On Top of the World!

 

Top of the World matchbook

The current California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort was originally the Top of the World restaurant and entertainment venue until 1993.

  

This matchbook features the original Big D/Globe Head logo in gold on the front and the early Contemporary Resort logo on both sides.

Creative Name

Golf Resort Hotel matchbook

Walt Disney World is filled with lots of creative ideas.  This name, from an early resort, is not one of those. Opened in 1973, the Golf Resort Hotel was, well....a golf resort hotel located near the Magnolia and Palm courses.  The name changed to the Disney Inn in 1986 and it was then converted to the Military Armed Forces Recreation Center: Shades of Green in 1994.  I will say that the logo on the matchbook does help make up for the lack of creativity in the name.

Contemporary Class

Contemporary Resort matchbook

Nothing says class more than gold tipped matches.  This 80's matchbook from the Contemporary Resort is an upgrade from the earlier orange edition.  This book certainly matches (pun intended) the grandeur of the original WDW icon. 

Campfire at the Campground Resort

Fort Wilderness Campground Resort matchbook

Now that there is a chill in the air, at least here in the Northeast US, it is a great time for a campfire.  This matchbook from Fort Wilderness Campground Resort should do the trick.  WDW seemed to have a hard time settling on a name for this resort.  Based on the guide books, it appears that 'Campground Resort' was used with this logo in the late 70's to mid-80's.  The current official name is Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

The Dutch Inn

Dutch Inn matchbook
1981

When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, there were only a few Disney owned hotels.  (Contemporary, Polynesian & Fort Wilderness)  In 1972, a group of hotels opened across from what was to become, in 1975, Lake Buena Vista Village (now Downtown Disney).  The 'Americana Dutch Inn' was known for its windmill shaped swimming pool.  The hotel would change its name to the Grosvener Hotel 4 years after this matchbook was collected in 1981.  It is now operated by Wyndham.

Before Disney Springs...

Walt Disney World Village Restaurant matchbook

Before Disney Springs....before Downtown Disney....before Pleasure Island....before Disney Village Marketplace....there was Walt Disney World Village (and before that it was originally Lake Buena Vista Village).
Here is a matchbook from 1981 collected from The Verandah Restaurant with the Village Restaurant logo.  You can read more about the history of 'the village' at Walt Dated World.

End of a Classic

National Team Championship Golf Classic matchbook

Since 1971, Walt Disney World has been a stop on the PGA Tour.  That was until this year.  So in honor of the loss, here is a matchbook from The National Team Championship Golf Classic.  The tournament went by many names in its 41 year run.  Most recently, The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.  The Team Championship format was used from 1974 - 1981, giving us an approximate age for this piece of phillumeny.

Top of the World

Top of the World matchbook

The current California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort was originally the Top of the World restaurant and entertainment venue until 1993.

  

This matchbook features the original Big D/Globe Head logo in gold on the front and the early Contemporary Resort logo on both sides.

Close Cover to Prevent Forest Fires

Fort Wilderness Resort Matchbook

It would only make sense that a campground resort would sell matches.  Chip & Dale can't start all of those campfires on their own. This matchbook has a nice Big D/Globe Head logo on the 'saddle' and an early version of the Fort Wilderness logo with coonskin capped Mickey and his musket on the front & back.  I don't know the age of this matchbook but since it is a 'back-striker,' it is most likely post-1973.

Main Street Matches

Main Street USA Matchbook

For all of my Walt Disney World philuminests out there (you know who you are), here is an early Main Street USA matchbook.  It is a 'front-striker' making it pre-1973.

The back uses a turn-of-the-century era font in keeping with its subject matter.  

The cover features the Dapper Dans.  I have never seen them on the bicycle?  I wonder if they still do that at WDW?

More Phillumeny

Contemporary Resort Matchbook

Here is another matchbook cover from the early days of Walt Disney World.  We know it is from the early 1970's because it features the Florida Flag logo used during the opening of WDW to differentiate it from its West Coast big sister, Disneyland.  It was also created prior to 1973 because the stricker is on the front.  Matchbooks created after 1973 were required to have the stricker on the back of the matchbook.

Phillumeny

Polynesian Village Matchbook Cover

Phillumeny: the hobby of collecting match related items.
Philluminist: one who participates in the act of phillumeny.
I guess I am now an official WDW Philluminist.  This early WDW matchbook from the Polynesian Village features the Florida Flag logo on the front cover.  Stay tuned for more phillumery from Walt Disney World!