Happy Hearts Days at Disneyland - 1986

The “Happy Hearts Days” promotion at Disneyland in the spring of 1986 consisted of discount tickets for Disabled Persons, Families and Friends. At $9.95 these advance tickets were almost half off the regular adult passport price of $18. What a super program. I’m pretty sure they still have programs like this and much more.





Not that anyone should even think about cheating on a program like this, that’s so wrong. If you did cheat, that Donald Duck above would haunt your dreams for all of eternity. But how did they verify the purchaser was a Disabled person or did they?

From a previous post, here is one of the earlier Handicapped Guest guides.

Disneyland Handicapped Guest Guide 1987 (6mb)

Disneyland Grad Nite - 1965

Are you ready for some Vintage Disneyland Grad Nite posts? They’ll be more next week, but lets started off today with this beautiful brochure from Grad Nite 1965. Be sure and check out my previous Grand nite 65 (and 64) post here (link).

That’s got to be one of the best Grad Nite covers I’ve ever seen, I so dig that art work!

Does that really say what it looks like it says about KFWB? "Featuring Color Radio's popular DJ Larry McCormick." For those L.A. readers, that's the same Larry McCormick that spent over three decades hosting KTLA-5 News.

Disneyland Holiday Inn - 1969

Here’s a great little glossy brochure from 1969 for the Holiday Inn at Disneyland. No longer a Holiday Inn, this structure is now the Red Lion Hotel and has been significantly remodeled; check them out here (link).





Does that pool have a sheet of glass on it? What’s with the guy in the background in the slacks and shoes but no shirt, nerd alert! The Deluxe guest room is too groovy for words.






That’s an interestingly stylized Disneyland.






Taking a couple of ideas from Disneyland the hotel featured a “Ship’ Lounge” and a “Polynesian Dining Room” – such elegance.






Only two blocks south of Disneyland! Neato drawings of the new Anaheim Convention Center and the New Anaheim Stadium, hey I think I can see Jason's house from there!






These prices are looking pretty good.





This computerized “Holidex” reservation system printout confirms; 1 room, 2 beds, 3 persons, 4 nights beginning August 4th. Too bad these reservations appear to have been cancelled on July 26, 1969 at 3:00p. All those unrealized happy memories…





Holiday Inn “Guest Certificates”, who knew!

Unlock the Magic - June 1, 1983

It's June 1, 1983 and you're invited to the Dedication Ceremony of the New Fantasyland! This "Cast Premiere" ticket implies it's for the official grand re-opening, but in reality this is at least the 2nd dedication ceremony since I have an identical ticket for May 26, 1983. I guess it's not practical to have all the cast members go on one night, who'd be working? Did they lower the draw-bridge for each ceremony?







The Spring 1983 Vacationland has a fun cover.

Since the new Fantasyland was not finished when this was published we get some awesome concept art!



Come back on Bonus Sunday for the entire issue.

Backstage Disneyland - Summer 1966

As promised, here is the entire issue of Backstage Disneyland - Summer 1966.


Backstage Disneyland Summer 1966 - 58mb







Here's a few select pages, but to be honest, every page of this issue is a fun read. Disneyland had reached some sort of zenith by this point and you can really feel it as you read these pages.

A few of these trivia questions are easy, some are impossible! Download the entire issue for the answers...

Bonus Sunday

Welcome to an abbreviated version of Bonus Sunday. From the Summer of 1966 its "Backstage Disneyland". This is a large issue at 34 pages so come back on the Holiday tomorrow for the full issue. For now, please enjoy a few select pages.

Magic Mountain - Trip Report May 2010 - SAVE THE MONORAIL

When Magic Mountain opened in 1971 it featured a variety of transpiration rides, two Skyways, the Funicular Railroad and the Metro Monorail. The Skyway has been gone for over 15 years and the Metro Monorail has not run for at least 6 year, probably more.

1976 Guide Map

There are no plans to refurbish or restore this classic 39 year old attraction. I’ve heard all the reasons, and yes, now that it’s been sitting for along time it is in disrepair and probably would cost a lot of money to restore. It was announced in early 2008 that the Monorail would not be returning, yet its 100% intact still. Some “insiders” insisted to me that it would all be dismantled by now, I guess they were wrong.

Let’s start with the closest station to the entrance. This is the Whitewater Lake Station and is just across the path from the Log Jammer and the Mooseburger Lodge. The tree growth has covered much of the building and the front has been fenced in, they seem to be storing or using lights in there.





The board-up job looks, well, not so good.






The more I see this style of architecture the more I like it.






The exit stairs could use some TLC. Nothing has been done since my 2008 visit, zero.

Next up is my favorite of the three stations, the Contempo Pavilion Station. Located just up the path from the board-walk games area, this station is not that far from the first station when you’re on the monorail, but it sure beats walking around the long way. The station has two path ways to access it, this one if from the side of the station.






This is such a pretty part of the park. It's quiet because its sort of in between active areas.






Once again zero maintenance since my 2008 visit.






These queue lines are begging for riders.








The front entrance, don’t guests wonder what this is for?






The last station is the Four Winds Station, it’s about ¾ of the way up to the top of Samurai Summit. The station also has two path ways to access it, this one if from upper part of the summit.






This station was great because it really saved time and sore feet. This was a true Monorail transportation system, it worked, I know because I used it all the time!








The Four Winds Station loading area is actually in a tunnel, I always thought the stealthyness of this station was so cool.






Lamppost circa 1971.






The main entrance to the Four Wind Station is also begging for some guests.






The next few photos show the monorail beam as it traverses the park. You really would think more guests would ask “what’s that for?”










Near the Whitewater Lake Station I found this spur on the beam, this must be where the monorails are stored, let’s follow that spur shall we?






This may or may not have anything to do with the next two photos.






So there they are, complete 1971 Metro Monorails. The guy in the van didn’t even look at me!






Yes from a distance they look like they are ready to roll. The paint jobs have held up amazingly considering they probably haven’t even been washed in at least 5 years.





Theme Park Review held its “West Coast Bash” in March of this year and as part of there “bash” they got a tour of the “old and busted Metro Monorail boneyard!” I was hesitant to provide this link (link). Scroll about half way down and you'll see it has some amazing photos, way better than mine, you can even see the running gear (looks fixable to me).

However, the publishers comments are a bit much to deal with “Yes, hi, this is the Metro. Now everyone sit down. Sitting? Good. Now listen up.... IT AIN'T GOING TO EVER F**KING RUN AGAIN!!! DEAL WITH IT!!! GET OVER IT!!! NOW STOP ASKING QUESTIONS!!! EAT MORE OVALTINE!!!!! Oh, I'm glad I've got that out of my system now....” I would almost bet Rob was directing those comments to me! Gee - thanks Rob.

So yes, I understand it’s not coming back, odd that it seems people get a thrill out of other people’s disappointment. Oh well, so far everything is still in place, maybe, just maybe, the folks at Magic Mountain will restore this gem or at least make use of the stations and the beams right-of-way.