Thursday, December 14, 2006

Flying Saucers, January 1962


They may just be gussied-up bumper cars, but the legendary Flying Saucers look like a whole lot of fun! I've read that they were located on the site that now contains Space Mountain, so I can't complain about the replacement.

At the time this photo was taken, the saucers had only been open about five months. The steering was accomplished by leaning this way or that...I have to admit that I would love to give it a try, but at over 6 feet tall, maybe I would be too heavy, and just sit there like a crying, futuristic lump. 16 saucers flew at a time, while 16 more were loading. That's not much capacity for a busy amusement park!

The problematic saucers were finally removed in 1966. I seem to remember reading rumors of a new and improved flying saucers attraction on the drawing boards...by now the air-flow problems could certainly be controlled using computers and/or elves. But the low rider capacity might still be an issue that will prevent us from ever gliding in our own saucers again (not counting the ones with those icy cold probes).

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I went on the flying saucers as a veeeeery young youngster. All I remember is, they didn't work.

Daveland said...

This is definitely one ride I would have loved to have tried. BEFORE the turkey legs and churros, of course.

Anonymous said...

They were down many times. But I have great memories when they were running. It was a long wait for a very short (1 minute?) ride, but the experience of scooting across the surface on a cushion of air was a pretty cool experience. And then there were those that could somehow create a vacuum in which the saucer would jump up and down. That had to be hard on the equipment.

Connie Moreno said...

I literally GASPED when I saw this photo!!! I loved this attraction!!! If I could time travel...