The Start of My Collection

Walt Disney's Donald Duck
Coloring Book Page
1972

So my love for Donald and the early Walt Disney World logo may come directly from these pages.  The book itself, "Walt Disney's Donald Duck: Donald Duck's Camper USA," is long gone,  but I did save these few pages that reference WDW.  The book was published in 1972 but from my handwriting and expert coloring, I must have colored it in the mid to late '70s. 

A Visit to Walt Disney World in Florida

A Visit to Walt Disney World
Whitman Punch-Out and Play Game
1971

This Whitman game came out the year Walt Disney World opened.  It uses the early logo that featured the Florida flag so that people would not confuse WDW with its older sister park in California.

The punch-out and play game came with a 30'x30' play mat map of the Magic Kingdom & 6 crayons.  The original owners only colored the two Main Street, USA buildings.  

Six characters and two children cut outs are still with my edition of the game along with the Swiss Family Tree House and parts of Cinderella Castle.  Based on the box cover, there may have been a cut out train and steam boat as well.

Most of the lands are represented by a 'weenie' punch-out or attraction to color: Grand Prix Raceway, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Hall of Presidents, and the Sunshine Pavilion.

WDW Souvenir Catalog 1

Gift Catalog
1976

This is a 12 page catalog of Walt Disney World souvenirs...a collector's dream.  It contains several must-haves for my collection.  I love the 1970's brown globe-head pattern on the background of the order form.

The mail order form reads, "Prices good until December 31, 1976."  So I guess I won't try to send it in and expect these prices.
The items from my collection,"Blue Plate Special", are shown on the back page of the catalog.  I have yet to obtain either of the cups/saucers.

Happy 4th Anniversary!

4th birthday button
America On Parade, 1975

This week marks the 4th Anniversary of my blog.  To celebrate, I shall do as Walt Disney World did on their 4th birthday with this cast member birthday button.

Below are the top three viewed posts over the past 4 years.  Apparently diet drinks are popular Walt Disney World commemorative items.

 

Drink Up Me Hearties: October 12, 2013

Japanese Small Plate: September 21, 2013

Nutra-Sweet Daisy: September 7, 2013

Happy Anniversary and thanks for sharing some of the magic with me!

Coloring Long Lost Attractions

Walt Disney World: a coloring book
Fantasyland, 1983

We wrap up our tour through the lands of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World: a coloring book,  with Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.  There are 10 pages dedicated to Fantasyland and 5 for Tomorrowland.  Fantasyland has seen significant changes in just the past few years but these pages remind us of what was lost even before this recent transformation: Mr Toad's Wild Ride (1998), Skyway (1999) & 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1994).

The few Tomorrowland images feature some icon attractions like Space Mountain & Tomorrowland Speedway.  But I had to share this fun image of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover or the WEDWay PeopleMover as it would have been called in 1983 and Donald and company riding Astro Orbiter or should I say Star Jets.

Coloring Frontierland

Walt Disney World: a coloring book
Frontierland, 1983

As we continue our tour through Walt Disney World: a coloring book, Mickey and Minnie lead us into Frontierland.  There are 14 pages for the Old West, several featuring characters exploring Tom Sawyer Island.  Grandma Duck is giving her disapproving glare, this time at a dancer from the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in the last image from this section.
Liberty Square only gets 8 pages to show off their few attractions.  Donald is shaking Lincoln's hand in the Hall of Presidents and Morty & Ferdie are running from the Haunted Mansion ghosts.

Why Can't I Find Our Car?

Parking Ticket
1977

Back in 1977, it cost 50 cents to park at Walt Disney World.  The front of the ticket had the traditional Big D/Globe Head logo and the early Bay Lake icon which can also be found on this early 1970's children's book.  If you forgot where you parked, the back of the ticket provided you with a handy map with each lot labeled with a character (sorry, Doc).  In 2011, the lots were renamed for Heroes and Villians and today it costs $17.

Nutra-Sweet Daisy

Diet Minute Maid can, Daisy Duck, 1986

Since Donald was on the Minute Maid can, it only makes sense that his sweet girlfriend, Daisy, would be featured on the Diet Minute Maid can in this series from Coca-cola celebrating Walt Disney World's 15th Anniversary in 1986.

Happy Easter from Main Street USA

Walt Disney World Taffy Tin

Happy Easter!  Happy Spring!
Let's celebrate with this cheery tin.  It features 5 great scenes from around the Magic Kingdom.  The original Big D/Globe Head logo is in gold on the lid made to resemble a brass plate. The tin measures 8" x 5.5" x 5".     

The tin was filled with taffy and sold for $15.95 in 1995.  How do I know?  Because this was the last 'in park' purchase I made on my first trip to WDW as an adult before the official logo changed in 1996 in celebration of the 25th Anniversary.  It is one of the few items in my collection that has not had a previous owner.