Nice Monorail! 1973
It's time for more 35mm goodness from our friend Mr. X! This post is Monorail-themed, and you can't do much better than that.
By '73, Disneyland was using the wonderful Mark III Monorails, easily identifiable thanks to their larger windows. If you are like me, you're feeling just a little bit jealous of those folks riding in the nose-cone. They've got it so good. This is a POSTCARD WORTHY™ photo, with the bushes in the foreground to provide some depth, and the dazzling colors - that make one want to step into the World of Tomorrow - today!
A second shot from the same location provides a good full length portrait of the five-car Monorail gliding above a solid line of guests. Are they in line to ride the Matterhorn? If so... I hope they don't mind a 40-minute wait.
And finally, here's another stunning shot, this time featuring "Old Bluie" as it banks above the Sub Lagoon. The pilot is looking right at us! I love the warm light from the afternoon sunshine. We can see a sliver of a Peoplemover train to the left, while the Patrick Henry slowly moves toward the waterfall entrance to the dark ride portion of the Submarine Voyage.
Many thanks to Mr. X!
22 comments:
Major-
Such lovely, relaxing images. I'm all ready to 'hop aboard'.
Thanks to Mr. X.
Cool action MARK III “Muscle Monorail” shots!!!
I still don’t understand why in 1969 four monorails were needed for the then “expanding Disneyland “ crowds and again in the 1980’s and 90’s with the four MARK IV Monorails . The monorail system was great as an attraction or used as transportation …. Fast and swift and convenient.
But in 2005 , with attendance at a all time high , Disneyland chooses to build only (3) MARK XII monorails…… now the whole attraction is clunky and sporadic in its function and operation.
…… There wasn’t a GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW….
Wow! Postcard Worthy is right! Beautiful saturated colors. I quickly add, that these are things that should have saturated colors, unlike European-ish castles, which should have pastel colors.
I'm keeping #1 and #3. The second photo is very nice as well, but doesn't quite have the same 'wow' factor as the other two, IMO; maybe it's all the guests lined up. I DO love the color of that 'gumball yellow' Skyway bucket, though.
The lighting on the 3rd photo makes the scene look sort of like a scale model.
Thanks Mr. X. And thank you, Major. Really nice photos!
Is there a chance the track could bend?
Sorry, I just love that episode. And that song. And monorails.
I always wondered why they didn't build a Monorail stop/station in that park that they built in the former Disneyland parking lot. Oh yeah, money.
These monorail pix are wonderful! The MARK III monorails were my favorite. The last shot is classic with Monorail Blue and the military gray Patrick Henry
I believe that line is for the Monorail, as back in the early days the entry "speed ramp" was just out of view to the left (eastward).
Thanks, Major.
Wow, look at all that saturated color - you can actually distinguish the grey of the submarines from the gray of the concrete docks and the grea of the concrete Monorail supports. It is a Grey Big Beautiful Tomorrow!
JB, that is a photo of a model, beautifully executed in 5/8 scale.
TM!, not on your life, my online friend!
The ring came off my pudding can.
Chuck, take my pen knife, my good man!
(I call the big one, "Bitey!")
I swear, it's Disneyland's only choice!
Looks like several passengers in the last picture are looking at us, too. It's all go, go, go in Tomorrowland. I still miss the old future.
Right up there with the best monorail pics we've seen. I'm right behind you Nanook.
Got to ride in the nose-cone on our Magic Morning back in '95. From the hotel to Tomorrowland. That's one day that will never slip into the archives of lost memories. It was so cool seeing the track disappearing under you with that front row seat.
The last pic is incredible, with the passengers seemingly looking at Melissa and the rest of us.
That is one hefty line of folk in the second pic, but they've got a green Mickey balloon to follow so everyone looks happy.
Thanks Mr.X, and thank you Major. Fine choice of photos.
Top quality Friday pictures, Major. big thanks to you and Mr. X!
Just a sliver of an Autopia car visible in photo 1.
That line in photo 2 might be a combination of monorail and submarine hopefuls, the sub line often stretched that far. The bobsled line was held tighter to the Matterhorn base as I recall.
Photo 3 is just dynamic. I wonder what cast the shadow?
I’ve never ridden in the nose cone, probably never will. Oh well, I can watch video now.
JG
JG, in 1973, it would still be Walt casting that giant shadow. WWWD?
Monorail...Monorail...Monorail....MONORAIL!
Mono...d'oh!
Nanook, ME TOO!
Mike Cozart, I think we know the answer to why there are only 3 Mark XII Monorails (I actually didn’t know we were up to the 12th version)… MONEY. As I have learned from trying to plan a trip, the customer experience is way down the list of important things for the suits.
JB, yes, color is great when used with discretion. Painting certain things blue and pink is another thing altogether (I’m not even sure the castle colors qualify as “pastel” anymore). I know what you mean about photo #2, though I do still like it quite a bit.
TokyoMagic!, I have to just stop myself from going there! Yes, considering that they put in that incredible and awe-inspiring Golden Gate Bridge at the entrance of DCA, why didn’t they make it a Monorail stop? Instead it just zoomed by.
K. Martinez, as I’ve said before, I am only disappointed that I don’t have twice as many photos from this bunch. They are so nice! Wow, that is some line for the Monorail, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen it that long.
Chuck, for some reason your comment reminded me of a David Letterman bit, he got in a NYC cab, and started asking the cabbie random questions. “What’s your favorite color?”. “Gray”. Letterman lost it!
TokyoMagic!, is Bitey in that same episode??
Melissa, it’s funny, you’d think there’d be plenty of stuff to grab the Monorail passenger’s attention, but they are looking right at Mr. X!
DrGoat, I once asked some friends if they would be willing to wait a little longer to ride in the nose cone, and got a resounding “NO”. I tried. If it ever happens, I promise to not view the whole experience through my phone. I sure would be happy to travel back to 1973 to wait in that line (with my green balloon)!
JG, oh you’re right, I see the yellow Autopia car (and maybe a turquoise one too). I do think that the line might be a combination, though I forget how guests would know which ride they were waiting for. I think it’s safe to assume that the Matterhorn is casting the shadow across the lagoon.
Chuck, touché.
Stu29573, (annoyed grunt).
@ Ken-
"I believe that line is for the Monorail, as back in the early days the entry "speed ramp" was just out of view to the left (eastward)". I'm not a Monorail expert, nor do I play one on TV, but when was the 'up' Speedramp located on the east side-? All the images I've ever seen of it (including one with yours truly), indicate loading from the [Matterhorn] side. What am I missing-?
The 'Speed-Ramp' was on the west side. And it looks to be summer season. With lines of that length it could have been shut off, but probably remained on while at Tickets at the base of the ramp, the CM would hold the line until the ramp was clear...counting and allowing only a certain number of guests to enter for the next 'train'. Love that last shot with the CM looking at the camera and seeing the costume hat that they wore back then. Retlaw only selected employees of a certain height and weight proportion. They were a little clique of their own but I never encountered any of them to be stuffy. We all knew they were a little of a 'cut above us'. And riding in the nose cone was always a treat. Because it was enclosed, it could be a bit warm (hot) during summer days. It did come with air circulation but there was a reason why the door remained open longer than the others. Great pictures. Thanks Mr. X! KS
Nose-cone, always.
Even the rear one was extra fun.
Why oh why they drive you through the backside of DCA crap rather than design it to be beautiful like above Tomorrowland is beyond me. I think there was supposed to be a stop at Grand Californian, maybe even the space, but that old bugaboo Buster Budget got hold of those plans.
Cheers MS
Sorry major : that was suppose to be MARK SEVEN.
”I do think that the line might be a combination, though I forget how guests would know which ride they were waiting for.”
At the Magic Kingdom, the entrances for the Frontierland train station and the Splash Mountain queue are so close together that when it’s crowded they have a cast member there directing traffic to make sure you get where you intended to go.
Nose cone: best ride....I guess you can't do that anymore? Better ride: bubble IN nose cone. Why they would take away these things baffles me. Why we had to change the design of a perfect design baffles me. Why they put RTD/MTA bus type advert vinyls on the side of a perfectly OK Monorail...also baffles me. I am constantly baffled. Baffling in a quilt or duvet is different- look it up if interested. Like KS said: Retlaw Monorail guys were definitely type cast very strictly. Statuesque, 6 feet at least. 32 waist, 42 Regular. NASA inspired, Pepsodent smile. But no ego or other things attached. Very aware of their differences between them and "the park". The Retlaw guys on the train were also another breed, but without the strict casting. I suppose that 40 years ago everyone thinks that there was "strict casting", and I suppose there was...in comparison. I worked in Casting very briefly. Interesting work. I'm not sure some things would fly today...or even 20 years ago. Retlaw guys had different interviews. Since The Enchanted Tiki Room was also a Walt Disney Production, I am unclear as to why the tiki ladies were not Retlaw...but...maybe they were? Someone knows. I don't remember upheaval when Retlaw was purchased, but I'm sure there was some kind of buzz...don't know, and I don't know if there is a website to support stories and whatnot. I am somewhat remembering an interim company called Walt Disney Inc. Probably some legal entity to transfer ownership/cash/et al. I'd have to do some research on that will all my free time. What very nice photos...thanks Major.
..and M.X.
All terrific photos from Mr. X! I especially love the last one, with everything going in different directions. Lots of smooth movement.
I hesitate to admit it, but I've ridden in the nose cone many times, back in the uncrowded years. My hesitation isn't because I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but because those "uncrowded days" were MANY years ago - therefore I'm admitting I'm older than dirt.
As I have learned from trying to plan a trip, the customer experience is way down the list of important things for the suits.
Major, you ain't kiddin'.
Thank you, Mr. X and Major!
Nanook, I think Ken was referring to photo #2, and he meant to the east of the view in the *picture*.
KS, yes, I think we are actually all on the same page regarding the speed ramp. I’ll bet that ramp was not working a LOT of the time, though I have no evidence. It just seems like stuff like that breaks down a lot, even today. What? I have to walk using my own legs? What a ripoff! I love that Monorail pilot hat, that would have been a pretty sweet job. Or maybe not… was it sought after? I’m sure you’re right about the nose cone getting hot on summer days, but it would be so worth it.
MS, yes, I’ve seen videos taken from the rear cone, and they are pretty neat too. They drive you through that ugly crap because they won’t spend the money to make it beautiful.
Mike Cozart, that makes sense! :-)
Melissa, I know I have gone up to people in line waiting near the Matterhorn and asked them which ride they were waiting for! I always had to hope that THEY were right.
Bu, while I do understand that the Mark III trains might have needed upgrading after years of service, I was never crazy about that “Learjet” design that was also used at WDW. I guess the Florida version could justify it because it was really used to transport thousands of people a day, but why couldn’t we keep our cool “space-age” design? Again, money, I’m sure. Funny how the park wanted Monorail pilots who looked the part. No chubbies allowed. As for casting, I have seemed to notice that Asians or people “of color” tended to wind up in Adventureland. Not always, but often. Luckily, that changed into the 70s and 80s. I assumed the tiki ladies were RETLAW.
Bu, ha ha, for a second I was thinking, “What’s M.X.?”.
Lou and Sue, well aren’t you fancy! ;-) I’m glad you’ve enjoyed rides in the nose cone multiple times, you are the smart one. Go ahead and brag! And you aren’t older than dirt, come on! If I could do it, I would. Like I said, all of my friends were wienies who wouldn’t bother to wait.
Post a Comment