Look Out Disney We Have Pins 1966-1975

More Magical Moments 50th Anniversary Pins
  
All of us witnessed another magical milestone with the opening of Cars Land on June 15th, 20012.  Disney California Adventure is like a grandson of the original Disneyland.  It was like an unruly upstart.  But, it is now a hopeful glimmer with the recent renovation that Disney California Adventure will grow up to be worthy of its family line.  Walt Disney and his Imagineers has been filling the empty spaces with more and better attractions.  They have "plussed" the originals and other rides to keep them exciting and fresh. However before this week's spectacular opening there were fifty years of these Magical Milestone events at Disneyland.  In a previous blog, I introduced the pin collection that celebrated many of those moments in time.  Magical Milestones pins were offered during the Happiest Homecoming, the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland.  
In 1966, Walt Disney himself oversaw the dedication of this, New Orleans Square, the first new land since the original layout in 1955.  At the dedication Walt quipped that New Orleans Square cost as much as the Louisiana Purchase.  New Orleans Square has become a vital area in Disneyland. It started as an anchor for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  It provided us a great a restaurant, Blue Bayou.  Along the way you see the close French Quarter streets that offer unique shopping opportunities.  

I love this little alcove for pictures of the family

If rode with me on the Time Machine Travelogue Four trip, you know that in 1967 the New Tomorrowland opened.  I was fortunate to travel to Disneyland with my brother after my high school graduation.  We went on our own without parents.  This was a definite magical milestone in my own life.  The Magical Milestones pin that celebrates Disney's achievement with the Carousel of Progress.  This attraction took the audience for a ride, literally.  The scene of the progress that were made during the 20th Century in electrical devices that made our lives better.  Labor saving devices, lights, and entertainment were shown on four different stages.  Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter were spread over years from the early 1900's to the 1990's.  

"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow"

A honey of a candidate

Does anyone remember Pat Paulsen running for President of the United States?  Seems obscure doesn't it.  On the Smothers Brother's television show the deadpan comedian ran for the highest office.  However, I don't remember Winnie the Pooh for President at all.  If anyone does please leave a comment telling me about it.

There once was a house that sat on the edge of New Orleans Square.  It sat their empty for six years.  Making us all wonder what was going to be in there.  My mother always wanted to live in such a fine looking mansion.  For years there was a sign out front advertising for ghosts.  This mansion finally gathered 999 ghosts and opened its doors in 1969.  After the ghosts materialized we were in for a treat, the Haunted Mansion.  Everything from the Stretching Room to the Doom Buggies immerse you into the storyline of the metaphysical home of Captain Gracey.  So don't get caught up at the ball in the dining room, the Grave Yard Jam, or the Hitch Hiking Ghost.  If you thing this would be a good final resting place just take the advice of the tiny Ghost Hostess and you are exiting.

     “Hurry back. Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us. 

      Make final arrangements now. We've been ‘dying’ to have you…”

Listen to Madame Leota

The decade of the Bicentennial

On December 31, 1969 I went to my first New Years Eve party at Disneyland.  In those days the New Years Eve and some other dates were hard ticket events.  Regular daily patrons were exited and the party goers are let in.  We were given really cool pressed cellophane hats a noise makers.  There was no need for Lettered Tickets.  I'll never forget the sight in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride where the standing pirate skeleton impaled by a sword was surrounded by these hats.  Many people were attempting to make a ringer on the sword's handle.  When it turned Midnight bringing on the new Decade of the 1970's, as they do every year welcomed the new year with a fireworks display.  I was riding on the Mark Twain.  It was an interesting feeling riding on a 19th Century mode of transportation when it was changing a new decade.  The next day, January 1st was my only visit in the year 1970.  It was amazing the next day the entire park was totally cleaned.  Not one hat was left in Pirates. We stayed until it closed and made the long drive home.

A ride you get to work at

The 'Backside of Water" ride

Plussing to achieve political correctness is how the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes were born.  Previous to this attraction there was another canoe ride known as the Indian War Canoes.  They had an Indian guide who escorted the guest paddlers.  However, the original Indian Village was removed to make way for Critter Country.   The canoe ride gives the guest a leisurely journey along the Rivers of America.  The pin is pivoted in the center so it shows the name and gives you a graphic of the attraction.  

In 1972, the best nighttime parade at Disneyland or maybe anywhere was instituted, the Main Street Electrical Parade.  I have had so many memories of this parade.  In fact, it got me back into Disney Parades.  Where in previous years, I would never wait for a parade.  If I caught a parade, I just walked up and stood behind those seated on the curb.  This often worked if I was taking pictures.  There were some trips when I went to Disneyland just for the Main Street Electrical Parade.  It was like a Clark Griswald Christmas light display every time it was presented.  

I can still hear the infectious music

Walt Disney was lost to us way too early.  He accomplished so much in his lifetime.  Starting with synchronizing animation and sound, full length animated movies using a multi plane filming process, and the invention of the theme park.  Disneyland was a total commitment of vision and money.  The story was held in the Main Street Opera House.  Moments with Mr. Lincoln was removed which caused controversy.  There was a static display of Walt's office.  There was a drawing table and other historic items.  The quill pens from this display figured in the solution of one of mine and my daughter's favorite books.  No, none of the Harry Potter books but Kingdom Keepers, Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson.  

Solve the Riddle of the Stonecutters Quill

When Disneyland opened in 1955, they had a Rocket to the Moon ride in Tomorrowland.  But by 1969, the United States space program actually put men on the Moon.  The future caught up and passed tomorrowland.  It became necessary to renovate the Moon ride and point it to a new location.  That location has been the object of our collective imagination for eons, Mars.  Mission to Mars added a Audioanimatronic characters that "manned" a Mission Control.  The actual attraction was more dynamic then the previous Lunar flight.  There was more G force apparent. Also they introduced the concept of "Hyper Space" a region beyond regular space that if entered allowed the craft to travel greater distances faster.  Every Sci Fi movie since has had some form of hyper space.  

Jump into Hyper Space

In the next ten years of Magical Milestones, we will celebrate the 25th Anniversary and many more changes to Disneyland.  Also the most important date for my family July 4, 1976, the Bicentennial.  Watch for our return to the Magical Milestones soon.  Until then make your own Disney memory milestone.