Mouseketeer's Train Ride

The Mouseketeer's Train Ride
Golden Press, 1977

 Modeled after the original 1950's series, The New Mickey Mouse Club premiered in 1977.  I'm sure as a way to promote the new Club and the relatively new resort in Florida, this Golden Book was published.  I am assuming this was a popular book based on the fact that I have another copy that was a 5th printing in 1979.
The obvious premise of the book, the 12 Mouseketeers take a train to WDW, is made more captivating by a 'special someone who is also on board.'  Can you guess who it might be?  Well you will have to get a copy of this page turner to find out.  Also, keep a look out for a young Lisa Welchel of Facts of Life fame on the train.

A Cup of Celebration

15 Years insulated mug
1986

In 1986, Walt Disney World celebrated their 15th anniversary in a big way.  This week I am celebrating the scheduling of our latest trip.  (I was one of the few this week that did get thru to schedule a free dining trip)  
The "15 years" logo with Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth was used on a variety of give-aways and souvenirs like this 4" insulated coffee cup style mug.  The Mickey and confetti design can also be seen on this $9 t-shirt.   

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.

Dopey Sprite

Sprite can
Dopey, 1986

Spring is here.  Time to open up a nice refreshing can of Dopey.  For WDW's 15 Years celebration in 1986, Coca-cola showcased characters, lands or attractions from the resort.  The dwarfs appeared on Sprite and Cherry Coke.  Cheers!

Coloring Long Lost Attractions

Walt Disney World: a coloring book
Fantasyland, 1983

We wrap up our tour through the lands of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World: a coloring book,  with Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.  There are 10 pages dedicated to Fantasyland and 5 for Tomorrowland.  Fantasyland has seen significant changes in just the past few years but these pages remind us of what was lost even before this recent transformation: Mr Toad's Wild Ride (1998), Skyway (1999) & 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1994).

The few Tomorrowland images feature some icon attractions like Space Mountain & Tomorrowland Speedway.  But I had to share this fun image of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover or the WEDWay PeopleMover as it would have been called in 1983 and Donald and company riding Astro Orbiter or should I say Star Jets.