Friday, February 27, 2026

Mark VI Autopia

Many months ago, GDB early birds might have seen today's blog post when I accidentally had two articles publish on the same day. I saw the error at around 4:30 in the morning, and decided to move it way in the future. For those of you who already viewed it - it's nice to see you!

I happened to have two Leftuggies™ that feature Mark VI Autopia vehicles, and my psychic said that I should post them today. I always do what she recommends! The tarot cards do not lie.

No wonder this girl is smiling, that Mark VI car in coral red is a pretty sweet ride. This slide is undated, but the Mark VIs were in service from 1964 to 1968. This vehicle purred like a kitten - because it is actually powered by 10 kittens under the hood. I would explain how it works, but it is very technical. It looks like the other color choices were blue, turquoise, yellow, and cream. I'm sure that the cast member should not be leaning against that pylon (Bu? We need an official ruling), I hope he enjoys prison. 


This next nice view is from August, 1965; who knows, maybe that is the same exact car as the one in the previous picture. The dreaded guide rail had been added in 1964 when the Mark VI cars were introduced. I suppose it was necessary, kids had a tendency to crush the feet and shins of CMs, and would not obey polite rules of the road; on the other hand, they should have been more quick to jump out of the way!


11 comments:

  1. Is the leaning CM taking a picture, or is he getting ready to pick his nose? I can't tell if the smiling girl is just getting underway or just returning from her drive through Disneyland.

    The CM on the left edge of the second pic is astounded and flummoxed because somehow that red car split into two articulated cars at some point in its journey! Not only that, it also spontaneously generated another driver (or two)! The other NASA guy, standing next to the divided car is just discombobulated.

    Thanks for the vintage Autopia pics, Major.

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  2. Major-
    I approve of little Susie's barrette properly in-place to maintain her hair-do while she plies the highways of the Autopia freeway.

    Thanks, Major.

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  3. Lou and Sue12:12 AM

    I bet DW is extra-familiar with the “rules of the road”—when it comes to whether or not a CM can lean. I don’t ever remember seeing him lean while on this job. He wasn’t lazy.

    Major, you must wake up and dread looking at GDB early in the morning. You never know if something got discombobulated. Don’t worry, we’ll point it out. :o)

    Thanks, Major. We’re glad you’re still blogging.

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  4. Well this is confusing. I seem to have traveled backward (or forward?) in time and commented on todays photos already! ;-) And I didn't even know I HAD a time machine!

    Since my 'previous' comment was(is?) so clever, funny, and insightful; I can just sit back and relax instead of racking my brain trying to come up with another one!

    Thanks (again), Major.

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  5. By 1965 those MARK VI AUTOPIA cars were well “broken-in”. The cars were still real
    Cream puffs…. Each has original factory air. ( in the tires)
    Many of the DISNEYLANDER’s / cast member behaviors we are familiar with today ( although greatly degraded in the last 20 years) became clad or developed during the creation of Walt Disney World. Today at Disneyland I see dozens of violations from castmembers that were completely verboten in my day.

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  6. The little girl in the first pic looks like she could be Pamela Ferdin's cherubic-faced sister!

    Nice Fantasyland Autopia pics, Major! Thanks!

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  7. The little girl looks happy, probably just setting out. After several minutes of exhaust smoke and being cut off by other drivers, she will be ready for a Space Mist Punch at the Tomorrowland Terrace.

    The little boy in photo 2 is unhappy that Mom insists on driving. I’m guessing she didn’t realize how safe this ride really was.

    Both pics notable for lack of fire extinguishers and trash cans, odd for Autopia. Now that I think about, i don’t recall seeing any litter in the Back Country. Did sweepers venture out there?

    Sue, good news from Melissa! Thanks for sharing that!

    Thanks Major, don’t worry about little glitches, stuff happens and we love GDB anyway!

    JG

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  8. I think the red cars in the two pics are the same one because they have the same license plate. I'm liking the yellow one behind the young lady. It reminds me of a Chevy color in the sixties, Goldwood Yellow or some such name. I remember swerving all over the place before the center guide rail. TRE! But I still enjoy the experience even today.

    My sister had 100 barrettes back in the day! Stepping on one in the dark was a precursor to a Lego.

    Gliches! We don't have gliches! We don't need no stinking gliches!

    Thanks, Major

    Zach

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  9. "This vehicle purred like a kitten - because it is actually powered by 10 kittens under the hood." Unfortunately, the kittens had to be let go once they got too big to fit under the hood. And thus, the origin story of the feral Disneyland population.

    Mom may have to be driving in the second picture. I can remember riding the Turnpike at Cedar Point (their Arrow-designed, "modern" sports car ride) as a little kid and not being able to reach the pedals. My mom had to drive for me.

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  10. Make that "And thus, the origin story of the feral Disneyland b>cat population."

    The "feral Disneyland population" live at Disneyland of the Damned.

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  11. Oh, good grief. "...feral Disneyland cat population."

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