Historical souvenirs

[glara]

Was wondering if there's a particular store in either park which sells 'historical souvenirs'...?

I visited waaaay back in 1977 and my parents bought a paperback souvenir book which described the park in that particular year, split into each land, and with photos of the park and lots of the rides. I was silly enough to lend it to a schoolfriend over 20 years ago and of course, I never saw it again - I'd really love to get my hands on a replacement for the same year. (And also one for 2011 presuming they still print one).

I'm also wanting to start a pin collection when we visit next May, and wonder if you can buy yearly pins - ie, 'Disneyland 1977', 'Disneyland 2011'?

Thanks heaps!

 

[skiingfast]

I know they sell a book at DLR and WDW called Disneyland(WDW) Then Now and Forever. It's ok on content, more photo rich. And fairly current. I wouldn't for example expect it to have the new Silly Symhony Swings or WoC. But it could.

I don't know of a 2010 only book though.

 

[Lissame]

They do have current pins with the year on them. I don't think they have ones for past years though (unless they are on clearance from last year) We always get a dated pin each time we go.

 

[Disney Dreams]

They sell all sorts of things that are dated... but not BACK dated. For that you would have to check auction site and second-hand collector stores/sites.

Your one slight shot could be this July. It's DL's 55th anniversary. When it was their 50th, they sold some historical / nostalgia items. No telling I'd they might do so this July.

I'd be mad at the friend who never returned the book that was clearly a treasured item. Grrrrrr. don't mess with my Disney treasures.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[Sherry E]

I know exactly the souvenir book you are talking about from Disneyland! I used to get a new one each year when we went there during my childhood (they usually updated them a bit for each year). I loved those things - they were kind of rectangular in size (horizontally). I even ordered them from WDW for a while so I could keep up on what was happening in Orlando. The best example I can give for what the book was like is a tour program that you get at a concert. This was like a tour program for Disneyland!! I loved that it was broken down into lands and had pictures of all the attractions in each land. I would read that thing over and over again, dreaming of my next DL trip. I probably even have the one from 1977 buried away in a trunk somewhere, though I'm sure it's not in good shape 33 years later.

It's funny because I figured DLR would still be selling some variation of those books - a modern-day version, of course. I'm sure they do and I just missed them, but the last time I looked, I only saw hardback books. They must have some variation of that old tour program theme.

Disneyana on Main Street is a little gem of a shop. They wouldn't sell that book, I'm sure, but perhaps the CM in the shop might be able to tell you who might have it.

Ebay is too broad and across the board but you might find it there. If not Ebay, try contacting some of the hardcore Disney collectors clubs like NFFC, or check with Tomart's Disneyana Update (great magazine!), and maybe post a classified ad in there, so it will be seen by Disney sellers and collectors. There's also a small shop called Fantasies Come True based in SoCal, which is run by a serious Disney collector and seller. Look them up online and e-mail the owner guy (I think his name is Bob?). He might have a lead.

 

[glara]

Sherry, YES - that's the one! Thanks for the info, will give that guy a try!

Dreams, I am soooo annoyed years later that I never got it back - wouldn't have a clue as to how to get hold of her now. I lent it to her before we did the Toyko Disneyland trip (school trip) back in 88.

 

[jernysgirl]

I think I may have that book as well! My family always picked up the pictorial souvenir books!

There was one printed a few years ago called Disneyland Resort, Remember the Moments, A Magical Souvenir. That is the closest thing comparable to the older books. However, the parks don't sell them anymore. But the character outlet in Fullerton DOES! I just saw them last week and I believe they were $3.95 each.

There is a new book that just came out in the parks that is really neat, called Disneyland, Through the Decades. It is picture heavy, covering the history of DLR. It was $24.95, and you can see it is the last picture on the Disneygeek website here

The Here, Now and Forever book that skiingfast mentioned was last updated in 2008 I think, and is not sold anymore. I have seen it online for very expensive prices. I agree with Sherry though, eBay is your friend!

 

[amamax2]

I go the exact book you are talking about in 2005 - it is called Picture Souvenir Book of Disneyland in Natural Color and is a "facisimile of the original 1955 book." I believe we got it at the Disneyana store and it was $10 (my kids were doing aproject on the history of Disneyland so we bought this book and the Disney, Then, Now and Forever.

So...it might be something they carry (I don't remember it being advertised as something special in the store for the 50th Anniversary - we asked the CM for books on Disney's history and it was just on the shelf with all the other books).

 

[amamax2]

Ok, I just googled it to see, and it WAS a limited run for the 50th Anniversary.

But, that may mean, as a pp said, they will have it again for the 55th.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Your one slight shot could be this July. It's DL's 55th anniversary. When it was their 50th, they sold some historical / nostalgia items. No telling I'd they might do so this July....

Ok, I just googled it to see, and it WAS a limited run for the 50th Anniversary.

But, that may mean, as a pp said, they will have it again for the 55th.

Yep. And here's the tough news. It was a LE of 500 and sold for $125 each. Soooo.... resale will probably be very pricey (unless someone does quite know exactly what they have and a just cleaning house).

I'd watch Disney merchandise closely in July,
Dreams

 

[glara]

Faint...hmmm, not at that price!

Will have a look next month and see what there might be online - advantage is that my best friend lives in Irvine (so next years visit is a combined DL and catch up trip) so I could always get her to hang on to it until get there.

Otherwise I'm sure I'll be spoiled for choice in the shops at DL, I thought I might be out of luck with my old book but if I can at least I can get some kind of 'Disneyland History' type publication, like the one Jernysgirl suggests, I'll be happy.

Funny how I didn't really miss my book until I started planning this trip!

 

[Brenbren]

For anyone who might be interested in buying the book "Disneyland Then Now and Forever", you can get it through mail order from Disneyland for 40% off. I contacted Disneyland Delivears to see if they still had it because the book was so expensive from other online sellers. They told me they only have a limited number of copies left since this book is being discontinued. The book was originally priced at $24.95, so 40% off is a great deal!