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.

Mother's Day Bell

ceramic bell

Happy Mother's Day!  My mother was a collector, too.  She didn't collect WDW items but bells.  So to honor her, here is a bell from my collection.
The bell measures 4.5" high and 3" across the bottom.  It has the same curved logo design on both sides and matches the salad fork and spoon set I shared previously.

Canadian Brew II

Brass-toned coaster set

Last week I shared a Canadian made bottle opener.  Here it is sold in a set with four matching coasters.  The coasters are a little under 3" and are made of a very sold brass-like metal.  They would have made the perfect gift for your 80's Strange Brew/Walt Disney World friend.  Just don't use this quote: "Yeah.  OK, well, uh, we found, uh, this mouse in a bottle of your beer, eh."

Canadian Brew

Brass-toned bottle opener

"Take off, you hoser." - Strange Brew
OK, so what does this Walt Disney World bottle opener have to do with a 1983 movie (other than starring the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience lead, Rick Moranis)?  They are both from Canada and have something to do with beer.  It's also possible that this 3 3/4" souvenir was made in the early 80's.

Donald is No Joke

 

Who's my favorite Disney character?  And what is one of the favorite pieces in my collection?
Well, thank you for asking.  And since it is my birthday, I will share it with you.  
This ceramic Donald Duck bobble head stands 6 1/2" and his base is 2 1/2" square.  He was originally priced at $1.50, plus tax. His spring action head is still in great shape.  Almost in better shape than I am.  And if he was made for WDW's opening year, that would make us the same age.

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!

Japanese Cup of Coffee

Embossed Coffee Cup

A recent addition to my collection is this early coffee cup from Walt Disney World.  A unique castle icon and Big D/Globe Head logo are embossed on the front with a crisp cobalt blue.  It is unusual to see this particular castle icon being used as the primary image on a piece.  It is the design used by much of the pieces 'made in Japan' but is typically seen on the back or bottom of the pieces, like on the 'Plane Crazy' plate I shared recently.  I've added a picture of that back, here.  You can also see the difference in castle icons by comparing the main design on this mug to one I shared several years ago.  You will see the flat bottomed 'Japanese' castle on the bottom of the mug but the main design is the more commonly used 'jack-o-lantern' castle.  I call it that because the bottom geometric shapes remind me of a carved pumpkin.

Mickey's First Cartoon

Miniature Plate
"Plane Crazy"

Mickey's first cartoon was not "Steamboat Willie" but was "Plane Crazy".  However, Captain Mickey made it to the big screen before Pilot Mickey.  This miniature plate (only 3 1/4" across) celebrates his early appearance.  I assume it was purchased in the parks, maybe in the late 80's because the Made in Japan logo is similar to this plate from 1984.

it's a small....thimble

Pewter thimble

I must admit, other than seeing them used as household objects for mice in cartoons, I don't believe I've ever seen a thimble utilized other than as a collector's item.  And I doubt that this great piece from Walt Disney World was ever used by a mouse or a seamstress.
This little guy is 3/4" tall and 3/4" wide at the base.  Standard thimble size, I presume.  The top has an excellently detailed curved Big D/Globe Head logo over Cinderella Castle covered in a clear enamel.  The inside is stamped with Walt Disney Productions.

The Case of the Missing Lands

Glass coaster set

This set of coasters is one of the most popular* early Walt Disney World souvenirs.  Four of the Lands of the Magic Kingdom are featured on these tiny 3 1/4" glass coasters.  Why only four?  Why no love for Frontierland or Tomorrowland?

The coasters match the design of the also popular* ruffled bowl.  The bowl, with 6 spaces for images, also leaves out Frontier and Tomorrow.  While only artist's renderings, can you spot the errors in Adventureland & Liberty Square?
*based on frequency of appearances on eBay

I Want My Hat Back

Official Disneyana Convention collector's plate
Sorcerer's Apprentice, 1994

As we say goodbye to "The Hat" at Hollywood Studios, I had to post this collector's plate from the 1994 Official Disneyana Convention.  Yen Sid, aka The Sorcerer, clearly wants his hat back from Mickey.  Let's not forget that it was originally his hat. 

The plate measures 9 1/4" across.  It is a limited edition, with only 2000 plates being created for the 3rd annual event held at Walt Disney World in September of 1994.  2003 saw the end of the Official Disneyana Conventions, just as 2015 sees the end of the Sorcerer's Hat at Hollywood Studios.

An Update on an Original

Mickey Mouse and Friends Souvenir Tray

Happy Black Friday & Happy 3rd Anniversary to my blog.  Disneystore.com is celebrating with me by releasing, or should I say re-re-releasing, an early souvenir tray from Walt Disney World.  

The Orange Bird is a new addition and the hungry crocodile has been replaced by a happy hippo.  You can compare all the changes over the years by checking out my early posts:  "Look Out Donald" & "Where Did Donald's Nephews Go?"

  

Drink Service

metal drink tray

As the holiday season approaches, it is time to pull out this drink serving tray.  It measures approximately 10 1/2 inches in diameter.  The six recessed glass holes are about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and about .25 inch deep.

If this tray looks familiar to you, it is because I previously posted the original version of this tray.  The early version was most likely pre-opening of WDW because the images were all drawings. 

All of the "lands' are still represented and use the same subjects, with the exception of Tomorrowland.  The entrance image was replaced by 'Star Jets' and 'Space Mountain."  I'm sure glad they kept the 'Jungle Cruise' vultures, though.