Matterhorn & Skyway, October 1962
For those of you who never had the chance to ride the Skyway, here's a "you are there" point of view. You don't get the swaying motion, or the breeze, or the sounds wafting up from below. In fact my comparison is completely lame, never mind. Say, how about them (insert name of favorite sports franchise here)?
I figured I'd zoom in on The Yacht Bar, because it is one of my favorite features of old Tomorrowland. Such a cute little snack shack. Would it qualify as "Googie-style" architecture?
Nearby, a Matterhorn boblsed splashes down - how many other roller coasters go through water like this? Such a great ride, even after all these years.
12 comments:
Your comparison;s good; you could look at the picture with your head swaying side to side, while one friend blows in your face and another sits murmuring on the floor.
Seriously, these are beautiful shots of a Tomorrowland I wish I could experience for real! I love the clean, bold signage on the Monorail and Yacht Bar (which always reminds me of a pair of collapsible binoculars). And the flagpole/sign arrangement is so clever.
Over on the Monorail platform, you can see a ride operator with the old costume - Tight pants, ascot, and officer-style hat.
Love these shots! Here's my question: does anyone know if our bucket is going towards or away from the Matterhorn? Just wondering...
Bill in Denver
Going towards the Matterhorn according to all the load area photos I see on-line.
Google or yahoo image search "Von Roll Skyway". Each station was unload-load-exit.
I am wondering why they felt the need to take out the little jog in the monorail track there before the Matterhorn. No need to dodge the Yacht Bar anymore, I guess...
Great pics! Skyway shots are always good for a nice view.
Melissa - The effect is much better if you do all that while perched on the peak of your home's roof.
I like that last one - wish I was there :) The bright yellow marguerite daisies.
Love The Yacht Bar.
The Matterhorn looks more brown to me than it is today.....my imagination?
@Tom, I have heard that the little jog in the monorail track was eliminated when the Mark II cars were introduced. The longer trains could not negotiate the tight looped curves.
I have also heard that the original curve was established to make the train look exciting as it worked it's way around. Can't prove it.
Major, these are some very excellent photos today. Very much "You Are There".
JG
Melissa, that's how I look at EVERYTHING. You get used to it. I do love the little Yacht bar, so simple and yet still super cool.
Anon, it's funny, those uniforms look so old-fashioned for something as futuristic as Disneyland's Monorail.
Bill in Denver, the left side is going toward the Matterhorn.
Alonzo, yes you are right!
Tom, it's especially amazing when you consider how much it must have cost to remove that little jog.
Chuck, try it while driving on the freeway.
Debbie V., "marguerite daisies"… you and my mom would get along just fine! She's a flower nut.
Nancy, I think the color has changed over the years, though weather conditions and film stocks had their effects as well.
JG, AH, that makes sense. I didn't even think about the changes to the Monorail itself. Oh well, it still looks great, especially with the new trains that more closely resemble the older styles.
JG, The Mark II Monorail cars did negotiate that little jog. The jog wasn't eliminated until the Yacht Bar was removed and the "New Tomorrowland" was built. The monorail track was realigned with the newly built PeopleMover track and the alteration of the northern exhibit building. The Mark II ran on this track before and after the change. Shortly after the change, the Mark III monorail was introduced.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/Gorillamydreams/12-70_TomorrowlandA.jpg
I was thinking about the expense too. It makes sense that they snugged the track up with the peoplemover in 1967. Tighter footprint for the whole thing, makes it look less cluttered.
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