Letter from Disneyland - March 1971

Did you ever wonder how many people write to Disneyland and what they write about? I actually wrote a letter to Disneyland last year inquiring about press credentials (Ok so the blog isn’t really the “press”, but I had to try) I of course have had no response from the Magic Kingdom. Back in March of 1971 Mr. Robert wrote to Disneyland and got a response. Postage Due – Bad show!






It appears Mr. Robert wanted to use “some official envelope or emblem” for his stamp collection. And it appears his was flatly turned down, although Disneyland does provide a nice logo sample on this letterhead!






Here’s a great Vacationland from the Winter/Spring 1971. What a the wonderful cover photo (as seen on the 1971/2 guide book from this post – link). Upper left photo, guy with the kid on his shoulders looks familiar to me? If I didn’t know better I’d say he has a striking resemblance to a certain gorilla that doesn’t blog…?





ZOOM!!! You’ll have to come back on Bonus Sunday to see the rest of this fun article.






Wow now that's a centerfold!





I must have missed this Disney Classic, is it any good?






Another super article, again you’ll have to come back on Bonus Sunday to read the rest.

Disneyland Today - November 18-22, 1991

Today at Disneyland - 19 years ago! For the Week of November 18-22, 1991, this flyer if full of fun information and has some pretty neto graphics on the front.





$180 for a full annual passport (including parking) seemed like a lot of money in 1991. In 2010 it seems like a really good deal!





Open 10am to 6 pm - Monday thru Friday? Aren't they expecting the holiday crowds??? The Park hours this week (in 2010) are; Mon. - Thurs. open till 8pm, Friday open till Midnight! Next week is open to midnight all week!






Am I the only one who misses Afternoon Avenue?





"Please mark your parking location" if only....






I bet you didn't know any of these secrets? Hey Daveland, do you know why the glass is cracked in the Haunted Mansion dinning room scene?

Mickey's Magic Birthday Machine - Winning Ticket

1988 was the year of Mickey's Magic Birthday Machine celebration. This ticket is a Winner!!!






Pins/buttons do nothing for me........

Holiday Season VIP Party at Disneyland - 1994

Are you ready for the “Holiday Season” at Disneyland? It’s a VIP Party and you’re invited, November 13 thru December 24, 1994. No expense was spared on the graphics for this ticket; I think “Print Master Gold” was also involved. It’s neat that you could apply the value of the ticket towards the price of an Annual Passport.






New rule here on the blog, if the year of an item starts with a “19” it’s now classified as vintage.






That castle looks vintage to me!






Vacationland Magazine stopped in 1984 and left us with the Disney News. In early 1994 they changed the name to “The Disney Magazine”. Oddly, they kept the existing Volume and Issue counts, this Winter 1994 edition being “Vol. 30, No. 1”.






Four page article on how they ruined Tomorrowland in Florida. You’d think this mess would have prevented the mess that would become Tomorrowland ’98 in Anaheim.








So these things started in Florida, I didn’t know that. I bet they weren't $96 each when they premiered at Disneyland. I’m I the only one who thinks they are creepy and resemble grave markers?






Oh boy, here’s a great article on Vintage Disneyland Souvenirs! Its interesting to note some of the values, I think eBay has had a profound effect on the availability of these items and somewhat reduced there rarity and value. Hey, I've got that "Miracles from Molecules" record (link).





Lincoln LP, check. Vintage Tickets, check. Beer Stein, check (oh wait, mine is from Magic Mountain!)

Hey, I have that ad with the Tea Cups. I have that Music from Disneyland record too!

Another great article, this one celebrating 25 years of Grim Grinning Ghosts.










The back cover has some “exclusive” information.






Here’s the “Suitable for Framing” page that’s in each issue. Did anyone actually frame these things, if so, let’s talk.

Bonus Sunday

Welcome to Bonus Sunday, back by special request from a certain blogger who’s on Parole! Let’s go way back for today’s post, back before there was even a Vacationland Magazine. For the first couple of years Disneyland's propaganda (I mean marketing) magazine was called “Disneyland Holiday”, by the fall of 1958 it was changed to “Vacationland” which does make more sense.

This Summer 1957 issue of Disneyland Holiday sure has a swell cover, unfortunately you can’t quite reproduce this photo today.






Download the entire issue here:



***** Disneyland Holiday Summer 1957 – 76mb *****



“What is Disneyland” explained here for those of you that don’t know.






Outrageous prices at the Red Wagon!






OK, these prices are more my style, WOW, nothing over a buck!






Great centerfold, there’s still some color on these pages even after 50+ years.

Anaheim Area Hospitality Book - 1970

Time for another look at Disneyland's Hospitality ticket books. Be sure and checkout my previous post (link). This little brochure is undated, based on the ticket book price and a few other clues I would place this from 1970.

How cool is that illustration? Note the dad with his baby in his arms in a baby holder – no stroller in sight!





The side flap has this awesome graphic.






The Sound Castle Ltd., and Show Me America, it’s got to be 1970 – Groovy!






7 hours each day to clean the park for the entire summer.






Here’s the back of a 1969 Hospitality book, I like mom’s hair style.

Disneyland and the Armed Services

In honor of Veterans Days, please enjoy this re-broadcast from April 2008, "Disneyland and the Armed Services"

First up, graciously donated scan from Gorilla’s Don’t Blog, from May 1970 “Welcome Home To All Returning Viet Nam Service Men”. $1.00 for admission and 10 tickets, way to go Disneyland! It sure is neat the way Disneyland honored the service men this way, they could have just offered the discount, but they made up special tickets too. Notice the serial number begins with “V”

Inside the May 1970 book are 10 special tickets, very similar to “magic key” tickets of the time, with the exception of these getting that special cyan print color on the key and “Admit One”. Also, Major reports the actual tickets in his book are 10¢ thru 85¢, so my “loose” ticket example below must be slightly older than 1970.






Next up, “Armed Forces Weekends” these examples are from the “ticket binder” scan collection. I think it says "1968". Nice touch with the each branch of the service getting there own logo/shield. Serial number begins with “AF”.





Two admissions and 12 tickets, still a great deal at $5.25.






From my collection, dated September 1977, it’s “Military Weekends”. This book has never been used. It has a “Second Day” ticket under the “First Day” ticket, then 12 green "good on any attraction" key tickets, with standard red print. Serial number begins with “MW”. You may have noticed that neither Major or myself have folded back these mint tickets, we are dedicated fans, but not that dedicated!





Still a great value at $6.50.






Last up it’s “Military Night at Disneyland” Friday, April 8, 1988. Star Tours was only a year old so it’s still getting plenty of promotion, can’t you just hear R2D2’s cute little sound in your head?





On a personal note; Whenever I see a member of the armed services, I make it a point to shake their hand and thank them for their service; we all owe our freedoms to them.