Remember when Disneyland’s Tomorrowland actually was about “tomorrow”? I know, it’s been a long time. These images from August 1970 are a reminder to those futuristic times. The PeopleMover was Walt’s idea of how to solve the congestion/transportation problems that existed in cities.
All of these images were shot from the Skyway and give a great overview of Tomorrowland. This was also the time period that the Astro Jets/Astro Orbiter sat high above the PeopleMover station and gave an even more thrilling spin to guests.
Nothing says “tomorrow” like the Rolly Crump designed stage below:
This one from February 1971 shows Lou Styles playing in Tomorrowland on the Rolly Crump designed stage:
Back to 1970…look at the little boy craning his head out of the Monorail. Yes…once it was possible to be excited about the future. Rocket to the Moon…PeopleMover…Carousel of Progress…wow!!
I’m sure it boils down to profits and money, but I still can’t understand why a corporation as large and as influential as Disney can’t partner with NASA or other innovative organizations to drum some life into Tomorrowland show that innovation (not Innovention!) is still alive and well.
See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.
6 comments:
I 'second' your editorial comment Dave. The future seemed bright back then...albeit with the Vietnam situation and the economic malaise of the 70s. I think it came from a generation who had lived through a depression and won WWII, After that, despite the issues that arose in the country, us kids...were taught from that generation that anything was possible...and we entered the Space Age making huge strides in industrial progress. The 70s Tomorrowland reflected that thinking. And it's never been better since. KS
Me in 1974 in Tomorrowland: "Wow, the future's going to be great!"
Me in 2022: (Pours more rum into my coffee) "Make it stop. Please God, just make it stop."
WOW, indeed-! And exactly what KS intoned. (Okay, perhaps with less singing...)
Peering above the rooflines in the third image is the Marina Tower under construction.
A more practical problem is how quickly stuff became outdated.
The Flight to the Moon was overhauled a couple of times: First, to show astronauts frolicking on the lunar surface (which aged even before Apollo 11 landed); then, to show accurate but anticlimax images of Mars.
The Autopia first appeared when freeways and cloverleafs were new and exciting; soon enough it was just an amusing miniature version of our tedious commutes. It was made over to evoke memories of leisurely country drives.
The Carousel of Progress replaced its whole last act when shipped to Florida, proposing a warmer and cozier future ideal home (with grandparents in residence, instead of exiled to a senior community). There was also an emphasis on computer tech already in the home, most of which wasn't even scifi back in the day.
Inner Space didn't date, since it wasn't really about the future. It was crowded out by Star Tours, itself kept from obsolescence by offering fantasy rather than futurism (Motion simulators began turning up in carnivals and malls, albeit without the same level of showmanship).
The Submarines were always about what was outside the portholes. Still, the gray 1950s nuclear subs were beginning to look a bit dated. The yellow "research sub" paint job was an easy fix.
The retro-future theme was actually a pretty good idea. A shame they didn't spend the money to clone, say, the various Jules Verne attractions from abroad.
I miss the old future.
DBenson - Very interesting points. If the Park is going to continue to have a Tomorrowland though, then the Disney Corporation is going to have to fork over the bucks to keep it "tomorrow." Otherwise, it’s just a sad reminder of yet another area Walt created that has been drained of all creativity.
Melissa - You and me both.
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