I have some really special images for you today, generously shared with us by GDB friend Mike Cozart! He personally snapped these photos as the much-loved Adventure Thru Inner Space attraction was being dismantled in 1985 to make way for "Star Tours", which would open in 1987. I've mentioned (many times) that ATIS is one of my "most-missed" attractions.
Most people know about the Haunted Mansion's "Doombuggies", but the Omnimover vehicles made their debut a few years earlier on ATIS (which debuted in 1967). Here's one "Atomobile" being carted off to some backstage purgatory; heartbreaking! I'm very upset that I did not get a personal phone call to come down and pick up one Atomobile to keep in my front parlor. They owed me!
More heartbreak! The winding queue was definitely a part of the ATIS experience, with the moody soundtrack (trippy music and slightly ominous tech chatter), constantly-moving Atomobiles, Peoplemover trains silently moving overhead (those riders got a sneak peak as they made their way through Tomorrowland), and (as we see below) miniature diorama scenes that were contained in those boxes that have been unceremoniously placed on the floor. The scenes showed highlights of the ride that guests were about to experience, including passing through huge snowflakes, and even passing a giant, staring eye!
Look at all those Atomobiles. I've always wondered if they were repainted flat black for use in the Haunted Mansion (hey, maybe they needed some spares)? Or were they sent to the crusher? It pains me just to think of it.
MANY THANKS to Mike Cozart for so generously sharing these amazing photos with all of us!
Major-
ReplyDeleteThey say "a picture is worth a thousand words"; and let me add, sometimes heartache. Clearly, these pictures are no exception. How depressing to see an 'Atomobile' unceremoniously residing on a pallet, only to have it moving-around on a pallet jack. Oh, the indignity-!
This image of the eye is truly hard to beat-! M-A-G-N-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N-!
Thank You MIKE, for sharing these unusual views-!
I fondly remember ATIS, as we rode it often and it brings back lots of great memories from my childhood. The giant snowflake...this eye peering staring down at us...the excitement of shrinking...
ReplyDeleteThese are terrific pictures, Mike and Major - thank you! Mike, do you have anything from this attraction?
Such mixed emotions, seeing these images. On the one hand, how fortunate we are that Mike took these interesting and rare backstage photos. On the other hand, :-(
ReplyDeleteI'll assume those are CMs eating and taking a break at the tables in the background.
I bet the Atomobiles would make great home theater seats. Did they already have stereo speakers? Or just a single one? Either way it would be easy to install them. That is, unless you wanted to keep the seat in its original pristine condition.
Seeing the ATIS queue from the PeopleMover as it trundled overhead was a highlight of the PM ride.
For some reason, I always thought that the Doombuggies were covered in some sort of black velvet/velveteen fabric; making them resemble a casket? Maybe not. Probably just flat black paint like you said.
Wow, that really IS an amazing and rare photo of "the eye"! Scary too. I guess those light-colored circles around the edge are where it was mounted into the set?
Many thanks, indeed, Mike. These are a special treat. But now we're spoiled, and we'll want these special, rare treats all the time!
Thanks, Major for bringing them to us.
MAJOR: just for clarification I did not take these photos. They came from a Disneyland construction supervisor who took the photos. I cannot imagine being there to witness this carnage. I DID however take pictures of most of the PeopleMover cars being stripped, cut up and thrown into dumpsters.
ReplyDeleteSue: I do have an original miniature Atomobile prop , a section of blue and purple carpet , a 1970’s costume concept sketch , 2 signs and a attraction poster. Also some things like press releases , press photos and some samples of the giveaway postcard folders. I know some collectors have a few other items ... but there’s not too much out there on this attraction. But I’m happy with what I have! I’ve never heard of an actual Atomobile vehicle being saved .... but who knows!??! I know others like Major have theorized that some were kept as back ups for mansion , and that’s possible too.... but there’s never been any evidence. I have photographic proof that at least 2 Flying Saucers were still on Disneyland property almost 10 years after they were suppose to have been destroyed. Unfortunately much of that storage Disney kept got trashed and sold off when things were being moved around to prepare for the road re-routing when preparing for DCA and the parking structure. Whole warehouse backstage holding banners , flags , signs parade and event pieces that were saved for decades were trashed and carted away in a few weeks.
I remember when ATIS first opened, and I still can feel that initial excitement/anticipation, when I think about this attraction.
ReplyDeleteMike, what you do have is amazing. Wasn’t it Chuck who mentioned something about having enough stuff to rebuild the original Disneyland?? Let’s do it.
The Inner Space AtomMobiles were smooth in finish .... the original DoomBuggies has a leather-like finish in flat black. The rough texture helped to hide the DoomBuggy and prevent reflections and glares that can occur even on flat finishes. Also of course the “dash” board was different for both attractions ... but that’s an easy fix. There’s about 60 pictures in this group and it looks like the omnimover mechanisms are tagged to be saved and return to MAPO.... but I see no such tagging on the body shells. Also when Disneyland was rounding up old Tomorrowland vehicles fir the unbuilt “ Tomorrowland Transportation Restaurant “ for the new Tomorrowland 1998 ...... imagineers Bruce Gordon and David Mumford we’re unable to locate - The Giant Eye nor a surviving Atomobile. But often Disney doesn’t have these things and they have been saved by private collectors.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Too cool! And yes, also heartbreaking. I wonder what the dimensions of that eyeball were? Any ideas? Since it was elevated and at some distance away from the vehicles (and behind glass), it's hard for me to remember just how big it was.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like someone peeled the sticker off of the back of the Atomobile in that first pic. We can see the residue from where it used to be located.
Thank you for sharing these, Mike! And thanks for posting them, Major!
One thing I notice is there is a string of "rivets" around the front of the Atomobile, which was not on the Doombuggies. Still, since they were covered, they could actually be there. It seems mind numbing that they would be scrapped, but it's possible that it was cheap to produce the fiberglass bodies, so there was no real need to save them.
ReplyDeleteThe saucer situation reminds me of a flap that arose surrounding the Moonliner a couple of years ago. All reports that I had heard said that it was cut up with cutting torches and dumped in a landfill (sort of like Jimmy Hoffa). Then someone reported that it had been seen in a backstage area or warehouse or something a few years later. I suspect it was not the actual Moonliner, but maybe the smaller "sign version" waiting to be installed. It's fun to think about, though...
Thanks for sharing the pics, Mike!
Great photo documentation of Tomorrowland '67's most wonderful and memorable attraction. If Disney kept this attraction going, they could've done some really cool stuff with the technology they have now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these wonderful ATIS images, MIKE. Thanks for hosting, Major.
There's a German word, sehnsucht, whose literal translation would be something like "longing" or "yearning," but poetically it connotes something bittersweet that makes you feel good about feeling sad. These pictures are filling me with sehnsucht. I never got to experience ATIS, but so many people who rode both attractions compare its overall feeling to my beloved If You Had Wings, and if that ain't sehnsucht then I'm Fudgie the goldanged Whale.
ReplyDeleteIf I had an Atomobile it would be my own personal breakfast nook. I'd be sitting in it right now drinking my morning coffee and typing messages to you guys.
I know props have to be exaggerated to be visible and effective under show conditions, but yowza! I know lots of women who'd kill for eyelashes that long!
I see a re-do of Adventure Through Inner Space in our future....maybe not in my lifetime...but the IP is solid...they remake everything else, why not this ride? I remember as a kid waving in the Omnimover once we got into the tunnel so that the people could see me shrinking and waving. It was all very real and didn't scare the crap out of me which I'm sure my mother and other guests appreciated. That picture of the eye is frameable...and I just might do that. No one will understand what it is except for me. Thanks for all the pics Mike!! The shop guy has a 30 year name tag on his hat. I guess it wasn't such a big deal for them to put a name tag where they liked. I think they had their names embroidered on their shirts too (?) That eating area was the "new" extension of the Inn-Between, and if you go through that fence further on you wind up at First Aid...if that gives some perspective. That patio was a big deal, and the overcrowding during busy times at the Inn Between needed it. I was impressed that they built it around the trees over on the right. I think the patio was extended again at some point, and I remember yellow umbrellas too...did they ultimately cover it? Don't remember- I became a "Pit" customer, also known as the DEC also known as "something else". It wasn't called the Pit because it was under Pirates of the Caribbean, it was called the Pit because during the incarnation of one of the Herbie movies they decorated it with "Pit Stop" decor...the official name "DEC" the oh so creative acronym of Disneyland Employee Cafeteria...I think was only used for official business. Everyone, even back then, thought the Pit was a derogatory term...which it wasn't. And in the day you could smoke your cigs after your lunch. I see Fantasyland was open however as there is a Fantasyland Merch person on the left, and the Main St. Merch ladies on the right. The trailer on the right is First Aid...further to the right is where the entrance to the Employee first aid was...which I was a frequent visitor when in Outdoor Vending. All of my tetanus shots were Disneyland administered. There was always a rusty thing to cut yourself on. Nurse Priscilla was the BEST shot giver EVER. You never felt a pinch, and she had an extremely calming persona. That patio was also a big character hang out...very noisy and boisterous. Oh...those characters! At the time, when all you wanted was quiet it was more "grrrr...those characters!"
ReplyDeleteThis post and the comments are serious “inside baseball” and I love it. Thank you Mike, Major & Bu.
ReplyDeleteJB, the Atomobiles had at least 2 speakers (visible in other photos), but I don’t know if the soundtrack was stereo.
I love the eye, how cool to see that. Major, it has to have been saved. Who could throw that out?
Truly sad to see this attraction go, but until they come up with a movie (probably starring Johnny Depp and Dwayne Johnson), there will be no redux. Fantastic Voyage would be a great start.
JG
Nanook, it really is sad to see one of my all-time favorite rides being dismantled. It’s like seeing a loved one being carted off to prison, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteLou and Sue, we rode ATIS every time we were at the park, and I believe that we did it multiple times too, much to the frustration of my dad. It’s probably why I didn’t do the Tiki Room until much later in life! I only have a few photos from the queue area with the Atomobiles, I wish I had more.
JB, I know… it’s tough to look at these, and yet they are such amazing snapshots (literally) of history. I’ve mentioned that an acquaintance pulled a mini Atomobile out of a dumpster, he now has it on display, and it looks beautiful and pristine. JEALOUS! I have one, but I paid plenty for it. I can’t answer your question about the speakers, if only I had my issue of “The E-Ticket” magazine, it might tell us. I agree with you about the view from the Peoplemover, which was (of course) another “much missed” attraction. I think that the Doombuggies have a matte texture, which might look velvety in the low light. Yes, I assume that those circles are from where the eye was bolted to something. Ouch!
Mike Cozart, oh! My mistake. Another in a long line! Will we ever see those photos of the Peoplemover cars being cut up? To be honest, I’m not sure I could take it. I remember seeing some of the large aluminum letters that were mounted on the building, I think I could have theoretically purchased an “A”, but it was four feet tall. Where to put it?? Sounds like you have some truly amazing stuff in your collection. So crazy that they would save those Flying Saucers, and then just dump them. I wish I could locate the emails I exchanged with that guy who said that his ex’s father supposedly had the giant eye in storage in Tujunga. It would be amazing to know that it is truly still out there!
Lou and Sue, at this point I would settle for a good-quality virtual recreation of “classic Disneyland”. Maybe you could even push a button and choose which year you want to “visit”!
Mike Cozart, yes, you can see that the blue Atomobiles are actually slightly glossy. I’ll bet they used a special paint on the Doombuggies, we’ve probably all seen sort of lightly textured paint that almost looks pebbled when viewed up close. I’m so glad you have those 60 photos, who knows, maybe they would have gone in the trash if you hadn’t saved them. I do believe that Disney did not save a ton of things (storage for those large objects adds up over the decades), but jeez, it kills me to think of those unique, amazing objects going to the shredder.
TokyoMagic!, I don’t really have a concept of how large that eye really was either, for the reasons you stated. I’d love to know too! I’m glad somebody managed to get one of those stickers, I’d do it too if I could.
ReplyDeleteStu29573, I’ll have to look at decent photos of Doombuggies, I guess I just assumed that the rivets were there, but not as obvious with that matte black paint on them. Maybe a few years later they’d figured out how to build them, with the rivets hidden. I think we’ve seen photos of the Moonliner laying backstage, dented up from its careless removal. Why be careful when it was going to be scrapped? I’m sure you’re right about the one seen more recently being the “sign version”.
K. Martinez, like you, I can’t help wondering how they could have updated ATIS with new effects and technology. And they could have added Jack Sparrow too!
Melissa, that’s a good word, you’d think we’d all know it, like schadenfreude. I’m full of sehnsucht, and also warm waffles with butter and boysenberry syrup. (Not really, but I can dream). I need to see if there are any halfway decent videos of “If You Had Wings”, since I don’t really understand what that attraction was about. If it was anything like ATIS, then I would have loved it. I think an Atomobile would make the perfect thing for a breakfast nook! One time I went to Imagineering in Glendale, and in a courtyard where employees were eating lunch, there were Skyway vehicles and Peoplemover vehicles that they could sit in to eat.
Bu, there was a part of me that hoped that maybe we’d get an updated ATIS over at Disney’s California Adventure, though of course that was a dumb hope. I doubt it will ever happen, sadly. Unless they can tie it to some upcoming movie. Come on Pixar, do a film about going to Inner Space! I admit spending a lot of time trying to match the people going into the tunnel with the tiny figures going through the acrylic tube, but I never could do it. I’d love to have one of those shop guy hats or shirts! Thanks for the info about the eating area, being backstage I know little (or nothing) about it. I assume that Fantasyland would be open, by 1985 the new stuff had been completed for a while. Nurse Priscilla gave shots??
JG, I think (but am not positive) that the soundtrack is in stereo. 1967 was still relatively early for stereo on records, I think the Beatles were just getting around to releasing their albums in stereo (as opposed to mono, with stereo versions being made after the fact by the engineers). Funny, you had the same idea as me, they would only redo this ride if they can tie it to a big IP.
Unquestionably the coolest ride ever; on SO many levels.
ReplyDeleteLike the Skyway, it added literal dimensions to Disneyland, sadly missing now.
Melissa, your German term perfectly describes my feelings about old Disneyland and the GDB blog in general.
ReplyDeleteI made a similar comment to Chuck years ago, that "Nostalgia is the feeling where you are happy you are sad", but it is more concise and eloquent in German.
JG
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ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDeleteI think you've gotten your decades a bit muddled. Audio Fidelity Records is usually credited with releasing the first 'mass produced' stereophonic disc in November 1957 - although 500 copies can't really be considered 'mass produced'. At the time there wasn't an affordable stereo cartridge to play the records, and the RIAA had yet to set any standards for the new technology. It really wasn't until about mid-1958 when, along with more-affordable stereo cartridges, stereo records of multiple titles from multiple labels hit the market. By 1967, it was old hat.
It should also be noted that between 1958-1961, many 45rpm records were also released in stereo; but for a myriad of reasons stereo 45's were discontinued after being on the market for merely three years. But by 1968, pretty-much all discs were now in stereo.
As for Stereo sound configuration of the Omnimovers, I haven't the vaguest idea; but my gut says no. Mike-?
Wowzers!
ReplyDeleteThis just makes me even sadder to never have gone beyond the entrance lobby or PeopleMover view, but thankful to have these views just the same.
ReplyDeleteJG, I agree that the German is more succinct, but I'm not erasing your quote on my office white board. :-)
Technical question for probably Mike...how was the "miniaturized atomobile in the tube" effect done? Was it just an endless loop of atomobile models that cycled from backstage into the tube?
<> I miss the ATIS
ReplyDeleteMAJOR: I too had the chance to purchase one of the INNER SPACE marquee stainless steel letters many years ago and passed for the same reasons as you. But the price was not obscene at all and now I regret not getting it.
ReplyDeleteRecently Tony Baxter sold his two Inner Space letters ..... I think 14k for the set of two.
The letters must actually be very very rare as I have another photo set showing the change from he Mary Blair & Inner Space exterior into the the beginnings of the “new” Star Tours facade. And at some point you can see the imagineers give up on sawing off the Inner Space letters since the new shape structural rebar clears the black tile and letters. Those facades along with what wasn’t chipped away of the perimeter of the Mary Blair Monsanto mural are literally entombed under the Star Tours 1987 exterior. If you had x-ray vision ..... you could view them today!
Chuck: what do you mean?? Atomobile “miniatures”??..... guest’s were really being reduced in size !!! Actually , just picture a tank tred wheel system or George Jettson’s dog walking treadmill
. Each Atomobile was on a aluminum “tred-plate” segment that when moved along the top was visible ( in the tube) then move out of view ( into the spectrometer lense ) then the miniature travelled upside down ( bellow the visible tube ) then right side up again to appear to be entering the clear tube again as the next set of Inner Space guests to be reduced. The aluminum tred plate looked kinda like a silver 1970’s watch band.
I had a physics class in college and one time there was a discussion regarding Disneyland things .... it started regarding the tubular track of Space Mountain .... and someone mentioned the Inner Space “miniaturization” and the Professor reminded the class about his NO STAR TREK TYPE QUESTION RULE! He’s always said there were things in Star Trek that were so far beyond our technology and reality on that show ... you have to accept as a viewer that someone humans had figured a way to alter the reality for the sake of the show. And the same went for Inner Space . But he followed up with the comment that to have your molecules reduced in size would be HIGHLY PAINFUL!!
So while the future of humans might not include teleportation and miniaturization of living things ..... we might see it done one day with luggage, certain cargo and cameras.
I almost forgot;
ReplyDeleteHAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY TO BEAR COUNTRY DISNEYLAND!!!
March 24th is the 50th of The Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteChuck, LOL. At some point, I went back and added that quote to my Blogger profile.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling more and more like that all the time, every day.
JG
Mike, maybe you didn't take the photos, but they're yours now! (and ours!)
ReplyDeleteMelissa, would "wistful" be a good translation for "sehnsucht"? I went on If You Had Wings twice when me and my brothers were at WDW in '77. And yes, the two attractions were almost identical, except for the theming. Seems like the cars were the same as the Atomobiles but my recollections are vague. The thing I remember most about IYHW was the 'speed room'.
Bu, was that you I saw waving at us in the Shrinking Tube? Glad to see you made it back to 'normal' size... OR DID YOU?!? Thanks for the info on the break area.
JG, Fantastic Voyage would be excellent as a Disney attraction. Very much in the same vein (haha) as ATIS.
Major, I thought you were going to say "carted off to the gallows"! Which would probably be more fitting.
Mike again, how would that professor know that shrinking one's molecules would be highly painful? Unless he, himself, underwent such a procedure!!! Miniaturization is a real thing, I tell ya! "They" are keeping it from us! RISE UP, SHEEPLE!!!
Gotta go... time for my meds.
Many thanks to Major and Mike for sharing these unique photos!! I like the way one can see the wheel assembly under the Atomobiles that activated the front safety bar mechanism. It's strange to see the vehicles sitting on pallets since they seemed to float effortlessly through the ride. The color of blue they chose was perfect for the ride.
ReplyDeleteA long while ago I read a rumor that the Atomobiles were buried in a Mexican landfill and that brought to my mind the image of half-submerged Atomobile shells laying next to Aztec ruins - a surreal scene.
I've always been puzzled by the "riveted" shells of the latter Atmoobiles versus the earlier versions I have seen in opening day photographs which had different detailing with automotive style trim. Disney must have changed the vehicles at some time to perhaps match the Doombuggy design?
I'm thinking that the Eye must have maintained some distance from the top of the magniscope to properly light it.
I think I must have gone on ATIS not long before it closed. The sets were in terrible condition and the "crystalline lattice" scene was completely dark. If only it could have been updated instead of removing it.
In those early days one has to consider the impact of having all these advanced rides from the world's fair brought to Disneyland and the sophistication of having such ride-thru attractions as ATIS. It was very advanced for its time and cutting edge.
Please find the eye. And while you're at it, please find Electro from the 39 Worlds Fair.
ReplyDelete