Disneyland Hotel Brochure, March 1961

I love paper Disneyland ephemera, and today's example seems to be pretty scarce. It might look familiar though, stay tuned to the end of today's blog post.

SO... there it is, from March 1961 - a brochure designed to get you hyped for your stay at the most exciting resort in the World! Hey, it's subjective. I love the drawing of "Li'l Stubby", the Mark I Monorail, which (as it says in small print) was projected to open in June. You could be whisked to the park in the blink of an eye!

Here's one side, unfolded. The list of room rates is crossed out - yes, it drives me crazy, but there was a reason for this brutal defacement. Meanwhile, enjoy the spot illustrations to the left, SoCal has everything you need to be entertained. 

It's too bad we don't get color photos of the way the Hotel looked back in those early days, but you can't have everything.

Here's an insert showing the newest room rates, which explains why that portion was X-ed out of the main brochure. The prices are amazing, but don't forget that we must adjust for inflation. Multiply by 10, that's a good general rule. So a deluxe room is $30 per night (vacation rate) - that's around $315 today. Not cheap by any means, but a bargain compared to what you would actually pay in 2025.

I have no doubt that some of you remember the somewhat-more-common coral-pink version of the same flyer (printed a few months later) - "common" meaning "still pretty rare". Here's a comparison of the obverses:

And the reverses:

Frontierland Frolics

It's time for another selection of scans, courtesy of the Mysterious Benefactor! From a massive archive of Frontierland images that he graciously shared with me to share with you.

We'll start with this photo of the old fishing dock on Tom Sawyer Island - I believe this is also the location of the restrooms (the only restrooms on the island??). Some of the trees have taken on fall colors - not terribly common in California. 

Here's a lovely view of the Old Mill, enveloped by vines - it's not kudzu, but we can pretend. In the distance is Big Thunder Mountain - even today part of my brain thinks of that ride as "new" - never mind that it is 46 years old.

There is nothing more terrifying than a Graveyard Duck. There was actually a deleted scene from The Exorcist that was deemed to be WAY too scary. Why? Graveyard Duck (and pea soup).

The ancestors of Spanky and Alfalfa had a thriving sign-painting business, and made a small fortune, specializing in signs for secret clubhouses (Were girls allowed? What do you think??). Here is an example of their more mature work, when they figured out the right direction for the letter "S". 

Here's an unusual angle, from the embankment above the Old Mill, where a sluice channeled water to the big water wheel. As far as I am aware, guests were not supposed to be up there, but I'm not 100% certain.

Oh no! A Graveyard Duck is on top of the men's room! As you know, GDs can only be killed with a silver bullet, or a stake of white oak. I left both of those things in the car!

 MANY THANKS to the Mysterious Benefactor.

Nicer Snoozles™

Here are two Snoozles that are better than most - still flawed of course, but they have something to offer anyway. Let's start with this photo of the C.K. Holliday circa April 1958 - the locomotive is pulling into Tomorrowland Station. The berm kept giant moon cows away (always an issue). The "Fred Gurley" (No. 3) debuted on March 28, 1958 - just a month before this slightly-blurry photo was taken; I wonder if that has anything to do with the bunting seen on the side of the passenger cars?

Next is this July 1961 shot of the yellow Monorail as it zipped over the Sub Lagoon. It zipped so fast that it was mostly a blur! At least the nose area is in focus, I guess.

Vintage Cars

I enjoy finding vintage photos of automobiles, even though I famously know very little about the cars themselves. They are industrial works of art! Stylish, and sometimes even exuberant. Today's examples have me stumped, I tried to ID them, but had no luck. I know that YOU guys will figure them out, though!

First up, a little kid poses in front of a coppery beauty, with classy white-walls and plenty of chrome. The photo is dated "May 1961". I think the child is a girl, with the pink coat and the stuffed bunny. Maybe she caught the bun-bun with her bow and arrow!

Next is more of an overall "look at all them dang cars" picture, from the 1950s. The beautiful Wisconsin Dells are still a popular tourist destination, though you won't see so many American autos there today.

And here's another unlabeled, undated photo of two boys posing in front of a two-tone (red and white) beauty on a Winter day. Whoever can identify that car will win the fair hand of my daughter, Griselda! Terms and conditions apply.

I'm still infiltrating the spy network of an evil villain (as opposed to a nice villain), but will be home soon!

 

Two From 1967

I have two undated slide scans for you today; initially I was going to guess that these were from the late 1960s, or early 1970s. But then I noticed some interesting details in this nice image from the entrance to Tomorrowland!

The Peoplemover is overhead, but there are no passengers on any of the trains, so I assume that they were not in motion. They also lack some of the safety bars added later. At the bottom of the picture, there is a display of various ride sponsors, including Bell, Monsanto, Coca Cola, Goodyear, General Dynamics,  General Electric, and General Ennui. Pretty cool! So presumably this photo is from before the official debut of the Peoplemover (July 2, 1967), I guess?

From the same lot comes this neat view from the upper reaches of the Swiss Family Treehouse, looking toward the Haunted Mansion, which would not open for another for another two years or so.

I'm still on a top-secret mission, but I'll be checking in on my two-way wrist radio on a regular basis!

Flying Saucers, August 1961

I never get tired of viewing photos of the Flying Saucers attraction in Tomorrowland - it doesn't look like anything else! It's interesting that all of the riders in front of us are children (and one teen?), though there appears to be one adult on the other side of the barrier to the left. Maybe this attraction wasn't that popular with grown-ups? I can't think of a single photo of this attraction that shows a long line, in spite of its infamous low capacity.

It's a shame that they couldn't iron out the bugs, it looks so fun! Folks who experienced it say that it was difficult to maneuver, but I'm sure I would have been the best at it, and all the pretty girls nearby would have fallen in love with me. 

Note: I will be out of town for the next few days. A secret mission! I probably shouldn't have told you that part. Talk to you all soon!

Two "Previously Skipped" Slides

I have a folder of "previously-skipped" slide scans - a lot of them have been sitting there for years, mostly because I forget about them. They don't make much noise or eat much. This first one is from July 1961, taken from an unusual angle as guests wait in line to buy tickets. It looks like a Big 10 book cost $3.95 (I think) for an adult, while a guided tour would cost $5.00. Multiply by 10 for an approximation of today's money. The C.K. Holliday is at rest above the tunnel, and we can also see that swell banner for "Disneyland '61". 

Next, from August 1961 we get this Frontierland photo of Chief Wavy, as seen from the Mark Twain, or one of the watercraft at any rate. Just beyond that line of birch trees, the Disneyland Railroad would pass. I love the lighting on this one!

Disneyland Secrets!

Disneyland fans know that there are a number of delightful secrets that are fun to look for, and even more fun to share with your friends. I'm going to reveal some of those secrets to you today!

Many people are aware of Walt Disney's apartment, located above the Firehouse in Town Square. Walt could spend the night there, sometimes with Lilly or the grandchildren. He made grilled cheese sammiches on his sandwich press! Maybe some of you have been lucky enough to tour the apartment; one of the most touching features is this lamp, which is kept lit as a tribute to Walt Disney, who would often light a lamp in his apartment window to signal his presence at the park (also so he could see what he was doing, presumably). Mr. Disney's beautiful lava lamp is never extinguished, just like dreams, wishes, magic, and imagination.

Here's a rare photo of the apartment, which was left just as it was when Walt passed.

Some secrets not as secret as others. For instance, many people know about the alternating red and white lightbulbs at the Coke Corner. As luck would have it, when they got to this spot, they found that there would have to be two white bulbs in a row, or two red bulbs in a row. "Say, Walt, if we just started from the corner and worked our way out, this wouldn't be a problem.", John Hench suggested. "No! Put a strawberry Zinger up there instead!". "A what, now?". "A strawberry Zinger!!" "But Walt..." "JUST DO IT!". To this day, a fresh strawberry Zinger is placed in the light socket every morning as a tribute to, I don't know, all the little children of the world or something. 

Here's yet another Main Street secret. If you happen to turn right onto East Center Street, and head back to the lockers, you'll encounter a crazy wall. This is the famous "test wall"; its purpose is not known for sure, but as you can see, on the left side there are uneven bricks, while on the right you'll see something that is a bit more "urban" and realistic. Walt personally tagged that side, and you must admit that his skill was undeniable. They ultimately chose even, well-ordered bricks, but it is intriguing to think, "What if...?".

Now we've left Main Street, and I can share a secret that used to be found inside the Indiana Jones Adventure, one of the most amazing and elaborate attractions in Disneyland. Early on, Harrison Ford did not want his likeness used on the Indy animatronics, so they opted for frequent Disney star Joe Flynn's likeness instead. Clear photos of these animatronics are rare, so I'm thrilled to be able to show you this one.

Popcorn and Disneyland go together like chocolate and peanut butter, and the charming popcorn wagons seen throughout the park have little "Toasty Roasty Men" turning a crank, like some sort of Sisyphean punishment. Back by the Haunted Mansion, one of the Toasty Roasty Men (customized depending on where they are in the park) happens to bear the likeness of wrestler and Oscar™ winner (needs verification) Tor Johnson. It is known that Walt Disney was a huge admirer of Tor, and even let him ride the Carolwood Pacific on occasion.

And finally, a Haunted Mansion secret! These are the most popular with the fandom. For about the first three months, you might have been lucky enough to see a detail in the ballroom scene, specifically at the long table where a ghostly birthday party was in progress. Look closely! A platter with the disembodied head of beloved actor Paul Lynde could be seen. The head was soon removed - some say because it was too terrifying.

Well, there you go... a selection of incredible and true DISNEYLAND SECRETS! Be sure to amaze your friends with these the next time you get together.

A Pair From July, 1965

Here's a nice pair of scans from the Summer of 1965! Starting with this nice view of Tomorrowland as seen from a Skyway gondola. At the extreme lower edge we can just see the Yacht Bar, along with the shaded outdoor seating. Then there's the Astro Jets in the "up" position; and the Douglas Moonliner. To the right of the Moonliner (with vapor escaping!), in the distance, you can see the curve of the Flying Saucers area, as well as the old Art Corner building. Outside the park, there's Wilbur Clark's Crest Hotel, and Melodyland.

This one's a little less exciting, but hey, I still like it; we're aboard the Skyway (the rectangular gondolas were brand-new in 1965), about to pass through the Matterhorn's nostrils. Make a wish?

America On Parade, June 1976

I have a small group of photos from a nighttime version of "America on Parade", the salute to America in honor of the Bicentennial that ran from 1975 through sometime in 1976. I think. The pictures aren't great, and they are of a parade, after all, so they qualify for a Snoozle Sunday. These are in no particular order, though I used Wikipedia for reference when possible.

Columbus's Ship - in 1492, before the creation of America, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus travelled the then-unknown seas, seeing what kind of discoveries he has managed to find and bring him into the new worlds. This float resembled a pirate ship.

OK, I'm not really sure what this float celebrated, but it's got cool dancers on a flag-themed float. They all studied "float dancing" at Juiliard, one of the most difficult disciplines. 

This next float was so incredible that our photographer took two pictures of it. It's a riverboat, just like the ones that moved cargo and passengers along the Mississippi. 

At first I thought that the pilot was supposed to be Mark Twain, but maybe not. Robert Fulton? Robert Goulet? 

Wikipedia helpfully describes this float as "Giant Bell". You don't say! Does the bell have a crack in it, by any chance? I hope they saved the warranty. If there's one thing that I can pass on to you, it's that you should ALWAYS pay for the extended warranty! 

And finally, a stagecoach rumbles past, bringing settlers out West in the hopes of establishing better lives for themselves in the new territories. They also want to go to amusement parks and eat hamburgers and have aquariums full of tropical fish.