The Richard Kraft Collection or Kraftland (as it was referred to among those friends and colleagues so privileged to visit it) was a most unique Disneyland collection of extinct attraction vehicles, production concept art, Disneyland Hotel and Disney Parks props, as well as souvenirs and numerous items other items that were once associated with Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Anaheim. During 2018, lucky Los Angeles residents had the opportunity to visit the free “pop-up” museum of Richard’s collection in an extraordinary exhibition called That’s From Disneyland! Now, please step this way as we take a “grand circle tour” of Disneyland through some of our favorite artifacts and pieces associated with Richard Kraft’s one-time museum!
Like most popular Disneyland attractions, Kraftland had a representative attraction poster. This original painting was also utilized for packaging and advertising the documentary Finding Kraftland.
Just beyond Kraftland’s ticket booth facade (tickets weren’t really required for general admission) rests a surprisingly extensive collection!
“FINDING MAIN STREET U.S.A.”
One of our first attractions we ‘find’ is Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, which opened at the 1964 / 1965 New York World’s Fair’s Illinois Pavilion to rave reviews! When the fair ended, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln came home, opening at Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House in 1965. It was unlike anything that Disneyland guests had encountered up to this point. This show brought the 16th President of the United States of America to life before an awestruck audience with the help of a technological breakthrough called audio animatronics. Below, you’ll notice a 1964 concept sketch from its development for the World’s Fair, and a Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln attraction poster utilized to announce its location at the Main Street Opera House until it’s closure in 1973.
In 1973, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln was replaced by a tribute to Walt’s life and work, called The Walt Disney Story. The exhibit included artifacts and a film.
However, many felt that the removal of Walt’s hero was an insult to Walt Disney’s life and work. So within two short years, Mr. Lincoln was reinstalled in the Main Street Opera House and the experience was renamed “The Walt Disney Story Featuring Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln”. The following rare attraction poster was generated and displayed during that brief two-year period from 1973 to 1975!
Disneyland Guided Tour “Jockeys” were female when the division was first instituted. But during the 1980s and 1990s big changes were in store about the time that this drawing of a male “V.I.P Host” costume concept was produced. Attached to this drawing was a swatch of fabric used to create the vest as well as the “plaid” tartan portion of the ensemble!
It is a little known fact that each Disney Park worldwide has its own tartan. On a recent Disneyland tour, we inquired of the plaid which is worn throughout Disneyland Park in Anaheim. We were informed by our Hostess that it is called “Royal Stuart Tartan”. That is what you see before you.
From May of 1963 to 1979, Global Van Lines operated and sponsored a locker area on Main Street U.S.A. As Disneyland guests couldn’t help but notice the bright blue moving van near the entrance, That’s From Disneyland Guests were treated to a similar greeting upon entering Kraftland! The only difference this time around, was that guests were discouraged from sitting in the antique automobile for this photo opportunity.
Main Street USA’s Candy Palace has been a constant feature in Disneyland since opening month of 1955. Guests could approach the old fashioned candy counter and purchase sweets and confections from yesteryear. This original hand-painted acrylic store sign was utilized during the Candy Palace’s later years.
Candy Palace sign, 1990s.
Crystal Arcade
Sunkist
Mail Box
Red Wagon
“FINDING ADVENTURELAND”
Tiki Room
When Tahitian Terrace closed, signs like this one (c.1980s - 1990s) notified guests of nearby dining options.
This attraction sign for BIG GAME SAFARI SHOOTING GALLERY (Adventureland’s original shooting gallery) announced the fare for a round of shots. The shooting gallery operated in Adventureland from 1962 to 1982, and we can tell by the pricing that this metal sign was in use from c. 1962.
The following sign was silk-screened on a suede-like material, and informed Jungle Cruise guests of the rules of the rules in force during the voyage.
With the successful release of Walt Disney’s feature-length film Swiss Family Robinson, a new addition was underway for Adventureland during the 1960’s. A faithful recreation of the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House allowed Disneyland guests to finally explore the heights of the Robinson’s island home.
One of the most memorable props was this recreation of the family’s organ which had been salveaged from the ship before it was destroyed. If you visited the Robinson’s “living room” from the 1960s to 1999, you might recall the catchy “Swisskapolka” piping from our next piece! When Tarzan’s Tree House replaced the Swiss Family Robinson’s Tree House, the organ disappeared. Now we know who cared for it all those years!
“FINDING FRONTIERLAND”
Since 1955, Disneyland’s lands have featured a variety of historically accurate United States state and union flags. From the Columbia’s decks to the Avenue of Flags, these flags displayed the colorful story of the United States of America. Frontierland’s forts were no exception, flying eighteenth and seventeenth century flags. One in particular represented the state of America’s United States during the year 1814, and this plaque was attached to its pole.
River Belle Terrace
Golden Horseshoe Revue
Indian War Canoes
X
Tom Sawyer Island
“FINDING FANTASYLAND”
Fantasyland Artwork
Things that didn’t make it
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Caroussel
Chicken of the Sea Pirate Restaurant
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Mr Toad’s Wild Ride
Dumbo
During 1959, “6 Spectacular New Adventures” were added to Walt’s ever-growing Magic Kingdom. The biggest was certainlay the Matterhorn Bobsled attraction, while the most immersive seemed to be the Submarine Voyage which shuttled guests thru liquid space. The Motor Boat Cruise (perhaps the least remembered of these attractions) offered guests a brief voyage through one of Tomorrowland’s lagoons!
Its a small world
“FINDING TOMORROWLAND”
During 1954, Bruce Bushman produced a number of drawings of Tomorrowland. Some of these drawings were utilized during a the first episode of Disneyland, as Walt described the five lands and various coming attractions which would fill them. These are two of three conte crayon and charcoal drawings shown during that program, that Richard Kraft acquired. The third one is in the care and ownership of the Walt Disney Archives at the time of the That’s From Disneyland exhibition and auction.
During 1995, a puzzle and game manufacturer called Jaymar secured licenses for many Disneyland-related products. Jaymar became well known for their puzzles, and this 1955 acrylic painting was created of Tomorrowland attractions to be featured in a puzzle. Notice the early conceptual versions of the Monorail, the Skyway, and the Rocket to the Moon.
Various posters
rocket to the moon
Skyway
Rocket Jets
Viewliner
Submarine Voyage
art of Animation
inner space
Space Place
The Peoplemover is a comfortable way to rest one’s feet and survey Tomorrowland’s attractions as they passed below. Few of these attraction vehicles exist (and in such pristine condition, at that). As a bonus, this vehicle has been wired to play a version of the script that could be heard while riding inside of it. Please CLICK the image below and browse through a few nostalgic close-ups of a Richard Kraft’s Peoplemover vehicle.
One thing you coudn’t see from the Peoplemover, was the Primeval World Diorama. After the 1964 / 1965 New York World’s Fair ended, the Ford Magic Skyway was dismantled and some pieces were contributed to an addition to the Primeval Wotld diorama.
“NEW ORLEANS SQUARE”
New Orleans Square has always been a great location for dining, and at for a bargain price. This Cafe Orleans (1980s) beverage price sign gives a good idea of how much concession pricing has changed over the years.
Marc Davis’ character concept sketches are legendary. If you enjoy the story of the Pirates of the Caribbean, you must know that Marc is the man behind the gags throughout its many show scenes. Richard Kraft was able to acquire a few of these drawings which (after much scrutiny) have been attributed to Marc Davis, circa 1966. Please feel free to CLICK the following image and scroll through Richard’s collection!
The Haunted Mansion
“BEAR COUNTRY”
Artist Robert Kinman sculpted this original Country Bear Playhouse sign. He also worked on a number of other wood-related projects for Disneyland, including some repair work on few of Disneyland’s caroussel horses. Robert recollects :
“When Disney released a new movie, many times they would open a small retail store at Disneyland, themed around the movie. I was carving some stuff for the new Pocahontas store at Disneyland.... using a chainsaw for roughing out some canoes... when the chainsaw bucked and cut off my left index finger! Ouch. The surgeon made me a new synthetic knuckle joint and repaired my finger... it took 8 hours of surgery! While I was recovering, while my arm was still in a cast... Disney Imagineering asked me to carve the new Country Bear Playhouse sign. When I took the cast off I found that my left hand was really damaged and painful and that it was going to be a while before I could use it well again. So I carved most of the Country Bear Playhouse sign with my one good hand!”
“THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL”
