Flying Saucer Battle of the 'Dos

Did I really need another Disneyland Flying Saucer vintage image for my collection? Probably not. But who could pass up this beauty showing two ladies protecting their bouffant hairdos with a scarf?



More Flying Saucer photos at my main website.

The End of the Saucers

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.

Saucers are Fun!

Today's vintage September 1962 shot shows the Flying Saucer attraction, which had opened about a year beforehand in Tomorrowland on August 6, 1961. Lasting five years, the attraction was known for breaking down frequently and a cause for minor back discomfort! In this photo though, guests seem to be having nothing but fun.



Flash forward to February 2015, and Luigi's Flying Tires at DCA's Cars Land provided a similar experience that was even less loved than its counterpart, lasting under three years. Here actor Sean Astin shows his displeasure.



Fly on over to my main website for more Flying Saucer fun.

Momentous History at Disneyland

Yet another momentous day in Tomorrowland (and Disneyland) history. Today marked the debut of the Flying Saucer attraction in 1961. Zooming in for a closer look at the insignia on the saucer in this January 1962 photo:



Probably best remembered for their temperamental nature, this attraction did not survive the transition into "New" Tomorrowland.



Regardless of whether they worked or not, this young lad from April 1965 sure is having a great time!



Yup…he's pretty happy!



In the next sequential shot from this batch, the attraction appears to be working again.



And he's still having a blast!



Today also marks the 44th Anniversary of one of the most infamous days at Disneyland: Yippie Day.



What started out as a very mild-mannered prank/protest…



Developed into a full-blown riot, causing the park to shut down early. In this shot, you have it all: guests, balloons, security, and mayhem.



See more Daveland Yippie Day photos at my main website.

Flying Saucer Friday

Yet another new acquisition for my Disneyland Flying Saucer collection. Today's image from March 1963 shows the unbridled joy (and possibly frustration) for guests that were able to ride this Tomorrowland attraction.

The joy: those who were able to get the hang of the vehicles and glide effortlessly around the arena. The frustration: those who couldn't, and found themselves stuck in one area.



This previously posted image was most likely taken by the same photographer, as it features some of the same guests.



See more vintage Disneyland Flying Saucer photos from my collection on my main website.

The Saucers Are Coming!

Before the August 1961 arrival of the Tomorrowland Flying Saucers, a technical drawing was needed. To build excitement about this new attraction, the Disney publicity machine created this sign to stir up the emotions of guests"



Thank goodness they were able to translate the Astrogram for us mere earthlings! Once it was available for guests to enjoy, it appeared to be a lot of fun...when it was working.



Apparently a nightmare because of their technical difficulties, more often than not guests found themselves stuck in a corner or unable to get the durn things to work the way they should.



Have to zoom-in to get a better view of the decal on the saucer:



From the Disneylander Employee Newsletter, September 1961:

FLYING SAUCERS AT DISNEYLAND

It took a little longer than anticipated by the Disneyland Flying Saucers finally went to work the middle of last month and started to tak in some "E" coupons

After a period of testing with many Disneylanders having the opportunity of playing like an Astronaut, the latest Magic Kingdom attraction opened with the proper ceremonies. On hand to celebrate the occasion were the Disneyland Band playing "Come Josephine in My Flying Saucer" and other appropriate tunes, the Space Man and the Space Girl and, of course, Pluto in the person of Tony Barksdale. (Honest)

Without taking anything away from the other celebrities who were on hand, it must be admitted that Pluto was the hit of the show. Jack Lindquist, Eddie Meck, Marty Sklar and Bud Nagle gave him constant insturctions as to which way he looked best for the flock of photographers who were on hand and he took it in stride, never missing a flash bulb.

Donna Fox, the Space Girl who landed in Tomorrowland after a short flight from Coke Corner recently, never looked more raidant or charming with her long blonde hair cascading majestically over the seltzer bottles she wears on her back. The Space Man costume was ably filled by handsome Gordon McClymont and both he and Donna ran a good second to Pluto to see who could use up the most Kodak negative.



Also on hand for the first official Flying Saucer flight were children of some of the nation's finest jet pilots who are stationed at El Toro Marine Base and Los Alamitos Naval Air Station. Two of the pilots also came along for the ride. They were Lt. Comdr. Larry Hauser and Lt. Col. Jay Willcox. The wives of the flyers also came but declined Pluto's invitiation to take one of the first rides. Either they couldn't understand what he was saying or they were wearing full skirts.

Disneyland guestrs practically ringed the entire Saucer area while the edication was going on. They thoroughly enjoyed the thrilled expressions on the children's faces as well as the puzzled looks on the faces of the two jet flyers who were both overheard to say to themselves, "Now how do you suppose they make this thing work?"



As an added attracition for the guests as well as the participants was the few minutes that the Band rode the Saucers and played one of their famous tunes at the same time. Jim Whitsett, who was directing because of Vesey Walker's absence, had no trouble leading the Band as they turned and skimmed in their Flying Saucers. After all, he's had years of experience on the Fantasyland Tea Cups.

It was a great dedication, according to all the spectators, and the Flying Saucers were successfully on their way.

The Saucers didn't survive the New Tomorrowland makeover and were replaced by the Tomorrowland Stage:



See more vintage Disneyland Flying Saucer photos on my Flying Saucer web page.

Disneyland July 1962, Pt. 1

Yet another little series for you, taking you quickly from yesterday to tomorrow. Inside of Fort Wilderness, these little boys are having fun roaming around while their dutiful parents take photos from below.

In this initially unamazing photo, your eyes will first see the Matterhorn.



Zooming in, you can see the gigantic thimble for the Thimble Drome/Flight Circle:



Moving over to the right, the Space Man is making his way through the park. I can only imagine what it must have been like to have your head inside that plastic bubble on a hot Anaheim July day!



Plenty of motion in this photo: Skyway Buckets, a Monorail, and those lovely Gray Submarines!



And if that's not enough fun for you, how about a spin on the Flying Saucers?



See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland photo web pages.

TPE: Flying Saucers in Tomorrowland

Finally getting back to my TPE (anyone remember what that stands for?) series, today's Tomorrowland attraction that I'd love to go back in time to enjoy is the Flying Saucers. It was the last attraction to open in the “original” Tomorrowland. From August 6, 1961–August 5, 1966 The Flying Saucers floated in a 16,000 sq. ft. arena, and were designed to hold one large guest or two small ones, with 16 saucers flying at once while the other 16 were being loaded.



As the ride began, air valves pushed the saucer upward so that it was floating just inches above the ground. Guests shifted their body weight to fly across the arena and tilt their saucer (imagine a giant air-hockey table). Just like bumper cars, guests could crash into each other with their saucers.



The Flying Saucers were very popular and even made the cover of National Geographic. However, they suffered numerous mechanical problems which often were in direct proportion to the weight of the guest; if too heavy, the saucer just sat in the same place; if too light, it was hard to tip the saucer, and would continue to bounce in place.



The collision of the saucers also made the ride a natural for back injuries (Oops—somebody forgot to check with the legal team first!). In addition, they sometimes wedged into each other causing the saucers to flip.



David DeFore, son of Silver Banjo BBQ Restaurant owner Don DeFore, was one of the original testers of the ride, back when the saucers were made of plywood and there was very little regulation over their speed. David said that the attraction was much more fun at this stage! David was so light that they had to put a keg of nails on his saucer to get it balance and work properly.



The Saucers were replaced by the Tomorrowland Stage in 1967 and Space Mountain in 1977.







Today, the idea of the Flying Saucers has been given a "Cars" theme overlay and redubbed "Luigi's Flying Tires." This is probably one of the most anticipated parts of the new Cars Land area at Disney California Adventure.



Over in the Blue Sky Cellar of DCA, guests can see the miniature models of the attraction vehicles.





See more vintage Disneyland Flying Saucer photos on my Flying Saucer web page.