Top Posts of 2013

Walt Disney World decorative plate

What do decorative small plates from Japan, Coke cans, hot air balloons and matchbooks all have in common?  They are all part of the list of the most popular posts from my collection from 2013.  Hey, everyone else does it.  Why can't I?

Decorative Small Plate
Adventureland Tab Can
Daisy Diet Minute Maid Can
Hot Air Balloon Mug
Hot Air Balloon Tray
Golf Classic Matchbook 

Thanks for sharing the magic with me in 2013.  Here's to a great 2014!

The Eyes & Ears of Christmas

Eyes & Ears, Vol. 2, No. 51, pg. 2

This week I continue with the December 17, 1992 edition of Eyes & Ears, the Walt Disney World cast member newsletter.  (I am still coming off of my trip high from last week)  There are a few more Christmas nuggets and several debuts in this edition.  1992 saw the release of The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Ultimate Disney Trivia Book and a new parade at Disney-MGM Studios, 'Aladdin's Royal Caravan.'  The newsletter provided cast members with a few holiday gift suggestions, such as a new Aladdin lithograph or a left-over WDW '20th Anniversary' limited-edition lithograph.  
The newsletter gives us a small peak into the cast member culture in the early 90's with notes from the Christian Fellowship, Clogging and Karate clubs.  Each edition of Eyes & Ears also contained employee news and classifieds.  
Enjoy and have a Very Merry Christmas!

A Family Christmas Disney Style

Eyes & Ears, Vol. 22, No. 51
December 17, 1992

This week, my family and I are celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World.  We love visiting the parks this time of year.  So it makes sense that I share this edition of Eyes & Ears from December, 1992 with a title of 'A Family Christmas: Disney Style.'  Eyes & Ears is the Cast Member newsletter, updated from the earlier Walt Disney World-Gram format I shared last week from 1977.  I will share more from this 8 page gem when I return from the Happiest Holiday Place on Earth next week.

Walt Disney World-Gram

Walt Disney World-Gram, Vol. 5, No. 47
November 25, 1977

Walt Disney World-Gram was an early version of the Cast Member newsletter produced by Disney University.  This 1977 issue from November 25 highlights the upcoming Annual Cast Christmas Party. 

The newsletter is 8 1/2 x 11 and has 4 panels of content.  It includes an update from the National Team Championship Golf Classic, the upcoming Pop Warner WDW Bowl (still happening today) & the Thanksgiving Holiday schedule.

The Walt Disney World-Gram was used to communicate things like personnel changes, encouragements to donate blood and reminders to the 'gophers' to get an excavation permit before digging.

2nd Anniversary

Walt Disney World Second Anniversary Photo
October 1, 1973

This week marked the 2nd anniversary of my blog!  I am very thankful to have this outlet to share my collection.  To celebrate, I thought it appropriate that I show one of my favorite pieces.  This 5X7 photo, marking WDW's second birthday, is reminiscent of the infamous opening day photo.  It was given to Cast Members in a tan paper folder/frame which features the original Big D/Globe Head logo on the cover.

Where Did Donald's Nephews Go?

Black Metal Serving Tray

This summer I posted another version of this metal souvenir serving tray.  I can't imagine why the changes.  Notice that the menacing crocodile is now gone and Donald's two nephews have been replaced by Chip and Dale.  Hmm....I wonder what happened to those ducks? 

Happy Birthday(land) Mickey!

McDonald's Happy Meal Box
Mickey's Birthdayland, 1988

This week marks Mickey's 85th birthday.  For his 60th birthday in 1988, Walt Disney World celebrated with what was going to be a temporary area in the Magic Kingdom called Mickey's Birthdayland set in the town of Duckburg.  You can read more the history of this area at Walt Dated World. 

McDonald's joined in the celebration with this Happy Meal box from 1989.  The Big D/Globe Head logo was used on the top.  Each side contained activities and/or punch out characters.  The toy was one of the Fab 5 in a  'pull-back racer.'  You can see the racers and a slight variation on this box in this commercial.

Oh, Boy! Coffee!

Walt Disney World Coffee Cup

Now that it is getting cold here in the North East, it is time to bring out the coffee cup.  This cup features Mickey with the original castle icon muted in the background, except for the odd Christmas light accents.  The Big D/Globe Head is pulled out from the logo on the back, similar to a few other items we've seen before.  What's unique about the logo on the back is the larger shape of the D.  Typically it would not be as wide when the Globe Head is removed.

Wait Time for Haunted Mansion

Cruising the Rivers of America postcard
01110216

So what do you think the wait time would have been for the Haunted Mansion back in 1971?  Take a look at that line in this early WDW postcard and the number of guests on the Admiral Joe Fowler.  Also, note the lack of foliage in the early days of the park.  This particular printing of this 0111 series postcard utilized the Florida Flag logo to differentiate Walt Disney World from the West Coast original.

Cinderella's Jack-o-lantern

Walt Disney World metal license plate

This 12" x 6" metal license plate makes a great Halloween post for this week.  Why, do you ask?  Because clearly this is the Fab 5 with Pluto dressed up as Brer Bear.  And it features the early Cinderella Castle icon that I have always thought looked like a jack-'o-lantern.  Don't you agree?  Regardless, it is a great traditional Big D/Globe Head piece.  
Happy Halloween!