The 46th President of the United States

 

Hall of Presidents postcard
01110228

Today, the United States inaugurated the 46th President, Joe Biden.  In 1971, when the Hall of Presidents opened, Richard Nixon was the 37th President but "...all 36 American chief executives appear on stage."  How is that possible?  (Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and so he is listed twice but only appears once in the Hall)

It's All In a Day's Work

 

Eyes and Ears, Vol. 9, No. 11
March 16, 1979

In light of the sad news this week about the large number of Cast Member layoffs due to the corona virus pandemic, I thought I would share this 'Eyes and Ears' from March 16, 1979, with the ironic headline, "It's All In a Day's Work."  This 8 page, 8.5x11, newsletter was "prepared by and for the cast of Walt Disney World."

The cover article describes the Character Department and how a cast member may become a Pageant Host/Hostess, portraying a Disney Character.  Inside the newsletter are a variety of cast related stories and information, from benefits information to classified ads.

Two articles refer to St. Patrick's Day activities.  "Mardi Gras a Success...St. Pat's Day Next!" describes the menu at the Fantasyland Cafeteria and another article encourages spectators to watch the "3rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Road Race."  And don't miss the results of the backgammon tournament on page 7.

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.

Kodak at WDW

EPCOT Center Guide Book
1985

Since Kodak is in the news recently, I thought we would take a look at its relationship to Walt Disney World thru the lens of this 1985 EPCOT Center Guide Book.  (pun intended)  Eastman Kodak was a very prominent sponsor in WDW from the 80's until they filed for bankruptcy in 2012.

I am sure that many of us remember the "Photo Spots" sign stanchions located all around the parks, indicating "prime photo-taking locations" containing the Kodak logo.  The Guide Book maps also highlighted these locations with a circle in a square icon.

Kodak took over after GAF gave up its sponsorship in the late 70's.  You can read more about GAF by selecting the link above.  Kodak's sponsorship included giving their own "photo tips" in the guides.  They also sponsored attractions, such as Journey Into Imagination and Mickey's PhilharMagic.  And of course, they sold Kodak film all around the parks.

Something I was not aware of until reading the back of the Guide Book: "Borrow a Kodak Camera Free!"  At the Camera Center under Spaceship Earth, you could borrow (with a refundable deposit) a Kodak Disc Camera or KODAMATIC Instant Camera.  Kodak had it good for awhile.  Now let's see what they can do with round #2.  Maybe they could sponsor the first-aid stations if the drug thing works out for them.

The First Postcard

Contemporary Resort
pre-opening postcard
(Fl-024)

It all started with a....postcard.  This pre-opening postcard of the Contemporary Resort is sequentially the first postcard created for the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World.  Why Fl-024 if it is the first card?  Great question.  My research has yet to figure that one out.  You can read more about these early postcards at WDW in Postcards.

Christmas Party in July

Cast Christmas Party ticket
1973

Merry Christmas in July!  Here is a ticket from the '2nd Annual Cast Christmas Party' from 1973.  It is hard to say whether or not the holder of ticket 01493 made it to the party or not.  The hole punch in Mickey's feet would say yes but the non-detached ticket stub would say no.  Either way, I'm sure it was a very merry & magical time.  Click here for more vintage cast member Christmas items.

Better Than Waiting on Hold?

Hotel Reservation Card
1975

In 1975, you used a card to 'reserve your corner of the world.'  Mailing in your reservation may not as efficient as online but look at those prices!

The resort hotels included: Contemporary ($42-$56), Polynesian Village ($42-$50), and Golf Resort Hotel ($42-$50).  Fort Wilderness Campground Resort ($12) and the Lake Buena Vista Vacation Villas ($50-$77) and Treehouses ($85-$95) could also be reserved.  The Lake Buena Vista Hotel Plaza, which included the Dutch Inn, Howard Johnson's, Royal Plaza and TraveLodge were listed as back ups if the WDW resorts were full.

100,000 Flashbulbs

Your Complete Guide to Walt Disney World
compliments of GAF
1975

General Aniline & Film (GAF) was an early sponsor of Walt Disney World.  They produced these guides for several years in the mid-70's.  This edition in my collection is from 1975.  Most of them use the stacked globe-head logo.

The brochure has a 3 panel map in the middle that shows the GAF Photo Trail and picture spots that '...have been carefully researched and selected as the best locations for taking memorable pictures.' -precursor to the Kodak Photo Spot.

Part of the 30 pages was dedicated to photo tips. My favorite: 'An Important Word About Flashbulbs: Don't try to illuminate large subjects or anything further than 12 feet away....A flash picture of the Cinderella Castle would require more than 100,000 flashbulbs!'

To see more from this guide, check out these other posts: Part 2, Part 3

4th of July, Walt Disney World Style

World magazine, 1977
pg. 26

Happy 4th of July, Walt Disney World style.  "When it comes to entertainment at Walt Disney World, your convention and banquet entertainment is limited only by your group's imagination."  Clearly the group in the picture above had some wild patriotic ideas.  This photo, from the 1977 World magazine, is taken from the Convention Magic section.  You can see more details, and awesome 70's photos, from the magazine in earlier posts: Welcome to Our World & The Other Side of the World.