1956 Disneyland Scrapbook Treasures

Today we peruse a few images from a vintage 1956 scrapbook. The first one is in the worst shape, which is a shame since it gives a view of the sign for Professor George J. Keller and his Ferocious Felines. They kept the Mickey Mouse Club Circus Tent going for a few months after the Mouseketeers had cleared out. Have no fear; thanks to another image in my collection:



You can see the sign in glorious color!



The dapper young guidebook salesman in the straw hat is not Steve Martin; looks like the trio on the left is not convinced yet.



Back to the scrapbook! This image gives us a close look at the Main Street Train Station, which is barely a year old at the time this photo was taken.



Taken from the Town Square side, you can see the back of the station:



Last one for today is facing the Castle, with a nice panorama of Town Square itself:



See more Daveland Disneyland photos at my main website.

Treasure Tone Images: Main Street U.S.A., Pt. 1

Most Disney collectors are familiar with the commercial Panavue slides that have turned a lovely shade of purple over the years. Lesser known are the Treasure Tone commercial images of the park. Today, we start off on Main Street, circa 1950’s.

Before the kalamazoo handcar was at the park and before the Grand Canyon Diorama entered the scene, the Disneyland Railroad had the ability to have TWO engines (just like Doublemint) pass each other side by side at the Main Street Train Station. Hard to believe.

Town Square is fairly sleepy, too. No Abe Lincoln here or Steve Martin; just the façade of the Opera House. Chances are the Babes in Toyland exhibit wasn’t even featured at the time these shots were made.



The Disneyland Band is playing at the Town Square flagpole, which is now a time-honored tradition. Even in this jaded day and age, guests stop to hear the band play at the daily flag-lowering ceremony.



In this shot taken from the Train Station, we can see a banner welcoming the Girl Scouts and a sign touting Professor Keller’s Jungle Killers—rooooaaaarrrr!!!!





See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my website.

Disneyland August 1956: Color Restoration 5

The final post in my August 1956 is all about the Skyway. Image #1 shows the Tomorrowland Skyway Station, as well as the sign for the Autopia. My favorite part of the photo is the two dudes with the jaunty hats—how retro! Image #2 is back to the Phantom Boats, with the Mickey Mouse Club Circus Tent visible in the background. By this time, the Mouseketeers had left the tent and Professer Keller & his kitties had about a month to go. In the detail shot provided, you can also see the train at the Fantasyland Depot.





More jaunty hat action in this image, as well as a guest getting ready to pick her nose...shame on her! For signage and safety geeks, I have added a closeup of the Autopia warning sign:





At present day Disneyland, yesterday marked the 45th Anniversary of the Enchanted Tiki Room. Disney celebrated with a merchandise event that caused some devoted guests to wait over 4 hours in line for a chance to pick up some of the way cool collectibles that were available. The long wait was made shorter by conversing with Stuff From the Park’s Patrick & Carlene from Ape Pen Publishing. Patrick pointed out to me an unnoticed detail of the Omnibus. Both he and Carlene suggested I stand in front of the bus to get the best shot...while it was moving. People will do anything to get further up in the line.



Bob Gurr also showed up for the festivities, decked out in his Tiki Best.



Photo #2 shows the amazing artists Jody Daily & Kevin Kidney, the masterminds behind much of the 50th Anniversary collectibles that everyone swarmed to buy.



Naturally, after depleting my bank account for merchandise, I checked out the Tiki Room which provided a welcome air-conditioned respite from the heat.





See more vintage Skyway photos at my website.

ANOTHER 1956 Series, Pt. 2

We couldn’t take that newfangled Horseless Carriage up Main Street; the driver actually talked to people who smoked. So, we went with the conventional Chemical Wagon and were dropped off at Central Plaza. I have included detail shots of the entrance to the Circus Tent and the sign promoting Professor Keller’s Kitties. By this point, the Mickey Mouse Club had already “left the tent.”





No trip would be complete without a Castle shot:



Our first land today is Adventureland, and this shot shows you the ALand side of the Pavillion.



Watch out for that Rhino! He could charge your Jungle Cruise boat at any time!



And that is all for today; come back tomorrow for more 1956 goodies. To see more vintage & current Disneyland photos, visit my website.

Junior Autopia, 1956

Although this slide has undergone some of the magenta color shift, it’s a beautiful image of the Junior Autopia from 1956. Note the lack of guard rail down the center; what a crazy idea...how did the little varmints survive without it?!? To the left are the Mickey Mouse Club Circus tents, sans the MMCC. By this time, only Professor Keller and his Killer Kitties were still performing there. Thanks to Jason from Progressland for helping to identify the year and location of this slide.



See more vintage & current Autopia photos at my website.

The Mickey Mouse Club Circus: The Grand Finale

It’s the big finish, folks! The end of the line for my Viewmaster Mickey Mouse Club Circus images. Image #1 is labeled as Prof. Keller “works” his big cats without gun or whip (uses tranquilizers instead!). #2 is Serenado, the musical horse that dances and plays chimes.



Pic #3 is titled “Sprung from the board, she is caught mid-air!”



And last (and in my opinion the very least) is Nollie Tate and his balancing dog.



In retrospect, it really isn’t too difficult to see why the circus was not a success. Disneyland achieves its success because it is different; who would want to sit in a tent for over an hour to see a semi-decent circus when there are all kinds of new and innovative attractions waiting outside the tent?

For more vintage Mickey Mouse Club Circus photos, visit my regular website.

March 1956 Series

This week I will be posting some views from March 1956, starting off with this front gate shot, featuring a sign promoting Professor Keller and his Jungle Killers in action! By this time, the Mickey Mouse Club Circus was long gone, and all that remained was Prof. Keller & his tranquilized kitties. Photo 2 shows the bandstand in its Magnolia Park location.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

At the Circus

Here are two views of the short lived Circus at Disneyland, showing what appears to be Professor Keller with his Tranquilized Kitties.



See more vintage Disneyland Mickey Mouse Club Circus photos at my main website.