Who Ate 239?

The Mickey Mouse Revue postcard
01110240

The last postcard in this early series from WDW was 'Welcome to Walt Disney World', 01110238.  The next postcard is this one featuring Alice in Wonderland from The Mickey Mouse Revue.  However, it is numbered 01110240.  From what I can tell, there was never a 01110239 card printed.  I am thinking maybe the creepy 'colorful forest of singing flowers' on this card may have something to do with the mystery card's disappearance.

The Mickey Mouse Revue

The Mickey Mouse Revue postcard
01110235 dp 79914-c

The Dexter Press postcard series continues its tour of Fantasyland with this opening day attraction, The Mickey Mouse Revue.  You can see more images and learn some of the history behind this original E-ticket attraction at Walt Dated World.

Before the World Began

Walt Disney World Preview Edition
1970

I am celebrating my 100th blog post with the quintessential piece of early Walt Disney World memorabilia:  The Preview Edition of Walt Disney World "The Vacation Kingdom of the World" printed in 1970.

This 20 page, full color booklet measures 11" X 8.5".  The cover features an architectural rendering of Bay Lake, the five 'planned' resorts that would surround it, and part of the Magic Kingdom.  (notice the lack of color and detail in the upper left corner and the multi-spired Space Mountain)

The booklet describes 'a new concept in vactionlands...' where 'visitors will not only play - they will also stay....'  There is a mixture of pen and ink drawings and artists sketches from many aspects of the park and a few photos of Imagineers working on Audio-Animatronic figures.

The first several pages are dedicated to The Magic Kingdom and its lands, '...each an individual, thematic realm unto itself.'  The headings for each land include an early icon that can also be found on the back of postcards from the DP series such as this one from Main Street, USA or from Adventureland.
  
More to come from this piece and other items from my collection in my next 100 posts!  Thanks for reading.

Magic Kingdom Talking View-Master (part 2)

Talking View-Master Booklet
Magic Kingdom
AVA955, 1973

The booklet that accompanies the Magic Kingdom Talking View-Master contains the narrative used on the reels.  The cover uses the stacked Big D logo found on many of the other GAF sponsored items.

The intro describes the park's various lands.  Tomorrowland gets its only mention here: '...where the forces of the atom and the blinking light of future knowledge highlight journeys into science and outer space.'

Along with the narration, the booklet contains some great drawings of rides and attractions, including the Mad Tea Party sans canopy.  The middle has a great map showing the location of each reel image.

The images show some iconic locations such as Cinderella Castle, Swiss Family Treehouse and 'it's a small world.'  As well, a few extinct attractions are featured, such as Mickey Mouse Revue and Skyway to Tomorrowland.

Surprise for Mickey Mouse

Surprise for Mickey Mouse
a Little Golden Book
1971, Second Printing 1972

This Golden Book tells the story of Mickey Mouse and his invitation to direct the orchestra at the Mickey Mouse Revue at WDW.  This copy is a second printing from 1972.  The first printing was in 1971.  Note the 'Florida Flag' used on the logo.

Mickey is excited to receive his telegram and shares it will all of his friends.  Minnie, Horace, the 3 Little Pigs, Geppetto, Pinocchio, Donald and his nephews, Dumbo & Timothy and Daisy don't seem to care.

**SPOILER ALERT**

When he gets to the Magic Kingdom and meets the orchestra, it turns out to be all of his friends.

Check out more about the now extinct Mickey Mouse Revue at Walt Dated World.

Mickey's Philharmagic now occupy's the Revue's original space.  Notice the 'foreshadowing' in the last picture of the book.

Your first LOOK at the magical new Disney World

LOOK Magazine
April 6, 1971
Volume 35, No. 7

 

LOOK Magazine published a great 25 page spread on "the most gargantuan vacation enterprise ever devised...."  The article was titled Florida Boom! Boom! Boom?

"A day at Disney World will cost visitors - 45,000 expected on a busy day - at least $7.25 each...."

Note the pre-opening dirt road in Town Square.

"It's going to be thousands of acres of computerized fun"

"Popcorn, submarines and castles - but ecologically it's a good thing"

"It's entertainment and still more - a brand-new vacation world"

Count the number of hotels on the map.  A few never came to be.

This small, blurry picture is the only place the Bid D logo appears in the magazine.  It is the last picture and there is no mention as to why it is there.