Donald Duck and the Ninja Turtles?

 

Autograph Book

What do Donald Duck and the Ninja Turtles have to do with each other?  Nothing, really.  Except that theirs are the only signatures you will find in this WDW autograph book.  Presumably, obtained during the martial arts reptiles' short stint in the early 90's at the then named, Disney-MGM Studios.

How Much Postage?

 

Ready to Mail Jigsaw Puzzle

With the mess that the USPS is going thru right now, I'm not sure I would trust this to make it to its destination but what a great souvenir.  I love the Big D logo curved on the front and in its traditional form on the back (mailing side).
There is no registered trademark on the logo and so I am assuming this piece is from the early '70's.  It still has the original price tag on the bottom of $1.50. (less than a nice postcard today)

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.

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.

Wigwams and Ducks?

Wacky Wigwam
Parker Brothers, 1972

Wigwams and ducks? Interesting topics for an early Walt Disney World game, right? This 1972 Parker Brothers game is labeled as "A Walt Disney World Game", although there is no reference to the resort in the game itself. 

The object: be the first to cover all of your ducks under wigwams.  First, cover all of the ducks based on the number shown on the spinner.  Then fun begins by trying to find your opponents' ducks and uncovering them first. 

The game was made in Canada, thus (instructions en francais a l'interieur).  The back shows two other WDW games that I am on the lookout for now.

Thanks to my daughter for testing this game with me.  (I won)

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.

WDW Souvenir Catalog 2

Gift Catalog, pg 2
1976

Here is the apparel section of the gift catalog from 1976, pages 2-5.  I especially like the 'Mickey & Minnie Love Is T-shirt' selling for $2.25.  Unfortunately they only come in children's sizes.  But it is going on my must-have list.

Item 3A features an image that can also be found on a postcard.  3B has a cartoon drawing of Mickey & Goofy flying over a photo of Tomorrowland.  3J uses the very bland 'Cinderella Castle' logo. The adult sweatshirt sold for $7.

'The Walt Disney World Collegiate Collection' on page 5 doesn't have the WDW logo but they do have some groovy 70's images of Mickey playing baseball, Goofy playing football & basketball, and Donald playing golf while one of the nephews sprays him with a hose.