Disneyland's America on Parade- 1976 [Part 2]

What an interesting combination of Disney characters, big-head dolls, and humans!

More photos from Jeremiah Good.

Disneyland's America on Parade- 1976 [Part 1]

We celebrate Independence Day with lots of photos of America on Parade (Disneyland version) from 1976. These wonderful photos were sent to us by Jeremiah Good.

We learn from a previous post:

America on Parade was a celebration of American history as the nation was celebrating its Bicentennial. The parade ran at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from the summer of 1975 through the summer of 1976. Kelly Kellum shares these excellent photos taken in Liberty Square (fitting!) at Magic Kingdom. The parks were extra patriotic at this time. Red, white, and blue banners and other decorations were placed all over. 

Notice one of the "big dolls"? This parade was the origin of the somewhat odd "EPCOT Pageant Dolls" or "People of the World" who walked (and blinked!) around World Showcase.  

20K- 1979

Awesome Nautilus shot. Awesome underwater shots. Oh 20,000 Leagues...

Photos submitted by Douglas Norris. Other submitted 20K shots here.

Rainbow Space Characters- 1990, 1991

How wacky were these? The Fab 5 plus Chip and Dale wore space outfits with rainbow trim back when management first started trying to make EPCOT Center less educational and more fun. Remember when they put on a show at the Odyssey (the characters, not management)?

First photo by Lisa Miller. Photos two and three submitted by Matthew Douglas.

WDW Topiaries

Topiaries! In the first photo Ryan R. shares a great view of a whale, two birds, and a "it's a small world" goat, taken from the Monorail. The second and third photos are from Shaun Ortolano and feature toads on mushrooms. These photos were taken 4 years apart (1982 and 1986). Could they be the same topiaries, rearranged and relocated?? 

WEDway Peoplemover- 1988

The WEDway opened 37 years ago yesterday at Magic Kingdom. And to think.... it's still there today. And it still operates. Take that, Disneyland.

Photos from Shaun Ortolano.

Disney-MGM Opening Day and LiMOUSEine

Disney-MGM Studios opening day! What an interesting time for the Walt Disney Co. What an interesting little park. Remember... all previous Disney parks were super large and/or groundbreaking. Studios was a different story but had some merit nonetheless. 

Mickey's "LiMOUSEine"?

The Disney Parks Blog shares: "That’s the one-and-only 40-foot LiMOUSEine that Mickey Mouse rode in style while on a 37-city tour promoting the opening of the Disney-MGM Studios. And what a sweet ride it was (that picture doesn’t do it justice!). Here are some of the LiMOUSEine’s features: Four cellular phones, a radio remote DJ booth, two Sony TVs with VCRs, and four sunroofs. But, the crown gem has to be that hood ornament: a 24-karat gold-plated Tinker Bell."

Wonderful photos submitted by Alfonso Martin. 

WDW Water Transportation

Great photos of water tranportion on Seven Seas Lagoon and on Bay Lake from WDW Fan Boy Brett. In the third photo we see Discovery Island (which may have still been Treasure Island when this was taken) and I believe a weee bit of River Country in the distant background. The second photo is what really catches my attention. Way back when various costumed characters would water ski. This is a very rare shot of the little motor boat, characters, and crew leaving the dock for another water ski run. Read more about this zany extinct tradition at the great Main Street Gazette and at the great DisneyShawn blog.

World of Motion- 1985

Elaborate set work, charming animatronics, great color palettes... World of Motion vehicles might not have driven "up to 60mph" for a few seconds but this Test Track predecessor was something else. 

These colorful photos were sent by Dan Zuccarelli.

MK Rivers of America- 1977-78

The first two photos are from 1977. Rivers of America wes such a happenin' place! Riverboat, Mike Fink Keel Boats, Canoes, Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. Sadly that lineup has been cut in half. The last two photos are from 1978. Same kids I believe. Eating an ice cream cone on an island with boats passing by. How much better does it get?

Photos submitted by longtime reader Matt Hunter Ross. Thanks Matt!