65 Years Ago: Disneyland, August 1960, Pt. 2

Our August 1960 photographer captured the Disneyland Main Street Station along with the Kalamazoo Handcar sitting on the tracks in front. Also note the Kodak Picture Spot sign in the right foreground. Since the population reads as 18 million, these date stamped slides were most likely shot in July, since my records show that in August the population jumped to 22 million.



Regardless, I let out a yell when I saw this passenger car interior shot in the collection!



Interior shots of the passenger cars are fairly rare; here’s one from the 1950s:



And a super cool one from the early years when there used to be TWO tracks that operated at the same time!



After taking the Grand Circle Tour, our 1960 photographer ventured down Main Street, U.S.A.



Zooming in you can see the signs on the lightposts that are promoting the barely one-year old Matterhorn attraction. Behind the Omnibus is a banner proclaiming the “new” (actually upgraded!) Nature’s Wonderland attraction.



A better shot of the banner which also promotes the America the Beautiful and Art of Animation attractions in Tomorrowland:



A color shot of the banner:



The same banner hung over the entrance tunnels, too:



Back to 1960, our photographer entered Tomorrowland:



I have always loved these mod light posts which look like martini olives on toothpicks! Where can I get one?



A closeup of the Hat Bar which is visible in the previous shot:



…and the attraction poster for the Columbia ship which sailed on the Rivers of America:



Still more to come!

See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Moonliner Monday

How about some vintage Disneyland Moonliner shots to start your Monday with a blast...into space! The first image is from 1958 and gives us a look of the explanatory signage about the 80' tall 1/3 scale rocket space ship model that stood outside of the Rocket to the Moon attraction.



Today a 1/3 smaller version exists to sell Coke at Disneyland:



Back to the past with this undated image that also affords a view of the Flight Circle. I still miss Cox Pilot and his wonderful commentary.



At first glance this May 1956 shot seems ho-hum:



but a detailed closeup gives a view of the exterior waiting area for the attraction:



An adorable shot of a mom and daughter from April 1959:



Daughter is proudly holding a Park brochure; and how about that hand-tooled leather purse that mom is toating?



See more Disneyland Moonliner photos at my main website.

Sharon at Disneyland

This doesn't happen often, but when it does, I become very thankful and awed by how the internet brings us together. In this previously posted vintage photo from July 7, 1963, former Disneyland cast member Sharon recognized herself. She was also kind enough to allow me to do a little interview with her. Here are the stories that she graciously shared with me.

1. How did you come to work at Disneyland? I had just started at Fullerton JC and saw an ad there for a job as Alice in Wonderland. I interviewed and decided not to take the job as I didn't want to lighten my hair or work more than 30 hours a week. So they decided to train me as a tour guide since I had some ability in speaking French. I had some concerns about dealing with large groups on my own so I was finally hired as a ride operator.



2. Tell us about what you did as a cast member. I worked weekends, holidays and summers, primarily at the Rocket to the Moon and sometimes the Matterhorn. I would welcome people to the ride, usher them in and give a short speech about the coming adventure. I would thank them for coming afterwards, and usher them out.

3. As a female, were you aware of any different treatment than your male counterparts? I wasn't aware of any differential treatment. And I was a card carrying Teamster! Which is why, my husband tells me, he married me.



4. Did you have any sightings or interactions with Walt, or any other prominent people in the Disney organization? I modeled the new costume for Walt Disney and someone from McDonnell-Douglas when they took over sponsoring the ride. Also hosted the ride for the "Mouseketeers" show.

5. Did you have any interesting "back stage" experiences, special access, or see any "behind the scenes" goings on? One of my favorite pastimes was to go downstairs into the projection room where the two men who ran it were from the old days of Hollywood. They had great stories, and they made a mean grilled cheese sandwich upon occasion!

6. How about interactions with guests? Anything memorable? Anyone famous? I had to fill in one night at the Animation Exhibit and met singer Johnny Mathis. Such a nice guy. My favorite was when a group of French sailors came through and (not as shy as I was when I started!) I gave my speech in French...



7. Where did you take breaks/eat meals when you were working? We had a small break room for lunch...or I'd pop down to the projection room.

8. Did you have any favorite attractions that you liked to ride during this time period? My favorite ride was the Jungle Boat.

9. Any commentary on your outfit/headpiece? No one has ever seriously asked me that question! Certainly not when I had to wear it. I would have much preferred the jumpsuit that the "Captain" had. Our uniforms were in 2 pieces and we did complain that some midriff exposure happened when we moved, so an undershirt/tank top was added. Not only was it hot in the summer and cumbersome year round, there was no way I wanted to stroll around the Park on my break times. However, I came to like the antenna. Go figure.

One last note from Sharon: I had a really good experience at Disneyland. It was a good transition time to go from teenager to adult. I don't go to amusement parks but then, I've been to the best...

Thank you so much for bringing life to this image, Sharon!

More Rocket to the Moon vintage photos at my main website.

Truman Weighs In

Former President Harry Truman visited Disneyland on November 2, 1957. The press was on hand to capture this shot of him weighing himself on the scale at the Rocket to the Moon attraction in Tomorrowland. Here's the accompanying publicity blurb:

11/6/57 - ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Harry S. Truman, on a visit to Disneyland 11/2, keeps up with the times as he gets the data on what he would weigh on the moon. The fun house scale gives "your weight on the moon."



More Rocket to the Moon and Moonliner attraction photos at my main website.

59 Years Ago Today: The Moonliner

Here's what the 80' Moonliner rocket ship looked like on July 6, 1955.
 Talk about playing things to the wire! Here's what the vintage caption read that accompanies this USC Digital Archive photo:

Wednesday, July 6, 1955. Early risers along a twenty-mile route between Hollydale and Anaheim were startled this morning to see an 80 foot Rocket ship moving through the streets. In order to prevent a gigantic traffic tie-up, the 10 ton aluminum and steel 'Air Ship of Tomorrow' was trucked before sun-up, from Hollydale where it was built, to Disneyland where it will become part of the TWA exhibit as well as the theme of the Tomorrowland section of the park.

These four guys look as if they have doubts as to what's going on. Who could have imagined just how successful Walt's theme park would turn out to be. I also wonder what The Penthouse referred to in the sign looked like?



See more vintage Disneyland Moonliner photos on my main website.

A Clock, A Rocket, and Hats

The entrance to Tomorrowland is seen in this 1956 photo. Because of the wide pathway into this section of Disneyland, it appeared more welcoming and gave guests a sense of curiosity about what was beyond the Avenue of Flags.

The Timex Clock of the World mimicked the look of an hourglass, entertaining guests for approximately 11 years until it was removed to make way for "New" Tomorrowland.



This September 3, 1958 photo gives you a color view of the entrance (just in case you have an aversion to black & white!).



Zooming into the same image for a closer look at the Clock.



Back to my 1956 black and white batch, this image shows the Hat Bar located in front of the Moonliner.



A color photo of the Hat Bar:



To end today's post, here's a closeup of some hats that you might have been able to purchase in Tomorrowland during the 1960's. I'll take one of each, please!



See more vintage & current Disneyland Tomorrowland photos on my Tomorrowland web pages.

50th Anniversary Treasures: Under Construction

The 50th Anniversary promo kit also included these images showing the park under construction. Walt proudly shows off the Peter Ellenshaw concept artwork for Disneyland. The next photo from my collection shows Ellenshaw working on it; it is interesting to go back and forth between the two to see what was added/removed.



The kit also included this aerial view, showing what Anaheim looked like BEFORE Disneyland came to town.



Main Street under construction:



The TWA Moonliner being put into place:



The Sleeping Beauty Castle behind scaffolding:



Zooming in, a spire is on the ground, waiting to be put on top:



The Opening Day ceremony, with Walt at the mic:





A few years later, Walt poses in front of a model of the Matterhorn:



The Matterhorn under construction:





I hope you enjoy these construction shots as much as I do!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.

New Orleans Street and Casa de Fritos

This pre-1957 image shows an area of Frontierland known as New Orleans Street. When the park was first created, Walt didn't have the funding for New Orleans Square, but his love for the city was such that this little block of shops was designed to pay homage to it. The Moonliner peeks out of the background of this shot.

Zooming in, you can see the original location of Casa de Fritos, the Mexican restaurant that was a favorite for years at the park. Shortly after this photo was taken, it was moved to the location where Rancho del Zocalo now exists. On the right is the sign for Aunt Jemima's Pancake House:



The overall flavor and feel of the buildings remains, but the green space disappeared long ago to make way for the crowds of Fantasmic! along the Rivers of America:



See more vintage & current Disneyland New Orleans Street photos on my New Orleans Street web page.