Happy Halloween

Trick or Treat from 1972 and this Hallmark Pop-up Book, 'A Fun-Filled Visit to Walt Disney World with Mickey Mouse.'  There aren't exactly 999, but you can see all of my previous Haunted Mansion posts HERE.  Happy Halloween!

So Much Dust

The Haunted Mansion coloring pages
Walt Disney World: A Coloring Book, 1983

Leading up to Halloween, it is only appropriate that I share some early Haunted Mansion items.  Although, I must say that in reviewing my earliest Walt Disney World guides, the Haunted Mansion does not get much coverage.  It appears in all of the early guides but typically is overshadowed by other Liberty Square attractions.  The pages above are from a 1983 coloring book.  The Haunted Mansion gets 2 of 8 pages in the Liberty Square section of "20 Magical Years."  

While doing my research, I learned an interesting fact about the dust used to create the old effect in the mansion. "Local legend has it that enough has been used since the park's 1971 opening to bury the mansion."  That began appearing in WDW guides around 1990.  Imagine how big the pile of dust would be now.
And those cobwebs....well that's a secret process.

Mouseketeer's Train Ride

The Mouseketeer's Train Ride
Golden Press, 1977

 Modeled after the original 1950's series, The New Mickey Mouse Club premiered in 1977.  I'm sure as a way to promote the new Club and the relatively new resort in Florida, this Golden Book was published.  I am assuming this was a popular book based on the fact that I have another copy that was a 5th printing in 1979.
The obvious premise of the book, the 12 Mouseketeers take a train to WDW, is made more captivating by a 'special someone who is also on board.'  Can you guess who it might be?  Well you will have to get a copy of this page turner to find out.  Also, keep a look out for a young Lisa Welchel of Facts of Life fame on the train.

Before Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Pluto and the Adventure of the Golden Scepter
a Little Golden Book, 1972

Before there was Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the current interactive role-playing game, there was Pluto and Morty Mouse setting out on a quest through the various lands of the Magic Kingdom.  This Little Golden Book from 1972 highlighted the various themed lands of this new vacation destination in Florida by sending Pluto on an adventure looking for the missing scepter of  'the King' that lived in Cinderella's Castle.  Pluto mistakes Mickey's drum major mace on Main Street, Minnie's tour guide riding crop in Tomorrowland and so on.  (I don't want to ruin the ending for you)
Since this Magic Kingdom had just opened a few months prior, the book used the Walt Disney World logo with the Florida Flag to separate itself from its sister park in California.  (Something that still confuses people today)

Turn and Learn About the Walt Disney World That Never Was

Mickey Mouse and his Friends in Walt Disney World
Ideal Toy Corp., 1971

This unique pre-school 'Turn and Learn Storybook' was produced by the Ideal Toy Corp. in 1971.  It measures 11.5" x 9.5" when closed. The wheels turn and create images that correspond to the story when the numbers are lined up in the center picture frame.

The story follows Donald and his nephews thru WDW.  But Huey and his new balloon gets whisked up by a gust of wind.  Peter Pan, in order to find him, flys over "The Old Caribbean Village, The North African Market Place, Persia and Italy," locations that were planned but never completed.

Ideal clearly anticipated the completion of these planned resorts, although they were not expected in Phase One.  Based on this oversight and the early Bay Lake logo on the front, I assume this item was developed in early 1971 before WDW opened to the public.

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.

Big Albert Moves In (part two)

Big Albert was a 'careless bear.'  He couldn't stay away from the town because he was hungry.  So he sang for his supper.  

All he wanted was a blackberry or two but the clerk didn't seem too cooperative.  So he hitched a ride south.

He found himself 'in a beautiful place filled with shops and balloons and popcorn wagons and ice-cream stands.' 

He found a theater, Grizzly Hall, dated 1878.  (interesting since, WDW's is dated 1898)  He was invited in to join the 'Country Bears' Jubilee.'  (another typo or copyright issue?)
The rest is WDW History.

Big Albert Moves In

Big Albert Moves In
A Tell-A-Tale Book, Whitman, 1971

I bet you have always wondered how Big Al of 'The Country Bear Jamboree' fame, got his start at Walt Disney World.  Well wonder no more, thanks to this Whitman, A Tell-A-Tale Book from 1971. 

The cover and title page utilize the Florida Flag Logo, especially important on this 'non-souvenir' book, as to distinguish itself for the reader from the familiar Disneyland in California

'Big Albert was a shaggy, baggy, wuffly, saggy country bear...'that paid no attention to the winter months until it was too late.  He was forced south to find warmer weather....Stay tuned for more of his story.

Surprise for Mickey Mouse

Surprise for Mickey Mouse
a Little Golden Book
1971, Second Printing 1972

This Golden Book tells the story of Mickey Mouse and his invitation to direct the orchestra at the Mickey Mouse Revue at WDW.  This copy is a second printing from 1972.  The first printing was in 1971.  Note the 'Florida Flag' used on the logo.

Mickey is excited to receive his telegram and shares it will all of his friends.  Minnie, Horace, the 3 Little Pigs, Geppetto, Pinocchio, Donald and his nephews, Dumbo & Timothy and Daisy don't seem to care.

**SPOILER ALERT**

When he gets to the Magic Kingdom and meets the orchestra, it turns out to be all of his friends.

Check out more about the now extinct Mickey Mouse Revue at Walt Dated World.

Mickey's Philharmagic now occupy's the Revue's original space.  Notice the 'foreshadowing' in the last picture of the book.