Late Afternoon Lagoon, 1973
Today's photos are a bit "different" - both were taken very late in the afternoon, imbuing each scene in warm light. And while views of the Monorail at the station and the Sub Lagoon are not rare, these angles are unusual at least.
This first photo was taken from a Peoplemover train, and we can see another one next to the yellow Monorail, just about to ascend that gradient. Even though there were some disadvantages to the Disneyland Peoplemover system (with the embedded wheels in the track), I did like that it enabled the attraction to go up and down "hills". There were points along the ride where guests were fairly high up, and also relatively low to the ground. Skyway gondolas glide back and forth, and the Disneyland Hotel can be seen in the distance.
This next one is somewhat similar, but I believe it was taken from a Monorail (there's a Peoplemover train overhead). A conga line of Submarines await patient (?) guests. If you look just to the right of the center of the image, there is something on a pole with a blue... thing, and a red thing. It reminds me of a semaphore. I've never noticed it before, and wonder if it had a function, or was just for looks?
13 comments:
Major-
Yes, these images are unusual, once again creating a 'you are there' feeling. That lighting tower seemed to make its first appearance around 1961, with the 'red and blue things' added around 1965. Maybe Mike knows more details.
Thanks, Major.
Taken from the PeopleMover, you say? I was thinking it was taken from one of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride cars. This car had a really wild ride! Although, I suppose it could've been taken from one of the Pirates boats... Hard to tell.
The Monorail bubble looks especially bubbly here. I don't recall seeing a triple bubble before. Was Fudgie gone by 1973? Because I think I can see part of him behind (and to the right of) the waterfall.
Major, that "semaphore" thing is Mothra's antennae. If you look close, you can see part of her head and body perched above the Sub caves.
OK, I don't know why I'm being silly with these photos, because I really like them. This 'golden hour', half daytime, half nighttime, creates such a wonderful mood. The end of the hectic day, and the start of the exotic night.
Nanook, they're Mothra's antennae, I tell ya!
Wonderful, moody pics, Major. Thanks.
This first photo was taken from a Peoplemover train, and we can see another one next to the yellow Monorail, just about to ascend that gradient.
That PeopleMover train next to the Monorail had just descended that gradient and was heading for the tunnel that we can see a portion of, just above the roof of the Monorail station. We can see the same tunnel in the second pic, with a yellow PeopleMover train about to enter it.
Major, I hope your cold has gone away and that you are feeling better!
Yes the MARK III MONORAILS had a wide-fluted dome that is giving that “3 bubble” look the previous Monorails. I’m not aware of that sub tower having any actual function but to have been a “GD” ; General Dynamics marquee. The sub que featured some GD sponsorship updates in the the early 60’s and I think it dates from then.
Note the 1969 blue and red Monorail costumes are still in use. They would be replaced with the two tone blue jumpsuit costumes in 1975 as part of a Tomorrowland Monorail station enhancement also in 1975 that featured all new signage and graphics in white and multiple blues. Some concept art for this change showed that they were considering a black-red-yellow scheme for the signage and costumes ….
Exciting angles on familiar scenes. Speaking of hill climbs, I’m sure there were extensive mock-up tests to confirm maximum grades up and down before proceeding to design the final tracks. Had to be braking capability too, was this built into the trains or did they rely on the track motors for this function too? I remember this downhill and the train didn’t seem to speed up, but maintained the same stately and soporific pace as on the level tracks. Beautiful picture too.
Photo 2 is just as grand. The red and blue whatsis must be a theming element, but I don’t recall it at all. Nor do the lights over the sub load area look familiar. Were these added at some point or are they original? Seems like a good idea to have them. Monorail Blue (?) is heading into the station, our train will be right behind in a few minutes.
Thanks for the visit to Tomorrowland, Major. Back when it was a “World On The Move™️”, not the “World On The Make™️” that it has become (please deposit $45.00 for Lightning Lane). Hope you feel better soon.
JG
Nanook, I guess that in 1965, we just needed more red and blue things!
JB, silly, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride wasn’t added to Disneyland until 1994. Everybody knows that! We usually see the Monorails from below, so we don’t see the Mark IIIs “triple dome”. It is a universal law that if one dome is good, a triple dome is gooder. Mothra’s antennae! I love Mothra! We will always be safe with her around.
TokyoMagic!, well, I took a shot and guessed. Figures that I guessed wrong! I still have a trace of a cold, but don’t worry, I whine and complain about it PLENTY.
Mike Cozart, I wonder if the fluted look of the domes was strictly for looks, or if it made them structurally stronger? Or both? I was astonished to learn that General Dynamics continued to sponsor the Subs up to 1998! That’s a long time! Good eye on the red/blue Monorail costume. There’s something about that original color combo that is *just right*.
JG, I am unaware of any braking capabilities on the Peoplemover trains beyond just shutting down the constantly-turning wheels in the tracks. After reading your comment, I wondered, DID the Peoplemover always move at the same speed, or were there parts when the wheels turned just a little bit faster? It would have to be a gradual thing of course. I like that red and blue thing even if I don’t know what it is. I need it mounted to my wall. Somebody smarter than me (low bar) will have to answer your question about the lighting in the lagoon.
@ JG-
"Nor do the lights over the sub load area look familiar. Were these added at some point or are they original?"
Good eye-! Originally, there were none. LOOK HERE.
Sometime [appears to be around 1961], a pair of lights were added near the 'entrance' to the loading dock LOOK HERE; along with a single light near the 'egress' of the loading dock, AND HERE.
And then [appears to be around 1969], the poles were replaced with 'modernized' poles (seen in today's image), with close to a 90° bend, rather than the gradual curve, as seen in the original poles from the early 60's. SEE HERE.
Major-
"DID the Peoplemover always move at the same speed, or were there parts when the wheels turned just a little bit faster?"
At least during the Super Speed Tunnel things slowed down; and suspect many other places the speed was varied, as needed.
Different is good. Always loved that part when you crossed Over the Monorail. The hotel looks inviting - for a dip, nap and nip...all refreshed for returning this evening.
MS
MAJOR: GD - General Dynamics did not sponsor Submarine Voyage except for 10 years. It appears 1959-1969…. Although some GD symbols remained till about 1970. By the big sub voyage rehab in 1972 there was no mention of GD or any signage being removed …. So GE had to have already been vacated.
I think that the online confusion is because the wording should read that “the original sponsor was General Dynamics .( period) the original version of the attraction operated until 1998. It’s paraphrased so it reads like GE sponsored it till 1998.
A similar antenna / communication tower also stood at the Flying Saucers flight deck …. I’m sure these towers felt futuristic and created a look of importance and weather- space communications activity .
It’s also interesting the attraction poster frames around the submarine voyage were installed to display the GENERAL DYNAMICS and GENERAL ATOMIC posters ……but at various times during the active GD sponsorship Disneyland attraction posters are shown in the display frames … why I dunno . It’s possible the GE/GA posters were out of print or maybe dated ? But likely it was uniformed decorating or sign shop employees. This was the same situation with the Alice in Wonderland attraction poster . One version leaves off “Fantasyland” and was intended for the book cover on the ticket book mushroom - but up through new Fantasyland you can see examples of the attraction poster on the mushroom book and the book cover poster mixed with regular attraction posters throughout Disneyland. But I hade photos of bigger attraction posters mistakes than that : like a Walt Disney World 1978 “it’s A small World” and “Swiss Family Isle Treehouse” posters displayed at Disneyland!
At least during the Super Speed Tunnel things slowed down; and suspect many other places the speed was varied, as needed.
Nanook, yes.....and shortly after leaving the Super Speed Tunnel, the vehicles would pick up a little speed as they descended the incline over the Tomorrowland Autopia.
The PeopleMover picked up speed in several locations : the greatest was just before the up-ramp passing the STARCADE before entering SPACE MOUNTAIN. The PeopleMover trains also had a much higher speed traveling over tge AUTOPIA/SUB VOYAGE complex. The speed was completely controlled via zones of tire motors in the guideway. They were also spaced so that if a single tire failed it didn’t affect the motion of the vehicles. While the Disneyland system proved it was capable of handling gradient changes , right away when developing the same system using tires and pushplates WED decided the Florida version would be completely level and the guideway covered. This ended up making it almost effortless when it was decided to use the linear induction motors … delaying the opening of the WDW PeopleMover from 1972 to 1975.
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