Disneyland Part 2

1959 Was the year they called E TICKET summer-the monorail, Matterhorn and submarines were added along with E tickets-they also had magic key ticket books which were all E tickets-you bought them separately at the old ticket kiosks from the days when you paid to get in and every ride too a ticket purchased inside.

In the early sixties you could get the best ticket book for 2 books of green stamps-so I would beg my Mother who was a blue chip saver-my friend Joe and I would take the bus out to the park-took a long time-so we left early and were home late

For many years the park was closed Monday and Tuesday-we would try to manage to go during the week when the crowds were smaller-nothing like today...

Eventually I could drive myself-we loved to go to "date Night"-the park used to have big name talent in concerts-lots of live bands and dancing-this was before Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder...

In 1966 I think-Tomorrowland was completely ripped out and redone-I think it lost some of the charm it had before-also they were finding places for the attractions like It's a Small World and Mr Lincoln that came back for the 1964 World's Fair in New York...

In Adventureland they had a sit down restaurant sponsored by Lawry's call THE TAHITIIAN TERRACE -it was semi outdoor and featured a large waterfall and "Polynesian " food-they had Chicken Salad in a Pineapple that was the best...

At dinner time and in the evening the waterfall became a stage and the water would part like a curtain-they would have dancers, knife twirlers and fire (torch) dancers-the show lasted about 39 minutes or so-it was one of their best all time attractions and restaurants.

The thing about Disney-it was always clean, well kept and one felt "safe"...

I was waiting in line for the monorail at the hotel once with a friend-the monorail vehicle had some sort of massive malfunction-something between an explosion and a sci-fi movie short circuit-It was the only time I ever felt endangered at Disneyland (and actually it was at the hotel).

In those days it was only crowded in summer and on weekends-you could go out there and buy a shopping pass at Christmas time-I seem to remember if you showed receipts for purchases within a certain amount of time as you exited they would refund the cost of the entry pass.

They had wonderful things for sale in those days-there was a fabulous cookware shoppe in New Orleans Square and the One of a kind shoppe-sort of a curio/antique shoppe=jeweler and perfumes-men's and women's clothing.

I loved to go there later in the day, walk around, have an early dinner-maybe watch the last parade and browse the shoppes on the way out.

I doubt many remember it was under 10.00usd for a ticket book and entry and food while more expensive than outside the park was affordable (although most of it not wonderful).

The addition of parks in Florida and later Europe and Asia would change how Disney was operated and especially the merchandising...I have a lot more to say in the next installment.