Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Disney-MGM- 1991

The Walt Disney Company just announced their purchase of Lucasfilm Ltd. for what might be considered a bargain at $4 billion. They picked up Marvel Entertainment in 2009, also for $4 billion, and Pixar Animation Studios for $7.4 billion in 2006.

What does this have to do with Ninja Turtles? Well it's been long-rumored that Disney might expand their Star Wars offerings at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios). Since the opening of Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure the rumors say an entire Star Wars-based land might emerge. If this happens, one might expect the land to expand to the south from Star Tours taking over the Muppet real estate. Or would it expand to the west until it reaches Pixar Place? Perhaps a combination of the two? It would not surprise anyone if they used the long-neglected Studio Backlot Tour property for a Star Wars land. Or a Pixar land. Time will tell.

Ninja Turtles? Oh yes. The four Turtles and April put on multiple stage shows. They performed in different locations in this southwest area of the park. Friend of the blog, Donnie, posted some other great Ninja Turtle shots from 1990 when they performed in front of what is now the Studio Backlot Tour.

A big thanks to Marco D'Alessandro and his family for sending these wonderful photos.

The Sword in the Stone, Disneyland- 1986

Is that Disney Historian Jim Korkis as Merlin?? No, I believe he was Merlin only at Walt Disney World.

The Sword in the Stone sword and anvil are a nice touch to Disneyland's Fantasyland. I always enjoy this particular photo op. As for the film, it was my childhood favorite. It still remains my all-time favorite animated feature. It's amusing and well-animated. Unlike some animation fans I'm a huge fan of Disney's Xerox animation process which started in the 60s with 101 Dalmatians.

Wonderful photos from Link Dupont.

Six Nautiluses- 1980

A large part of Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland (which is SUPER beautiful, by the way) is located right where the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon stood for almost three and a half decades. The ride operated for almost 23 years. In photo three we see a very rare photo of a Nautilus model used in the 1954 film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The model was on display on Main Street at The Walt Disney Story until 1986 when it was moved to EPCOT Center's Living Seas queue. Where is it today? Who knows. Hopefully not in a landfill with the Nautilus ride vehicles.

Excellent photos from a reader named Jeffrey. Thanks Jeffrey!

Seven Dwarfs, Hold Up!

More photos from 1979 from Marco D'Alessandro.

Photos one and two might look like EPCOT Center or Magic Kingdom at first glance (they did to me!) but they were taken between Matterhorn (to the right) and the back side of the CircleVision 360° building, where Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is today (on the left). In photo three Pinocchio holds hands in front of a beautifully-wooded hub. You won't see Walt and Mickey holding hands in this photo. The Partners statue wasn't installed until 1993.

Disneyland West Side- 1979

First we see Baloo in front of old Jungle Cruise queue structure. And further in the background, Tahitian Terrace! Next, a great view of the Columbia with Big Thunder Mountain in the distance which had opened less than three months prior. Lastly, Country Bear Jamboree. Theater one or theater two, I can't tell. Can anyone? Was there anything different about the stages or this seen as seen from this angle? Either way, this brings back fond memories of the ol' Playhouse.

Wonderful photos sent to us by Marco D'Alessandro, the child seen in photo two.

Polynesian Luau

These great photos are from either: The Polynesian Revue, Kaui-Pono Polynesian Revue, South Seas Luau or Polynesian Luau. They are definitlely not from Mickey's Tropical Revue. They were not taken at current Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. You Luau experts may know. 

The various Luau shows throughout the years at the Polynesian have traditionally been some of the most entertaining and underrated of all on-property entertainment. 

Thanks to Raschell Smith Peschke and the Smith family for more wonderful photos!

MK Jungle Cruise

Two fantastic Magic Kingdom Jungle Cruise from our pal WDW Fan Boy Brett. 

The first one is one of my favorite vintage Jungle Cruise photos of all time. Look at the smaller plant life in the background. The animals appear to be in working order.

The second photo is a great shot of the elephant bathing pool. I remember fondly walking through the water wearing fishing waders fixing the various elephants. I particularly remember working on the little guy who’s back you can see in the bottom of the photo. Ahh the memories.

More photos from Brett.

Disney Afternoon Avenue- 1991 [Part 2]

Some more of the lovable Disney Afternoon characters and some awesome early 90s fashion (including a fanny pack!). See photos and learn some Afternoon history in Part 1.

Photos from Raschell Smith Peschke and the Smith family.

World Showcase Lagoon- 1983

Ryan Rewasiewicz shares these beautiful and colorful World Showcase photos taken at a very young EPCOT Center. The most major change you'll notice (in two of the four photos above) is the absense of today's American Gardens Theatre at the American Adventure theater. The original stage without a roof was later converted into the theater we know today.

Happy 57th Birthday, Disneyland!

Wonderful photos sent to us by the following readers:

1- Anna-Marie Villegas
2- K. Robinson
3- K. Robinson
4- David Blakeslee
5- Billy Mathys