Tomorrowland, September 1983
Here's a nice set of Tomorrowland photos, taken by Lou Perry and shared with us by his daughter, Sue B. You know how much I like Tomorrowland! These are from 1983, in case you didn't see the title of today's post.
This first one is not an uncommon view, but it's still one of my favorites. The Rocket Jets are way up above everything, and the Peoplemover slightly below that - iconic. One of my biggest gripes is that this was taken away from us years ago and replaced with... nothin'. Well, we have the Astro Orbiter I suppose, but come on. Lou caught the Rocket Jets with the rockets in flight, which is always ideal. And I like that the Peoplemover cars were still in their original colors.
Hey! Lou took TWO pix of the Rocket Jets, and I'm not complaining.
What I wouldn't give to be able to enjoy one more ride on the Peoplemover. I know that the Magic Kingdom still has theirs, the lucky ducks. Better than nothing, but not the same.
Ah, the days when Tomorrowland was TOMORROWLAND! The Mary Blair murals were still on display, and Adventure Thru Inner Space was waiting for me. Wow, can you imagine bringing a six month-old (?) baby to the park? Whew. I'll bet they went home early.
I don't see a lot of pictures of the Mission to Mars façade, for some reason. That attraction was there for 17 years, so it's not like people didn't have the opportunity! I took one myself when I was a teenager, so I guess I am pretty cool. Just like Lou!
THANK YOU, Lou and Sue!
10 comments:
Major-
Ahhhhh.... so nice-!
Thanks to Lou and Sue.
Great images . Looks like Circle -Vision is closed….. to prepare for the remodeling and change over from “America The Beautiful” to the all new “American Journeys” . When Disney first announced the new film it was called “American Spirit “.
I miss this Tomorrowland SO much! The one that's there today it still mostly sucky!
Why on earth would you carry a baby around all day, when you could just "check them" over at the Baby Station on Main Street? I think the Global Van Lines space in Town Square would even check them.....for a fee of course.
Thank you Lou, Sue and Major!
I just noticed that the Rocket Jets are red at both ends; a red nose and a red rear (a little ointment will clear that up). Well, I'm sure I noticed it before but it never really registered 'til now. Such a great color scheme; white, black, and red. Lots of visual impact! Down below, that dad is pushing a ridiculously normal-sized stroller. Couldn't he afford the deluxe, SUV model? How embarrassing for him. Someone give that sailor a hot dog, he's too skinny! What is that wheeled cart on the left? An ice cream vendor? That gaggle of balloons above the cart could use some more color.
In the third pic, it's interesting how many people are resting their arms on the edge of their PeopleMover cars. Maybe I would too. It seems like a natural thing to do, given the joyous, exciting, and relaxing surroundings.
Nice pictures, Lou! (As always). And thanks to Sue and Major.
This is the one and only Tomorrowland! And it's great to see this morning! Some forensics: in pic #1 there is an ice cream wagon: this one specifically is for New Orleans Square, and possibly, it was the busiest one in the park: hence it's "largeness". It was HEAVY...and you had to park it on a hill: right across from the Rivers of America as the ground slopes up to Pirates. Don't worry: we had blocks, and you had a sweeper to help you block it. Yes, the girls had to push this solo as well....but usually sweepers were glad to help (for some obvious reasons) and this is why ODV and Custodial were very connected. They were your "phone", your security guard, etc etc etc. The odd thing in the photo is time of day: that wagon was one of the last to come in....but possibly the Park closed at 6....and it's close to 6? Also: she has stopped to talk to a balloon vendor...same dept so it makes sense....but the weirdest part is she is on the wrong side of the Peoplemover track....so to get to the "garage" (as we called it) she would have to twirl around the back side of jets to the gate by Mission to Mars. Hmmmm....something is going on, and I'm sure it involves that balloon vendor who is standing WAAAYYYYY to far back into Tomorrowland. Something is up! Also, informationally, she is wearing a Frontierland merchandise costume, which was the costume of Frontierland and New Orleans Square for ODV. Note that for the girls: you are pushing that heavy wagon in a long skirt....from Pirates, to Mission to Mars....through a crowd and around the Hub. Skinny sailor is not a sailor at all. He is wearing kind of an "apple cap". I thought it was a sailor at first too, but the casual dress didn't make too much sense...nor did grandpa. That palm tree by Mission to Mars is amazing: the one that myth has it came from CB Demilles estate. Correct me if I'm wrong. To the left of the palms are phone booths...which I remember making calls from...it was generally a "no no" to use a guest phone. All break areas had pay phones. I used it before or after the park closed. To think we had to search out phones and have change in our pockets all the time! Where baby is, a few people seem to be fascinated with something on the right: including pink grandma. They are all looking at the characters, as the gate they would emerge from is to the right of Inner Space, and beyond the gate is the Inn Between....where they would hang out on the patio. Don't worry: it was far enough back in there that it would not be possible to see Cinderella taking a smoke break. Thanks for the trip to 1983 Lou and Sue! I'm wondering where I was that day? Thanks Major.
There was never a better tomorrow than this. Disney futurism at its peak. Second favorite was Tomorrowland '75 at WDW.
Love the Rocket Jets in action. Thanks, Major.
Yes Major, big thanks to you, and Lou and Sue! I can see why you posted these on a Friday, it’s a great end to a week that had a long stay on TSI. A PeopleMover ride is just what we need to rest up before fried chicken at the Plaza Inn.
That view of the Rocket Jets is just the best. Plenty of silver trash cans with the blue molded plastic doors too. Thanks for your pic of the Mission to Mars too!
JG
Nanook, “so nice”… that’s why these are featured on Friday!
Mike Cozart, I was thinking that Circled-Vision looked closed, now I know why. “American Spirit” a film about the cigarettes? :-D
TokyoMagic, on my recent trip to the park, I went into Tomorrowland to ride Space Mountain, and that’s ALL I did! We also saw quite a few women with tiny infants, it seems like a hard way to enjoy Disneyland, but I suppose they were determined.
JB, the noses of the rockets do look red in these photos (that my be my fault, bad color adjustment), but in reality they were a beautiful amber. Lit up at night it looked especially nice! I wonder when the SUV strollers came into fashion? I’d guess in the late 90s, but I don’t really know. Ah, I remember when I was as skinny as that sailor! If I could ride on the Peoplemover today, I’d rest BOTH arms and BOTH legs on the edge of the car.
Bu, wow, I had no idea that the ice cream wagon would be cause for so much deduction and drama! If it was built for New Orleans Square (and I know we’ve seen one just like it there), why is it in Tomorrowland?? Funny that they expected girls to push a heavy cart just llke the guys, even if they happened to be petit. Good grief, I know that in the off season the park could close at 7:00, or possibly even earlier, but did it do that in 1983? The ice cream girl should be flogged for speaking to the balloon vendor! I’ll bet her vest was unbuttoned too. Wow, good eye recognizing her costume, I’d have no clue. They should have had some sort of golf cart to help tow the ice cream cart if it was that heavy and had to go so far. I have no idea if that palm tree came from Cecil’s estate, that’s a story I’ve never heard. Doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I noticed the group looking to the right, but I just assumed they were hoping to get a glimpse inside “ATIS”. You saw a lot of fun details in these!
K. Martinez, I had the feeling that you were going to especially like these!
JG, I can’t remember, was the fried chicken at the Plaza fondly-remembered? I didn’t eat there until years later - I had fettuccini alfredo with chicken, in my recollection it was pretty good, though I was probably also very hungry. Don’t those trashcans have metal doors?
September was a great time to visit the park....especially AFTER Labor Day. For a couple weeks after that holiday, the park continued on a modified summer schedule...at least well through the 70s. The parades, entertainment and fireworks continued while the numbers of guests dwindled each day. It would start on that very Monday holiday as everyone was heading for home and preparing to go back to school. And these pictures remind me of those days. I always recommended to family and friends to come for a visit during this period. KS
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