February 1959 Medley

What trip to Disneyland would be complete without a shot in front of the Mickey face at the Main Street Train Station? This cute little tyke is ready for the photo to be over so that he can ride the attractions. This is the only pic I have of the Hand Cart under wraps; most likely there has been some rain (gasp!) in Sunny Southern California, as can be seen by the wet pavement in our next pic. Pic #2 is a really darling pic of an older couple, classic camera prominently displayed as they model in front of the Chicken of the Sea pirate ship restaurant.



The last one from the Jungle Cruise dock is definitely my favorite; our little maiden in front is sure getting the looks from the ladies standing near here. I have never seen this uniform in the park; anybody know if this is an employee or just a stray TWA stewardess?



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main 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.

The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, pt. 5

Today begins Reel 3, showing the Circus Tent Entrance. The ticket booths on either side are the same design as the ones that could be view in Town Square (anyone know if these are the same and were moved to TS?). #2 is “Setting-Up” exercises by the painted pachyderms (just a fancy-schmancy term for elephants).



Pic #3 features the Flying Alexanders making another daring catch high in the air. Only one more day to go of these; hope you have enjoyed them. And many thanks again to Tim!



Meanwhile, over at the Disney Blog, they have posted a fun little contest. Click on the previous Disney Blog link and answer it on your blog for FABULOUS (well, maybe not fabulous but definitely fun) prizes. One of the questions to answer is “What is your favorite or most useful tip for guests of Disney's theme parks?” My answer would be to use the Disney Dining phone line and make reservations for meals AT LEAST a month in advance. Nothing is worse at Disneyland than being hungry and seeing horrendous lines at all the restaurants. The Disney Blog is part of my morning routine and a good way to keep current on all things Disney.

More vintage Disneyland Circus photos at my main website.

The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, pt. 4

Finishing off Reel 2 today, starting off with an old time Circus Wagon that carries the tents. #2 is Billy Burke, the “Boss” Clown.



Pic #3 is Bob-O the Clown (Bob Amsberry) and Mousketeer Princess (I wonder if they had to get permission from Cinderella to use this vehicle?).



The final one for Friday is the parade entering past the ticket wagon.



For more vintage Disneyland Circus photos, visit my regular website.

The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, pt. 3

Today the photos are from Reel 2 of the Viewmaster Mickey Mouse Club Circus set, beginning with Mouseketeer Karen sitting on top of an elephant. #2 is the Swan Band Wagon pulled by a team of plumed white horses.



Pic #3 is shows the scantily clad harem beauties who travel by elephant train. Ha cha cha!



For more vintage Disneyland Circus photos, visit my main website.

Disneyland Main Street commissioned painting 3

Slight progress...

See more of my art at my main website.

The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, pt. 2

Finishing out reel 1 of the MMCC viewmaster set, we are still in Town Square with these 4 frames. Picture 1 is of the Red Cage, with Mouseketeers inside dressed as animals. For those of you afraid of clowns, please try to avoid photo #2 which showcases the tumblers.



Pic #3 is of a Ranchero and his seductive Señora.



Final shot for today is Jimmy Dodd, the ringmaster, and the rest of the famous Mouseketeers, including everyone’s favorite, Annette.



See more vintage Disneyland Mickey Mouse Club Circus photos on my Mickey Mouse Club Circus photo web page.

Disneyland Main Street commissioned painting 2

By the time I get home from work and the gym, there’s little time to paint, but I managed to get about an hour in last night. Still laying down blocks of color; not much shading going on yet.

See more of my art at my main website.

The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, pt. 1

Viewmaster reels are a $%&* to scan, and it has taken me a number of tries to get these to anything near a decent quality. So...for the next few days I will share a few frames from the Mickey Mouse Club Circus set. These 3 views are taken from the Town Square area, and you can even see the signage announcing the never-to-be International Street. Frame one shows the Drum Majorettes of the Lodi High Band. Frame 2 are the famous Mouseketeers, and #3 features some Desert “Sheiks,” leading a camel caravan. I would guess that this film was shot late 1955, as some of the frames show Xmas decor on Main Street.





For more vintage Circus photos, visit my regular website. PS: Many thanks to Tim!

Disneyland Main Street commissioned painting

My current work-in-progress is a commissioned painting of Disneyland’s Main Street, circa 1950’s. This is the first time I’ve actually painted in at least 6 months or more. It’s always hard to mentally prepare myself to start again (ye olde mental block), but once I sit down and put the brush to the canvas, it’s even more difficult to get me to stop. Here’s my first day’s progress on the painting.

See more of my art at my main website.

Frontierland Medley

Speeding through Frontierland is one of the Stagecoaches that only made it until 1959. Frontierland once had as many modes of transportation (if not more) than Main Street. Slide #1 is undated, but slide #2 is clearly marked June 1960. Guests are listening to the music of the Gonzalez Trio in Frontierland’s version of The Bandstand located in what was known as The Mexican Village.



This January 1968 view is just your basic Wooden Indian at the Frontierland Trading Post photo.



LOVELY framing on this August 1976 shot (I'd like to talk to the photographer of this one! C'mon buddy, who taught you how to take a picture?!?) Another shot of the Mexican Village area with guests listening to live music (no, it’s not the Dapper Dans).



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

Fantasyland, August 3, 1959

Quite a bit going on in this one; Chicken of the Sea on the left, Dumbo in front, Mr. Toad façade, behind, Matterhorn to the rear, and the Skyway overhead. What more could you ask for on a Sunday morning?

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

The Parking Lot

For all you Parking Lot fans, here are 2 vintage views of the extinct “attraction” as it used to appear before it became DCA. #1 is undated from the 1950’s; #2 is January 1968. Here’s to hoping that the newly approved billion-dollar budget for DCA will bring it up to the standard that guests originally expected of it in the first place.



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

Disneyland Railroad, August 3, 1959

Aren’t these 2 adorable? Dig those matching hats! It’s summer of 1959, and Disneyland is being patriotic with plenty of bunting for all. Shot #1 is the obligatory Mickey Mouse shot at the entrance with the Main Street Train Station in the background (hand cart visible on the right). Shot #2 shows the same little girl sitting on the train; the vantage point is from the station, bunting overhead. Notice how the seats are pointing towards the engine; now the cars are designed so that everyone faces the park instead.



The third one for today is the E.P. Ripley at the Main Street Train Station, with a nice view of the parking lot in the background, and plenty of vintage autos visible.



Just for the heck of it, here’s another one of Engine #2, from June 1959:



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

Central Plaza & Frontierland Gate

Here’s an undated from the 1950’s; I am also including a detail of the lattice work from the area where the bandstand once stood.



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

HOF Interior and Miss Piggy

I know, I know...they’re dark and the color sucks, but I’m posting ’em anyway. Interior shots of the Monsanto House of the Future are so rare that I thought I’d show these despite the fact that they are not the best of quality. These are both from July 1961...and presented in genuine FauxD©!

This exterior shot is from approximately 1957/58:



On a totally different note...The Muppet Show Season 2 has been released on DVD. I had forgotten the stellar guest stars that the show had, and even after all these years it is still entertaining. Just enough sly humor for adults to enjoy as well as the kiddies. There is an especially dark humored interview with the Muppets in the special features section where they discuss Jim Henson.

For more vintage Monsanto House of the Future photos, visit my regular website.

Monorail & Motor Boat Cruise, July 1961

This is one of my fave shots, showing the Yellow Monorail (pre-Nemo layering) including the bubble on top, and the entrance to the Motor Boat Cruise. I have also included a close-up of the Motor Boat Cruise entrance; practically makes you feel like you are entering a Yacht Club!



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

Brandywine River Museum

One of the most beautiful areas in Pennsylvania is Brandywine, especially for art lovers. The Brandywine River Museum is a must-see, especially for those who appreciate the art of the Wyeth family. Pieces from each generation (NC being my fave) can be seen at this museum, situated in an old Mill on the Brandywine River. The new and old sections have been integrated well. Fall is a great time to visit (the leaves, natch) and also at Christmas, when the tree goes up and the model trains come out for display.





For more Brandywine photos, visit my regular website.

Sex and the City caricature

One of the benefits of drawing on a computer is you can redo and redo without the “paper” getting ruined. Often I do caricatures, and a few years ago, I did my Xmas card littered with all my fave celebrities. I especially liked this one from my favorite TV show, “Sex and the City.”

See more of my art at my main website.

Fun on Tom Sawyer Island

August 1958 brings us these 4 views of Tom Sawyer Island; in the first one, looks like the blue skirt has no body. Maybe the maiden was kidnapped by pirates...oh wait, I’m 40 years ahead of myself. They haven’t arrived on the island yet. The last shot shows the now destroyed Fort Wilderness. Having just been on the island this weekend, it was kinda’ sad to see it gone. And what is up with the fake logs? They sure look awful...can it be that difficult to treat real lumber so that it lasts?







For more vintage Tom Sawyer Island photos, visit my regular website.