Matterhorn & Tomorrowland
Correct me if I'm wrong (I know, you would anyway!), but I think both of today's photos were taken from the upper level of the "Carousel of Progress" ramp.
This first one affords an interesting view above the Skyway (at least for a little bit) as it heads to and from Tomorrowland. Monorail Red and the Peoplemover manage to sneak in for a cameo, while the Mighty Matterhorn dominates the scenery.
Pivoting a bit to our right, we can now see more of the Peoplemover track and the Monorail, as well as the distant "It's a Small World" building, and the Autopia below. I miss the old Richfield eagle!
8 comments:
Major, that first one was taken from the PeopleMover just after it exited the Carousel of Progress. The P.M. track went over the Skyway wires: http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/tomorrowland-snapshots.html
The second shot is pretty amazing in that you can see seven attractions. Matterhorn, Autopia, Skyway, Monorail (Red AND Blue), Peoplemover, Smallworld, and the Submarine Voyage. A hard-to-beat hand in Photo Poker!
Since these images aren't dated, I'm going to say these photos were most likely taken in the late 1967/early 1968 time window due to the rail-less PeopleMover track, Mark II monorails and what appears to be the Mark VI Autopia cars. Unlike other photos you've posted from this time, the PeopleMover appears to be filled with guests and operational.
This is the Tomorrowland I loved. Teeming and filled with excitement and wonder. Thanks, Major.
Good job TokyoMagic! The Carousel platform didn’t sound right to me either, but I couldn’t figure it out. I was almost thinking it may have been taken by an employee from atop the Skyway station. It’s awesome that you found a GDB photo to help solve the mystery.
I agree with Tokyo, also, I believe the sequence of the photos as presented is reversed from the order they were taken.
The second photo appears to be taken from a vantage slightly to the left of the first photo while the first photo is taken almost exactly on the axis of the Skyway, somewhat further right (in photo view orientation). This would be consistent with the direction of motion of the PM train between snaps.
Simply wonderful views, Major. These can no longer be duplicated in the present day Park.
Thank you.
JG
TokyoMagic!, thanks for the link! It’s funny, this reminds me of a friend who knows my vintage Disneyland postcard collection better than I do. “I can’t remember if I have this one”, I say. “You do, remember, you bought it years ago for a great price”, says my friend. D’OH! Anyway, that photo perfectly illustrates your comment.
Anonymous, it is true, you don’t often see that many attractions in one go. Some Fantasyland views can be close though.
K. Martinez, that sounds like it would be about the right time. Isn’t it nice to see the Peoplemover doing what it was meant to do? The Tomorrowland of that era is pretty much impossible to beat.
Monkey Cage Kurt, it still surprises me to see how high up the Peoplemover got - at other points in its journey it was so low you could practically reach up and touch it.
JG, these are more wonderful images that were given to me by my friend “Mr. X”. Such a treasure trove!
Man, the color and one-point perspective on that first picture! If I had time, I'd sit and color ALL the Skyway buckets that happy shade of turquoise just in honor of my Grandma, who loved it so much..
Melissa, I think we've talked about it before, but the "Old Tomorrowland" wasn't just white and silver, but plenty of bright colors too. It was just right!
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