I realized that I'd neglected some scans of some vintage photo prints from 1965 - the last time I shared some was back in March of 2023. I might as well use some of them! Meanwhile I just acquired another batch of old snapshots, I still need to scan those.
This first photo must have been taken from the Monorail platform, giving us an elevated vantage point that was not from the Skyway, for a change. We're looking toward the Astro Jets and the Douglas Moonliner, and even the Flying Saucers if you look closely. This area would undergo massive change starting the following year, for the fabulous "New Tomorrowland".
Hmmm, what do you think, was this one taken from a Monorail? Once again, we are looking at the "Old" Tomorrowland, including the Art Corner building in the distance, with its colorful Matisse-inspired panels. Kirk Douglas's rocket appears to the left, and a few workmen can be seen at the bottom of the frame - it seems that the Autopia was closed for maintenance.
Major-
ReplyDeleteThe 1st image definitely could've been taken from the Monorail platform. The second image was taken from aboard a Monorail car, as it just departed the Tomorrowland station, as the angle is too far to the east to otherwise capture this view. (Or maybe we should just use the old "go-to" and say it was taken from the upper deck of the [yet-to-be-built] Carousel building...)
Thanks, Major.
That's a long line of people in the foreground. Is that the queue for the Skyway? In fact, there are a lot of people waiting in various lines here. I like the Astro Jets but its carnival ride roots are very evident in the pre-1967 era. So much more exciting and thrilling when it's hoisted up above the PeopleMover.
ReplyDeleteScreechy seems closer to the ground here. I guess it's just because we're higher up. I think the workers are cleaning up eagle droppings.
Both of these are nice photos, Major.
When new in 1956 the Tomorrowland ASTRO JETS ( later JETS) was advertised as the first “vertical rotary motor in North America” …. So somehow this was considered futuristic ….. but what was DUMBO ?? That was operating in 1955 … I guess the two were different ride systems.
ReplyDeleteThe Disneyland ASTRO JETS was one of the first early Disneyland attractions sold off … it was purchased by PIRATE WORLD In Dania , Florida …. A short lived Themepark and movie studio ( really bad movies!!) that operated in the later part of the 1960’s . ASTRO JETS landed in Florida before the rest of Disney did .
Mike, did the inner ring (with all the arms attached) rise upward on the Astro Jets, like it did on the Rocket Jets? If so, could that be what they meant by "the first vertical rotary motor in North America”, since the Dumbo attraction never had that feature?
ReplyDeleteTOKYO : yes! The Astro Jets , although ground level , did raise up like Rocket Jets. That must be the feature that was so unusual in 1956.
ReplyDeleteA few silver trash cans visible here and there, and a rare bullet-top model (the prototype for R2D2) seen in the Autopia queue.
ReplyDeleteNice views of Tomorrowland 1955, which must have seemed like the future then, wait till 1967!
Thanks Major!
JG
@ JB-
ReplyDelete"That's a long line of people in the foreground. Is that the queue for the Skyway?"
Those folks are most-likely queuing-up for the Submarine Voyage.
Nanook, you and I are of the same mind! As you said (I am paraphrasing), the view in the second photo would not be visible from the Monorail station. I like the idea that it was taken from a building that didn’t exist yet!
ReplyDeleteJB, I’m not sure what those people were waiting for… maybe the Subs? I just saw a photo of a rocket ride that was at the Long Beach Pike that was identical to Disneyland’s Astro Jets ride, down to the exact same paint scheme. Definitely an “off the shelf” attraction. Yes, I think Screechy just looks lower because we are higher.
Mike Cozart, I always thought that the Astro Jets and Dumbo were essentially the same ride (with obvious cosmetic differences), but I’m sure there must have been more to the Astro Jets than it seems. I don’t mourn the loss of the Jets, especially when we got the Rocket Jets way up on that platform!
TokyoMagic!, ah, you might be right, maybe the Astro Jets rose up higher than the Dumbo ride was able to do!
Mike Cozart, that does sound pretty unusual.
JG, we’ve seen some of those bullet-top trashcans painted specially for the Tiki Room pre-show area, but otherwise I am unaware of any themed paint jobs for those in any other area of the park.
Nanook, I concur!