Vintage Tomorrowland
Whoo-hoo! Tomorrowland. Or, when I'm in a hurry, T-land. Time is money. I just like classic Tomorrowland, OK??
First up (from August, 1961), our photographer was still in the Plaza, which is technically part of Main Street. But the view of THE FUTURE looks just fine from here. Dare we step in? The rows of flags from every US State ground us in reality and keep us from losing our minds. It's fun to note the similarities between mother and daughter to the left. The Clock of the World and the Moonliner beckon us forward, and a selection of fabulous attraction posters dazzles with bold mid-century graphics. There's a scarce Flying Saucers poster to the right, I wish I had one of those.
Next is this impressive view from a year earlier (August, 1960), with a crowded Yacht Bar dining area nearest to us (I love the flag with the coffee cup overhead!), then the blue Monorail swooping by, and the mighty Matterhorn, somehow looking especially stately here.
8 comments:
Major-
In the 1st image, I believe 'Sis' is carrying a Kodak Brownie Starmite camera. Note in the upper right corner we can see the very edge of the canopy used for the ice cream vendor location.
I've never noticed that rather odd flag with what may be the unofficial international symbol for 'coffee' flying high atop the Yacht Bar.
Thanks, Major.
Ooooh! These are great photos! We get two(2) Moonliners today. Today's Fashion Award goes to Gramps with the shiny black dress socks coupled with the shorts. He's carrying something in his arm. It looks red and white striped, but I'm pretty sure it's not a candy cane. ;-) ¿Que es? Runner-up for the Fashion Award is the lady in the 2-tone dress (aqua and yellow).
Wow, yer right, Major. The Matterhorn looks awesome here; very substantial. And the overnight snowfall hit the Mountain in just the right places! And we can see Fudgie (sort of) behind the waterfall. No Bobsled today, though. But we had one yesterday, so I guess we shouldn't get greedy. Not sure why, but I always associate the blue Monorail more with the future, than I do the other colors of Monorails.
Really nice pictures today, Major. Thanks.
Notice the MOONLINER appears sans the TWA logo …… and the Rocket to the Moon attraction poster has had an additional red bar screened across the fuselage to hide “TWA”!!!!
Flat out fabulous fotos today. Thanks.
MS
Ooh, Santa Fe logo and a blue Monorail. It's gonna be a great day!
I challenge anyone to find a trash can or Waldo in the most excellent photos.
Thanks, Major
Zach
I never realized the America The Beautiful attraction existed before Tomorrowland 1967, I only remember it from that time. Beautiful picture of the Tomorrowland entrance.
Dude is rocking those black socks, shorts and dress shoes. Before the Age of Hokas I guess.
Photo 2 is a very nice view of the leaking Matterhorn. After those were plugged up, there was enough water for the splash landings. I agree, that coffee cup flag should be part of the international lexicon. There is also the international flag for Lifesaver candy up there.
And both photos appear to be those rara avis, completely devoid of trash cans. Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, I remember you mentioning the “Starmite” cameras in the past - a name that’s hard to forget! And yes, the ice cream vendor was typically just to the right of the Tomorrowland entrance. See my text re: the coffee flag. I once joked that it was for the island of Java.
JB, I’ve always thought that men with shorts and long black socks looked somewhat ridiculous, but what do I know? Most of my clothing is leopard-print. When you mentioned that gramps was carrying something candy-striped, I had to take another look, hoping it was a red and white striped tube, which would have been something from the Art Corner. But I have no idea what that thing is that he is holding! You are right, we can see Fudgie’s fan tail, even though it is not as clear and defined as in other pictures. His chromatophores help to disguise him!
Mike Cozart, yes! We’ve seen that before, and I’ve even see versions of the poster with white paint over the TWA, somehow the red/pink works better.
MS, thanks, I’m glad you like these!
zach, I sometimes forget that the Monorails had the Santa Fe logo - they seem so mismatched, and yet I love seeing it!
JG, yes, the earlier version of “America the Beautiful” had a great poster, I am very happy to own one. In fact I am not crazy about the later poster, and did not buy a copy when I had the chance. Now I wish I had, of course! I’ve never worn Hokas, can they truly be that great? The coffee flag kind of amuses me because they must have known that certain guests would NEED their caffein at a certain time of day. “I can’t go on without it!”. All of those flags seem to be especially graphic, which makes them fun to look at.
Major, "men with shorts and long black socks looked somewhat ridiculous". Oh, I agree! Way past "somewhat", in fact. The fashion Award was in jest. I wasn't joking about the 2-toned lady though. I think her dress looks very appropriate for Tommorowland. In addition to Fudgie's tail, we can also see some of his front (lower) half.
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