My True Love Gave to Me...

Gold Souvenir Spoon

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."  One Golden Spoon.  OK, so I didn't get five golden rings but I did get five vintage WDW gifts for Christmas, including this souvenir spoon.  My wife was thrilled to find an item that I had not seen before.
The color and the fancy scroll work are both unique.  The spoon measures 4.5" long and is 1" wide at the logo.

The spoon has the word MEMENTOS on the back of the handle.  I haven't been able to find out anything about this company or when the spoon may have been produced.
The logo uses the traditional Globe Head/Big D and a colorful, yellow and red, 'geometric' version of Cinderella Castle.  I have a few pieces that use this version of the castle in color, but often it is used in a solid color.  The 'ramps' leading to the castle are also missing on this design.

Put Your Cares & Car Keys Away!

Walt Disney World Discover Guide
1981

The second half of the Discover Guide from 1981 highlights the resorts & 'fun and recreation' outside of the Magic Kingdom.  The 2-page spread measures 16" x 9" and every other page features a photo collage from around Walt Disney World.  

The guide lists prices from 1981:
2-day Magic Kingdom Passport: $22.50
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: $16.00
Polynesian Review: $16.00
River Country: $6.50
Discovery Island: $3.00
All golf course green fees: $26.00

October 1, 1981 was the official launch of the Walt Disney World Tencennial where there was 'a birthday party - every day of the year!'  The guide gave a teaser of the 'ten-sational surprises' that would be coming later in the year. 

Discover Guide - The Total Vacation Destination

Walt Disney World Discover Guide
1981

Here is a planning guide for Walt Disney World from early 1981, prior to the official launch of their Tencennial celebration.  The cover uses the right-justified Big-D/Globe Head logo similar to the GAF style logos of the mid-70's but not identical.  

"Seasons in the fun!  Choosing the right time of year to visit is an important ingredient for a great vacation."  The opening layout of the guide shares the best reasons (and images) for visiting in any season....including Winter's "sweater weather."

'Set aside two full days...to take in all six themed "lands" of the Magic Kingdom.'  The guide also highlights the EPCOT Center Preview theatre where guests may see a presentation on '...the most exciting new entertainment concept in the history of Walt Disney Productions.'  

I had the privilege of seeing the EPCOT Center Preview theatre in Town Square.  At 10, I remember thinking that it looked too 'educational.'
More from this guide, including more awesome 80's images like these, in my next post. 

License Plate - 80's Style

Plastic Walt Disney World License Plate

Here is a personalized, hard-plastic license plate from Walt Disney World.  It measures 4 inches wide and 2 1/4 inches tall.  It has a nice Big D/Globe Head logo.  I assume Gina would have used this on her bicycle back in the 1980's.  Did any other children of the '80's collect these type of license plates?

Happy 1st Anniversary

Walt Disney World 1st Anniversary Button
October 1972

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog!  To celebrate, it is only appropriate that I share this Walt Disney World 1st Anniversary Button with all of you.  These pin-back buttons are a tradition for Walt Disney World cast members.  The first several years were this small (1 1/2"), hard plastic 'anniversary' style.  They moved to 'Happy Birthday' pins in the shape of Cinderella Castle during the late 70's and by the mid-80's were using the current pin-back buttons we know today.
I am enjoying sharing these small memories of Walt Disney World with you and I look forward to sharing more.  You can see the most popular posts from the past year on the right.  Thank you to all of you that follow me here and on twitter (Tim_WDW71)!

Happy Birthday, Mickey & Minnie

Main Street Flower Market postcard
WDW-11605

Today is the 'official' birthdays of Mickey & Minnie Mouse.  The date coincides with the release of 'Steamboat Willie.'  The birthday couple is pictured in the now defunct Main Street Flower Market that was located on West Center Street.  Although I believe I have seen this same image used for Disneyland which also had a similar flower market.  The postcard is the newer chrome size (4x6) and was sold outside the parks which is indicated by the WDW code on the back.

Oops-I-Goofed Grin

Coca-Cola Classic can
Pluto, 1986

Pluto, "Mickey's faithful mutt," is featured on this '15 Years' Coca-Cola Classic can from 1986.  The 15th Anniversary logo and the Big D/Globe Head logo are prominently displayed under Pluto's description.  This can and the early Mickey & Minnie cans from my collection were bottled by the Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Top of the World

Top of the World matchbook

The current California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort was originally the Top of the World restaurant and entertainment venue until 1993.

  

This matchbook features the original Big D/Globe Head logo in gold on the front and the early Contemporary Resort logo on both sides.

Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Trapped Safari postcard
01110208

Happy Halloween!

OK, so this postcard has very little to do with Halloween but it does just so happen to be the next postcard up in the 0111 series.  It also has an ominous caption, 'Hunter becomes the hunted....'  Walt Disney World did not celebrate villains back in 1971 the same way they do today.  So this unhappy rhino will have to serve as our Halloween villain.

  

Surprise for Mickey Mouse (Authorized Edition)

Surprise for Mickey Mouse
Authorized Edition, 1971

I originally posted the 2nd Edition of this Little Golden Book about a year ago.  But now I have obtained the official 'Authorized Edition.'  Both books have the Florida Flag logo in black and are the only items in my collection that have the globe in a different color than the ears.

Drinks for Six

Walt Disney World Metal Drink Tray

This early Walt Disney World metal drink tray serves six.  It measures approximately 10.5 inches in diameter.  The six recessed glass holes are about 2.5 inches in diameter and about .25 inch deep.

Each of the glass holders features a different scene from the Magic Kingdom.  I find the vultures from The Jungle Cruise a very appealing choice for a beverage tray.

I do not know the exact age of this piece but would assume that it is early 1970's because of the artist renderings instead of real photos and the lady's daisy dress in the Main Street, USA picture.

Fall in Adventureland

Swiss Family Island Treehouse postcard
01110207

As autumn descends and the leaves begin to fall, at least on us in the northeast, one tree has not changed in 41 years.  This postcard from 1971 shows the 'evergreen' Swiss Family Treehouse.  This early postcard from the '0111' series uses the 'florida-flag' logo on the back but does not have the dp stamp or the land-themed icon on the bottom like other early postcards from this series. 

World Showcase Button

EPCOT Center World Showcase Button
1982

 
All of the excitement this past week for EPCOT's 30th seemed to be focused on Future World.  So as to not leave it out of the celebration, here is an original World Showcase button from 1982.