Here are three Magic Kingdom RANDOS for you! Starting with this photo from November 1973. If you wanted, you could have your poor kid sit still while an artist drew her portrait in pastels. The look on her face speaks volumes. I wonder how long a typical drawing took? It seems to have been a popular feature, but it's possible that, over time, guests passed it by.
Next is a beautiful photo, dated "November, 1978"; the sun has just set, and the sky is all pinks and violets. The Tomorrowland entrance pylons/fountains look striking at this time of day - the castle moat reflects them in a wiggly way. Which is the best way to do anything, you must admit.
And finally, an undated and unusual night photo showing the Tomorrowland entrance looking straight in from the Plaza. I love seeing the Star Jets Saturn V rocket spotlit as if it was on a launchpad at Cape Kennedy.
Major-
ReplyDeleteThe original entrance to Tomorrowland was so striking and elegant. (As for that gal having her likeness preserved 'for the ages' - her expression exudes the very personification of happiness-! Webster's take note...)
Thanks, Major.
Poor kid. I think she's blinking "S-O-S" with her eyes. She's probably thinking of all the wonderful, magical things she could be seeing and doing if she wasn't stuck in this chair. The artist doen't seem to mind her less-than- joyful expression.
ReplyDeleteAh, that magical twilight time of day when it's getting darker and the lights are all coming on. It never fails to produce a deep-felt mood change in everything... for the better.
The lighted pylons remind me of the flashlights with colored cones attached that movie theater employees use when checking the auditorium... They also remind me of candy corn.
A nice Saturday visit to WDW. Thanks, Major.
The WDW TOMORROWLAND Sunset image would have to be from 1973-1983. The Plaza Swan Boat landing is visible (1973)…. And the entry pylons and shields do not yet have their tile mural pattern yet (1983). The Tomorrowland nite time shot is 1975-1983 …. Possibly 1974 since the Star Jets and WEDWAY were testing by then even though they did not have their grand opening till 1975. If I could read the Circle Vision and Spaceport signs I could pin point the year even closer . It’s odd that SPACE MOUNTAIN isn’t even slightly visible in the nite shot …. At least even its bright glow.
ReplyDeleteFrom the look on the face of "portrait girl," I'm wondering if her parents had told her that they would be back in an hour or so, after they finish riding Space Mountain a couple times.
ReplyDeleteThose two shots of the Tomorrowland entrance are beautiful. The fact that they demolished that entrance is another case of THEY RUIN EVERYTHING! Once again, I'm okay with change, as long as what replaces something is at least as good, if not better than what was there before. Unfortunately, Disney management doesn't feel the same way. They love to replace perfection with crapola.
When visiting the Magic Kingdom back in 1978 I remember the Tomorrowland entrance still has its wonderful water elements intact and working. It was really beautiful. Then when I returned in 1983 to see EPCOT Center, I also returned the Magic Kingdom. Seeing the Tomorrowland entrance again, I saw that it had its water elements removed and changed/painted to look like Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland entrance. I was very disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI was also disappointed to discover the water fountains in Adventureland's Caribbean Plaza had been filled with dirt and flowers later on. These are wonderful photos of when the Magic Kingdom was at it's best. Thanks, Major.