Sunday, January 03, 2016

Snapshots, September 1971

The humble snapshot can be a source of much pleasant nostalgia. Or one can be as uninteresting as this first example. However, we do get the Kalamazoo handcar, so the photo gets 3 extra points for the word "Kalamazoo".


Next we have a nice shot of New Orleans. Square, that is! In these early days there was still room for planters full of flowers. Look at all those umbrellas providing shade for weary guests (or for those who just want to relax and take in the view). This last "land" to be overseen by Walt Disney was quite a success, I'd say.


11 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

I completely agree with you about the wonderfulness of 'Kalamazoo'. In fact, I think more parents should be naming their newborn boys 'Kalamazoo'-!

Just look at New Orleans Square-! So free of crowds; so full of empty space - just beckoning guests to absorb the view and 'set a spell'. Oh, for those quiet times-!

Thanks, Major.

K. Martinez said...

Today's photos remind me a lot of the small "Disneyland HI-LITES" picture booklets sold at the Park in the 1960's/70's.

Just think. On the first day of the following month, a whole new Disney World would open in Florida. Wonder what the Disneyland employees of that time thought of the new sibling park opening up on the east coast.

Thanks, Major.

Chuck said...

I had one of those "Disneyland HI-LITES" spiral-bound books, as well as one from the Winchester Mystery House. Interesting format - almost like miniature postcards. As I recall (I haven't seen them for years), the photo would be on one side, with a description printed in a sepia brown on the back. Thinking back, these were probably in our collection because they were affordable and small, although aside from hats, we didn't ever buy souvenirs until we were on our way out of the Park.

Nice photo of a long-gone New Orleans (Square, that is - flower planters, shade umbrellas...). As always, Thanks, Major!

Steve DeGaetano said...

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I've got a gal, in Kalamazoo...

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, isn’t Kim K. pregnant with a second child? Who knows, there’s still hope. And it is getting to the point where seeing old photos of an uncrowded park seems like some alternate universe.

K. Martinez, oh I am very familiar with those Hi-Lites books… they were part of my Disneyland postcard obsession. I had to have them in their original mailing envelopes. Because I am crazy! I don’t know how Disneyland employees felt in those early years of WDW, but as a kid it seemed to me as if Anaheim was getting the short end of the stick for a while.

Chuck, I have at least two (maybe three) different Disneyland Hi-Lites books, as well as one for Hollywood (Frank Sinatra putting his paw prints in cement!) and one from the 1964 World’s Fair. They are a great idea… small, cheap, and you got multiple color images all together.

Steve DeGaetano, all of the best songs start out with the alphabet!

Anonymous said...

My recollection was that we were pretty excited about the opening of WDW. A number of employees had been transferred there to assist with the start-up, so we had a connection with their success. KS

Dean Finder said...

I've never notices the patterns on the roof of the Main St/ Train station before. Also, I live the muted palette of the floral Mickey - it reminds me of the topiaries that were once a mainstay of WDW.

Nanook said...

@ Major-

"...all of the best songs start out with the alphabet!" You bet... ♪ A-B-C-D-E-F-G, I never learned to spell, at least not well... ♫ Name the song which follows that verse.

K. Martinez said...

KS, thanks for chiming in. I kind of thought you guys might consider it an exciting time at WDP with the opening of WDW. I know as a Disney fan I was excited about it back then.

TokyoMagic! said...

Ken, these reminded me of the Hi-Lites book too....especially the New Orleans Square pic!

Chuck, that's interesting that the Winchester Mystery House had it's own Hi-Lites book. I've never seen one for another tourist attraction, but it makes sense that there would be others. I wonder if there was one for Knott's Berry Farm? Just to refresh your memory, here are all of the pages from one of the Disneyland versions: Disneyland Hi-Lites

K. Martinez said...

TokyoMagic!, yes, it was especially the New Orleans Square photo that made me recall those Hi-Lite books, one of which I have right in front of me.