Madge & Mildred at the Parade, 1975

Today’s date will always stand out in my mind, and I hope that everyone will take time to reflect on what happened 6 years ago and put into perspective what really matters in life. Now, back to the blog. Today’s slides are marked January 1975 (but most likely taken in December) and they begin with our 2 heroines, Madge & Mildred. You just know that Mildred is looking for her lighter...dagnabbit where is that durn thing? Ah forget it...we’ll just watch the parade. Slide 2 is most likely these gents warming up for a few bars of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”



These heralder’s uniforms are still being used in the Candlelight Processional, albeit with a few modifications:



vs. 2006:



2 nods to Fantasia:





I think this one narrowly escaped being dinner at Knott’s Berry Farm:









And what Christmas Parade is complete without Santa and his sexy Santa-ettes?



See more parade photos on my regular website.

400th Post: Nature’s Wonderland & Rainbow Ridge

In celebration of my 400th post, I am doing a Rainbow Ridge/Nature’s Wonderland blowout, starting out with this July 1967 Pack Mule shot. The train tunnel is just barely out of frame on the right. Personally, I think it’s very cool when 2 or more attractions are that close to each other. Next up is a looooooong series from June 1964; I am presenting them in the order taken.















The town of Rainbow Ridge is still around today, but here’s how it looked in August 1958:



Compare with 20 years later in August, 1976:







Last shot for today is the Stagecoach thundering through the desert, July 1958.



See more vintage Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my main website.

Disneyland Main Street Commissioned Painting 11

Finally got back to the canvas this weekend.

See more of my art at my main website.

Main Street Views

This undated (but most likely 1950’s) shot is slightly blurry, but gives a nice view of Main Street without the somewhat garish paint scheme that one currently sees. Power lines in the background are definitely out of place! Shot #2 is from May 1967; the little boy looks like he is waiting for change from the Wooden Indian in front of the cinema. On the left you’ll see a sign for the Book and Candle Shop, between the Crystal Arcade and the Upjohn Pharmacy. View #3 is a repost, but thought I’d show it again since I believe it is an interior shot of the Book and Candle.





Last but not least is this Town Square shot from December 1975, showing off the Christmas Tree with the Disneyland Band on the right.



On another topic: the long-awaited Disneyland Secrets, Stories and Magic DVD is finally being released after many delays; it has been in mothballs since its announced release for the 50th over 2 years ago. Now expanded into a collector’s 2-Disc set. In addition, you can pre-order the historic Oswald cartoon set, available in a 2-Disc DVD set.

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

Indian Village, June 1960

After getting a number of emails requesting I add Critter Country to my website, I finally buckled under and added it to my regular website. However, I still prefer that area when it actually had some life...namely the Indian Village. Here are some views from June 1960. Something about the Indian’s pink satin jacket just doesn’t seem to fit in. For view #2, I have also included a closeup of what would appear to be some kind of ticket booth perhaps? Experts?







See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos at my main website.

More Odds & Ends

Another mixture of I don't know what today, starting off with a November 29, 1963 shot of a barbershop quarters in front of the Plaza Pavilion. Were they known as The Dapper Dans yet? #2 is from August 3, 1959, and shows the Columbia and a raft heading towards TSI. I have included a closeup shot to show the Chicken Plantation Restaurant & Water Tower.





Wrapping it up for today is an undated view of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon and one from July 1961.





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

Alice & Castle Medley

Today is an odds and ends medley; one I may have posted but I couldn’t find it, so in case it’s a rerun, my apologies (with nearly 400 entries, it can be difficult to remember). First picture is from August 3, 1959 showing Alice’s Dark Ride...in the light portion of the ride. Just barely making it into the shot on the left are one of the vintage round Skyway buckets. Shot #2 is an undated view of the Teacups, featuring my favorite cat-eye style sunglasses.



Snow White’s Wishing Well, circa June 1964:



Here’s one of the Castle from August, 1958; I have also included a detailed closeup of the Gepetto’s Workshop sign.





Last one for today is a nice view of the castle from October 1956:



For Cox Pilot, here’s a detail of the March 1964 Town Square Shot:



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

Magnolia Park Bandstand & DL Updates

The Disneyland Band is sure packin' ’em in at the Adventureland Magnolia Park Bandstand. Meanwhile, back to the present, I finished my first half marathon yesterday. At about mile 10, I thought I was a goner; the heat in Anaheim was terrible. However, I knew this would be my one and only half marathon, and I couldn’t be a quitter; somehow, I made it over the finish line in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Here’s an after race pic of Minnie & I at the Plaza Inn where I celebrated with a breakfast buffet oinkfest.



Moving back to things that concern Disneyland Blog readers: Here are the most recent construction pics of Toy Story Mania in California Adventure, as well as the posters on the walls surrounding the project:











River Belle Terrace construction sign:



A “celebrity” sighting while waiting in line for the Monorail: “Desperate Housewives” child star Zane Huett was also there with his family and probably talking to his agent:





Not sure what’s going on with POTC; seems they’re making some changes or doing a little repair: Barbossa’s head scarf is now more prominent than before—compare a few months ago vs. today:





The most striking (and sad) difference was the absence of the Hat Thief with one foot on the dock and one in the boat; hopefully he is missing temporarily and not permanently. That’s it for today, folks. Check out more Disneyland photos on my regular website.

More Chicken of the Sea & Skull Rock

What a sourpuss! Maybe she needs to grab a Tuna Boat over at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. I really love this view showing Skull Rock and the paths behind the ship; sure looks inviting, and makes a nice place to hide-out while the little beasts run screaming around Fantasyland. On this one from October 1965, I want to know how long it took this gal to do her hair. Even if she’s not around anymore, that hair is probably still in perfect condition. And you just know that poor sap in the red shirt can’t wait for his wife to take the picture so he can hand her the shopping bag to carry. All the guys back at work would really work him over if they saw him now!



Check out more Chicken of the Sea photos on my regular website.