Knott's Berry Farm - The "A" Ticket part 2 - 1971 to 1976

Part two a is mega post! Lot's of fun stuff to look at here so I just had to post it all. If you missed Part 1, check it our here (link). Remember that Knott's Lettered tickets are valued in the reverse order from Disneyland's. Knott's "A" ticket is the top of the line, whereas Disneyland's "A" ticket is the lowest value.

This "A" ticket is from May 1971 and differs from the February 1970 "A" ticket only in the fact the the attractions no longer have a number next to them that corresponds to the map in the back of the ticket book. The attraction line up is the same as February 1970.







The back of the book has a whole new look that will last only 4 years. It' really just a rehash of the front of the late 1960's ticket book, but hey, dad's pipe is still cool!

Moving to September 1974, the animal farm has grazed its way down to the "B" ticket.

An "A" ticket also from September 1974, this is the "Admit on Child" version.

September 1974 will be the last Knott's ticket books to have this little map on the inside of the back cover. A large number of changes are about to occur and they wont fit on the small amount of space on these little maps.

May 1975 has an all new look to the tickets. Now they are officially copying Disneyland! The Calico Mine Tour is now just a ride. The Log ride is now the Timber Mountain Log Ride. The Calico Railroad and the Haunted Shack have moved down to the "B" ticket, along with Independence Hall, Henry's Auto Livery and The Burro trail (no longer the "Old Miner's Burro Ride") all down to the "B" ticket. They all had to move to make room for....

Two brand new rides in a new "Roaring 20's" land at Knott's for 1975. "The Corkscrew" roller coaster and "Knott's Bear-y Tales". Knott's Bear-y Tales was a favorite of mine, I went thru that attraction about 100 times in the summers of 1975 & 76!

"The Corkscrew" on the other hand scared the living daylights out of me! I got "peer-pressured" into riding it and I was in a cold sweat the whole time in line. But once I rode it I've been hooked on Roller coasters ever since.

Here is a great pair of photo's of "The Corkscrew". The first one is when it was constructed at the Arrow Development plant. The second one shows it as it was in its heyday at Knott's.

This roller coaster is of historic significance, it is the first "modern" coaster to turn upside down (twice yet!) it beat Magic Mountains "Revolution by a whole year. Thankfully, this actual coaster still exists and you can ride it! It' not at Knott's, it's at Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho (link)

In place of the little map that used to be in the back of the book, now we get an ad for the "Good Time Theatre". This ad will remain here until the ticket book sales cease in the early 1980's.

The May 1975 back of the book is totally new, and very nice too if I say so myself.

What is the "Adventure Club" you must be asking? It was very similar to Disneyland "Magic Kingdom Club" (a mega post MKC series is coming in April) where corporations would get group type discounts. Here is a Adventures Club Membership Card for Lockheed Employees'. Expires December 31, 1976!

Heading into May 1976 we see that "The Corkscrew" has a minimum height required, I guess your height didn't matter in 1975? Two MORE new attractions for the "Roaring 20's" land. The famous "Parachute Jump" and the "Motor Cycle Chase"

The "Parachute Jump" is the only time in my life my knee's actually started to go weak and my hands turned white from holding the railing so hard. Too high, too out in the open, and the darn things used to go up twice!!!!!! The tower is still at Knott's but the Parachute's are thankfully gone, however the rotating observation room is still there. "Motor Cycle Chase" was a lame attempt at the old "Steeple Chase" idea, but very silly and not much fun.

A super rare "Bicentennial Bonus" free ticket to Independence Hall; only for Adventure Club members. I really like this ticket.

And last today, this is the back of the basic book (for you Non-Adventure Club members) from May 1976. I'm not so sure about the "watermelon" colors, 1976 seems more "earth tones" to me.

Wow, that was a looooong post. Fun for me, I hope for you too... I'm off to Disneyland today, so possibly no post tomorrow, but you never know...

Bonus Sunday - The Complete 1960 Knott's Berry Farm Guide

Looking back at Monday’s Part one of the Knott’s “A” ticket posts (link), I posted the cover of a Mint 1960 Knott’s Souvenir Guide. As promised, here today are the entire 36 pages in high definition. The Full PDF can be found here:

1960 Knott’s Souvenir Guide – 80mb


I love this art work from “Dining at Knott’s” page 11.





Here is the cover and a few neat pages from the guide in case you don’t want the whole thing or if you’re waiting for it to download. I left out page 31 which has a disturbing image of a train robber being strung up on Hangman’s Tree while the crowd watches with glee, it looks kind of real. You’ll have to download the whole guide for that one.

The envelope the guide was mailed in.

Tomorrow we have Part Two of the Knott’s “A” Ticket Series post. There are over a dozen scans in this upcoming Extravaganza so don't miss out!

The Golden Horseshoe Revue - 1959

Let's see, I'll take a Large Pepsi and a bag of Frito's Corn Chips, here's my 35 cents. Oh boy, it's August 1959, your at Disneyland, it's hot out so you stepped into the Golden Horseshoe for a nice cool Pepsi on ice, some Frito's, a chair, air conditioning and some great entertainment. Hey I did just that last July, except it was Coke, but still on ice. I go upstairs near a window and get a little rest with an ice cold Soda & some chips, it just feels right.






The inside is funny. I only recognize the first one.

And just to stick in 1959 mood, here is the Main Gate Admission from the replica ticket books that came out the with Disneyland; Secrets, Stories & Magic DVD last December. Here' s a link to my review of the replica book (link).

I just saw an incredible Aunt Jemima's Kitchen menu over at VintageDisneylandGoodies.

Since it's still 1959, I'm gonna go get the "Golden Horseshoe Special" 4 buttermilk pancakes with "nuggets of butter", 40 cents!!!!!!!!

Disneyland Schedule Sheet - April 1964

Today we are looking at a little 4 3/4 by 9 inch Disneyland Schedule sheet. It's from April 1964. For reference, it's "M-26" whatever that means? Looking at the holes in the top I would guess this was in some sort of binder. Were these for the ticket booths? Nah, the workers probably knew these prices in their sleep!

Children under 3 years of age are free.... "However, they must be held by parents on all rides".





Here's a couple of ticket book backs from 1964. I have so few 15 adventure books in my collection and no 1964 ones, I guess most people went for the "cheaper" deal.

Here's an interesting book that is NOT in the Schedule. This is from June 1964, just two months after the "Schedule" in today's post. I have only seen these "20" books from June 1964.

And just for good measure and cause I love um so, here is a 1964 "E" Ticket. I'm in a "Pack Mules" mood, I want to ride on the trail over the tunnel near Cascade Peak.....

Check out this interesting discussion over at Micechat (link). It's called "Would you like Disneyland better with ticket books today?" It veers off into and AP digression, but interesting none the less.

And on a sad note, the "E" Ticket Magazine ceased production. (link). These were a great source for me and many of you as well I bet. Cherish the copies you have, they are already climbing in value on EBay!

Retail Clerks Family Party - 1975

Today lets look at one of these Happy Flyer's that were given to credit union members. This one is for the Retail Clerks Family Party on Sunday October 12, 1975. One heck of a deal for only $4.50!

Here is the envelope these were mailed in. Nice matching theme on the outside! Hey why is this only 2 cents? Non-profit maybe? No date in the postage imprint, I think you get in trouble if you try that today. Do you like my fine photo editing job on the address (I am so lame with editing software!) I did that because this family still lives in the same house! ***UPDATE*** Richard over at Viewliner Ltd. fixed the envelope! Thanks Richard!





This has been a busy week for me and my darn Internet was down for 24 hours (gasp - the horror!) so the posting has been a little light, have no fear, the posts will continue! Even if I have to do it via wireless, which by the way, is painful.....

Monsanto's Easy Jingle Contest - 1956

Boys! Girls! Moms! Dads! Win a free trip to Disneyland with Monsanto's Easy Jingle Contest! This contest closes at midnight on January 14, 1956 so you better complete and mail this Official Entry Blank quick!

The First Prize trip to Disneyland was worth $2,000! Second prize was pretty good too, a 17" Philco Television Set.





Monsanto wants you to finish the Jingle, do a good job and you just might win. I've been trying for hours - but I am not very creative. Why don't you give it a try? I promise I wont steal your jingle and send it in as my own.

Back in November I posted a link to a great film that you can download (prior post link). This is a family in 1956 that won a similar contest to the Monsanto one above. Their contest was with Scotch Tape. This is a great film of vintage Disneyland, well worth the lengthy download (it's 2 GIG's). Here is the link to the film:

1956 Disneyland Family Vacation

I wonder how many entries Monsanto received on this contest? I would guess 100's of thousands. What do you want to bet they used that massive list of names and address's for some "marketing"?

See you on the next post!

Knott's Berry Farm - The "A" Ticket part 1

This will be the first part of an in depth look at Knott's Berry Farm's Lettered tickets. This will be similar to my multi-part series posts on Disneyland's Lettered tickets that I started back in November (link). As we work thru these tickets, remember that Knott's Lettered tickets are valued in the reverse order from Disneyland's. Knott's "A" ticket is the top of the line, whereas Disneyland's "A" ticket is the lowest value.

Prior to 1968 Knott's had free admission, the attraction tickets were sold at the attractions and were individualized (See prior individual ticket post link here). In 1968 Knott's "Fenced" the property and started to charge general admission. This policy obviously worked for Disneyland so why not at Knott's! (Nice pun!). Therefore, this multi part series will start at this point in Knott's History.

This undated (boy that drives me crazy) most likely 1968 ticket book is such fun to look at. Great train drawing with the happy 60's family, Dad with his pipe. Looks like "Whittles" is at the controls of the train and oddly, that family is happy about!

These first books do not have lettered tickets, just like the very first Disneyland ticket books (link) This is the "equivalent" on an "A" ticket that would appear soon. These are nice paper stock, with a high grade "stationary" feel to them.

Back of the 1968 book. The inside of the back is blank.

February 1970 Finds a whole new ticket book design. It looks A LOT like a Disneyland's ticket book, no coincidence I imagine.

Globe Paper! Again, if it worked for Disneyland, why not Knott's? The Attraction line up on this Golden Nugget ticket is pretty much the same as 1968 with the notable addition of the "Log Ride". "Old McDonald's Farm" is now just "Animal Farm". The number next to each attraction is it's location on the map shown below.

The term "Pac-O-Fun Book" did not last long at all, three months later the back cover will be completely redesigned and renamed, you'll see it in Part 2. Also, this book has "7" adventures, in three months it will go down to "6".

And now for some color! I have a few of these old full size souvenir guides. Most are pretty beat up, but this one came to me in the envelope it was mailed in. It was mailed from Knott's April 4, 1960 and this Guide is mint! It should be since I opened it in 2005!

I'm will be taking the next few Monday's for the Knott's ticket series. A & B tickets will be longer posts. The C & D tickets were not added until 1975 and then in 1982 they dropped the "D" ticket. Of course I might do more sooner!

The New Fantasyland - Part 5 & Complete Guide & 1957 Bonus

That's right, the "New Fantasyland - Part 5" the fun never stops! My informal survey has confirmed that many agree this is the best make-over of any land at Disneyland, although I am guessing the "New Tomorrowland 67" is a very close second. If you missed any of the other four parts to this series, here they are:

The New Fantasyland - Part 1
The New Fantasyland - Part 2 - Pirate Ship Removal
The New Fantasyland - Part 3 & The Complete Guide
The New Fantasyland - Part 4


First lets take a look at a voided sample from the master ticket binder. Unfortunately, the "new" has a whole punched thru, but I assure you it did not say "old". Cute how everyone is dancing, they are having a "Fun Time". Hey, why is Jiminy so small? Life size I guess....

This innocent looking notice was slipped into the price guide & parking lot map. Sweet little Tinkerbell reminding you of Walt's "As long as there is imagination left...." quote. She's sprinkling pixie dust around hoping you won't notice "All of Fantasyland is Closed" Ouch Tink, are you gonna explain that to little Timmy and Suzie?

The Price Guide and Parking Lot Map. The America Sings gang on the front, I love it. Oh yes, the beige paper with brown print, that's so 1982... What, no credit cards accepted for ticket purchase? Try that today Iger!





OK, sue me, I miss the parking lot. You've heard all the reasons, the walk to the main gate, the anticipation, etc. It's all true, I know first hand. Actually, in a way it's still there. Last October I was at California Adventure for the first time. I got a danish & a coffee somewhere there in the concrete middle of DCA and as I sat down, a slight breeze came upon me and I swear it felt just like the old parking lot!

Here's a special treat, a donation once again from Christopher (a CM who worked at the New Fantastyland Dedication) he has scanned the complete Disneyland Guide book for 1983. This is the one while the New Fantasyland was under construction, one I am missing from my collection, so this was sure nice of Christoper to send this to me. Thanks Christoper! You can download the full PDF file here:

Disneyland Guide Book Early 1983 (7.8mb)

******* Sunday Bonus *******

From the "Bonus Ticket Friday" post, here is the Complete "Disneyland Holiday" magazine. This is actually the very first one, it is Volume 1, Number 1, Spring 1957.

It's got some great stuff in it, don't miss all the restaurant adds and some neat articles too. These are a fun Sunday read. It's only 20 pages counting the cover. So if you have not read this before, please do, its fun. Or even if you have read it, read it again, I just did for the 137th time and I still enjoyed it. The complete magazine can be download here:

Disneyland Holiday - Spring 1957 (38 mb)

Tomorrow lets start the Knott's lettered ticket series, see you there.

The Magic of the Mountain

Lets take a close look at "The Magic of the Mountain". This is a great souvenir book from the early 1970's. It measures 6 X 9 and has a lot of great color pictures. I've posted the whole thing on today's post and just because - here is the whole thing in a high resolution PDF file. (Link) 30mb.

Some of these pictures are repeats found on post cards and other Magic Mountain guides. However, the center of the guide photo (the centerfold?) is a splendid shot of the bottom of Valencia Falls & Fountains. I think this is still mostly there, however it has two roller coasters running thru it and looks very different. I think I see a before and after project coming.

That sign is still there (but with Six Flags on it) along with the little building that used to be a info and gift shop, I think it just has signs on it now. I always wanted to stop there but never did.

If you like amusement and theme parks (who doesn't?) check out Shane's Amusement Attic, I hope you have about 3 or 4 hours to kill, theres 46 pages!

Shane's Amusement Attic at Theme Park Review.com

See you on Super Bonus Sunday~!