Monday, October 21, 2024

Tomorrowland, 1970s

We're going to start things off with a colorful look at the entrance to the New Tomorrowland, which really was pretty new in the early 1970s. The Peoplemover was still under factory warranty. Lots of guests are heading into the Land of Tomorrow, it was probably just a standard busy Summer day. Overhead, three (no wait, FOUR) Peoplemover trains can  be seen on the overhead track, trundling along like bugs. As is often the case, I wish I could step into this picture!


Much further into the land, we'll find a beautiful turquoise lagoon, with nuclear submarines gliding quietly. Sure, they could rev their engines, but submarine captains are classy and prefer to run quiet and deep (well, not so deep here). Ah, long-gone attractions such as the Rocket Jets, the Skyway, and Carousel of Progress are sights for sore eyes.


12 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-
Yes, let's ALL step into that picture-!

Thanks, Major.

JB said...

Seeing the PeopleMover trains "trundling" on the track, as they were intended, just makes me happy. And excited. Nowadays, the empty track mocks us.
Yes, this would be a good photo to step unto; just follow those people into Tomorrowland.

A sight for sore eyes, indeed. What on Earth were they thinking when they did away with all this color, movement, excitement, and variety? I think Walt is sadly shaking his head somewhere. (There's a "head" joke in there somewhere, involving cryogenics.)

Now I'm feeling all wistful. Let's do what Nanook suggested and all of us step into that first picture. Thanks, Major.

MIKE COZART said...

There’s actually SIX different PeopleMover trains visible in the first image. When the PeopleMover was killed … the heart-beat of Tomorrowland was killed.

Chuck said...

Mike, it took me forever to find the sixth one. Odd that there are so many in the first photo and none in the second. They must have all been tied up in that traffic jam at the Hub.

Note the fountains at the Tomorrowland entrance are in operation as originally designed.

My vote for the VFA goes to the little girl in pigtails and turquoise patchwork skirt in the first photo. While my sister didn’t have an exact match, it reminds me of some of the clothes she wore at the time.

I’ll join the rest of you as soon as the laundry is done.

Thanks, Major.

MIKE COZART said...

CHUCK : I may have to retract my 6 PeopleMover train count ; one I thought was a second RED car train may actually be the Tomorrowland Terrace plexi COCA COLA sign …. (??)
There are definitely at lest 5 trains :
(2) medium blue
(1) turquoise
(1) yellow
(1) red ( possibly 2)

Yeah the second image reveals not a single PeopleMover!! Everything that could possible block the view of a PeopleMover train is doing so.

Lou and Sue said...

In the second pic, is that umbrella getting on—or getting off—the Monorail?? It must have to ‘close itself’ to ride.

Fun pictures, thanks, Major.

Chuck said...

Mike, I think you're right about that second red PeopleMover train. It looks like it could be the "ocaCo" part of the script "CocaCola" seen in this photo ans this photo. The red lines up so nicely with the sign supports that it's hard to deny that's probably what we are looking at.

The yellow PeopleMover train was the one I had a hard time finding.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I guess stepping into the picture is a silly dream, but I’ll still take it!

JB, I agree, Tomorrowland with a working Peoplemover feels so right. And as you said, that empty track - no bueno. I’ve read that “they” have plans for the track, but nothing ever comes of it. Not another Peoplemover, but some reason to get people up to that second level. Getting rid of the Peoplemover was one of the biggest blunders, all for a “thrill ride” that was noisy and short. Argh.

Mike Cozart, aha, I do see another (blue) Peoplemover. But I don’t see a sixth?

Chuck, I’m still looking for #6, why can I not see it? Love the fountains when they were still fountains! I think it’s cute when you see kids holding hands with their parent (or grandparent), back before they wanted to do everything by themselves!

Mike Cozart, aha, I see, I was kind of thinking that red thing was a Coca Cola sign too. You can even see two Coke signs in the second photo. At some point they were round, and then square.

Lou and Sue, ha ha, even an umbrella enjoys the convenience of a Speed Ramp!

Chuck, well great, now I have to pay Dave D. another licensing fee! But I appreciate you doing the work that I was too lazy to do.

Anonymous said...

I planted some marigolds at home yesterday to get That favorite smell again.
MS

Anonymous said...

I do love that New PeopleMover smell, it was a shame when that faded away. I wish there was a Yankee Candle fragrance for it.

Simply Peak Tomorrowland, Major. Nothing remains today to hold a candle to this, even with Space Mountain.

Thanks for these photos, sorry I'm late. I hope someone saved me a seat, I'll be along in a minute.

JG

MIKE COZART said...

The PeopleMover DID have a distinct smell : RUBBER TIRES! Especially when they replaced the loading turntable and Speedramp belts in 1994 ( albeit with DUNLOP and not Goodyear ..)

Max said...

looks so much better than today