Tomorrowland, March 1962
Hey-ooooo! (That's my Ed McMahon impression). If you are a fan of warm biscuits with butter and honey - so am I. I can't give you those, but I have the next best thing: scans of Tomorrowland!
We are in a Skyway gondola, gliding smoothly on an enchanted cable toward the World of Tomorrow. What's that over there? A rocket! I guess it's true, everyone will have their own moon rockets in the future (six or seven years from now). If you want a Slurpee from 7-11, a rocket will get you there in seconds. And you can visit Clavius Base in two and a half hours. Be sure to check out the Monolith.
We can also see the outdoor seating for the Yacht Bar (lower right), and the Astro Jets, named after Sir Albert Astro. Beyond that, the Space Bar, and to the right of the rocket, we can see the ringed awning surrounding the Flying Saucers.
In Tomorrowland, there's Outer Space, Inner Space, and (seen here) "Liquid Space". Sure, it's a stretch, but that's what the attraction poster says, and you're not going to argue with the attraction poster, are you? For one thing, it's an inanimate piece of paper. Even though the day was cloudy, the lagoon still manages to look inviting. Volcanic vents kept the water at a pleasant 70 degrees. The Seawolf not only has a cool name, but it's the only one of Disneyland's subs that had flames painted on it. They're below the waterline, so you are going to have to trust me on this.
19 comments:
Major-
An enchanted cable - that would've been just the ticket to keep the Skyway operational. (Too bad you weren't working for Marketing-!)
I see the Astro Jets attraction has a six foot A-frame ladder 'standing by' - for just what, remains a mystery. Appears to be a Tom Sawyer Island AP off to the left. And, hey - where are the Yachtsman-?? Their bandstand is empty.
Thanks, Major.
"Be sure to check out the Monolith." And don't forget your earplugs!
1) "Astro Jets, named after Sir Albert Astro." Huh. And all this time I thought they were named after Elroy's dog. I did not know that! (That's my Johnny Carson impression).
This is a nice photo! I love how the Astro Jets are all at different heights. We also see part of the Flight Circle, although I can't make out the beautiful cyclone fence. My only nit-to-pick is the gray overcast sky. Oh well, they can't all be perfect, blue-sky days.
2) Lots of swooping, looping track in this one! I like it. And of course we trust you, Major. If you say there are flames painted below the waterline, then there are flames painted below the waterline. I bet the Ethan Allen has an early American sofa painted below the waterline.
Thanks for the nifty Tomorrowland photos, Major.
@ JB-
Funny you should mention the Ethan Allen sub with sofa artwork. My Ethan Allen sofa is in the shape of a submarine-! It's surprisingly comfortable; and it hasn't sunk yet.
Nanook, you're lucky. My sofa is shaped like a Sea Wolf... and it sheds all over the place.
Nanook, the ladder was for rescuing riders from the Astro Jets, when they would get stuck up in the air. I've heard this happened far more often than the Phantom Boats motors conking out, or the Frontierland Stagecoaches tipping over. That ladder actually extended to a maximum of 60 ft. and could also be used to rescue people from their Skyway gondolas.
Major: do you have the very rare Paul Lynde version of the Submarine Voyage attraction poster ??
…..”this Liquid Space has a giant olive floating in it ….”
The Sub lagoon looks so wide and open . I miss that . The “Nemo fish” rock work show building is very claustrophobic.
The Sub lagoon looks so wide and open. I miss that. The “Nemo fish” rock work show building is very claustrophobic.
Mike, I agree! I miss it when things were more "open" in DL. They started junking up the place like, what....33 years ago? I hated it when they built Splash Mountain practically on top of the Haunted Mansion. I also hated it when they plopped the Astro Orbitor down right at the entrance into Tomorrowland. Also, when they got rid of the walkway between the Tomorrowland Terrace and the the old PeopleMover station/Rocket Jet platform, by extending the seating area for TL Terrace into that space. Or how about when they built the entrance to the new Tarzan Treehouse, right in the middle of the walkway in Adventureland. Oh, and don't get me started on the Small World mall area. That is so claustrophobic now, compared to how it was prior to them "terracing" it and adding those huge ugly light towers. Okay, I'll stop now, even though I could probably come up with more examples.
"If you are a fan of warm biscuits with butter and honey - so am I."
I like New York in June, how about you?
I like a Gershwin tune, how about you?
I love Tomorrowland 1962,
Butter and honey on
Biscuits at break of dawn,
How about you?
Sir Albert Astro! I know I'm just an old softie, but I cried when that space dog got his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth VII, and I know George and Jane were proud as punch.
I love how the red-and-white color scheme of the Rocket and Jets brings out the bits of red in the guests' clothes, like the kid at the AJ ticket booth in the red coat and matching tights or trousers. Makes me think of the kid in Schindler's List. And that seating area looks so cool and inviting. Set a spell! Take your shoes off! Y'all come back now, hear?
I'll never get tired of shots of the sub lagoon, aquatic lupines or no. All those layers of crisscrossing vroom make even a still picture look kinetic. This would have been a great shooting location for The Wolf Man Meets the Creature from the Black Lagoon. (If they filmed in B&W.) But I guess the world just wasn't ready for Lon Chaney, Jr. in a white one-piece.
It’s early 1962, and the Moonliner has lost its TWA branding but has yet to be repainted in the Douglas paint scheme. It still looks “right” to me. And I’m craving a Coca-Cola for some reason.
The Seawolf’s flames were cool, but I always got a kick out of the Skate’s “Back Off” mudflaps.
Just noticed the lettering shenanigans executed on the Submarine Voyage attraction poster. Each Word Capitalized In The First Line! ALL CAPS IN THE SECOND. none in the third. AND THEN ITALICIZED CAPS AT THE BOTTOM. I have always loved the look of this poster, but now I can’t unsee the letters. I guess it’s a testament to the strength of Sam McKim’s artwork that it took me more than 50 years to notice.
Mike & TM!, yes, they have managed to ”junk up” a lot of the carefully-crafted open spaces in favor of more merchandising or not-quite-thought-out-and-quickly-cancelled street spectacular infrastructure or whatever they gained by adding a couple hundred feet or so of submarine cavern. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was missing during my last visit, but I think that was it. Well, that and most of the money in my wallet and bank account. ”Lightening Lane” indeed…
I didn’t even notice the “TWA” was gone from the Moonliner !!! Image number one also features a great full view of the Yahtsmen bandstand tower!
And look farther to the right towards the back of the Circarama building : 3 telephone booths from the world of 1 9 8 6 !!!!!
Tokyo: I am so dumbfounded at how Disneyland ruins so many spaces and walkways that were very well thought out … or created a better visual of another area . I remember how mortified I was that Splash Mountain was built so close to the Haunted Mansion!! Imagineers really wanted to have the splashdown facing towards Bear Country but Eisner insisted on it being visible from the Rivers of America. Imagineering and more so Disneyland management does not understand how things need to be a balanced mix of things …. Not ALL new attractions can face the rivers of America …. Not ALL attractions need to be based on the latest Forced -down- your- throat Disney movie or character ….. not EVERY past employee can have their name emblazoned on a Main Street USA window …. And Tomorrowland doesn’t need any more PIXAR CLICHE anything!!! Is that all WDI can do anymore is dump TOYSTORY crap everywhere !??!
There !!! I said it!!
At least 8 trash cans in photo 1. And the Back Side of Astro Jets.
All that’s missing from photo 2 is a monorail, but I’m not complaining (much).
“What do you want, egg in your beer?” No, thanks, sounds awful. I’ll stick with the Lagoon.
Now I want a biscuit and honey
Thanks Major!
JG
I love reading these comments...
Nanook, they could have sold plush toys of the cable… a few googly eyes, a little derby, and voila! Millions in the coffers. Hey, yeah, what’s that ladder for? In space we use jet packs.
JB, while Elroy’s dog is lovable and deserving of such an honor, the Astro Jets are indeed named after Sir Albert Astro. He also thought he was climbing Mt. Everest, but accidentally climbed Mr. Neverest, which let that jerk Sir Edmund Hillary get into all the history books. I’m glad I have earned your trust, and have an amazing investment opportunity for you all, some NFTs that you won’t want to miss!
Nanook, does your sofa have rivets?
JB, I would love to own the tiniest, fluffiest dog ever and give it the name “Sea Wolf”. “Careful, he pees when he sees people!”.
TokyoMagic!, obviously you know a lot about spaceflight and aeronautics, I bow to your expertise. I sort of love the idea of those Phantom Boats conking out, and if I had a time machine, I’d hope that my boat would stop halfway through. It’s part of the futuristic experience!
Mike Cozart, I do have that version, Paul Lynde’s face can clearly be seen peering out one of the Sub’s portholes. With that grin, you know what I mean! I don’t care for the way the Nemo subs altered the lagoon, but I will be sad when Tomorrowland’s “ocean” is eventually removed.
TokyoMagic!, huh, I thought you were happy with everything at Disneyland. Maybe you should speak up now and then? Don’t be shy, we’re all friends here. I’m shocked that there are things you have gripes about!
Melissa, to be honest I prefer jam on my biscuits. Especially raspberry, YUM. I’ve been to New York in June, it’s too muggy! Nice to see Judy when she seemed so happy and wide-eyed.
Melissa, it’s only natural to cry when a talking dog is knighted. Rosie5000 gave a beautiful speech. You can’t go wrong with red and white as a color scheme. “Hey look! Disneyland reminds me of Schindler’s List!”. Hmmm. I would have welcomed 20 more “Creature From the Black Lagoon” movies, especially when he becomes a protector of humanity, like Godzilla. Maybe he’d even have a son who inexplicably speaks with a Brooklyn accent. What’s not to love?
Chuck, oh yeah, I forgot to point out the missing “TWA”. Well, now I’m going to weep all afternoon, thanks a lot. I thought that the Skate had those mudflaps with the woman’s silhouette, but I’m probably misremembering. The lettering on the Sub poster doesn’t bother me, it harkens back to the mix of fonts and styles on old broadsides. But I understand that you are very sensitive! I understand that Disneyland is small and that they would like to use spaces for… well, something. But I do miss those open spaces that they used to have. Hooray for Jason Schultz noticing “Lightening Lane”!
Mike Cozart, I always wondered why they made the “Yachtsmen Tower” bandstand so tiny. They could have made it any shape or size they wanted. For four guys with instruments, it was pretty cramped. As for telephone booths, do they exist anymore? I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the last one was removed a few years back. I think there should be a “Mike Cozart” window on Main Street, and you’ll never change my mind. “He loves Disneyland even though he is grouchy!”. ACCURATE. It is pretty shocking to see just how close Splash Mountain is to the Haunted Mansion, but again, I guess I have to forgive a little bit. Guests want new stuff, but where is it supposed to go?
JG, it’s a trashcanapalooza. The BEST KIND of palooza, if you ask me. Do people actually put an egg in their beer? Why stop there? I found this sardine, guess I’ll put it in my beer.
Steve DeGaetano, ME TOO
"I thought that the Skate had those mudflaps with the woman’s silhouette, but I’m probably misremembering."
You're thinking of the George Washington.
Major, I looked up the "egg in the beer" thing, there is more to it than I thought.
https://winning-homebrew.com/egg-in-beer-an-interesting-combo-with-surprising-benefits.html
Nothing about sardines, however. As a Dane of long standing, I enjoy pickled herring with beer alongside, so it's just a short step...
I have to stop listening to those voices in my head. One day, they will lead me astray.
JG
Thing that sort of bugged me about the Moon Flight building. It's very cool looking with the two domes, but the idea is that you're riding in the middle of something very much like the Moonliner, and from the outside you can tell there are no rockets back there. When you take off, the lower screen shows a spaceport that isn't located in Tomorrowland.
I haven't experienced Galaxy's Edge yet, but I've seen videos of the Millennium Falcon ride. Part of the preshow is a screen showing the full-size ship lifting off from where you saw it outside and landing on the other side of the building, so it matches where you'll be boarding it.
Chuck, OH YEAH
JG, I’m sorry, but that article did not convince me that I need to put an egg in my beer. The idea still grosses me out! I guess there are two kinds of people in this world: Normal people who like plain beer, and weirdos who like to put eggs in their beer. Finally the universe makes sense. My dad used to like various canned sardines, herring, etc, and the smell would drive his kids out of the house.
DBenson, gosh you are a stickler for accuracy! ;-) I think I didn’t mind that the view from the bottom screen was different because by then I was no longer “in Disneyland”. I dunno, it worked for my tiny brain. As for the Millennium Falcon ride, the queue is the real star of that one. The ride itself is a “slightly above average” simulator ride, and they did not do what I thought would be an obvious and very cool practical gag at the end. I won’t spoil it here for those who have not experienced it! I found “Rise of the Resistance” to be a wonderful ride, in spite of the fact that it was the longest line of the day.
The Yachtsmen stage has, what looks like, a little enclosed room with a dark window. Is it too small for someone or could a person actually get in there? Was it functional?
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