Manic Mickey Monday

In this April 1960 image at the entrance to Disneyland, it's fairly safe to say that Scary Mickey is sucking the life force out of the little tot he is laying his hand on.

Even scarier is what this Little Pig could be whispering in the ear of this very attentive little girl. Whatever evil deed he is telling, you can be certain she carried it out.



See more vintage Disneyland photos at my main website.

Pluto in Fantasyland

Time only permits a quickie today, so I present this February 1964 shot of Pluto posing with guests in front of the Welch's Juice Bar in Disneyland's Fantasyland. Despite the cooling temperatures, a Frozen Juice Bar sounds heavenly. The mom on the right looks like she could use a Juice Bar. Maybe even a fermented one.

See more Fantasyland photos at my main website.

A Picture Is Worth...

Only one photo today, but with plenty of details to see, you get so much more from this 1960 Castmember spectacular in front of Disneyland's Main Street Train Station. The first detailed view shows jester/juggler/unicycler Christopher Fair:



Here's a color shot of Christopher from my collection from June 1963:



And a shot of his backside in front of the castle:



At the center of this detailed view is Roy Williams from the Mickey Mouse Club:



He was performing various duties in the park, including doing drawings/caricatures on Main Street:



The shoe shine dancing duo of Kenny & Teddy can be seen at center here:



And in New Orleans Square in this 1966 image:



Bill and Lloyd Elliott of the musical Elliott Brothers can be seen here:



They played in the Plaza Gardens that have now been replaced by Fantasy Faire:



The Gonzalez Trio made it to Main Street for the group photo:



Here they are back in Frontierland:



And last, a shot of the trio of stars from the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, Wally Boag, Betty Taylor, and Donald Novis:



They can be seen inside the 'shoe in the same order in this vintage color transparency:



I'd say I got my mileage out of that photo!

See more Daveland Disneyland Character photos at my main website.

Something smells at Disneyland

Flower from "Bambi" has made a rare appearance at the Park in this August 1963 photo. The little girl at right is doing her best to keep her distance from the friendly Skunk.

This contemporary comparison view shows that what was once Gepetto's Clock Shop is now The Enchanted Chamber:



Also note the addition of the Sleeping Beauty statue. Definitely looks like it belonged there since day one.

See more Daveland Disneyland character photos at 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.

Why Grumpy is grumpy.

Just look at this undated 1960's image; I would not last very long as a costumed character at Disneyland. I can only imagine the indignities these people suffer at the hands of little monsters like this one, who appears to be kicking Grumpy from the rear.



As you can see from these consecutive September 1961 shots, Grumpy was apparently a favorite for the little kids to pick on. Now his nose is getting the abuse.



Over twenty years later in 1984, this adult guest feels the need to do the same thing to poor old Grumpy. Note how the screen in the hat for the visibility of cast members is now gone.



Can you imagine the revenge fantasies that were plotted by these cast members in costume?

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