Clock of the World and Moonliner
I remember the early days of my serious Disneyland fandom; seeing a photo of the Clock of the World was mind-blowing. I knew Disneyland! What the heck was that thing? Turns out I didn't know that much. It's all been downhill from there.
BUT... I still get a big kick out of seeing that wonderful clock; it shows up in some fairly early concept artwork, essentially looking exactly the same as its final form. I wish we knew more about its design - who thought of the general look, and so on. Did Walt request some sort of clock that told the time at any location on Earth? Or was it someone else's idea?
And as long as we're in Tomorrowland, I figured you wouldn't mind a nice look at the TWA Moonliner!
14 comments:
I see a couple photo bombers trying to hog pic #2 - Richfield eagle and a ‘sky bucket’!
That Moonliner looks HUGE from this angle!
Happy St. Patty’s Day, everyone!
Fun pics - tnanks Major!
Sue
Major, both of these photos are boss!
Sue, and it's even a GREEN Skyway bucket!
You’re right, TokyoMagic! I bet that’s why our Major posted this picture - to put us in a festive mood! Don’t forget to wear something green today.
And green underwear doesn’t count!
I'm feelin' the future vibe with these great Tomorrowland shots. The Moonliner and I have had a half century love affair going, and one of the things on my quite extensive bucket list is to finally figure out the clock. I bet Major only has to glance at it to know what time it is in the Bavarian Alps. I am wearing green today Sue, but I doubt anyone will notice. Everything but food stores and gas stations is closed down. I don't want to hear about any GDBers getting sick so be safe. Erin go Bragh.
Going along with Sue on finding things photo-bombing picture #1, I also see the Space Bar sign and some of the "olives on sticks" Tomorrowland lights!
As far as today goes, I'm 99.9% sure that leprechauns were what made the Clock of the World work. Prove me wrong.
Fine, I'll change my underwear. Now I'm wearing green socks.
I'll admit the clock did bewilder me as a kid, and that hasn't changed.
Sue, that's what I was going to say. The huge Moonliner thing.
What is that star shaped thing peeking from behind the tree to the right of the Moonliner base?
I even see telephone poles.
Great scans today, Major.
dz
Major, this Clock photo is well timed, we're looking almost straight ahead at Ireland, where it must be around 8p.m.
Now I'll listen to Sean Connery crooning "My Pretty Irish Girl". James Bond sings!
These are first-rate photos. I never understood the World Clock, I definitely do not remember it, but sure do recall the lovely Moonliner and the House of the Future.
Cheers to all on St. Patrick's Day. Green socks for me!
JG
@ dzacher-
That "star shaped thing" is part of a metal 'decorative thing' on the Skyway station, that's placed between the two cable lines, and protrudes about six feet above the roofline.
I'm at the Clock of the World,
Near the flags of all nations,
And the only explanation I can find
Is the trip that I've planned,
Back to Old Tomorrowland,
Your pic's put me at the Clock of the World.
(Planning a Derry Girls marathon for this evening.)
Melissa, I've always loved that song! Poor Karen!
Today, I'm wearing a green shamrock pin that belonged to my mom, and a shamrock tie tack that belonged to my dad.
Erin go Moran! ;-)
Lou and Sue, I had to look at the full-sized picture to see the bombers. I forgive them, because that’s the way I am. Oh yeah, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, I forgot. Luckily my shirt coud possibly be interpreted as green (sort of an olive drab).
TokyoMagic!, you know I planned it that way! Nevermind what I told Sue!
Lou and Sue, the only true way to celebrate is to have a shamrock shake, just like they did hundreds of years ago.
Lou and Sue, what is with this arbitrary “underwear doesn’t count” rule?!? I appreciate a little subtlety on a day like today.
Jonathan, I’ve said it before, but I still can’t believe that they haven’t made a working table-top version of the Clock of the World. That thing would sell like gangbusters! You can see that in this photo, it is 20 o’clock in Spain. 10 P.M.! Everyone is just getting ready to go to dinner. I read about human testing starting with a potential vaccine, but the tests will take six weeks, and then even if it is successful, who knows how long it will take to create millions of doses. Arg.
Andrew, I actually am glad to see at least a few people in these photos, or else it would be too spooky. As much as I used to dream about walking through a deserted park, it would probably not be that fun.
dzacher, you sound like the kid at school who everyone would accuse of not having green, only to reveal a tiny green stripe on their socks. NO FAIR. Remember, the Moonliner was built at only 1/3 scale, a true full-size version would be astonishing. I’m not 100% certain, but I think the “star shaped thing” might just be a decorative tower place on top of one of the buildings. Now I’ll have to look at other photos of this area!
Stefano, man, I was so smart, and I didn’t even know it! The mark of a true genius, I suppose. It makes me feel humble. Sean Connery was no singer, but he is better than me!
JG, I think it’s interesting that even at this stage, Walt was showing his interest in “the world”, as in his “People and Places” featurettes, and the various “children from around the world” parades and future attractions.
Nanook, thank you for saving me from doing any actual work! You are an officer and a hep cat.
Melissa, Derry Girls? I don’t know them, but I am all in for the Carpenters. A friend of a friend works for Richard Carpenter, taking care of his car collection, I have tried to finagle an invitation to take a tour, but it hasn’t happened yet. In fact, I was standing there talking to him, being as interested as I could be, and he offered a tour to somebody else standing right next to me. I cried.
TokyoMagic!, that’s a good one. The Carpenters went country! I love that you are wearing tributes to St. Patrick AND to your mom and dad.
Major, um, 20 o'clock is 8 p.m. But I think you're just joshing us.
Sue, thanks for helping me place a tune with Melissa's fine verse. It just wasn't coming to me. And that's surprising, as it was my official favorite song from 1973-1976. I even saw them in concert in I think it was 1974.
Melissa, thank you, too, for sharing your turn of phrase (or is that "twist of someone else's phrase?").
Thanks, everybody, for another fine day's worth of commentary!
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