60th Anniversary Trip, Pt. 18

I am starting off the week with the grand finale of my most recent trip with a selection of evening shots. This is when the park looks most magical in my estimation. Well, all except those plastic blue diamonds that are strewn throughout the park.



So glad the Magic Shop is still here; Main Street could use a little more retail variety like this as opposed to the plethora of plush it serves up.



The Wooden Indian still stands on Main Street, even though the Tobacco Shop is long gone.



Inside the Disney Gallery, an artist was sketching up a custom drawing for a guest.



This particular artist must have been on break.



For sale was this tribute to the Haunted Mansion's Tightrope Girl:



LOVE this piece which does double duty for Big Thunder Mountain and Nature's Wonderland:



It's always hard for me to leave Disneyland; I typically take my time and snap a few last minute shots. One step forward, two steps back.



I happened to catch the engine pulling into the station at the end of the evening.





I decided to snap one of the DCA entrance…



and through my viewfinder saw that they were putting a little bling on top of Carthay.



One more year and all of that crud will be gone.

More Disneyland photos at my main website.

Grand Circle Tour at The Disney Gallery

On my most recent visit to Disneyland, I was pleased to see the exhibit "All Aboard…A Grand Circle Tour of the Trains of Disney." The Disneyland Railroad is one of my favorite parts of the park; it is a rare occasion that I go to Disneyland without experiencing it. Many of the items at the Town Square Disney Gallery were very fun to see. The hat in photo #1 was presented to California Governor Goodwin Knight by Walt for him to wear on the inaugural run of the E.P. Ripley on July 17, 1955.



Here is the letterhead, envelope, luggage tag, and excursion pass for The Carolwood Pacific Railroad, Walt's own live-steam backyard railroad:





A MAPO/Walt Disney Production Builder's Plate built for the Fort Wilderness Campground at WDW; sadly, this railroad is no longer in existence there:



A 1961 Vice President Card for the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, given out by Walt to certain guests:



A park map from 1955 given to guests traveling aboard the Disneyland Railroad:



Railroad Hat Badges, which are highly coveted by collectors:



One of my favorite parts of the exhibit are the miniature of Walt's Barn and a miniature pot-bellied stove that Walt built himself in 1950. Originally built for the yellow caboose of his Carolwood Pacific Railroad, Walt also had a number of copies made and gave them to key animators at The Studio.





Naturally, it wouldn't be a true train exhibit without a model train running overhead:



On a similar topic, David Leaphart has recently published 2 books about the aforementioned Fort Wilderness Railroad. Although it no longer exists in Orlando, these fascinating books cover the complete history of this beloved Railroad.





Exhaustively researched and filled with rare photos, these books are a must-have for any Disney Railroad enthusiast.



One thing I learned from this book was that the trashcans shown in this Disneyland Indian Village photo were "recycled" and shipped off to Orlando for the Fort Wilderness Campground after the Indian Village closed down in Anaheim.



The first edition of these books is no longer available; the second edition is planned for release in a couple of months. You can email David for up-to-date information at: dleaphart@steelwheelonsteelrail.com

Don't want to wait? Leave a comment on today's blog, mention the Fort Wilderness Railroad books, and you'll automatically be entered to win a set. Leave your comment before noon (Pacific Standard time), Monday 12/12 and you'll be entered into the random drawing. Your name will be announced on today's blog post. What a deal!

See more vintage & current Disney Gallery in Town Square photos on my Disney Gallery web page.

Mary Blair 100th Birthday Anniversary Tribute

In honor of what would have been Mary Blair's (1911-1978) 100th Birthday, today's post will be a photo tribute to some of her most beloved work in the Disney theme parks. Currently, the Disney Gallery in Disneyland's Town Square is featuring an exhibit that showcases Blair's work, including this concept painting for "Cinderella" which depicts the transformation of a pumpkin into a coach. It would have been interesting to see "Cinderella" and "Alice in Wonderland" completely rendered in the Blair style.



Blair left the Disney Studios in the 1950s to do freelance, but was called by Walt himself in 1963 to work with Imagineers on "it's a small world." This is probably her best known work, and one of the few Disney projects that retained the look and feel of Blair's style.



Blair also designed two large murals for the Disney company; one that was featured in the Disneyland New Tomorrowland makeover of 1967, and another that was created for the Contemporary Hotel in Orlando, Florida, pictured here:







Although it didn't really seem to fit thematically into Tomorrowland, Blair's murals near the entrance were truly a spectacular piece of art:













Sadly, they were covered up in a later Tomorrowland remodel and most likely suffered quite a bit of damage in the process. Here's the bland mural that replaced it; something tells me that there won't be a celebration for the replacements in another 100 years:





One of my readers sent me this extremely sad link; I'd like to think that this type of destruction wouldn't happen today, however, just look across the way to the DCA tile murals. They are now toast as well:



See more Mary Blair Tomorrowland Tile photos on my New Tomorrowland web page.

Trip Report: A Perfect Day, Pt. 3

While I reserved a seat in Town Square for the daily Flag Lowering Ceremony, I let mom and hubby cool off inside the Opera House, entertained by Steve Martin's 50th Anniversary Disneyland movie. They loved it!



The Flag Lowering Ceremony is one of those special attractions that elevates Disneyland above all other theme parks. An honestly touching piece of Americana, it is a truly patriotic salute to our country and those who gave of themselves through military service. My stepfather, formerly in the army, was asked to be part of the ceremony. It is something that was very meaningful for him and I am sure will be fodder for his coffee shop buddies back home in Philly!

For the summer, the music is provided by the All American College Band, sponsored by Yamaha, rather than the usual Disneyland Band.







The Dapper Dans were also on hand, providing the appropriate vocal harmonies for the ceremony.



As the flags were lowered, my stepfather held his salute:





Kudos to Disneyland for continuing this fantastic daily tradition.



It had been a very full day, so before dinner, we headed back to the Anabella Hotel to relax for a bit. The Monorail gave our feet a rest as rode it back into Disneyland and then hopped onto the Fred Gurley at the Tomorrowland Station to take us to New Orleans Square & Club 33.





On the way I shot the Kalamazoo Handcar at the Main Street Station:



Yup...it's the same handcar:



As usual, the ambiance of Club 33 was superb.



By the first course, a deliciously unique Gazpacho, mom and hubby were hooked. It was a great experience and a perfect ending to the perfect day.



Before heading back to San Diego in the morning, we had to have a little more Disney magic. Breakfast at the Storyteller Cafe, located in the Disney Grand Californian Hotel, was perfect. Mom had a special escort to the table.





You just never know who might drop by the table at Storyteller:



I love the large paintings that decorate the restaurant; very reminiscent of N.C. Wyeth:



And so ends the perfect day at Disneyland. Not surprisingly, mom and hubby are already looking forward to returning next year! See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.