In fact, along with the Inaugural Preview Day Brochure (link), this would be among the rarest of the Magic Mountain brochures.

From Magic Mountains first season starting on May 21st, 1971. This brochure is a real time capsule look at the very first days of magic. I really dig that artwork on the bottom of the front cover; it makes me want to sing happy songs like the old “Levi's Song".






While a bunch of these attractions and restaurants are long gone, a few cool ones still remain.








Magic Mountain, Version 1.0. Besides Disneyland, the mountain you see here holds many fond childhood memories for me.






The summer 1971 lineup of entertainment is right up there with Disneyland, in fact I’m pretty sure Count Basie played both! The Jimmy Durante Show and the Milton Berle Show, was this 1971 or 1956? Mel Torme, the Velvet Frog himself!





If your into the Magic of the Mountain, be sure to check out all my previous posts here (link).

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Trip Report


Monday was a beautiful day at Disneyland; the next two weeks are my favorite time of year to visit the park. The crowds are almost as low as late January and the weather is usually outstanding, as was the case on Monday.






Mickey looks a little goofy in the current floral arrangement, but people still flock to him, me included.






The less photographed side of the train station.






The “Lincoln Theater Restrooms” are being refurbished. It probably has something to do with the upcoming Disney Galley moving into the bank area. The men’s room was woefully small in this area, I wonder if its being completely re-done?








It’s been a while since I’ve seen these doors closed, this time its nice to know who’s coming back!








Spring is in the air and everywhere at Disneyland. Over the last couple of years I’ve really come to appreciate the landscaping and amazing amount of work it must take to keep it fresh and new every day.







Walking by the Candy Palace the smell was intoxicating.






This “Palace” is so much fun to watch in action. The equipment all looks pretty old and original.








Vintage vent grill and fan.






Today’s yummy specialty.







Disneyland’s “intimate” size works great when it not crowded, I love just watching the Main Street vehicles travel up and down the street.









Out at the hub there was lots of color, these even smelled like they just came out of that refrigerated case at the florist!






That tree with the yellow leaves was more vivid than this photo suggests, truly magnificent.






What do you know, here’s some more yellow!






This shot was actually in the discard pile until I realized if you look close in the background, the Astro-Orbitor is GONE! (Well most of it). I Didn’t even notice it was gone, do I hate it that much it’s just removed from my mind? Disney; Please don’t put it back; really, it won’t be missed.






Ducks own Disneyland. This duck leisurely waltzed right past me within about 3 inches, he seemed a little annoyed that he had to alter his path around me.







A brief visit to Frontierland. More pretty colors.








Zero line for Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road at 10:30, I rode it twice; “It’s the wildest ride in the wilderness”!






You can’t see it in the previous photo so I tried to zoom in with my camera; there are two real birds at the top, they were black and matched perfect with the fake birds down lower on the attractions. Do they have a contract with Disney?






What a great tree.






Did I mention it was a beautiful day?






These flowers where over by the New Orleans Square (at Frontierland) train station.






Splash Mountain was also looking extra nice today, I was temped to ride it. It was getting warm and the line was short, but I was not up for wet socks.






Way back in Bear Country and way back in a store that I think used to be the Mile Long Bar or the arcade, there is another active candy shop!






She is making marshmallows on stick, dipped in caramel then dipped in milk chocolate.






Once again, the smell was intoxicating.






This time I gave in, I got one (without the “celebrate” stuff). Oh boy, these are worth every penny of the $4 they cost. At first I didn’t think I could finish it, but I did. It was pure bliss.






Retro-land.






Three Fences is fine and doing its spring thing.






While taking the Three Fences photo, Monorail Orange came zooming by.






Loyal blog reads will know I’ve been chronicling the crack on the Monorail cement awning in Tomorrowland ever since the crack started last year (September 2008 w/old Monorial), (December 2008), (January 2009) (February 2009), (April 2009)  They attempted several fixes, mostly spackle and paste, all attempts failed and it just kept getting worse. A much large construction wall reveals a much larger problem.






As the next four photos show, a major portion of the 1967 cement monorail awning has been removed. It looks like rust was coming from steel plates within the cement and it looks pretty bad. At first I thought they tore out park of the PeopleMover track, but that’s on the other side of the beam, whew.












Here’s a little more than half of whats left of the awning.






The awning ends here as the monorail beam goes over the Matterhorn area. Notice the rust in this area too; I bet the entire vintage awning will be removed. What will go in its place remains a mystery. We could get a metal shield like the one in the Orange Monorail photo up a few pictures.





Here’s comes the Blue Monorail, she’s prettier than her Orange sister!








The Matterhorn was looking majestic as ever, the water was more than a trickle, but could have been turned up one more notch.






Not growing on me yet, you?





Ssshhhhh everyone quiet please, the band is about to begin.












A great Gurr-Mobile! They sure keep this machine clean as a whistle.






Nothing too complicated here.






Be sure and get your hand stamped.





Here's current gate flyer. Nice that it still has a BIG map inside, it's neat to see a lot of people studying this map at the park. Oh and what will you Celebrate?