For the annual Christmas Parade, Don DeFore was often called upon to be the Master of Ceremonies for Frontierland. Pic #1 shows him high atop the roof of Frontierland, looking down upon the festivities...including the scary floats pictured here:
Here are photos of both of Don’s Holiday Festival Certificates, 1957 & 1960. The watercolor for 1960 makes it a true work of art.
One year, Walt called Don frantically from the Main Street entrance just before the parade was to begin. His grandchildren had not yet arrived, and Walt could not ride in the carriage without kids. Walt asked Don to send two of his children to the front gate immediately. Ron & Dawn were the lucky DeFore children who got to play Walt’s grandkids, and most of the guests probably didn’t even know the difference.
See more vintage and current Disneyland photos at my website.
These are bizarre and great at the same time...definitely shots one doesn't see every day (and, in the case of the parade floats, thank goodness for that). I like the Tour Guide in the first shot!
ReplyDeleteNice selection of photos. That watercolor on the 1960 certificate appears to be one of the Hallmark "PDL" watercolor-style postcards (there were four).
ReplyDeleteGreat rare pictures of Walt. I like seeing photo's of Walt that I have not seen before. It kind of brings him back to life. Thanks for this fascinating series!
ReplyDeletei had heard the story of the 'de facto' grandkids before, however, this is the first time i have seen photos of them, that parade and walt looking as grandfather-ly as possible.
ReplyDeletethanks for these very cool pictures.
So, who is the blonde in thefirst picture...and can you introduce us?
ReplyDeleteYowza!