The 50th anniversary of Disneyland in 2005 began a short-burst of appreciation for all things vintage as the leadership actually celebrated the history of the Park. In the June 2005 image above, I was wearing my golden 50th anniversary Mickey Mouse ears. Yes, I still have them.
One of the many events that occurred during this momentous year was the Disneyland Cocktail Hideway Event held on June 24, 2005 at the Paradise Pier Hotel’s Crystal Room.
Titled “Shag’s Cocktail Hideaway,” I would call it more of a merchandise opportunity than a true event. I recall being disappointed at how little was done to make this worth the entry fee. Retro-artist Josh Agle (aka “Shag”) produced a range of images to be used for the merch that guests were able to purchase. Disney legend Martha Blanding was on hand to oversee the event (seen below second from left).
If you aren’t familiar with Martha, here’s an edited bio from the D23 website:
Martha was studying at California State University Fullerton to become a grade-school teacher when a friend in her dorm persuaded her to take a chance on working at Disneyland. There had been only three part-time Black Tour Guides before “Martha B.” but she was the first to become a full-time employee in May 1971. Within a year, Martha ascended also to become a VIP Tour Hostess. Martha hosted Diana Ross , Cher, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, Bob Hope, and Sir Elton John. Martha also served as a designated hostess for U.S. government officials and international delegates. “We had VIPs from all over the world, especially American, Japanese, and Russian dignitaries, and I quickly learned all the protocols,” Martha recalled. “Although communication is important, as is how you treat people and respect them as individuals, they all shared a sense of fun and wonder when visiting the park.” By 1975, Martha became the first-ever Black woman in management at Disneyland. She started as an associate buyer and oversaw various merchandise categories for nearly a decade. Soon after, a promotion made Martha the first Black female merchandise buyer at Disneyland Resort and across all Disney Parks at the time. Her extensive merchandise background and signature hospitality skills led her to the position of Senior Manager of Disneyland Resort Merchandise and Special Events. There, she worked with Julie Andrews, James Earl Jones, Kurt Russell, Annette Funicello, and legendary Disney Imagineers and animators Marty Sklar, Marc and Alice Davis, Harriet Burns, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Floyd Norman. Upon her retirement in 2022, Martha had spent 50 years with Disneyland Resort.
I wore my Roger & Jessica Rabbit Hawaiian shirt for the occasion:
I doubt that The Swingin’ Shagateers went on to greater things after this evening:
Shag had done art for each of the five original lands, beginning with Main Street, U.S.A.:
Adventureland:
Frontierland:
Fantasyland:
and Tomorrowland:
Of course I posed with Josh Agle, which was the most exciting thing for me about the entire evening. I was able to ask him a question I always wondered; is your art hand-done or computer generated. He told me it was hand-done.
I didn’t stay very long, as this event was a snoozer. I went back to the Park to see the fireworks instead which were much more exciting! I do still have some Disneyland Shag items in my collection, like this TV Tray which I use all the time:
See more Paradise Pier Hotel photos at my main website.
