Tomorrowland, April 1974
Yo yo yo, it's time for some vintage Tomorrowland, homies! These are from April, 1974. Let's begin with this slightly-askew (and overly-dark) shot of the Submarine Lagoon, as seen in the afternoon. I will never stop loving the lagoon no matter how many photos I see. Notice that the waterfalls that normally disguise the entry (and exit) of the dark ride portion of the ride have been turned off due the 1974 waterfall crisis. An empty Peoplemover train is on the track, perhaps that ride was not operating that day. One Sub is returning to the dock, which means we will be aboard in two shakes of a shark's tail.
A bit earlier in the day (but only a bit), this photo was taken looking toward the Tomorrowland Terrace stage, though it is in its "down" position. So much for my theory that the Peoplemover wasn't operating, you can see little silhouetted heads in that dark-blue train. Looks at how busy it was! Spring Break, perhaps? The blue Mark III Monorail sits at the station to the right. Not to mention the wonderful Skyway, but they don't call it the "Mark II" because Mark will sue.
8 comments:
Somebody must have gone chasing waterfalls that day. Both of these pictures are full of vroom.
Thank goodness that Sub escaped the fierce jaws of the Sea Monster and the boiling temperatures of the underwater volcano! Not sure why the photographer didn't level the camera before taking the picture. Maybe he's like me and sometimes gets an involuntary twitch in his finger when pressing the shutter button.
Three of the Skyway riders have their arms dangling over the side of their buckets. (Can the newer Skyway cars still be called buckets?) I bet each of them lost an arm before the end of the ride.... that'll teach 'em!
I don't see anybody wearing outlandish outfits... that's no fun! Don't they realize that fifty years later people (us) will be looking at these photos and expecting to point and laugh at their outlandish outfits? Hmmph, some people; always thinking of themselves.
And so ends the first day of 2024. Thanks for the Tomorrowland photos, Major.
I remember the Burning Settlers Cabin was turned off during the so-called Energy Crisis in the early 70’s. Were waterfalls part of that austerity? Our bus driver on the high school trip this year (1974) was very worried about getting a fill-up for the drive home.
I count only two trash cans in photo two, but I know there are many more lurking in the shadows urging us to WASTE PAPER.
Thanks Major, Tomorrowland 67 is always a boost to the spirit.
JG
Were there bubble generators underwater at the waterfalls, or did the waterfalls themselves provide the diving effect?
This was the last year for the Santa Fe branding on the Monorail, visible in the second photo on both the back end of Monorail Blue as well as at the end of the station sign above it.
I’m imagining that Sunshine Balloon was just starting their set, seconds before the stage rose.
Thanks, Major!
Melissa, they are full of vroom, and they are gluten free!
JB, skewed photos are definitely part of the deal when it comes to vintage slides. Especially Disneyland slides! Maybe the involuntarily used the Peoplemover track as their “horizon”? The Skyway was the only ride that said, “Please put your hands, arms, feet, and legs outside the ride vehicle at all times”. It seemed surprising, but that’s the way it was. Many photos from the 70’s don’t show crazy outfits; I’m disappointed that I don’t have many pictures of hard-core hippies at the park, but maybe they were turned away at the gate for having long hair.
JG, I admit that I also wondered if the waterfalls were turned off because the pumps used a lot of electricity. I kind of don’t think so, but I suppose it’s possible. My main memory of the gas crisis was the “every other day” thing and the long, crazy lines at the pumps. I waste paper, and gas, and food, and time, and everything else, so they probably love me at Disneyland.
Chuck, hmmm, good question, I assumed that the waterfalls made plenty of bubbles, but maybe they augmented the effect with additional bubbles. Whenever I see a 1970s photo of the Disneyland RR, I always look for the Santa Fe logo. When it’s there, I feel a sense of peace and joy. When it’s not there, I weep.
I like the off-kilter photos. It's like watching an episode of Batman.
You're not kidding, Melissa - definitely lots of vroom! Though, in the second shot, I see the PeopleMover and Monorail are at a stand still (stare down??). They could be very stubborn, that way, I hear.
DW might know the answer to the lagoon bubble-generator question. He's our 'sub man'!
Thanks, Major.
Always nice to see the submarine lagoon, especially with gray subs. Looking closely at the photo, there are bubbles in the water close to the cavern entry (the area at the exit to the caverns in in shadow). The bubble "generators" were most likely the same as those just after the dock area, where the subs enter the lagoon, with the waterfalls just adding to the effect.
Thanks Major...& Sue ;)
-DW
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