Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Valentine Party, 1968

Happy Valentine's Day! I recently scanned a bunch of old Disneyland ephemera, including the items in today's post - it gave me the perfect excuse to acknowledge the mushiest day of the year.

There it is, a small flyer advertising a "Valentine Party" in 1968. The theme song to "Love American Style" is running on a loop through my brain (though that show would not debut until 1969)! Dig those groovy kids. When I dance, I pretty much stand just like that guy is standing, and then I snap my fingers a lot. 

Interestingly, I have two different flyers with identical covers!


Here's the inner spread of one version. You can't have a party without music, and Disneyland provided plenty of it. 


The back of that flyer made sure that you were aware of so many other thrilling events - why, you could come to Disneyland twice a year and not be bored!


Here's the inner spread of the second version; this one was (presumably) mailed to Magic Kingdom Club members. Five dollars per person... who am I, John D. Rockefeller? No, really, who am I?


I'm sending in this order form, and I won't forget my self-addressed, stamped return envelope. 


I even have the ticket stub, in glorious 1960's red and pink; it's funny how a color combination can evoke an era so vividly. Psychedelic! 


11 comments:

TokyoMagic! said...

Yep, pretty groovy, Major! Was there a difference between The Young Men and The Young Men from New Orleans? Tickets were available at Desmond's.....I remember Desmond's men's store. There was one off the 10 fwy in the parking lot of the West Covina Mall. When Desmond's went out of business, the building became a seasonal "haunted house" and then eventually it became a Tower Records. Now it's gone altogether. Memories. Five dollars a ticket? Today, that won't even buy you a brownie at the park. I wonder how many people are planning to do the $15,000 dinner at the park for Valentine's Day today? I think it would only be worth it if you rented the $650 cabana to hang out in after the dinner.

Happy Valentine's Day to you, Major and everybody!

K. Martinez said...

I wanna check out one of those Humdinger Shows over at the Tomorrowland Stage. The Rocket Jets and other illustrations on the red cover are pretty cool. Thanks, Major.

Yes, Happy Valentine's Day to all!

TokyoMagic!, I've heard the commercials for Disneyland event tickets that mention Desmond's.

Scott Lane said...

Wow, $5! When anybody could afford to go to Disneyland. Now you have to take out a second mortgage.

Nancy said...

This is so cool. Its such a shame that things like this are gone for the most part. Can you imagine, $5.00 for a night at Disneyland!? As TM said, you cant buy much of anything for only a 5 spot there now.

Very neat post, Major. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Alonzo P Hawk said...

I thought under cooked catfish day was the mushiest of the year. Boy I learn something new every day! These are great.

Quite a collection you have Major, thanks for sharing. In the name of science I did run the 1968 $5 through the CPI Inflation Calculator (@ bls.gov)and it was a bit of change back then. Equates to $34.48 in 2016 money (they haven't added 2017 yet). Still a right smart bargain considering you need to cough up a Ben Franklin to go anywhere near the joint now.

Nanook said...

Major-

I see also that Dave Hull "The Hullabalooer", of KRLA radio fame, was master of ceremonies at The Tomorrowland Stage. I find it odd that purchasing tickets at branches of Bank of America could only be had using their BankAmericard. So much for using money at a bank-!

Thanks, Major.

Major Pepperidge said...

TokyoMagic!, I wondered the same thing about The Young Men vs The Young Men From New Orleans. I don’t remember Desmond’s… I shopped exclusively at Zachary All. Did you ever see that documentary about Tower Records, “All Things Must Pass”? It’s really good! And I pay $15,000 for dinner all the time, so that thing at the park is no big deal.

K. Martinez, yes, I like that line art a lot too. I used to have a job in which creating line art was a part, and it was fun to do. There are Disneyland commercials that mention Desmond’s?

Scott Lane, this was back in the day when you could buy a house for twenty dollars, so just keep that in mind.

Nancy, they do all kinds of special events at the park, but they sure aren’t $5. Or even $50.

Alonzo, I use that CPI Inflation Calculator all the time, it really helps put things in perspective. Yeah, $34.48 is incredibly reasonable, but don’t forget, you’ll have to buy a ticket for your date too!

Nanook, thanks for pointing out The Hullabalooer, that’s a fun detail. And WHY wouldn’t B of A take plain old cash??

Anonymous said...

Boy does this put everything into financial perspective. I had to run my first wage at the Park in 1969 ($1.40/hour) into the CPI calculator. Comes out to $9.16/hr now. Appears the only way I could have afforded going into the Park was working there back then and now!
KS

TokyoMagic! said...

Major, I remember those Zachary All commercials. I liked his accent and the way he pronounced the word "portly." I wonder where he is today?

Anonymous said...

A very topical post, Major. Tip of the hat!

JG

Chuck said...

Alonzo, you have to cough up a Ben Franklin to get in? Where the heck am I going to find a pre-1964 half-dollar?