Views From the Rocket Jets
I have a set of scans of photos from the Dream Team - Irene, Bruce, and James! All of these are views from the Rocket Jets (RIP), which is pretty cool.
After taking the gantry from ground-level up to the Rocket Jets platform, you might see a view like this as you headed toward your vehicle; down below, the north Mary Blair tile mural. In the distance, some of the spires of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the tip-top of the hoodoos of Big Thunder Mountain are about all that is visible beyond all of the trees.
Next we're peering down into what is mainly the Tomorrowland Terrace dining area. Beneath the roof to our left is some shady seating, as well as the counters where you could order your space burgers. Umbrellas in unfortunate colors of lilac, pink, and beige (like a bruise) provide additional respite from the sun. Rolly Crump's stage has been altered - it looks pretty awful IMO; I really do try to avoid being overtly negative most of the time (believe it or not), but YEESH.
Thirdly, a view somewhat south east-ish, with the moving ramps up to the queue level for Space Mountain to our right, and Mission to Mars dead ahead, although the signage has been removed from the façade, indicating that this photo is very likely post-1992, when MtM closed (to be eventually turned into Rocket Redd's Pizza Planet). I'm wondering what the deal is with that "atom" symbol that almost looks chalked onto the pavement... any ideas?
Many thanks to Irene, Bruce, and James!
8 comments:
At first I thought the first pic was taken by (James or Bruce) as they walked to their Rocket (like you said, Major). But I can see (I think) a small bit of one of the Rockets up high, at the right edge of the photo. So I guess we're in mid-flight.
The stage reminds me of a carousel band organ, with a bass drum, cymbals, horns, etc.. I think somebody here mentioned a while back (several years!) that the stage doesn't rise and lower anymore?
Major, the 'atom' symbol is a Hidden Mickey. It can only be seen as 'Mickey' when viewed from the 7th dimension. We can see the PeopleMover track snaking around, and through, the buildings ahead of us.
Thank you, Irene, and to your Team of Dreamers. Thanks, Major.
In that first photo, the Major is correct about not being in a Rocket Jet vehicle yet. JB is also right about how we can see a sliver of one vehicle in flight. But since we can see railings straight ahead, Bruce and/or James were either standing in the guest holding area on the flight deck, or they were waiting for the elevator to take them down.
That photo of Rolly's destroyed stage, had to have been taken in 1996 or later. All that junk was placed on top of the stage specifically for DL's 40th anniversary. But all of the special 40th signage is missing here, so the year-long 40th celebration would have been over. Here's a very similar pic I took in 1995, showing the 40th logo in 4 different spots on and around the stage.
Rolly's 1967 Tomorrowland Stage After Total Ruination
Thank you, Dream Team and Major!
I forgot to mention that I remember that painted "atom" design on the ground, in front of the former Mission to Mars building. I'm not sure why it was placed there, but I remember on occasion, either the DL band, or a college band, coming down the ramp of the Carousel Theater building, and stopping on top of that atom design and performing. I also remember for a short time, there was a "trash can" band that would perform in that general area. That must have been an Eisner or Pressler idea, since most of what was produced during their tenure was.......well, I guess I should take a cue from the Major and try not to be so overtly negative!
The atom shape on the forecourt of the former Mission to Mars building was for a Tomorrowland band called Galaxy Corps …. Previously called Future Corps …. They did assorted band choreography to tunes from Star Wars , Indiana Jones , Close Encounters etc. they were often accompanied by a vehicle that looked similar to a “Star Speeder” …. I believe it housed an amplification system . When the “Mars” marquee was removed , the attractions’s entry lobby was used as a Magic Kingdom Club reception lounge …. They gave out pin-back buttons and complimentary chilled bottled water to MKC members. After Disneyland entertainment relocated file cabinets and office equipment ( removed from upstairs of America Sings inside the mars building while the carousel theater was prepared for gutting.
Let's celebrate Disneyland's 40th by demolishing art created by a Disney legend! Irony at a low point, but I do very much enjoy these views from the Rocket Jets! I loved every part of this ride: the elevator, the platform, the loose fit inside the rocket...was there even a safety belt at all? I don't think so. I have a 8mm movie somewhere taken from a Rocket Jet. in the late 70's: one of those free high school newspaper trips: probably to see Big Thunder. Looks like Captain EO is going strong down there. When it came out there was so much hype: too bad it was not the greatest....: despite so much cash and so many "high level" people involved. Good music though, and it's enjoyable once that starts. Michael said (softly) "I liked it"....there was not much more said in one of many previews. I'm enjoying seeing the framework of a '67 Tomorrowland. I do like progress, but if you are going to change/ammend/etc. it needs to be better. 67 from 55 Tomorrowland was better, however when I look back at a 55 Tomorrowland: it's not so shabby, and cool in it's own way. I've designed an amazing Tomorrowland in my brain....with a Jetsons style hotel: accessible from outside the berm through a "new underground transportation method"...where the rooms look over the East side of the Park, in a great big beautiful New Tomorrowland. Kind of Logans Run meets Sleeper. Dream big, people! Thanks to the Dream Team!
JB, I’m actually thinking that perhaps the photographer might have exited the ride, but loitered to take a few photos. It’s hard to say though! I think that stage is so clunky and ugly, like so many things from Disneyland’s 1990s. Just so you know, I live in the 7th dimension, and it’s great! It’s just like the third dimension, only there’s free soft serve ice cream.
TokyoMagic!, yeah, like I said to JB, I think perhaps Bruce/James had exited his rocket and was taking his sweet time to take the elevator back down just for the photo opportunities. There’s something about that plastic “fake bronze/brass” look that I find so cheap and unpleasant, maybe it’s just me. Many of the photos from the Dream Team seem to be from the early to mid-1990s, so I’m sure you are correct about your date estimate.
TokyoMagic!, oh yeah, I vaguely remember the trash can band. I guess people loved it, but people love lots of things that might not necessarily belong in Tomorrowland (or Disneyland). I’m impressed with the skill of the modern Disneyland Band, but do not like that they are NOTHING like an old-time marching band from the turn of the century. However, the crowds love it, and the people running the park have no clue, so… yeah. Oops, sorry about being negative!
Mike Cozart, if they didn’t paint an atom on the ground, how would the band know where to stand? I guess I don’t mind the idea of a fancy choreographed band in Tomorrowland so much, at least it doesn’t clash with the old-fashioned theme of Main Street. I miss the somewhat low-tech pleasures of a ride like Mission to Mars, but admit that it was probably time to remove it.
Bu, Cool that you took an 8mm movie from the Rocket Jets! I hope you get it digitized. Captain Eo, I never had any urge to see it, and then I watched the movie on YouTube. Not the same as seeing it in the high-tech theater in Tomorrowland, but man, it is cheesy. And it doesn’t even look that good, considering the talent and money involved. I remember the intense hype when Eo debuted, he was one of the biggest stars in the world of course. While the 1967 Tomorrowland is the best, I still have a fondness for the original, when money was so tight. The Imagineers did a good job, considering!
Very enjoyable photos, Major! It's been a long time since I rode the Rocket Jets, but didn't they have a waiting area up on the platform so they could quickly reload the rockets? The photo could have been taken from there, I really wanted to walk down that switchback stairway that was featured at the front of the platform at the Goodyear sign. It looked very cool! ;)
It's fun to look down on things from a flying rocket, but that stage.....!!
To me, the front of the Space Mountain complex looks strange without the Speedramps. I really wish that somehow the original concept for the area would have worked out - where one could wander up the moving ramps and mill about, perhaps after having a burger from the Space Place, or watch a show on the open stage. Maybe even play a bit of Air Hockey on the upper level of the arcade. Then, enter Space Mountain for quick 10 minute wait to board!! :o)
The one bright spot in all of these is the Mary Blair mural, but the Galaxy Brain Trust soon took care of that too.
I see ponded water (or stains left by it) on the Terrace roof, but the Space Mountain entrance is still where it belongs. I have no idea why we now go over the river and through the woods to climb up to that queue, what did that gain? It’s like hunting Easter eggs.
These are certainly unusual and historic views, Major. Thank you to you and Irene, Bruce, and James!
JG
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