Blue Monorail-Mania

The Red Monorail at Disneyland is the one most often seen in vintage images, but the Blue one has always been my favorite. Something ultra sleek about its blue/silver color combo that really hits the spot for me. This October 1961 is postcard perfect as the Monorail cruises by the Matterhorn, The Yacht Bar, and over the Submarine Voyage attraction. I dig that bubble top, too.



Look at the positively low-tech stroller and Disneyland wheelchair in the lower right:



Last one from the same October 1961 batch shows the Monorail cruising over the Parking lot. Any vintage auto enthusiasts care to identify these retro classics?



See more Disneyland Monorail photos at my main website.

The Tomorrowland Skyway Station

I have somewhat scary memories of the Tomorrowland Skyway station, where the buckets continually moved. That’s right...even when you were entering exiting the buckets, they kept moving. Somehow...it worked. Today, with morons who jump up and down on the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse bridge’s wooden slats to see if they will break or not...well, I’m sure some idiot would get hurt. But not back in the 1960’s. People were smarter back then! First image is a newbie, from May 1963. Image #2 (previously posted) is from July 1960:



1962:



And an oldie but goodie, also showing the original round Skyway Bucket design, circa October 1963:



See more vintage Disneyland Skyway photos at my main website.

Monday on the Viewliner

The Viewliner may have been small in size, but it was a mighty huge step towards having a transportation system at Disneyland that would be sleek and futuristic. Operating only from June 26, 1957 to September 15, 1958, the Viewliner inspired the Monorail, which still operates today. This March 1958 image shows it near the Tomorrowland station, with the Yacht Bar in the background.



This previously posted image from September 1958 shows the Viewliner in approximately the same area, but from a different vantage point: overhead from a Skyway bucket.



Front:



…and Back:



Just for comparison sake, here are guests and the conductor standing next to the Viewliner, circa 1957:



…and a contemporary shot of a cast member next to the Monorail:



See more vintage Disneyland Viewliner photos at my main website.

Where's My Yacht?

Today’s post features two views of the Tomorrowland Yacht Bar at Disneyland circa 1957. A strange name for a refreshment stand at an amusement park, especially when the park doesn’t have a yacht and doesn’t serve any alcoholic beverages. Maybe Walt had a vision of the booze that would be served at Star Wars Land, making the Yacht Bar a true vision of the tomorrow!

Anybody want an original Astrojet attraction poster?



To be fair, there was a sort of lake/lagoon nearby where guests could take a cruise on a Motor Boat. So that's kind of like a yacht. Only smaller. Much smaller.



Looks like these 1957 shots were taken over the Christmas holiday, based on the decor strewn over the front of the Yacht Bar.



Would the star and garland pass muster today?



The Yacht Bar was open from 1957 until 1966. It did not survive the “New” Tomorrowland remodel.

See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Monorailpalooza

A celebration of photos of the long-lasting Disneyland transportation staple, the Monorail. First we begin with a trio of images from year one, 1959. The outfits people wear are just as fun as seeing the Park itself.



The Red Monorail peaks into view in this October 1959 image:



Too far away?



Let's zoom in for a better look in this image that also hails from October 1959.



Another October 1959 gem:



The closeup would make a great photo all on its own.



Moving into the swinging sixties, we have one of the Blue Monorail from July 1961:



And a Yellow Monorail shot from May 1963:



Is it still in operation today? You betcha'!



Craving more Monorail shots? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

Tomorrowland Details, May 1960

It's not "New" Tomorrowland, but what I see in this May 1960 image is still more exciting than what resides at Disneyland now. From just one image I get an abundance of cool details, starting with the Astrojets in the foreground (the Sirius on the left and I can't make out the name of the vehicle on the right) and a crowded Yacht Bar in the background:



Detailed view #2 shows a gleaming blue Monorail with a plethora of Skyway buckets floating overhead:



Last one for today shows a guest perusing the Grand Canyon Diorama and Columbia attraction posters:



Here they are "in person":





See more Daveland vintage & current Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Monorail Monday

I am starting off the week with two new additions to my collection from March 1960. The Monorail was less than a year old when this photo was taken of it gliding above the Matterhorn Bobsled attraction.

This second image is a beauty, with the Richfield Autopia Eagle hovering over the foreground.



I had to zoom in for a look at its backside. I wonder if it survived in somebody's private collection?



Just for good measure, I am throwing in a few other Blue Monorail favorites to boost up today's post, beginning with this November 1960 shot:



Nothing to see here, folks; just a few mermaids taking a dip in the lagoon.



Even though it's a bit dark, I really like this January 1961 image of the Monorail, Yacht Bar, Skyway, and Matterhorn. So much to see!



Nosy me…I just have to see who is on the Monorail in this shot:



Last one for today is a February 1960 picture-postcard-perfect shot:



See more vintage & current Disneyland Monorail photos from my collection on my main website.

Gems from 1959: Tomorrowland

Continuing with the set of images I introduced last week come these gems from Tomorrowland. I always love seeing photos of the Spaceman and Spacegirl. Standing by the Tomorrowland Skyway Station, these two young boys seem thrilled to be able to pose with these futuristic characters.

Next up are two from the Autopia, where kids could pretend to be adults and drive a car around the paved roads of Tomorrowland.





For 1959, this photo captures most of the major new attractions: The Matterhorn, The Submarine Voyage, and The Monorail (well, the track at least!). Visible on the left is the Yacht Bar.



For those wanting a better shot of The Yacht Bar, thanks to the Franklyn Taylor collection, your dream can come true!



Gotta' zoom in to see what's going on inside:



Last one for today shows the Triton Submarine:



See more vintage & current Disneyland Tomorrowland photos on my Tomorrowland web pages.