These three consecutively shot photos were probably some of the last taken of the Disneyland Flying Saucers. The attraction closed on August 6, 1966 and these slides were date stamped August 1966.
The little tyke on the right looks bored; perhaps he was the one responsible for the plug being pulled on this attraction when "New" Tomorrowland was being constructed.
The Saucers didn't make the transition. Today, Space Mountain is located where the Saucers once flew. Well...almost flew. Hover is more like it.
Despite the fail of the Saucers, Disney Imagineers gave the concept another go over at DCA with Luigi's Flying Tires.
Once again, ho hum.
The Flying Tires were eventually replaced with Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters. "Ho hum" doesn't even begin to cover this one.
More Disneyland Flying Saucer photos at my main website.
I never understood people's attraction to the Bumper Car rides or bumper style attractions like the Flying Saucers or Luigi's Flying Tires. I used to occasionally work on the Bumper Cars at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and was somewhat amused by the expressions on people's faces as they charged into a total stranger's bumper car.
ReplyDeleteBut I do love the look and style of the Disneyland Flying Saucers. Thanks, Dave.
Dave:
ReplyDeleteThe Flyer Saucers were intended to return as part of New Tomorrowland part two -the Project was "Tomorrowland '68 which was to include the Space Mountain complex. Inside the Space Mountain dome would have been an updated FLYING SAUCERS, and electronic shooting gallery and dance pavilion - sponsored by 7-Up, a Kodak display and photo spot (guests would have been able to have their taken and imposed on various planet-scapes and scenes) along with a four track Space Mountain Rocket sled ride above it all. Because the the Space Mountain project was pushed so far back, many elements -like the Flying Saucers were eventually edited out of the final - downsized "Mountain"
I got to ride the saucers just once. It was a long wait for a disappointing ride. The physics made it difficult for small kids, we were too light to affect the steering, and riding with a parent made the saucer too heavy to react at all.
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised to see them want to bring back the concept and no surprise that it didn't last again.
Thanks, Mike Cozart, a fascinating insight. That would have been a fun complex for sure. I rode the Space Mountain for the first time on my last trip to Disneyland with my parents. It's a special ride to me, I always make a point of riding it with my kids. The Star Wars overlay to make it the ride it always wanted to be.
I liked the big entertainment area underneath, but never got to experience it as a kid. It seems like it would have been a riot to hang out in with a lot of friends. Now it's kind of sadly dated, but glimpses of the old design are still visible, and I'm too old to spend time with the video games.
Haven't tried Luigi's ride, but I think it's ok to have some slow simple rides for the youngsters, like Winnie-The-Pooh, but not one that has a 2 hour wait.
Dave, thank you for the pictures.
JG
For this kid, the Saucers were a great ride once you learned how to really hover and scoot across the surface. Yes, it was a long wait with small load capability and yes, it broke down. It remains a special memory for me. Too bad it couldn't have been successfully duplicated in Cars Land. KS
ReplyDeleteLooks like you could almost make a saucers' panorama from those!
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