Friday, August 12, 2011

Tomorrowland 1957

Here are two Tomorrowland views (both taken from the Skyway) circa 1957.


Well, looky looky! It's the short-lived Viewliner; from up here it resembles a strange orange serpent. It appears to be just pulling into the the Tomorrowland station (there was another station in Fantasyland); the landscaping is still pretty minimal, and it wouldn't get more than about another year to mature before the whole thing was removed for the Matterhorn.


Here's a familiar view. By law, each rider of the Skyway had to take a photo of the Moonliner, or suffer the penalty (which was death)! Check out the considerable crowd next to the rocket, probably a combination of folks waiting for the Rocket to the Moon ride, and those watching a demonstration at the Flight Circle.


8 comments:

Chiana_Chat said...

1st pic: always cool to see that rarely spied Viewliner!

Time was when replacements and change at Disneyland were unqualified improvements. The Matterhorn replaced "snow hill." Talk about an upgrade! The Phantom Boats and lagoon was replaced by Submarine Voyage. Man O Man!

The Viewliner was not so much replaced as upgraded to the great Monorail, sweeping along the same area's vastly upgraded scene overhead. Little wonder: while the other two were no loss at all, the Viewliner is a really cool train with endearing classic style. That style in fact lived on to an extent, as the cars of the Monorail bore more than a passing resemblance to the cars of the Viewliner. :)

2nd pic (while still awaiting my rocket to the moon, blast it!)

It must be the late 1950s: I see a flamingo pink dress! :D

That may be the far corner of the park but clearly they did pull some good traffic out there.

There'd soon be a lot of construction behind that mid-century-modern fence by the Rocket to the Moon as well...

JG said...

I wonder what it was about the Viewliner that caused it to be so short-lived? Were there mechanical problems, or through-put capacity issues?

Or was it just overrun by progress?

I have never read any memories of former cast members about this ride, only visitors who miss it.

Anyone know?

JG

Orange Co Native said...

JG- The Viewliner was put in and soon afterward Walt Disney had gone to Germany and saw the monorail system they had there. He knew then that is what he wanted for his Disneyland. I think it was the Alweg company in Germany.

Were those original concrete building in Tomorrow Land next to the rocket torn down with the redo of Tomorrow Land in the 1967 ?

Does anyone know what that little house/shack is over to the right of the rocket? Was it an attraction or just a backstage building ?

The Viewliner Limited said...

Well now you've gone and done it Major. You have made my day, week, month and year.

That's it folks, I am done.. I have nothing else to live for. My life is complete.

Nothing could by fina..
Then to ride the great Viewlina..
But not in Carolina..

Awesome pics Major.

Major Pepperidge said...

I agree that, as much as I wish I could have experienced the Viewliner, the Monorail was a BIG upgrade! I'm assuming that the construction you are referring to will be for the Flying Saucers?

JG, OC Native has already answered your question better than I could! I can only assume that, when the Viewliner was constructed, they thought it would be there for many years. And then Walt saw the Monorail in Germany!

OC Native, thanks for your input. I do think that all of those original buildings were torn down for "New Tomorrowland". As for that shack, it's pretty safe to say that it was one of a number of backstage buildings. There weren't any attractions back in that particular area in 1957, although the Grand Canyon Diorama would be added in 1958.

Viewliner, it's a good pic, but not THAT good! ;-) Still, I'm glad that you like it!!

Daveland said...

Anything Viewliner is fantastic for me! Love that overhead shot - don't think I've ever seen one quite like it.

Nancy said...

yes, sightings of the Viewliner are too rare...all photos are good!!!

Connie Moreno said...

Hooooooo leeeeee smokes!!!