Albert Einstein predicted the existence of MegaSnoozles in his Theory of Relativity, and today I have concrete evidence that Albert was correct. This first November 1967 view is rather pretty, taken as the daylight was ending (only the top deck and pilot house receive direct sun). The Twain has light crowds, and the river itself is glassy and smooth. This is almost a postcard-worthy view, even though it's a little bit boring.
Next, we move forward one year, to November 1968 - or is it 2158?? Because it's Tomorrowland, see? This photo seems to have been taken from the Disneyland Railroad just as the train was pulling away from Tomorrowland Station (there's part of the roof to our right). Before us, the Peoplemover track, the Skyway terminal to our left (with gondolas coming and going), the Richfield Autopia (with our pal Screechy the Eagle), and even the G.E. logo peeking up to the extreme left. So... there's somehow a lot to look at, but nothing very specific. Which makes it a MegaSnoozle.
Major-
ReplyDeleteDefinitely great days to be at the Park. Let's GO-!
Thanks, Major.
Hmm, the slightly milky/foggy appearance of the first pic makes it look kinda blah, with faded colors. If not for that, it would be a very nice photo. Cascade Peak is almost lost in the trees and steam(?) from the Mark Twain.
ReplyDeleteScreechy seems to be flying lower than usual here. I always picture him/her higher up. We can also see the multi-trunked Senegal date palm.
Major, it's very difficult to display, and view, MegaSnoozles, being four dimensional constructs and all. But somehow you managed to do it. Thanks!
In the last image, there are three different modes of transportation shyly peeking out at us—all in that same light aquamarine color (Mike will know the official color name)....a PeopleMover, a Skyway gondola, and an Autopia car.
ReplyDeleteThe MT image is very peaceful and relaxing....thanks, Major.
Sue
The ninth wonder of the world, it's the backside of the Richfield eagle! (Say "bird butt" five times fast.) This version of Tomorrowland was so bright and airy, colorful, and kinetic. All things you can also say about the Hawaiian short in the bottom left corner.
ReplyDeleteThe composition of that first picture is practically perfect. They really knew how to set a scene. I can practically hear Judy Kuhn singing "Just Around the Riverbend."
It looks like there are some clouds around the higher altitudes of Cascade Peak. Okay, so it's probably just steam from the backside of the Mark Twain.
ReplyDeleteOoops, now I see that JB pointed out the steam!
ReplyDeleteOf course there could be aliens (and Janet Munro) hiding in the steam, at the top of Cascade Peak. I guess that's my second reference to "The Trollenberg Terror/The Crawling Eye" in less than a month. I need some new material!
You can also see MONORAIL RED through the tree on the right in the Tomorrowland image. Considering the amount of guests arriving in Tomorrowland via the Disneyland Railroad , imagineers didn’t really make this area very welcoming …. I suppose they figured the motion of the PeopleMover , Skyway , Monorail , Autopia motion works be sufficient. There was a fountain sculpture designed to go on the backside of the Skyway terminal … and that would have been visible from the train station. Also a Autopia Traffic Control Tower and new loading platforms were also designed for the Autopia in 1968 …. For whatever reason this improvement was never implemented.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see a dull picture of the Mark Twain, I recall that it runs on a rail and is, therefore, a water-going locomotive. This speculation wakes me up so that I can enjoy the photo. These are some of the Hard Facts That Built America.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, the view of Tomorrowland from the station is a favorite of mine. This one is no exception. All the busy transports to’ing and fro’ing, Autopia autopi’ing (or something) and the spire of the Castle floating over it all like a fragment of a dream that remains after awakening,
Thank you, Major!
JG
You can see the mule track to the right of the Twain.
ReplyDeleteI think the second view does something for me not because the composition is particularly pleasing but because the knowledge of what’s there is particularly pleasing. And that pleases me enough to be pleased by it, if you please.
JG, interesting observation about the Twain twacks.
Nanook, I’d love to see the Rivers of America so calm and quiet!
ReplyDeleteJB, I don’t mind the subdued colors in the first photo, since the sun is (mostly) down and that’s when everything starts to cool off and the colors turn to blues and violets. Screechy does look low here, but I think it’s because we’re used to seeding him from right beneath him.
Sue, if only a Peoplemover train had been in the second photo, it would have made it a winner!
Melissa, I say “bird butt” hundreds of times a day. Sure, I get looks, but those people are just jealous.
TokyoMagic!, those aren’t clouds, those are ghosts.
TokyoMagic!, maybe you need to watch “Zardoz”?
Mike Cozart, I just assumed that the reddish area in that eucalyptus tree was dead leaves, but maybe it really is the red Monorail! I feel like Tomorrowland Station is almost “the forgotten station”, it was weird how empty it was at night the last time I went to the park. Hardly another person in sight, and the park was busy that night!
JG, hmmm, “a water-going locomotive”, well OK! I never thought of it that way, but I guess it’s technically correct. I prefer to think of it as a bicycle without wheels, but to each his own. In my comment to Mike, I mentioned how quiet Tomorrowland Station was - the whole reason I went over there was because the station in New Orleans Square was super crowded and I didn’t want to wait in that huge line.
Chuck, it’s funny, I meant to point out the Pack Mule track, but forgot. And I know just what you mean about the second photo, I feel the same way.
Major, there IS a PM in the upper left corner...
ReplyDeleteSue
A "water-going locomotive". Well, in a sense yes. They both required attendance by a certified boiler engineer. KS
ReplyDeleteSue, I guess there is! A sliver of one, anyway.
ReplyDeleteKS, now there's an unusual job title: Certified Boiler Engineer. I wonder how many of those are still around?
Sue, if only a Peoplemover train had been in the second photo, it would have made it a winner!
ReplyDeleteMajor, imagine if there had been a PeopleMover train in that first photo!!!