Monday, August 31, 2020

Nothing Stays the Same

 

The Vacationer's Guide to Walt Disney World
1977
Every year brings changes to WDW and 1976-77 was no exception.  Although this brochure may look very similar to the one from 1976 that I posted previously, it does contain some changes.  The left side is from 1976 and the right is from 1977.

River Country was added in 1976 and it appears that it necessitated some changes to the Ticket Books, dropping the 17 2-day option and adding a Water Adventure Ticket.  The ticket prices stayed the same except for the River Country ticket.

The inside of both brochures feature a great map surrounded by smaller cartoon images and text describing various parts of WDW.  Can you spot the differences between these two drawings of Lake Buena Vista?

The Empress Lilly riverboat restaurant opened in 1977.  It was added to the map above and to the description of 'A Shopping Village.'  Interestingly, the name 'Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village' was dropped from the '77 text.

There were clearly changes taking place in Lake Buena Vista during this time.  The '76 brochure refers to '29 cedar-shingled shops' in the opening text but on the inside text above says there are 33.  The '77 brochure is consistent with 30.

These last two images compare other changes between the '76 & '77 brochures.  See if you can spot the changes.  And remember, nothing stays the same.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Complete Your Back to School List

 

Main Street, USA eraser
Complete your back to school supply shopping list with these early WDW erasers.  Although it looks like a child drew the logo, the sketches are great!  My collection is missing just one of the lands.  Can you tell which one is missing in action?  It was probably used to erase a young child's doodle on their notebook... "I wish I was back at Disney."


Friday, August 14, 2020

Donald Duck Bookends

 

Donald Duck Book Ends
Alco, 1974
Who doesn't love sturdy, easy-to-assemble book ends....especially if they feature Donald Duck?  These hard plastic book ends measure 5" wide at the base and about 6" tall.  They were made by Al Nyman & Son, Inc. in 1974.  Alco products tended to be children's desk supplies like super hero pencil sharpeners or erasers.  I have seen a few Disney related products from Alco but this and the desk set are the only Walt Disney World labeled items in my collection.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Back to School Shopping

Walt Disney World Desk Set
Alco, 1973
Can you believe it is "Back to School" shopping time?  Here is a perfect gift for your child or your own 'work-from-home' office.  The set contains a Mickey Mouse pencil well, Mickey & Minnie memo paper holder, Donald & Pluto letter rack and the 'oh so cool' Goofy stapler.  Check out the Donald Duck bookends also from Alco to round out your desk set.