On this past Sunday, to commemorate the 56th birthday of Disneyland, Paul posted up an amazing series of photos showcasing Walt’s involvement with Disneyland. Many of those photos have never before been published. As a minor side note—and to show that we aren’t all-work here at DHI—I’m posting up 10 questions inspired by those photos. Put up your answers on the DHI FACEBOOK GROUP. First person to get at least 9 out of 10 correct gets something cool—like a digital scan of some recently recovered 1931 Mickey Mouse comic strips. (OK, here at DHI we are also a little broke. Our next quiz will probably feature a new Mercedes as a prize. Or at least Paul’s famous spear. But for this one, comics.) I’ll add the answers next Monday—with a winner announced then. Google may help a little. And if you Google your way, you’ll probably discover some other interesting things as well. Enjoy.
The WED and Disneyland Quiz
(1) In the initial 1958 summer season, what kind of animal, dressed as a sailor, rode the Columbia each day?
(2) The Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse costumes, used for the Alice attraction’s opening ceremonies, do not belong to Walt Disney Productions or Disneyland, Inc. To whom do they belong?
(3) That famous photograph of Michael Schwartner and his cousin Christine Vess Watkins, the first two “official” guests, was taken on which day—July 17 or July 18?
(4) What is the name of the vehicle that Walt is driving in the Christmas in Many Lands parade?
(5) Identify an object featured in one of these photos—other than a ride vehicle—that was designed by Disney legend and vehicle designer Bob Gurr? Hint: advanced math was necessary to design it.
(6) The Alice attraction was the first dark ride built by Arrow Development that included this overall elevating feature? (How do I put “elevating” in italics on Blogger? Paul Here: I’m here for you Fellow Fellow. Took care of it.)
(7) As Walt poses with the Congo Queen, the background art features the final name of Adventureland—which of course is Adventureland? But what was the original name for Adventureland—a name that, in my opinion, makes far more sense?
(8) Since the mid-1950s, Disneyland used an alphabetical ticket system. First A,B, and C tickets—with D and then E later added. Trick question: what kind of ticket did the Tiki Room use when it first opened?
(9) In 1958—as Walt is standing front and center at the Golden Horseshoe Review—a team of ex-WED designers are building a theme park called Magic Mountain near Denver, Colorado which is largely inspired by Disneyland. Its plans include a not-so-original western saloon, complete with song-and-comedy show, whose name is almost identical to the Golden Horseshoe. Name it.
(10) In December, 1958, Walt Disney holds a press conference to highlight three major new attractions for 1959: the subs, the monorail, and the Matterhorn. But earlier that same year, Disneyland sent out a press release announcing that they would build three major new attractions in 1959: the subs, the Matterhorn and one other attraction (which was not the monorail). What was the third major attraction originally announced for the 1959 expansion?
BONUS: There’s been a lot of discussion as to the best photo of Walt featured on DHI this past Sunday. Which is the best in your opinion? (Paul Here: The Sailor Hat photo for me, and about 80% of the other DHI readers. Tiki photo has a few votes as does the “Walt at Work” photo.)
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