Midget Autopia Monday

The popularity of the Tomorrowland Autopia led to Junior Autopia in 1956 on an unused piece of land across from Storybook Land. The third (and smallest) Autopia track, The Midget Autopia (shown in the above February 1966 image), designed for the youngest drivers, featured a ride system similar to the Fantasyland dark rides. The child-size cars ran along a center bus bar through tunnels, along straightaways, and through a barn. Located next to Storybook Land, the Midget Autopia ran from April 23, 1957 to April 1966 to make way for the wide path up to it’s a small world. As you can see from the detail below, it required a “B” ticket. No adults; only children under 12 (I wonder if they carded guests?).



Here are a few black and white images from my collection of the Midget Autopia:



These two look like they could be pushing the age limit!



A color shot showing one of the barns that the tots would drive though.



Watch the road!



Winding road is right! This attraction looks like the outdoor version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.



From September 1964:



Walt Disney donated the ride to his boyhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri, where it was installed in a park named in his honor. Unfortunately, the cars were too difficult and expensive to maintain. You can still see a Midget Autopia car in Marceline. A green car is on display in the town’s Walt Disney Hometown Museum, based on the website, which also states:

Gifts from Walt Disney, himself, to the city of Marceline, including remnants of the original Midget Autopia.

See more Disneyland Midget Autopia photos at my main website.

Trip to Disneyland, May 1964

This collection of images was shot May 1964, the month and year I entered this Universe. In the background are three military men; one is smoking a cigarette, visible in this closeup (along with the little boy falling asleep while he drinks his coke!):



It looks like the family was having lunch at the Red Wagon Inn, now known as the Plaza Inn. A Reuben with mustard?



The adorable little girl is getting her Vitamin D with a nice carton of Carnation milk.



Care to see the pasteurization offices and plants? Of course you do.



Mama takes baby girl for a spin on King Arthur’s Carrousel:



Here’s the original mock-up for the proposed color scheme for this horse from 1955:



How it looked circa 2012:



Back to May 1964, the little boys are ready for a flight to Neverland:



A closeup of the bored operator, the two little devil boys in red, and the control panel. I wonder what the “G” on the hats stood for?



A spin around Fantasyland on the Midget Autopia:



Let’s take a closer look at the vehicle:



The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse wasn’t quite two years old when these images were taken:







The last shot of the bunch is the saddest of all; time to board the Tram to head home. Until next time!



See more photos at my main website.

Next Omnibus Stop: Fantasyland?

Picture this: Disneyland Town Square, July 1957. It’s a typically sunny day in Anaheim, and you are ready to begin your journey to the Castle via the Main Street Omnibus. Wouldn’t you love to have known what the two drivers were discussing? “You should have seen that little brat I just dropped off at the Castle…”



This was back in the day when Town Square Realty was between the Opera House and the Bank. Did they sell future timeshares in Star Wars Land?



At first glance, this shot of the Omnibus from the same batch may not generate much attention for most, but it definitely caused me to gasp. Just a little bit.



This was back in the day when the Omnibus route was just a little bit longer, and you could take it INTO Fantasyland, right around where the Matterhorn is now located. Note the Midget Autopia attraction in the background and the festive Fantasyland Train Depot.



Just like the real world, Disneyland transportation had to cut back some of their stops and unfortunately, the Fantasyland stop had to go!

See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Midget Monday

Hard to believe, but at one time Disneyland had three Autopia attractions: the main one, the Junior Autopia, and the Midget Autopia. This summer 1959 image yields a few fun detailed views. You can just see this little girl smugly pulling rank on her younger brother and loving it!



Looks like a broken headlight!



A vehicle under a tarp, waiting to be put into circulation:



A previously posted trio of color shots from February 1960. I am pretty sure these girls were the inspiration for the “Redrum” twins from “The Shining.”





There they go, cruising off into the depths of evil and depravity.



The Midget Autopia went away in 1966, and was donated to Walt's home town of Marceline.

See more vintage Disneyland Midget Autopia photos at my main website.

Manic Mickey Monday

In this April 1960 image at the entrance to Disneyland, it's fairly safe to say that Scary Mickey is sucking the life force out of the little tot he is laying his hand on.

Even scarier is what this Little Pig could be whispering in the ear of this very attentive little girl. Whatever evil deed he is telling, you can be certain she carried it out.



See more vintage Disneyland photos at my main website.

Cruising Into The New Year

The Disneyland Utopia is one of the few attractions that has been around in one form or another since opening day. Last May I rode the refurbished attraction for the first time in seven years. Yikes!



Now sponsored by Honda, I was surprised that the vehicles were still gas-powered.



Wouldn't the change in sponsorship have been a great time to do something more futuristic with the vehicles?





Commentary over...here are my photos from that day's spin. My family from Austin, Texas, had a fantastic time taking a tour around the Tomorrowland track.







Route 55; I wonder how many guests at the Park know what this refers to? Regardless, I love touches like this.











A great tribute to the Midget Autopia:



Love the fountain here!



A tribute to the original Mr. Toad vehicles:



A closeup of the plaque; I doubt anyone is able to read this while zooming by!





A detailed view of the bridge plaque:



Time to bring the car home around the final turns:



My sister-in-law gave the peace sign; much better than the finger sign she gave while riding the Matterhorn!





Thumbs up from my brother and the rest of the clan:



Michael, our VIP Tour Guide Supreme!



My niece gets a shot of the stragglers still pulling into the gate:



C'mon...bring it on home!



One final shot before heading to the next attraction:



More vintage and current Disneyland Autopia photos at my main website.