1960s Tomorrowland Gems

A trio of July 1960 Disneyland images give some rare views into the original Tomorrowland. First, we see the mighty Kaiser Aluminum Telescope in the background; I sure would love to see the footage on the camera belonging to the guest in the foreground! Kaiser Aluminum wanted out almost 3 years before their 5 year contract had expired because they felt that the Disneyland TV show had competing sponsors on it. With some persuasion from Walt Disney himself, this exhibit stayed on until July 1960, making this one of the final images ever taken here.



A slightly out of focus but still color shot of the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry exhibit:



It’s hard to believe, but yes…there was an exhibit about bathrooms in Tomorrowland. Welcome to the Crane Bathroom of Tomorrow! I see a DIY project in the making for all you vintage Disneyland geeks out there.



This set had a fourth image, taken near the Plaza Inn off Central Plaza, showing Teddy and Kenny, the Disneyland shoeshine boys. This is now my earliest image of the duo.



See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Twiggy in Color!

Years ago I scored a number of vintage black and white negatives from supermodel Twiggy's April 1967 visit to Disneyland. Recently, I acquired a few color slides documenting the same trip. This first shot appears to be in Adventureland. Twiggy is surrounded by her entourage, including boyfriend Justin de Villeneuve.



Judging by the expression on her face, I would say that the Pack Mules were not a favorite.



This shot of her with Goofy is one of the few that shows her out and out laughing. What a shame it's so blurred!



The life of a supermodel: staring at an empty plate at the Plaza Inn.



SOOOOO hungry.



I guess she was allowed some popcorn. Here she is devouring a box aboard the Columbia.



See more Twiggy at Disneyland photos at my main website.

Monkey See Monday

This 1956 image shows an organ grinder and his monkey in the Central Plaza area of Disneyland. Imagine..."live" animals at Disneyland doing things that might be unscripted. A closeup of the organ shows the name Molinari & Sons, New York.



Here's a previously posted shot of the same guy, also from 1956:



More Disneyland Central Plaza at my main website.

Gone Fishing

I have added a "new" vintage cutout to my collection. Located near the Plaza Inn during the 1950s, guests of Disneyland could poke their heads through the holes and create their own photographic souvenirs. Here are some of the other previously posted ones that guests could choose from:











More Central Plaza images at my main website.

Julie Reihm: Modeling the Model

For Disneyland's 10th Anniversary, Walt recruited Julie Reihm as his sidekick for a January 1965 episode of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color." Here, Walt tells the dark-haired Disneyland Ambassador (the very first one) about the Plaza Inn Restaurant, which was in the process of being remodeled from its original incarnation, The Red Wagon Inn.

The master storyteller also showed off his upcoming projects including it's a small world, New Orleans Square (visible in the above photo in the painting behind Reihm), Pirates of the Caribbean…



and the Haunted Mansion.

Below, Imagineer John Hench, the one in charge of the Red Wagon Inn remodel, takes a gander at the same model with Walt.



Reihm came back to the Plaza Inn to cut the cake for the Tencennial Press Party on July 18, 1965:



See more Daveland Disneyland Plaza Inn photos at my main website.

Mickey's Halloween Party, Pt. 1

It was a little weird being back at Disneyland after a 6 month absence. Hard to believe it has been that long since my last visit, but also kind of nice to have a little bit of a break. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Anastasia B. & I decided to go in costume this year for Mickey's Halloween Party. She chose a sassy Queen of Hearts, and I picked 1966 Robin. Just one of those things on my bucket list.



Neither one of us had eaten lunch that day, so the first order of business was a fried chicken dinner at the Plaza Inn. We were not disappointed by the golden fried goodness that was heaped upon the plate. We skipped dessert though, knowing there would be other sugar-laden treats throughout the night.



The Plaza Inn looked great; still a dining favorite at the Park.



Have you ever noticed the initials in the valance?







Our first attraction was Buzz Lightyear. Although I rarely beat AB's score, I still have fun riding it.



I am typically too busy attempting to score points to take photos.



My somewhat lame score.



Note the concentration.



Outside, the Monsters University Dance Party was rocking' Tomorrowland.





The Subs were back in action, although we decided not to ride them.



The lagoon sure looks great at night.



Across the way the Matterhorn looked beautiful, too. It's all about the lighting!



Come back tomorrow for some Dark Ride fun!

See more Daveland Disneyland Halloween photos at my main website.

Dude, Where's My Gurrmobile?

This post shows my earliest shot of the Carnation Gurrmobile (named for genius mechanical designer Bob Gurr) from December 1955 in its well-known position outside the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor on West Center Street.

Moving ahead 26 years, the Gurrmobile finds itself across the way further down the street outside of the Plaza Inn, circa March 1981. Previously, my latest photos of the truck were from the 1970's. Nice to know it hung around at least a decade later before it was shipped off to the state of Washington.



See more vintage & current Disneyland Plaza Inn photos on my main website.

Through the Years: Alice in Wonderland

Today's post showcases "Alice In Wonderland." Here is the little lass as she appeared in Walt Disney's 1951 animated film.

In this August 14, 1958 image, Walt is being driven down Main Street, U.S.A., on the way to the Grand opening of the Alice dark ride in Fantasyland.



Rather than Kathryn Beaumont (whose voice was heard in the attraction itself), Walt chose to use Mouseketeer Karen Pendleton as his Alice for the day.



This January 1964 photo from the UCLA Digital Archives, shows native Korean, Jong Sook Kim who had lost her sight in an accident. She was brought to the United States by Dr. William McColl, who along with the Loins Foundation, was able to raise the funds for an eye operation that restored the sight in one of Kim's eyes. Pretty amazing stuff.



There is a definite 1960's vibe to this Alice, who sports a different hairdo from the animated film version. Note the eyelet detail on her apron:



By October 1966, the elaborate apron is gone and Alice looks a bit closer to the animated heroine:



I see trouble brewing between the little boy and the Mad Hatter:



Alice and The Mad Hatter in January 1969:



The little boy must have had some connection to the Rose Bowl game, as he is wearing an Ohio State ribbon. Ohio State won the game against the USC Trojans, 27–16.



This July 2005 photo is the only one I have been able to get (so far) of the lone Alice figure in the Fantasyland Dark Ride at Disneyland. According to Mike Cozart from the Tomorrowlounge67 blog: "I understand that the Alice figure, March Hare and Mad Hatter from the 1984 Alice In Wonderland were forgotton backup figures in storge at WED intended as back-ups for WDW's Mickey Mouse Revue." She does seem out of place in the attraction, as the rest of the figures are modeled closely after the ones in the film.



From the Plaza Inn Character Breakfast, September 2007:



Alice was allowed a cape on this chilly 2012 morning:



Tim Burton put his twist on the Alice franchise, with Mia Wasikowska playing Lewis Carroll's (aka Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) famed character.



Over at Disney California Adventure, Alice has taken on the Tim Burton vibe at the Mad T Party:



Hope you enjoyed our day with Alice!

See more vintage & current Disneyland character photos on my character web page.