Hippo Boats, Jeeps and More at Lion Country Safari 1971

I love looking at Irvine when it was rather bare and undeveloped. One of the best ways is to find images from Lion Country Safari. These shots are dated 1971 and feature more than just animals seen from a car. First up is a fun paddle boat in the shape of a river horse, the Hippopotamus.

Another attraction for the kids was driving a safari jeep. There is a similar ride at Legoland in Carlsbad.

Of course there is a scenic pond, and with a pond comes ducks and a place to pose for a family photograph.

A closer look shows the Afritheater in the background and the girl is eating one of the all day, gargantuan lollipop. (This photo is for you Major.)

The last image is of the petting zoo area with buildings of the African Village in the background.

Souvenir Friday-Dixieland at Disneyland 1964 Plus More

Let me start off by posting a scan of the poster from the Second Annual Dixieland at Disneyland event. This is a scan of the poster that was once hanging in the barn at Ward Kimball's (thanks Chris!)

Next up is the program from the Fifth Annual Dixieland at Disneyland event. Check out the groups performing as well as the production crew. I would love to have seen the scenic design by Roland Crump. (And I am looking for programs from the 1st Annual as well as the Third and Fourth....)

A nice addition to this is the ticket signed by Kid Ory. Kid Ory was one of the best and earliest trombone players in Jazz. He started a band in New Orleans in 1912 and continued playing Dixieland for the rest of his life.

Spring Fling 1972- More Photo's

First off thanks to Disneyland Nomenclature for pulling information from a Disneyland Line so I can correct that the Spring Fling was a separately ticketed event. The advertising with the Pinto was in place to entice visitor's to purchase Spring Fling tickets. Now on to the photographs with more of the family posing. First off is my favorite thinking and quiet spot in Disneyland, the Snow White Wishing Well Grotto. You just have to love the fashion in 1972, check out those sunglasses.

I also like this image, not for the view but for the crowd in the background and for the girl's pants.

Finally just an image of a scene, this one from the Jungle Cruise featuring the native uprising.

On a final note, a couple of exciting new blogs have started up. First off Mike Cozart has created three blogs: Tomorrowlounge featuring Tomorrowland with an emphasis on costuming, Disney Park Attraction Posters featuring attraction posters and Mike Cozart Design&Model featuring his models with in process photographs. The other new blog is by Paul Anderson and features Disney history, the blog is the Disney History Institute. If you have time, check them out, they are listed on my blog roll on the right hand side.

Spring Fling 1972

In 1972 Disneyland had a special event to increase attendance during the slow spring months. The event was called the Spring Fling. This lucky family attended the event and posed with many of the characters. It appears Disneyland was not that crowded as there are few people in the background. First off is an image of the two young girls posing with every one's favorite corporate symbol, Mickey Mouse.

They also posed with Mickey's better half Minnie. I don't like the yellow dress she has picked out to wear.

A character I always enjoy seeing is Snow White. I wonder where her friends the Seven Dwarves are at?

One of the prizes that a lucky guest could win by attending Spring Fling was a 1972 Ford Pinto. The car was so popular the Big Bad Wolf had to protect the car from people trying to hot wire the car. Other prizes included a movie camera set and a full ski set.

October 1956 Lonely Indian and Snow White

Pushing the way back machine 11 years to arrive in October 1956. First up is a very lonely Indian. Maybe he thought he could lay out on the sand and have a beach party?

The next place to visit is Snow White's Scary Adventure. The ride vehicles are just two seaters. I have left the image rather large so you can see some of the details of the mural painted on the wall.

1967 In Black and White Part 3

Final posting for this series of photographs from a trip in 1967. It appears the photographer enjoyed Fantasyland as it is the subject of the large percentage of the photographs. First up is a photograph of the entrance to Fantasyland.

Next up is the center of Fantasyland with the central ticket booth and two characters, the Big Bad Wolf chasing after a tasty Little Pig.

Of course the Dumbo attraction is highlighted. First up is an image of the ride with a couple of people waiting.

The photographer joined that line, and snapped this image while riding Dumbo.

Who can resist giant spinning Teacups. (I for one can, but I always like to watch them.)

Ending with a big finish is this nice image of the Matterhorn and Skyway taken from the ground by the Pirate Ship. I like the caption with Cable Car through Matterhorn.

1967 In Black and White Part 2

Continuing the exploration of a trip to Disneyland in 1967, the photographer entered the land of the old west. I like the two pictures below as they appear to be from about the same location but show the two large ships on the Rivers of America.

The newly opened land (misnamed here as New Orleans Street) captured the eye of the photographer. I like the angle of the image giving it a nice feeling of depth.

The only Tomorrowland image in the group is this shot of the Fred Gurley pulling into the Tomorrowland station. Once again a nice feeling of depth with the angle, the monorail track and the tall bushes and berm.