Rose Parade Medley and Memories

Let’s take a visual journey through some memorable moments from the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Who better to begin with than my fave, Shirley Temple? The year she was first Grand Marshal (1939), the parade was held on January 2. You can see her father in the float with her, somewhat obscured by the roses that surround him.



On January 2, 1964, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and wife Mamie presided over the parade.



A closer look at the Grand Marshal car:



Walt Disney served as Grand Marshal on January 1, 1966 alongside Mickey Mouse:



Frank Sinatra was the Grand Marshal for the 1980 parade; here is the float that portrayed him with flowers:



Sinatra and wife Barbara Marx waving to onlookers along the Pasadena parade route:



Disney celebrated their 25th anniversary with this caravan which included Cinderella and her coach and a train that released balloons:



If the boxes and train look familiar, you might have remembered them from the Park back in 1980; a good use of economy!



The Firehouse Five Plus Two traveled down Colorado Boulevard in the parade that year atop a gigantic fire engine. Western Airlines was the sponsor of this particular float:



It does appear that legendary Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ward Kimball were performing that day:



A vintage September 1964 shot of the band playing at Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Saloon:



Of course, the most famous participant in the parade that year was…ME! Yes, I marched in the parade that day with my alto saxophone and the other members of the Conestoga Senior High School band.



I’m the saxophonist in the middle:



I stumbled upon a detailed account of the parade that day. Apparently we were the “114th unit” in the parade, having raised approximately $115,000 to pay for the trip that allowed our entire band (and chaperones!) to fly from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. We also had side trips to Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, Magic Mountain, the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market on Fairfax, Universal Studios, and…Tijuana! While most of my memories of the trip are a bit hazy, I can still remember the thrill of that first turn onto Colorado Boulevard when we all knew that the TV cameras would be on us. From the online account:

Before dawn on the morning of December 26th the group left from the parking lot of Conestoga High School for the airport. Its six busses were escorted by vehicles from the Tredyffrin Township police and the Berwyn Fire Company, their red lights flashing and sirens sounding. For some of the members of the group it was to be their first airplane flight. To prepare for the five and a half mile long march on New Year's Day, in early December a two-hour practice at that distance was held on Devon State Road. And to be sure that the length of the march would have only a minimal effect on the quality of the music it was also decided to play just one tune, "March America", over and over during the entire parade route, Dr. Kiehner [our band director] noting that "it's not terribly high for the horns to play and they will be able to sound just as strong at the end of the parade as at the beginning". Everyone in the group survived the five and a half mile march -- "as fresh at the end as at the beginning", according to Kiehner. (While this may have been a slight exaggeration, for a finishing flourish the band played "March America" "one more time" after the parade route had been completed, before getting ready to go to the Rose Bowl game and then taking part in a "New Year's Eve Party" -- one day late -- that night!)

We did not play “March America” continuously; in between to give most of the band a rest, the percussion would play our peppy drill cadence. Just like your typical California traffic jam, we would often march and then have to stop, as the floats ahead tended to take more time than allotted. I remember our director being extremely proud that not one member had to drop out; although it was chilly when we started, the temperatures were much higher by the time we finished. Those uniforms were HOT!!! The thrill of being on camera evaporated quickly and the rest of the parade route became increasingly arduous as the sweat drenched our bodies. I do remember playing our “encore” and thinking “Get me outta’ here!” The game that day was between USC and Ohio State, with USC taking home the victory. And if you thought “Tijuana” was a typo, you would be incorrect.

Second in excitement only to the Rose Bowl Parade itself, however, was an "instant parade" the preceding Saturday in Tijuana, across the border in Mexico. Upon its arrival, the band lined up and marched down the main street, with cheering native boys and girls running along with it and following it to City Hall. There it gave an impromptu concert of football songs and other numbers, and was officially greeted and thanked by various public officials, including the alcalde or mayor, who presented the group with a key to the city. After a lunch of "the works in Mexican food" ("Do try everything," the ten-page outline had suggested, but added "no extra beverages -- they will ask you if you want them and you say NO!") everyone was free for three hours of sightseeing and shopping ("Keep your wallets and purses secure") before returning to the United States and dinner at McDonalds', five busses arriving all at once.

I had forgotten that we marched in Tijuana; I do remember buying a blanket there (your typical tourist trap purchase) and being excited that I was able to haggle the price down. Can you imagine allowing a group of high school students to run free for three hours in Tijuana? Nope…neither can I. On the trip back, our caravan of buses were to be inspected by a border agent. On my bus, there was a foreign exchange student from Switzerland who played trumpet. I remember Dr. Kiehner instructed him very carefully: “If you get asked, you are an American citizen!” The agent came down the aisle and all went just fine, with the student responding as he had been instructed. Next thing we knew the caravan proceeded back across the border safely (and quickly) into California. Yes, times have changed.

See more Pasadena photos at my main website.

All Aboard the Muzeo Express!

I was recently notified of a VERY cool exhibit at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim titled “Muzeo Express.” Mandy, the Exhibitions Coordinator, sent me this information AND a number of photos to let you see a sample of what is on display.

Fans of Walt Disney’s love of railroading are in for a number of exclusive treats from bygone days. This year’s exhibition features magical holiday model train layouts created by the Train Collectors Association and the Toy Train Operating Society.

Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, CA, joins Muzeo for the first time with beloved Disney animator Ward Kimball’s full-sized red handcar from his narrow gauge backyard railroad and an entire room filled with fascinating railroad memorabilia. The cherished collection from Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park will amaze and delight railfans as will the art of Ward Kimball, Eyvind Earle, and Floyd Norman. This year, in addition to artifacts from Carolwood, we have an extra special treat in store for nostalgia buffs. Come see for yourself!



This photo is a view of a section from our partnership with the Carolwood Foundation in Griffith Park. Shown are a Lionel Mickey and Minnie handcar, scale models of Walt's Carolwood Barn, the Lilly Belle and her caboose, and a scale model of the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland.



This is one of our train layouts by TTOS (You Train Operating Society) volunteer Steve Eastman depicting Radiator Springs in O-gauge.



Here’s a view of a section from our partnership with the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, CA. Shown are photographs of Ward and Betty Kimball, a Christmas card by Ward Kimball, and scale models of the Emma Nevada and Chloe. Both full-size trains are on display in Perris.



Last, but definitely not least, is the handcar that Ward Kimball salvaged for his Grizzly Flats Railroad at home, and in the background, a view of the recently refurbished Saguaro Forest Mine Train Car from the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland ride at Disneyland in 1955.

Details about this exhibit can be found on the back of the exhibit rack card, shown here:



This is a definite don’t miss, so make sure you get there before January 26, 2020 when the exhibit ends!

See more Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.

Firehouse Five Plus Two

This September 1964 shot captures the Firehouse Five Plus Two music group performing at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Saloon. They probably had no idea how fortunate they were to catch this band comprised mainly of Disney artists and animators.

From left to right: on piano is animator Frank Thomas, the banjo player was often illustrator Harper Goff but this does not appear to be him. Erdman (Ed) Penner, a writer, is most likely who the soprano sax player is. Danny Alguire, fingerprint expert formerly with L.A.P.D. is on the cornet, and I'm not quite sure if that's Ward Kimball on the trombone or not. It could be Monte Mountjoy on the drums but his face is cut out, so who knows. The tuba player could also be Ed Penner if he's not the one on the soprano sax, but again…anybody's guess. I am sure someone will chime in with their educated 2 cents.



I'm just as fascinated by this Rube Goldberg instrument!



More classic Golden Horseshoe Saloon photos on my main website.

Happy Anniversary Number 5!

Nine years ago today, The Disneyland Railroad put Locomotive No. 5, The Ward Kimball, into service. It was named after the late Ward Kimball (seen in the cab in photo #1), a legendary Disney animator, musician, and railroad aficionado. Upon first glance, you might think that photo number 2 is showing the New Orleans/Frontierland Depot at Disneyland. Nope…it's Ward Kimball's backyard railroad setup, The Grizzly Flats in 1962. Yup…Ward loved trains!



Today's post shows a few shots that I have taken over the years of the #5 at Disneyland. Hope you enjoy!











Zooming in for a closer look at the headlamp, you can see one of Ward's beloved creations, Jiminy Cricket.



See you back at the station!



See more Daveland Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.

Early Days of the E.P. Ripley

Although undated, I am hazarding a guess that these two shots are either on or before Opening Day, July 17, 1955. Why would I think that? To begin with, the not-too-full parking lot and the tow truck; the bunting and duo of flags on the front of the E.P. Ripley, the scaffolding on the front of the Opera House at left on the photo...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Zooming in, the engineer in the cab of the Ripley almost looks like Ward Kimball. The guy is wearing a bowler hat instead of the typical engineer garb.



In this second shot, not only do you see the second set of tracks that originally was part of the Disneyland Railroad, but you see two crazy renegade gals crossing the tracks. Where they are standing is the same area that the Kalamazoo Hand Car is parked today.



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

Wednesday WOW: More Studio & Trip Report

When last we met at the Disney Studio, we were checking out all of the cool items in the Archives. Let’s check out a few more before moving on. I am hoping that these three fellers from one of my favorite attractions need no introduction!

This cool little display of small heads contains some of the most important pieces involved in the history of Disney Audio Animatronics. Buddy Ebsen & Ward Kimball were the models for these tiny heads, sculpted by Charles Cristadoro for Project Little Man, which eventually morphed into Audio-Animatronics.



I’ll bet Tim at Vintage Disneyland Tickets would love to get a hold of this beauty...the first ticket sold on Disneyland’s Opening Day to the General Public! Purchased by Roy Disney, this ticket is now in the Disney Archives.



For “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” enthusiasts, these items would be considered the Holy Grails!





One of the cases contained a few original drawings by Walt himself:



Anyone who considers themselves a Disneyland fan should be paying homage to this building on the lot:



Much of Disneyland was built within this structure back in 1954/1955, including most of the Disneyland Railroad Cars and The Jungle Cruise inhabitants. This previously posted January 1955 photo of a JC African Bull Elephant was taken inside that structure.



Over at the Animation Building, I learned one of the strangest things.



Walt’s original office on the corner here of the third floor is now occupied by Shaun Cassidy. Go figure...I’m still scratching my head on that one (I think I can hear “Da Doo Ron Ron” faintly through the window).



At another entrance into the same building, a large photo was placed in front showing that the Animation Building had played a “role” as Medfield College in many Disney movies, including “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.”





These halls are basically the holy land for animation nuts; I was also able to go into the tunnels below where cels were transported between buildings without being damaged by the outdoor elements.



To think of the talent that has worked here…



Yes, the legendary Ollie Johnston & Frank Thomas:



Naturally, on the way home, a detour to the park was necessary.



After the usual Fried Chicken & Caramel Apple Pie lunch at the Plaza Inn, it was time to ride Pirates.





Talk about timing...not long after exiting POTC, we were able to watch the new musical spectacular, Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee. Starting out in New Orleans Square and marching onto the Mark Twain, the music from “The Princess and The Frog” continued on as the Riverboat floated down the Rivers of America and stopped right in front of the crowds along the “shore.” It was a lively and spirited show that was very well-done. If you have a chance to see it before it exits the park on January 3, 2010, definitely do so. The guests that day were eating it up.













One of the other things I wanted to check out was the new Disney Gallery, located in what had previously been The Bank of Main Street in Town Square.



The “bank” hasn’t truly been a bank since 1993, so the loss of this particular business was nothing new. However, it is a little sad to see the original decor and teller windows removed. Granted, the designers saved one window and the vault and have kept the theme of a bank, integrating it into the new Gallery.











I have to admit that the Gallery in this location makes sense, as the space now spills over into the Opera House where vintage exhibits and the 50th Anniversary Steve Martin movie continously plays. Not to start rumors, but it does make me wonder now...is there really a need for Disneyana? With the impending talk of Starbucks taking over the Market House, I could see Disneyana biting the dust and getting reconfigured as something different. Main Street doesn’t really need two high-end collectible gift shops/museums, does it?

The one really odd thing about the Disney Gallery is the lack of information about much of what is being displayed. Here they have an amazing collection of original art and models (such as these pieces from the original Sleeping Beauty Diorama , Jungle Cruise, small world, and Pirates), yet there is no corresponding information. Hopefully this will be rectified soon.









All nit-picking aside, it really is a beautiful space and could make a fantastic place to see art from Disney’s past and present.



That’s it for now folks...I think I’ve glutted you all with enough photos and information for one day. Hopefully this post earned the Wednesday “WOW” title!

See more Walt Disney Studio photos at my website.