Disney Vacation Kingdom

Vintage View - Horizons and World Of Motion

2012-02-28T10:04:00.000-05:00

I believe this was taken from the bridge leading to the then vibrant Odyssey Restaurant in January1990. We gaze across the water towards the fantastic shapes and textures of the Horizons and World of Motion pavillions. If only the monorail had been passing by as well!

Indian Village

2012-02-27T04:30:00.000-05:00

Catch a view while riding the rails or as you sail by on a riverboat.

More Alligator Bayou

2012-02-26T04:30:00.000-05:00

Maharajah Jungle Trek

2012-02-25T04:30:00.000-05:00

More Tomorrowland at Night

2012-02-24T04:30:00.000-05:00

From June of last year.

Disney-MGM Studios Show Shedule

2012-02-23T04:30:00.000-05:00

This show schedule is from April 22-27, 1989. I picked it up during the 3 Season Salute Passholder preview days on April 23.

World Showcase Travel Posters

2012-02-22T04:30:00.000-05:00

I previously posted these on Daily Ramblings & Artistic Endeavors but wanted to put them on here as well. I created these a couple of weeks ago. Each pavilion has at least one and several have two. What's your favorite?

Christmas Chalet

2012-02-21T04:30:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures of the old Christmas Chalet at the Village. The Chalet stood where World of Disney is located today.

From across the lagoon during the Lake Buena Vista Car Show in the early 90's.

Another view from across the lagoon.

Pringle Of Scotland

2012-02-17T17:49:00.000-05:00

Disney-MGM Studios Character Map

2012-02-16T04:30:00.000-05:00

From May 1998.

Port Orleans - French Quarter

2012-02-14T09:13:00.000-05:00

DCL Shirt Tag

2012-02-10T08:10:00.001-05:00

The tag from a Shag camp shirt from the Disney Cruise Line.

D23 WDW 40th Swiss Family Treehouse Patch

2012-02-09T08:56:00.001-05:00

I was so happy when I received this with my issue of D23 last year. As is visible in the second picture, all the patches in the collection are fantastic. If I hadn't received this one I would have hoped for either the Tropical Serenade or 20,000 Leagues.

Aladdin Character Breakfast Flyer

2012-02-08T04:30:00.000-05:00

Step into the streets of Agrabah for a breakfast adventure like no other. Brought to you by the same repurposed sets from the Beauty & the Beast themed and Big Business themed Soundstage Restaurant.

Maharajah Jungle Trek

2012-02-07T04:30:00.000-05:00

Disneyland Monday - Jungle Cruise Postcard

2012-02-06T04:30:00.000-05:00

Jungle Adventure Ahead!

Leaving the Adventureland Dock - a jungle river boat heads out on an exciting journey down the "Tropical Rivers of the World" into a panorama of jungle wonders in Disneyland.

The Spirit Of Pocahontas Commemorative Ticket Flyer

2012-02-05T04:30:00.000-05:00

This commemorative ticket was designed in 1995 for the opening of The Spirit of Pocahontas stage show at the Disney-MGM Studios.

Safari Village

2012-02-04T04:30:00.000-05:00

Parterre Place Revisited

2012-02-03T04:30:00.000-05:00

I previously posted some pictures of Parterre Place at Port Orleans Riverside that dated back near the opening of the resort. In May of last year I took a boat ride up the Sassagoula River and took some new ones.

Disney-MGM Studios License Plate Cover

2012-02-02T04:30:00.000-05:00

I believe these were distributed to cast members (along with an Action! pin) when the studios was branded at the "Action" park at WDW circa 1995-96.

Grad Nite 1997

2012-01-31T04:30:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of relics that came into my posession recently. Three items from Grad Nite 1997 which happened to be the 25th Anniversary of Grad Nite.

Grad Nite button.

Grad Nite mug.

Disneyland Monday - Main Street Postcards

2012-01-30T04:30:00.000-05:00

Disneyland Omnibus

Disneyland's 5/8-scale doubledecker Omnibus carries hundreds of passengers daily on a fun-filled tour. Camera fans especially like the unique angles the Omnibus' second deck provides.

The Upjohn Company's old-fashioned drugstore in Disneyland. Over 1000 pharmaceutical antiques, including giant mortar above entrance, are displayed in this Victorian establishment.

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

2012-01-27T04:30:00.000-05:00

A few pictures from the Main Entrance during the Flower and Garden Festival.

2006 (with that stupid wand still in the background)

2010

WDW 35th Anniversary Button

2012-01-26T04:30:00.000-05:00

Featuring Expedition Everest.

Citizens Of Hollywood

2012-01-25T13:13:00.000-05:00

EPCOT Monorail Station

2012-01-24T17:10:00.000-05:00

I've always liked the massive feel of the monorail station at EPCOT (though these pictures do not capture that). The uphill climb to get to the loading platform, however, has always seemed a bit much. Somewhere I should have some old pictures of the station but for the moment I can't find them. Instead, here are a few pics from 2008 and 2009.

Station supports

Looking out towards the station exit which has always seemed like such an oddly large area. Perhaps because at some point there was to be another station attached for another resort line?

Anyone who doesn't think the monorail is about the coolest thing ever must not be of this earth.

Electric Umbrella

2012-01-15T04:45:00.000-05:00

Alice In Wonderland

2012-01-09T04:30:00.000-05:00

A couple of pictures of the Alice in Wonderland dark ride from Disneyland's Fantasyland.

The Emporium

2012-01-08T04:30:00.000-05:00

Today some pictures of the Emporium through the years beginning in the late 80's. The oddly colored pictures are from an overexposed roll of film from the late 80's. Some of these shots are no longer possible since the flower market at the north end of the Emporium was filled in to expand the shop.

The western edge of the emporium with the Car Barn and the little nook inbetween that now houses the Harmony Barber Shop since it lost its home in the flower market during the Emporium expansion.

From the Main Street Train Station.

Also from the Train Station.

Interior of the expansion area.

More interior of the Emporium expansion (at Christmas).

Electrical Water Pageant

2012-01-07T04:30:00.000-05:00

Neptune and other creatures of the deep light up to entertain us...

...followed by a salute to all nations but mostly America (actually only America, I just wanted to use that line from Muppet-Vision).

Grand Floridian Christmas

2011-12-30T04:30:00.000-05:00

All Star Resorts Postcard

2011-12-29T04:30:00.000-05:00

All Star Sports and All Star Music are represented on this postcard from the resort.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T04:30:00.000-05:00

May all your Disney wishes come true.

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Parade Part Three

2011-12-24T15:04:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Parade Part Two

2011-12-23T16:53:00.000-05:00

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Parade Part One

2011-12-22T07:29:00.002-05:00

It's A World Of Laughter

2011-12-19T04:30:00.000-05:00

Fountain View Espresso & Bakery

2011-12-15T04:35:00.000-05:00

Adventure Is Just Around The Riverbend

2011-12-12T04:20:00.000-05:00

The morning sun filters through the dense tropical growth to offer us a final farewell before we journey into the deepest darkest part of the jungle.

These ruins have stood here for ages. Hopefully they'll continue to stand at least until we've passed beneath them.

Apparently this ancient civilization worshipped behive hairdos.

Our old friend Sunlight has found us again just in time to reveal the secret bathing place of the elephants.

Jungle plumbing at its best.

That lucky boatload of intrepid explorers gets to see the backside of water.

Everyone has turned up to greet our boat.

This guy is a little camera shy.

Another tour passes us.

Don't forget to visit our gift shop on your way out.

Humunga Kowabunga

2011-12-09T04:30:00.000-05:00

The Humunga Kowabunga with the Miss Tilly rising above it. This is a pretty old picture circa 1990 or so.

Best Friends Pet Care

2011-12-07T04:30:00.000-05:00

Why should human guests get all of the nice hotel accommodations?

The Magic Of Disney Animation

2011-12-06T04:30:00.000-05:00

We'll start out with some older pictures and work our way to the way the attraction looks today.

Jungle Cruise - Tours Departing Daily

2011-12-05T04:30:00.000-05:00

Set sail down the exotic rivers of the world on exciting Jungle Cruise expeditions departing daily from our lavish outpost.

Come in and check out our exciting destinations.

Our pet vulture is always looking for someone willing to lend a hand.

Another tour group heads into the jungle (possibly to never be seen again).

Germany Interiors

2011-11-30T04:30:00.000-05:00

A selection of interior details from Germany.

Discovery Riverboats Pin

2011-11-29T04:30:00.000-05:00

Disneyland Alweg Monorail System Organizer

2011-11-21T04:16:00.000-05:00

This lovely little trinket was sold at the Disney Store in the late 90's. It's an organizer for paper clips and such. The tops of each of the three sections of monorail lift off revealing shallow dishes for storing your supplies.

Treehouse Villas

2011-11-20T04:30:00.000-05:00

A few pictures of the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs taken from a fairly recent boat ride up the Sassagoula River.

China

2011-11-19T09:22:00.001-05:00

More picures of China today and most of them seem to focus on rooflines.

MouseGear

2011-11-18T04:17:00.000-05:00

While I will admit this store is "fun", I always found the Centorium fun as a kid and it didn't have all the obnoxious noises and moving stuff that this store has. For the uninformed, the Centorium was Epcot's version of the Emporium. It was a multilevel wonderland of souvenirs in the original Communicore.

Suspended Animation

2011-11-17T04:52:00.000-05:00

Before there was The Art Of Disney store, the place to purchase your cels, poster art, and other collectibles was Suspended Animation on Pleasure Island.

All Star Movies Resort Puzzles

2011-11-16T04:30:00.000-05:00

I had posted three of these previously and finally found the other three that I have.

Walt Disney Animation Florida Buttons

2011-11-15T04:45:00.000-05:00

Matterhorn

2011-11-14T04:17:00.000-05:00

Innoventions

2011-11-11T04:06:00.000-05:00

While I certainly understand the need to have upgraded the technology present in the original Communicore, the results have always seemed like a poor substitute. While Communicore was simple, clean, and elegant, Innoventions has always been cluttered, obnoxious, and loud. On top of everything else, was there really a need to change the name of the area as well? Just asking.

Comedy Warehouse

2011-11-10T04:44:00.000-05:00

Once laughter filled this space and now it sits sad and alone, only a backdrop for passersby.

Lilo & Stitch in Safari Village

2011-11-08T04:56:00.000-05:00

Critter Country Sign

2011-11-07T04:13:00.000-05:00

Since all the Disneyland pictures were taken on my first (and thus far only) trip to Disneyland and I was limited in the number of photos I would be able to take, I tried to focus on things that do not exist at Walt Disney World. Critter Country is one of these things. Sort of an offshoot of Frontierland wedged in behind New Orleans Square this land was created in the 70's when the Country Bears migrated west to Disneyland and at that time was called Bear Country (also the name of one of Disney's True Life Adventure films). Today Critter Country is home to Splash Mountain and a Winnie The Pooh ride.

Animal Kingdom Rope Drop Ceremony

2011-11-04T04:33:00.000-04:00

23rd Annual Festival of the Masters Pin and Button

2011-11-03T04:30:00.000-04:00

Nine Dragons Restaurant

2011-11-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

1991 Disney-MGM Studios Guidemap

2011-11-01T07:52:00.000-04:00

Main Street Halloween

2011-10-31T16:21:00.000-04:00

2003 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade

2011-10-30T04:19:00.000-04:00

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments

2011-10-29T04:46:00.000-04:00

Dressed for the holiday!

Spaceship Earth

2011-10-25T04:34:00.000-04:00

Simple unobstructed view of the entry plaza during the 15 Years of Magic Celebration.

Spaceship Earth with a non-Nemo Living Seas.

Boy I miss these acrylic prisms on this fountain. It just looks odd without them.

Another shot of the entrance plaza from the far left.

Coral Reef anyone?

Before that stupid stage was contructed blocking much of this view. Also no other clutter in Future World.

Clutter (stage and otherwise)

Not possible to take this picture anymore.

A golfball in the rough.

California Adventure Main Entrance

2011-10-24T04:29:00.000-04:00

The only photo I have of California Adventure is of the entrance which no longer looks like this.

The Living Seas Book

2011-10-22T04:39:00.000-04:00

A nifty little book from 1987, The Living Seas by Wayne Eastep. The bulk of the book focuses on images of sealife but there are some nice pics of the pavilion during construction and in it's original state.

How I miss these ridiculous gaudy spectacles for the grand opening of attractions.

Old Tomorrowland

2011-10-21T04:00:00.000-04:00

Today a selection of pictures from Tomorrowland pre-dating the 1994 remodel. Prior to the 1994 re-model was preceded by a paint job which took the gleaming white modern shapes of the land and painted them in pinks and blues.

From 1976.

Disney Cruise Line Room Service Menu

2011-10-20T04:14:00.000-04:00

1986 WDW Pictorial Souvenir

2011-10-19T04:40:00.000-04:00

The 1986 edition is virtually identical to the 1984 edition (including the cover) with only a couple of changes. The future projects section is gone and new pages have been added for the Living Seas and Morocco.

A wonderful image of the beginning of If You Had Wings.

Seabase Alpha was teeming with the spirit of adventure and exploration and didn't need any Nemo to help it along.

Mickey's Character Shop at the Walt Disney World Village. Every spare cent I had as a kid was spent at this store. I shudder to think how much.

Back in the pre-internet days, these little glimpses of Disney parks in distant lands were the stuff of dreams.

Splashtacular Saturdays Flyer

2011-10-18T04:52:00.000-04:00

From 1993, drop in for magic till midnight!

Haunted Mansion Holiday

2011-10-17T04:53:00.000-04:00

1984 WDW Pictorial Souvenir

2011-10-16T04:36:00.000-04:00

The years between the Tencennial and 15 Years of Magic (where this and the 1986 edition of this guide fall) are probably my favorite years for Walt Disney World. During this time EPCOT was going full blast while the Magic Kingdom and the rest of the property still retained all of their original simplistic charm and had yet to be Eisnerized.

The simple pleasures of Main Street USA: the flower market on Center Street (I miss you), a firehouse band, a game of checkers at the Main Street Market House, and the vocal stylings of the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet.

One of Mike Fink's Keelboats ply the Rivers of America.

This page was mainly scanned for the very moody shot of the Nautilus traversing its lagoon through the mist.

The beautiful entry plaza before those monolithic monstrosities (Leave A Legacy) were erected.

Nothing was as exciting as visiting the cavernous World Key Information Center to make dining reservations via video conference. The 21st century looked promising.

The Universe of Energy "(Top) The never-ending flow of energy is symbolized in the preshow, where not only the images on the screen but the screen itself is in constant motion."

The quiet joy of Discovery Island. Half the fun of Discovery Island was the fact that it was an island and you could only get there by launch.

The Golf Resort Hotel was by far the most boring name for a Disney resort. By the 1986 edition of the Pictorial Souvenir the name would be changed to the Disney Inn and then in the 90's it would be leased to the US military as the Shades of Green military resort.

Now the location of Saratoga Springs.

The large image here is spectacular as it shows the Empress Lilly at the end of civilization. There's no Pleasure Island or West Side cluttering the horizon only the great woodsy atmosphere of the Walt Disney World Village. The small top right photo (and the shop it pictures) would be replaced in the 1986 edition of the book by one of Mickey's Character Shop.

Most fun of all was a glimpse at upcoming attractions.

EPCOT's True Life Adventure

2011-10-15T04:22:00.000-04:00

While waiting at the Morocco dock for the Friendship Launch this past April a crowd of people, including myself, witnessed nature at work as a bird caught and wrestled with a fish (before eventually winning) for about ten minutes.

Disney's Beach Club Villas Pin

2011-10-14T04:11:00.000-04:00

Endor Vendors

2011-10-13T04:39:00.000-04:00

Before that incongruously themed Tatooine Traders was erected next to the Ewok village, there was the smaller, more appropriate Endor Vendors.

Space Mountain

2011-10-12T04:54:00.000-04:00

These pictures of Space Mountain all come from the pre-digital era which can be noted by both their quality and by what's in the photos themselves.

Taken from the Top of the World (the old one not the new DVC one).

Taken from the walkway from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom.

So many things date this picture: the Skyway, RCA sponsorship, and the fact that it's still the old style cars where you sat straddling another person or being straddled by one.

Look how simple and beautiful the Information booth looks without all the added paraphernalia that covers it now.

Taken from the Skyway (sigh).

Walt Disney World 1977 Pictorial Souvenir

2011-10-11T04:24:00.000-04:00

After a five year gap from the last WDW pictorial souvenir we have this lovely 1977 edition.

A graceful Swan Boat glides past the Crystal Palace. I wish I had a better memory of riding this but alas, I only posess vague recollections.

A slightly different view from the last souvenir guide. Now the spires of Space Mountain rise behind the spires of the Tomorrowland entrance and the RocketJets have appeared as well.

River Country has opened as the first water park at Walt Disney World on the shores of Bay Lake.

Saddest of all are these images of the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in all of it's woodsy glory. I have so many happy memories of the Village during this time (a place I can barely stand to visit these days).

Festive Halloween

2011-10-10T04:31:00.000-04:00

From October 2007, Disneyland's entrance and Main Street USA are prepped for Halloween festivities. I especially love the floral Mickey wearing a mask.

Animal Kingdom 5th Anniversay WDI Pin

2011-10-09T04:20:00.000-04:00

I had to scan the pin and it's card separately to get them to look ok.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Driver's License

2011-10-08T04:52:00.000-04:00

Discovery Riverboats

2011-10-06T04:10:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of recent pictures of one of the docks that were once home to the Discovery Riverboats which traversed the waterways of the Animal Kingdom. I may somewhere have photos of the boats in action but those will have to be for another day.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

2011-10-05T04:16:00.006-04:00

I was going to pop into the saloon for refreshing nip of something cool but the place seemed a little waterlogged.

Disneyland Souvenir Guides

2011-10-03T04:32:00.000-04:00

While preparing for this post I determined that I really need to work on filling in the gaps. I have three of these books from the 1960's and the next one I have after that is from 2005. I'm thinking I might have missed a few. The first one of these I obtained was the 1968 version which I believe came from my Grandfather's house. His basement was wall to wall books and I believe I may have appropriated this one on a trip there in either 1986 or 1988. The other two older editions were picked up at antique stores in the last ten or so years and the 2005 edition I bought on my first trip to Disneyland in 2007. Pictured below are each of the front covers and maybe some pictures from inside.

1961

"All the colors in the rainbow glisten in the distinctive Candle Shop on Main Street." One of many unique stores that would never be created today because atmosphere is less relevant than selling one more Duffy bear.

"Steering through rapids is fun on the Motor Boat Cruise."

"The Western Mine Train travels via the "Wilderness Route" through Nature's Wonderland on its journey to the spectacular Rainbow Caverns." While I love Big Thunder Mountain, I would have loved to have had a chance to experience this attraction.

"Beaver Valley is one of the many exciting wilderness scenes that make a trip through Nature's Wonderland a fascinating experience."

"reathtaking waterfalls, multi-colored stalactites and stalagmites are seen inside beautiful Rainbow Caverns."

"Just as the fictional Tom did many years ago, youngsters play in the Tree House on Tom Sawyer Island."

1962 (featuring most of the same pictures as the 1961 edition)

"Space Travel - Flying Saucers with "guest pilots" hover over their Space Station in the world of Tomorrowland."

1968

"Tropical birds, Tikis and flowers spring to life in the Enchanted Tiki Room, a musical fantasy recalling legends of the South Seas."

2005

Happy 40th!

2011-10-01T22:06:00.000-04:00

Happy 40th Birthday Walt Disney World! You've been a huge part of my life since I was a wee lad.

City Hall Halloween

2011-09-30T06:22:00.000-04:00

As I've been terribly busy at work I have run out of pre-prepared posts so this is just a quickie for today, City Hall dressed up for Mickey's Not So Scary.

Journey Into Imagination At Night

2011-09-29T04:48:00.000-04:00

The first five of these night time pictures were probably taken in the 90's with film and no tripod (so forgive if they're blurry). The last picture was from April (digital but still no tripod.

I like this shot because you can see the top of the beautiful decorative elevator shaft.

Walt Disney World 1972 Pictorial Souvenir

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-04:00

I love these pictorial souvenir books. They are fantastic time capsules which fill in the blanks of memory for those of us who were lucky enough to experience these years and for those who were not so fortunate they can be transported back to a simpler time. This is the oldest one I have for Walt Disney World. As before, I have posted the cover and a couple of signifcant images from the book.

I had to scan this page as it is a treasure trove of extinct possibilities. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, and the Mickey Mouse Revue are all long gone and you certainly can't get this view of the Mad Tea Party anymore. Plus, Snow White's Scary Adventures will soon be gone as well leaving only the pictures of Peter Pan's Flight and Pinocchio Village Haus as remnants from this distant age.

God how I miss old Tomorrowland. Note that this is before Tomorrowland was complete and there is still no RocketJets rising up from the middle of tomorrowland and still several years before Space Mountain would jut it's spires into the Florida sky.

Even with all the fantastic images in this book, nothing could top the final page of the book with rederings for coming attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the ill-fated Western River Expedition.

Animal Kingdom Guidemap - April 21, 1998

2011-09-27T04:41:00.000-04:00

Tomorrowland Terrace Stage

2011-09-26T04:28:00.000-04:00

This stage which rises out of the ground and looks like a futuristic planter when not in use has fascinated me since the first time I saw it on some Disneyland rerun on the Disney Channel back in the 80's. It's just so incredibly groovy!

Two above shots with the Matterhorn in the background were taken from the second floor of Innoventions.

Groovy!

Yacht Club Resort

2011-09-25T04:42:00.000-04:00

Making our way through the seagrass from the coast, we catch a glimpse of a cabana with our oasis of civilization beyond.

In case we get lost in a fog, we have a light to guide us home.

A quiet courtyard.

Plaza Hub Halloween Statues

2011-09-24T04:13:00.000-04:00

Some our Disney friends are decked out in all of their Halloween finery in the Plaza Hub.