One of the most iconic areas of the original Tomorrowland was the Moonliner/Rocket to the Moon section, with the 80' tall rocketship being the focal point of the attraction. This rendering shows an early concept of what the area was to be. Obviously, what came to be constructed was somewhat different. As time ran short to deadline, Tomorrowland pretty much got the shaft when it came to early Disneyland. This shot of the opening day model located at the Opera House gives a fairly good idea of what this area looked like at the time:
And a 1956 photo:
A 1958 interior shot of the lobby area for you; anybody care to weigh yourself on these fancy-schmancy machines?
Although the Mooliner/Rocket to the Moon are no longer at Disneyland, this smaller-sized tribute stands today to commemorate what once was. Dig the crazy rainbow that I happened to catch on this intermittently rainy day:
The talented Robert Olszewski has also commemorated the Moonliner in miniature:
Not sure if it’s the Hilton, but this closeup is for TokyoMagic from yesterday’s post:
See more Disneyland Moonliner/Rocket to the Moon photos at my website.
I had forgotten about the scales in side the Moonliner lobby area. This is a truly fantastic picture. First picture I have seen of this area.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the closeup scan, Dave! I guess it could also be the Marriott.
ReplyDeleteLast time I was at the Griffith Park observatory (which was before the recent remodel), they had scales for finding out what you would way on the moon and the various planets. I wonder if they could have inherited them from DL?
I thought the same thing as Toyko, those scales look very familiar, the observatory scales are OLD!
ReplyDeleteGreat interior shot, looks straight from a 50's sci-fi movie!
NICE photos you took Dave. I need to follow you around the park and take some lessons.
What is an " 80's tall rocketship " ?
ReplyDeleteamazing shots; i had forgotten this as well. very cool pictures
ReplyDeleteWonder where that third photo was taken from? The roof of another building? And your photo taken during a rainy day (but with sunshine in the foreground) is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Dave!
ReplyDeleteLove any interior shots from the olden days. ;)
Could that be the Grand Hotel that was blown up a few years ago? As a kid I thought that was the fanciest hotel in town!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the artist rendering is just like the view in the landing and take off film.
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