Two Tars in Tomorrowland

This August 1958 image shows two sailor on leave, enjoying a day in the Park, possibly heading to see the Circarama exhibit. Guest stood in the center of a huge room with a 360 degree screen surrounding them. Through the miracle of Circarama, they could get views of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. As always, I have to wonder where the pictures are today that the sailor on the left shot with the camera hanging around his neck.

Note the signage, too, promoting the Tomorrowland exhibits in alternating colors of red and yellow: Circarama (sponsored by American Motors), Satellite-View of America, The World Beneath Us (sponsored by Richfield), Color Gallery (sponsored by Dutch Boy), and The Art Corner.

Here’s a previously posted shot from February 1959 showing the Satellite - View of America exhibit:

Note the K-7 Spaceman sitting in the ticket booth:

See more vintage Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Crowds at Disneyland

This undated 1950s image shows that crowds are nothing new at Disneyland. Still, I would say the attire has definitely changed, as many of the present-day guests look like they just rolled out of bed. Not so in this vintage view. These guests are crammed together outside the Tomorrowland Circarama attraction. Imagine standing in the middle of a 360 degree screen, being immersed in a movie...that's pretty much what this attraction was about.



Another undated 1950s view:



For a less congested view of the overall entrance, check out this previously posted image from September 1959:



The attraction in this location today is Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters:



More Circarama at my main website.

1956 Tomorrowland Panorama

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I was able to combine two consecutive shots of Disneyland's Tomorrowland from October 16, 1956 into ONE amazing panoramic view!

On the left, we can see the entrance to Circarama, which is where Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters is currently located.



On the right is the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, the present home of Star Tours:



See more vintage (and contemporary) Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Clock of the World and Tomorrowland Signage

This image from approximately 1957/1958 shows the entrance to the original Tomorrowland and the iconic Clock of the World. I can't just stop there, though. You know I have to zoom in and pore over all the details.

Check out the outfits. By looking at this detailed area, we can tell it must have been a hot day. The one lady in the center is attempting to shield her head with the Sleeping Beauty Diorama Souvenir Booklet. The lady in the back appears to be wearing a black straw hat with flowers, similar to Mary Poppins. The little boy on the left in the Colonial Hat seems to be doing some kind of rope trick. I also enjoy perusing the signage, and seeing all of the attractions/sponsors/exhibits that are no more.



The cover of the Diorama Booklet:



Which you could get here:



and a closeup of the ticket signage:



See more Daveland Clock of the World photos at my main website.

1950's Tomorrowland

Today I present a few undated shots, beginning with an image of the Clock of the World, the wacky wonderful vintage Disneyland icon that greeted guests as they entered Tomorrowland.

A closeup of the Circarama attraction entrance:



And for those more patient and intelligent than me, maybe this closeup of the Clock of the World can help narrow down the date of when these photos were taken.



Our vintage photographer ventured deeper into Tomorrowland and boarded the Skyway, taking the next two images featuring the Autopia…



and the short-lived Viewliner:



Looks pretty empty.



Last one for today shows the bucket drifting over the Tomorrowland Viewliner station as it heads towards its destination of Fantasyland:



Meanwhile, I'd like to wish comedian, writer, actor, and musician Steve Martin a very happy birthday to today!





See more Daveland Disneyland Skyway photos at my main website.

Taxidermy at Disneyland

Today's post shows one of my favorite oddities from the long-gone Indian Village in Frontierland. A banner above this bridge alerts you to the wonders of the Indian Village ahead, with the Frontierland Depot peeking out from the background, September 1955.



This 1956 shot of the entrance to the Indian Village shows the canoes still under tarps with the ticket booth behind them; either out of season or not quite ready for guests.



And now we get to the subject of today's post. In Walt's opinion, no Indian Village would be complete without a stuffed buffalo/bison.



This August 1956 shot shows the same scene in color:



For those who can't get enough of stuffed animals, this photographer wanted you to see more of this area by pulling back for a long shot:



Zooming in for the taxidermy:



July 1967, he's still there:



On December 10th, "Mary Poppins" will be released for the first time in High Definition on Blu-ray in a 50th Anniversary Edition.



See more vintage Disneyland Indian Village photos on my Indian Village web page.

The Walt Disney Family Museum, Pt. 3

Moving into the Disneyland period of Walt's life, this bench represents a significant part of the lore that surrounds the inspiration of the park. Here is the explanatory text that accompanies the bench. Note the photo of Walt, which was expertly composited by Bruce Gordon:



This March 1965 photo of Walt was taken from the same session, showing that he was actually in Town Square at Disneyland, not Griffith Park.



Although I loved seeing the previous rooms and exhibits, this was the section I was most anxious to see.



The original Lilly Belle was here on display:



Can you imagine all of the famous people that got to ride this scale locomotive and cars?





The display panel includes a photo of the Caboose Interior, carefully crafted by Walt himself:



In 1954, Walt proudly unveils the concept art for Disneyland. It is amazing how close it matches what was actually built.



The famous "lost weekend" illustration by Herb Ryman that sold the concept to the bank:



I'd love to read the inside pages of this 1953 document!



The original model of the Fantasyland Castle, built by Fred Joerger in 1953:



The actual camera used to create the "America the Beautiful" movie for the Circarama exhibit at Disneyland:





The actual exhibit at Disneyland:



The invitation for Walt & Lillian's 30th Wedding Anniversary, held on July 13, 1955 at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon before it opened:





An original Autopia Car. This one was a gift from Walt to his firstborn grandson Chris, who drove it all over the back lot with his sister Joanna.





A head sculpt for Abe Lincoln and the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" exhibit:



The "skeleton" of his animatronics:



Mary Blair art for the "small world" attraction:



This photo of Walt shows him with a scale model of the Carousel of Progress attraction:



Thanks to a little compositing and stitching of my own, you can see the entire 1960's scene:



Tomorrow, you'll see photos of the massive Disneyland model.

See more Walt Disney Family Museum photos on my WD Family Museum web pages.