The Twelve Astrojets

The Disneyland Astrojet attraction in Tomorrowland opened in 1956, replacing the Court of Honor flags (shown above). Construction can be seen in the 1956 shot below:



The attraction once it was completed, circa 1956:



Note the Skyway pylon that would eventually be covered by the Matterhorn:)



This off-the-shelf-thrill ride gave guests a birds-eye view of the Park and helped alleviate the lack of attractions that were initially existed in Tomorrowland. Circa August 1956:



The rockets were named after stars, with the red ones being odd numbered and the blue ones even.



1958:



In the detailed image below you can see Canopus, Sirius, and Altair:



A July 1959 shot taken from a Skyway bucket:



My collection finally has images for each of the rockets, beginning with Canopus #2:



Capella #4:



Arcturus #5:



Rigel #6:



Antares #7:



Spica #8:



Procyon #9:



A barely visible Regulus #10:



Castor #11:



Altair #12:



And the two I haven’t been able to assign numbers, starting with Vega (my latest acquisition):



and Sirius:



Anyone know the numbers of those two? See more Disneyland Astrojets photos at my main website.

The Spica

I could make a very bad pun about "spica my language," but instead, I will refrain and show this glorious shot of the Spica jet from the Disneyland Astrojet attraction, circa Spring 1957. The slide was labeled Mary Ellen and M.M.; could the shy brunette lady be Marilyn Monroe in disguise? I'll let you decide.



More vintage and current Astrojet/Astro Orbiter photos at my main website.

A Jet Is Still A Jet

I don't know that I would call this anniversary momentous, but 50 years ago today, the Tomorrowland Astro Jets attraction was renamed the Tomorrowland Jets.

Zooming in closer for this December 1963 shot, we get a look at the Spica, named after the brightest star in the constellation Virgo.



A July 1962 image:



The attraction's name was changed at the request of United Airlines, who had just taken over sponsorship of The Enchanted Tiki Room. As you can see in this April 1965 image, United cares. In fact, they give EXTRA care.



Seems that they cared that American Airlines' coast-to-coast "Astrojet" service was getting free advertising from Disneyland. Of course, the first thing you thought about when you got to Disneyland and rode the Astrojet was buying a ticket on American Airlines. It's only natural, you know.

See more Daveland Astro/Rocket Jet photos at my main website.