DISNEYLAND ENTRANCE & EXIT |
PHOTOGRAPHY | ART | EMAIL DAVE | HOME |
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| BACKSTORY: The original park marquee was erected in 1958; it was changed in the mid 1960's to an all-white color scheme (the yellow D was gone). In 1989, the big pink cream and aqua marquee sign replaced the original. |
1955—1956 |
Steve Martin: Disneyland Guidebook Sales Boy |
) ) “BACKSTORY: Steve Martin began his “career” at Disneyland hawking guidebooks for the park. The two photos here show some of the lads who made some coin by doing just that. As Steve recalls:“Well, this to me is an amazing photo. It’s not me (nor is the other one), but only one of two photos I’ve seen of the guidebook salesboys, and the ONLY one I’ve seen of a kid in operation inside the gate. I was beginning to doubt our existence! The kid on the right is standing on the exact spot that I used to work, right in front of the west newsstand, taken from the other view that was in the Robbins Barstow film that I accidentally appeared in at the Main Gate. This boy is older than I would have been and I don’t recognize him. He looks about 14-15; I left by the time I was 13, maybe 12 to go work as a trick roper in Frontierland. And how shocking that his sleeves are rolled up! He is wearing a straw hat. I wore a felt top hat (because I loved magic) until they made us wear a straw hat, but I loved the straw hat too. The outfit he is wearing is perfect. I may have even worn that vest. It’s so familiar I can smell it. His left pocket is bulging because it’s full of coins from guide book sales. We never wore pins because we worked for a leasee. When I first started, we worked outside the main gate and worked the crowd as they approached the ticket booth, then we were moved inside about a month later because, I was told, it was too tacky to have the first thing the guests see was boys hawking things. I remember Ray Amendt (and his wife Alma). Big cigar smoking carney type. He ran the Disneyland News and stroller concession too, and always walked by us saying 'Tell ‘em about the strollers!' The day I left being a guide book salesman—he fired me because I was too hung up on checking the dates on coins—he said, 'Good luck, kid.' Luckily I got a job the same day demoing trick ropes in Frontierland.” Martin’s next Disneyland gig was selling souvenir spinning lassos in Frontierland, followed by demonstrating and selling packaged magic tricks and joke novelties at the old Merlin's Magic Shop in Fantasyland, where he became an accomplished magician. He learned to juggle from Disneyland Court Jester, Christopher Fair, and modeled his trademark, “Well, excuuuuuse me,” phrase on the exasperated outbursts of a woman he worked with. ) Just like Steve Martin, George “Moe” Collins began his career at Disneyland as a guidebook salesman back in the park’s early years, riding his bike to the park down Katella Avenue, which was only a 2 lane street at the time. He would return to Disney some 20 years later, working as a staff writer at WED Imagineering, hired by and working for Marty Sklar. Here are Moe’s comments on the 1957 photo at left, which shows a young Steve Martin selling guidebooks & posing with two young ladies:The lyrics from '“Bookends” by Simon and Garfunkel, come drifting back. “Long ago, I have a photograph…preserve our memories…” In the summer of 1956, I had the good fortune to become a guidebook salesman at a place where most kids in America would have loved to work. Still star struck in the wonder of Davy Crockett, and The Mickey Mouse Club, it was like stepping back in time and onto a stage. I didn't know anything about sales, or money matters for that manner, but I jumped at the chance to do anything that Disneyland would offer. I would have scooped up the expended horse fuel behind the trolley if there had been an opening. I was so excited about getting the job that I could hardly wait to ride my bike home and tell my family and friends, who lived on Dewey Drive in Garden Grove. One of those Dewey Drive friends was a boy who seemed to be even more excited about my “triumph” and shyly asked if I could possibly help him get a job doing the same thing. Bingo. A Star Was Born. Not only did he become a top guidebook salesman, he eventually became a Disney Legend and one of America's greatest entertainment treasures…Steve Martin. On the weekends and during summer vacation and holidays, we would ride our bikes to the park down Katella Avenue…a two lane street then…and go to wardrobe where they dressed us in 1890's garb, replete with candy striped shirts and a top hat. We looked and felt the part, and we appreciated that humble beginning. We still do to this very day, sharing memories and pictures of those halçyon days. Many years later, I would become a staff writer at Disney's Imagineering division…the master planners of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and every Disney theme park throughout the world. Although I stayed only 6 years, I am still brushing pixie dust off my shoulders. Steve still does things from time to time for Disney and he, too, never forgets. He remembered my small role in helping him get his first job, and on December 2, 2007, I was thrilled, and deeply moved, to be his guest at The Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, honoring Steve for his exemplary lifetime achievements in the performing arts. Nice going, Steve, and thanks for the memories. |
1957—1959 |
1961—1962 |
1963—1965 |
FROM “VACATIONLAND MAGAZINE, SUMMER 1967” |
  Letters from all over the world pour into Disneyland at an average of more than 1,500 per month, requesting information about the Magic Kingdom. The most-often-asked questions are answered by the facts on this page:INFORMATION FOR YOUR VISIT TO DISNEYLAND WHERE IS DISNEYLAND LOCATED? Disneyland is located within the city of Anaheim, California, about 35 minutes by auto from downtown Los Angeles, via the Santa Ana Freeway southeast to Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim. WHEN IS DISNEYLAND OPEN? During the summer season, beginning June 24, Disneyland is open 9 a.m. ’til June 24, Disneyland is open 9 a.m. ’til 1a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. ’til midnight Sunday through Thursday. Disneyland returns to its Winter schedule on September 18. During that period the Park is open Wednesday through Sunday. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO VISIT DISNEYLAND? If you are a first-time visitor to Disneyland, we recommend the Guided Tour. It lasts approximately two hours and includes admission to six Disneyland adventures. After its completion, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the Park’s many other attractions, exhibits, shows, shops, and restaurants. For family groups we recommend the Disneyland Ticket Books, for maximum thrift and enjoyment. Two types of Ticket Books are available. They are the BIG 10 and the DELUXE 15. The BIG 10 includes admission and a choice of 10 Disneyland adventures and attractions. The DELUXE 15 includes a choice of 15 Disneyland adventures and attractions.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU PLAN TO STAY? Disneyland is designed so that you can enjoy a complete visit to the Magic Kingdom for aonly a few hours, or several days. Most visitors explore its five lands at least five hours or more. If you wish overnight accommodations, the modern 610-room Disneyland Hotel, official hotel of the Park, is located on West Street, directly across the street from the parking lot exit. There also is a coffee shop, restaurant, shopping area, and 40-acre golf center. For reservations write: Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim. DOES DISNEYLAND HAVE DINING FACILITIES? Disneyland has twenty fine restaurants and refreshment centers. In addition, there is a coffee shop and the Gourment Restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel, which can be reached via Monorail or by free tram from Disneyland’s Entrance. IS DISNEYLAND SERVED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? Yes, by various types, as noted below: Bus — Tanner Gray Line Motor TOurs, Pacific Greyhound Lines and the Southern California Rapid Transit District, Union Pacific Railroad Bus from East Los Angeles Station, Aztec Bus Line. Helicopter — Los Angeles Airways flies several daily flights to the Heliport, located adjacent to the Disneyland Hotel. Limousine — Airport Coach Service and Tanner Gray Lines. WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER DISNEYLAND INFORMATION? Contact the Director of Customer Relations, Disneyland, Anaheim, California, 92803. Phone KEystone 3-4456, Extension 731. Prices and Park hours subject to change without notice. |
1966–1969 & MISC. 1960’s |
WELCOME VALERIE SULDO: 100 MILLIONTH GUEST! |
) ) (L) Disneyland Marketing Director Jack Lindquist is shown standing at the podium at Main Street Train Station with Valerie Suldo, 100 millionth guest of Disneyland, on June 17, 1971. I was able to get in touch with Valerie and she was kind enough to send these additional photos from that memorable day.From the Disney publicity machine comes this article: MEET Disneyland's 100 MILLIONth GUEST, Miss Valerie Suldo On the morning of June 17, petite Valerie Suldo, a New Brunswick, N.J., payroll clerk, made history by becoming the 100 millionth person to visit Disneyland in its 16-year history. Miss Suldo, accompanied by her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Wyluda of San Diego, walked through the turnstile at 11:14 a.m. to being her first visit to Disneyland. No sooner had she done so that she was greeted by popping flashbulbs, batteries of newsmen, and a crowd of several thousand Disneylanders. "I just couldn't believe it—and still don't," the 22-year-old-brunette said in a post-ceremony interview. "It's by far the biggest thing that's ever happened to me." Valerie’s arrival was announced by Jack Lindquist, Disneyland's Director of Marketing, in cremonies in front of Town Square Station at the Park's entrance. There, it was announced that she would receive a "Silver Pass" to Disneyland and Walt Disney World (good for admission to both Parks and all their attractions for a party of four), $100 in Bank of America traveler's checks, a United Air Lines personal credit card with $100 free credit, a complete GAF movie camera outfit, a one-year supply of Kal Kan pet food for her dog, a one-year supply of coffee from Hills Brothers Cofffee, a one-year supply of Coca-Cola plus several Coca-Cola premium products, a selection of Pepsi-Cola/Frito products, and a symbolic plaque from Pacific Telephone and the Bell Telephone System, commemorating her historic visit. After the ceremonies, Valerie was accompanied by bands, Disney characters, and news personnel during her triumphant ride up Main Street to Sleeping Beauty Castle, where she was the first signer of a special guest book prepared for the occasion. Her signature and all others collected during the day were later placed permanently in the Disney archives.
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FROM THE DISNEYLAND LINE NEWSLETTER: JUNE 29, 1978 |
| While Strolling Through the Park One Day... Among the many services that Disneyland provides for its guests is the facility that helps put our non-ambulatory visitors on wheels: the Stroller and Wheelchair Shop. With 1500 strollers and over 100 wheelchairs to clean, repair and rent out to guests, the location's Merchandise Hosts and Hostesses have plenty to keep them busy. When a guest pays his or her $1.00 fee and $1.00 deposit for a stroller or wheelchair, he or she expects to be given a sturdy, clean and pushable unit. The Hosts and Hostesses at the Stroller Shop strive to see that every expectation is fulfilled and exceeded. A pool of available vehicles is fed from the neat stacks of folded strollers in the backroom. While Stroller Shop personnel pull from these stacks, they make sure that all units are operational. Most stroller repairs are done in the Shop by the Stroller crew. In fact, when guests' strollers suffer mishaps while in use in the Park, the Stroller Shop acts as a pit stop where minor repairs can be made. The equipment and skills utilized in the Stroller Shop have become more and more sophisticated. Don Carter, day Working Leader, explains that this increase in repair knowledge and abilities has resulted in a 70-75% decrease in the number of strollers that need to be sent out of the Park for repairs. Don adds that there is a feeling of accomplishment in fixing a stroller and making it usable, and says, "A repaired stroller is a thing of beauty." Until recently, guests were asked to leave a form of identification when renting strollers, so that they would bring the units back. Now, however, the new procedure of keeping $1.00 as collateral speeds up the stroller-return process at the end of the night. "The nights are very different from the days," explains night Working Leader Charlie Moss. While the day cre is kept busy repairing and renting out strollers, the night crew seems to get all the units back at one time, right after the Electrical Parade. Then they have to be cleaned, broken down and stacked. The Stroller Shop, once staffed only by Merchandise Hosts, now is operated by a crew that includes many Merchandise Hostesses as well. The girls like the non-stop hustle and bustle that the shop provides, and find that the lifting and pushing help to keep them in shape. The Stroller and Wheelchair Shop accomodates those guests who require their own mobile units to enjoy the Park. So, when guests want to get "pushy," send them to the Stroller Shop. |
1970’s–1980’s |
1990’s–2000+ |
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