Monday, April 23, 2012

Amazing Tomorrowland, June 1968

I'm grinning like a fool thanks to this wonderful photo of the Rocket Jets (and the Peoplemover). Now that's a Tomorrowland! I also like the lady in the screaming-pink dress, the buckaroo in his cowboy hat (or is it a cavalry hat?), and the friendly hipster in the foreground. Groovy, daddy-o!


The Autopia was still sponsored by Atlantic Richfield, and their emblem was this impressive eagle, wings spread as if in flight. It resembles a giant hood ornament. Do you think that this was saved when it came down, or was it destroyed? I'd like to believe that it sits in somebody's backyard.


12 comments:

Nanook said...

You're definitely not the only one who's grinning after viewing these terrific shots. When Tomorrowland still really was.

K. Martinez said...

The pic of the Richfield eagle from the Fantasyland Autopia blows me away. Really great angle and sharp clean image. Thanks for posting it.

TokyoMagic! said...

And there's a little girl wearing something similar to the "Hot Dog On A Stick" employee hats over by the entrance to the PeopleMover, which by the way appears to be closed. Looks like there is a sign across the entrance with Mickey Mouse wearing a maintenance uniform perhaps?

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... are we sure about that 1968 date? I don't believe the double-level safety guards were installed on the Peoplemover vehicles until after the second fatality in June of 1980. Beautiful shot regardless!

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I think there are a LOT of people who are especially fond of Tomorrowland!

K. Martinez, for a change this photographer had a nice camera; no fuzzy photos at all.

Hot Dog on a Stick, ha ha! TM!, you're right, I can just see the sign with Mickey Mouse looking vaguely ashamed that the ride is closed.

Anon, yes, I am sure of the 1968 date; as far as I can tell, the double safety guards are only absent in the very earliest pictures.

TokyoMagic! said...

But the double-level safety guard in this pic is only on the sides in between the cars, not encircling the entire car....they added the full second row after June of '80. Plus Carousel of Progress is still there in this pic!

TokyoMagic! said...

That last comment was for "Anonymous"

Anonymous said...

The Atlantic Richfield Eagle is still in use at Disneyland. I just saw it (and heard the complaining) being moved from vehicle to somewhere on the Disneyland Hotel property, maybe 6 or 7 months ago

Anonymous said...

Interestingly (or not), my Tomorrowland shots from April 1969 show single-level safety guards on the Peoplemover vehicles. Oh well, the Carousel of Progress most certainly is in the photo. Thanks again for the great post!

David said...

The dude in green walking towards the camera? Yeah, I stole that facial look. What a hippy.

dfan07 said...

The PeopleMover looks like it was closed that day. There's no one on the platform, and only one train is visible.

Nancy said...

Sad that when they got rid of these awesome rockets they changed the ride so that there is no need to ascend the gantry to the ride. At least we can still do so at WDW...which I will be doing come September 29!! Just made our reservations in case anyone is in the area that week....