TOMORROWLOUNGE

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PEOPLEMOVER!!!!!!!

2011-04-23T03:27:00.000-07:00

Nothing in Disneyland's New Tomorrowland of 1967 went without the magic touch of WED! The PeopleMover's elevated beam-way is a fine example. In the earliest renderings, simple tubular support poles appear raising the PeopleMover's cars above the ground level of this "World on the Move". Eventually WED designers attention went to work. Thanks to Imagineers Victor Greene , John Wise , and John Hench, simple support posts became sweeping modern arches, buttresses and biomorphic "tree-branches" adding to the overall mood and feeling of this Future world. A simple engineering function transformed as art.

As simple as this center-line entry support is, the mathematics involved to create it is boggling!

a shady spot to enjoy a Space Mist Punch

(view: between PeopleMover Station SpeedRamps)

Gracefully MODERN!!!!

SpeedRamp down.............

I love this building!

Left flank entry arch

My PeopleMover car is one of these........but underneath reveals it's 1967 heritage: I own train 12 (red), CAR B!

If guests could only enjoy views like this today.......

A 1977 addition over at the Space Place

More 1967 design (luckily) surviving into the REAL 21st Century!

Next time you're here, take closer look at these planter/benches: they are in the shape of the original Goodyear logo shape!!

ADVENTURE THRU INNER SPACE -THE FASHION FOUNTAIN : A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

2011-04-15T02:55:00.000-07:00

Early concept of Monsanto's Fashion Fountain

Not too long ago over on Kevin Kidney's great blog http://miehana.blogspot.com/, a special post focused on the unusual beauty of Monsanto's Fashion Fountain. Tomorrowlounge presents a follow-up salute to this intriguing and mystifying Modern Motion Sculpture finale to the famed ADVENTURE THRU INNER SPACE!

A cross section showing the Fashion Fountain's relationship to the passing PeopleMover cars and AtomMobiles -a perfect example of WED's SAFETY ENVELOPE!

As part of Monsanto's corporate message, the Fashion Fountain --or actually termed FIBER FOUNTAIN during the design phase-- this oil-drip sculpture was the first exhibit seen by guests in the MIRACLES FROM MOLECULES product-industrial area of the Adventure Thru Inner Space attraction.

A very sophisticated "lounge like setting" ........THIS IS MONSANTO!!

John Hench made many suggestions to this attraction --like adding the walnut-wood paneling to "soften things up" (I wonder what Monsanto's response was to this..........??) Even the exhibit text-tablets featured Walnut ends! The Fashion Fountain , or FIBER FOUNTAIN was also a result of the "softening" of this space --and to lighten what could have turned out to be a heavy-laden corporate overlay. Note the first concept for the sculpture that proceeded the Fashion Fountain:

A swinging, rotating "billboard" confronts guests after their "Thrilling Journey into the Atom"

It was advised to Monsanto that this might be too much corporate message -as a result the graceful looking Fashion Fountain was envisioned.

Here the FIBER FOUNTAIN features no inner display

note how the inner exhibit must be accessed thru a hatch located in the pavilion's roof!

120 individual flowers helped cover up the fountains' "drip pan"

adding to the softening were 120 "flowers" -these helped to create an "natural" feel to a otherwise heavy artificial product line.

Here in the exit area a moody atmosphere displays humorous animated vignettes of Monsanto products and on the back wall-a large 1967 version of the World Clock

As 60's came to an end, this exhibit space featured several updates to the interior as well as the exhibits themselves. In time, Monsanto's sponsorship ended and the Fashions inside the fountain were removed and in their place was inserted an illuminated 70's "Molecule-Skewer Mobile".

Note the old Miracles' from Molecules exhibit tablets-with the walnut ends

The entire exit area lost much of it's mood and feeling when Monsanto pulled out. The giant clock of the world was removed and a access hole was cut into the wall to allow guests to dump themselves right into the Character Shop. Where the wall clock was once mounted now stood merchandise display counter selling watches, clocks, film and camera equipment --ironically probably made from plastics by Monsanto! The lighting was no longer dim and atmospheric but bright. The Monsanto product niches cut into the wood paneled walls now featured Tomorrowland attraction posters. The walnut edged display tablets that once touted the wonder's of Monsanto, now featured explanation of what the attraction was all about -no doubt because of the guests that strayed into the exit area from the Character Shop.........

Odd however, was the fact that long after Monsanto was gone from Tomorrowland, guests --if they listened closely, could still hear the song, Miracles From Molecules --the attraction's Sherman Brothers penned anthem written for Monsanto. Even in 1985, the song could still faintly be heard.

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST FINAL #6 --America Sings replacements that never were!!

2011-04-11T03:21:00.000-07:00

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST FINAL #6 --America Sings replacements that never were!!

Once AMERICA SINGS had been shuttered, Walt Disney Imagineering really did intend to install a replacement show very soon.....however corporate management and Disneyland management butted heads with WDI's creativity.

The Carousel Theater with a biomorphic shell-roof & buttresses of the unrealized

TOMORROWLND 2055

Ideas for a new Disneyland Carousel Theater show date back to the early 80's when the Oriental Land Company was offered AMERICA SINGS in it's early attraction package proposal. When EPCOT CENTER opened, WED/WDI planed on bringing many EPCOT shows to Disneyland--and many did in the form of a revised 1984 GREAT MOMENTS WITH MR. LINCOLN, MAGIC JOURNEYS at the SPACE STAGE, and WONDERS OF CHINA in Circle Vision. When HORIZONS was being developed, there was a proposal to use duplicated show-set pieces from the 'Looking Back At Tomorrow" sequence ---these "retro futures" would fill each theater/Acts ......a Victorian -Jules Verne ACT 1, a 20's 30's-Art Deco Future view ACT 2, a 50's 60's future ACT 3, culminating in a Carousel of Progress family future with major elements from "Tomorrows Windows" sections of HORIZONS main show. The host on this Disneyland -simplified Horizons show was........Jules Verne (using existing DREAM FINDER AA tooling from Journey into Imagination)

Disneyland's Carousel Theater as

THE GREAT ANIMATION MACHINE!!!

Other plans included the Great Animation Machine! Here the Carousel Theater would celebrate Classic Disney animated films of the past -and arriving to a final theater to preview guests the newest Disney film of the day. The upstairs was used to show the process on animation and display artwork and equipment used in developing the animated films of Disney. This like AMERICA SINGS seemed out-of-place in TOMORROWLAND.

Note in the rendering above how the exterior facade has elements of a film reel can. And take a closer look at the entrance marquee----------looks like the EYE OF MARA symbol!!

When HORIZONS opened at EPCOT CENTER in 1983, General Electric felt the Carousel of Progress was not a big enough "toy" for them and lost interest in the original Carousel of Progress attraction. Incidentally, HORIZONS "Tomorrows Windows" was designed as a continuation of The Carousel of Progress --even the AA figure of the man in the future apartment of Mesa Verde is the same mold as the Carousel of Progress Father!!!

WED PLANS TO BRING THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS "HOME"

With HORIZONS operating in Florida, WED/WDI planned replacements for the Walt Disney World Carousel Theater, with the intention of bringing the Carousel of Progress "home" to Disneyland!! In 1984, WED proposed to the EDISON ELECTRIC Institute -who sponsored Florida's WEDWAY PeopleMover, to bring sponsorship to the West Coast in the form of a revised and updated COP, to be called ,

THE CENTURY OF PROGRESS

Here are segments of the script---------and the lyrics to the 3rd generation song., "HERE COMES TOMORROW"

I wonder what the music was like??

In some future post on TOMORROWLOUNGE I'll display the entire script

Walt Disney World wanted to keep their version of the show and by the early 1990's a revised version of the Carousel of Progress opened. Disneyland theater remained vacant, but by this time, a WHOLE new TOMORROWLAND was under development----------a major redo to rival the Tomorrowland 1967 with all new attractions and an entire sky walk system creating a whole connecting second level to the land.

PLECTU'S GALACTIC REVUE "lands" in Tomorrowland

During this time WDI was developing a show using a combination of Industrial Robots and AA show-bots who had a striking resemblance to some famous EARTHLING music performers!

TINA TURBO

This show seems to smell of FOOD ROCKS

For Florida's WDI was proposing NEW TOMORROWLAND - GALACTIC EXPO 2071 (this eventually became the 20's-30's Deco-Tech Future theme that opened in 1994.

For Disneyland, WDI was planning NEW TOMORROWLAND -SPACE PORT EARTH 2055!!

This became just TOMORROWLAND 2055

Plectu's Robots were soon replaced with music Aliens!!

P.T. QUANTUM'S FANTASTIC GALACTIC SHOWBOAT EXTRAORDINAIRE

In 1991 this revised version of the Plectu's show was described in a Disney Company Forum booklet :

"an outer space musical-variety revue, starring a troupe of itinerant alien musicians and featuring the latest advances in theater effects and "Audio-Animatronics" technology"

Danny Elfman developed the score for the musical numbers

P.T. QUANTUM's Showboat -Spaceship in Tomorrowland

these are looking too cute for Tomorrowland 2055................

Michael Eisner thought these were too cutesy as well.........and said the show seemed like something you'd see at any Chuck E. Cheese restaurants around the country. This along with some problems in fitting Alien Encounter into the Mission To Mars building-------and a few other things killed TOMORROWLAND 2055...............

A billboard concept for future acts.........(this is NO joke!!)

The NEW TOMORROWLAND 2055 project was put on hold, and it's budget was given to the creation of TOONTOWN and FANTASMIC!!

Once attention was placed back on TOMORROWLAND, Disneyland wanted the Carousel Theater removed completely-------the first plans were for a "lake" with rock structures surrounding it in a stone henge fashion-in the middle a rock-island with the ASTRO ORBITOR at it's center.

Some TRUE Imagineers were determined to NOT let the old Carousel Theater get demolished and vowed to get the theater rotating once again. The challenge: there was almost NO budget in the Paul Pressler regime.......but WDI was gonna find a way.

OUCH!!!

For those of us who do not care for Disneyland's INOVENTIONS, here is something we must understand: without it-----there would no longer be a Carousel Theater at Disneyland. WDI spent money to KEEP the theater and get it to rotate again. Now, with a saved show building--there was NO money for a show inside. WDI reluctantly had to search for sponsors-lots of them to help provide much needed money to fill the void within.

No single BIG sponsor could be hooked, but smaller sponsors were interested. The Result: An attraction that had to showcase sponsor's products -----creating the INOVANTIONS format like EPCOT CENTER.

Bruce Gorden --a art director for the NEW TOMORROWLAND of 1998 said a year before opening........."We have NO idea want the HELL we are gonna put in here!.........."

an early mock-up test to give potential sponsors an idea of what could be done.......
note the HORIZONS Butler Robot in the distance?

this is less than a year to opening..........

The carousel Theater awaits sponsors and a decision on which mural will be used!

A beautiful new mural was designed by master futurist Syd Mead (of Short Circuit and Bladerunner films) but Imagineering couldn't use it as it didn't fit the loosely tied together theme of the growing number of sponsors.........

COMING SOON TO TOMORROWLOUNGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***MORE IMAGE GUESS-O-RAM!!***

***STARCADE***

***TOMORROWLAND SIGN PODS***

***TOMORROWLAND PUBLIC ART***

***EPCOT HORIZONS***

***PEOPLEMOVER & THE SUPER SPEED TUNNEL""

***DELTA DREAM FLIGHT***

***SPEEDRAMPS!!***

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 5 - the Carousel Theater Comes to a screeching halt and the erosion begins!

2011-04-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 5 - the Carousel Theater Comes to a screeching halt and the erosion begins!

This sign gave guests hopeful expectations for almost a decade!!

And while things seemed quietly the same on the outside: We knew that Imagineering were working busily on the 3rd Disneyland Generation Carousel Theater show right!!???

Well, not exactly!

Guests haven't sat here in many many years ---but people WERE using it!

Here we see a sad and ill fitting use for the exit stage of America Sings being used as a training and presentation room! Notice the ORIGINAL Carousel Of Progress seats with walnut armrests??

(don't worry.....the Weasel, Sam and Owl have been removed for years when this picture was taken)

Even the Colonel left the Old South behind!

To the left of ACT 1 (OLD SOUTH) is the "welcome-introduction theater"--when this picture was taken it was being used as extra offices for Disneyland engineering and construction

Debris and collapsing set pieces are strewn about!

In ACT 2 THE OLD WEST we see the REMAINS of old wagon REMAINS.

The scrim hangs from the clouds was once used for the haunting-romantic number "Home on The Range"

This saloon use to be one of my favorite show sets.

In ACT 4, MODERN TIMES. Notice how the stage trap doors have been boarded up!

The magic that once was.............

How would you like to be hired at Disneyland at then be shown to your new office here!?? I'd LOVE IT!!

Some last looks of the upper balcony details of AMERICA SINGS. Notice the trash bags left up there!

When the first paint scheme was being tested for Inoventions, the first coverings of paint were peeling here-and-there (no lead!!) and I was able to get a piece of the "peel". Why??? because I liked it!!----it featured a top peel of INOVENTIONS, with an exposed layer of AMERICA SINGS..AND..................a third exposed layer of CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS MURAL!!!!! A Tomorrowland retrospective (in paint) in the palm of my hand!!!

More architectural views.

Now some of you may have noticed that there were no scenes of ACT 3, The GAY 90's. That's because by this time entertainment costuming was using that theater for storage. The interior showed no signs of it's Turn-of-the-century elegance. Just drywall and rack and racks of costumes. HOWEVER..............................downstairs was another story!!!!!

It was amazing that even after almost a decade there were figures and props left in here!!! see the waiter pig from the GAY 90's sequence! on the floor was even the steel shadow silhouette of the Wandering boy segment "Drinking Rabbit". Above would have been the GAY 90's STAGE and sets.

When this exterior shot was taken there was only a few more days left before the AMERICA SINGS remnants would be gutted and tossed forever! See the barricades ready to go up!?

Come back and visit TOMORROWLOUNGE to see the Carousel Theater get gutted and a revue of some attractions that almost took residence here--like THE CENTURY OF PROGRESS---PLECTU'S GALACTIC SHOWBOAT EXTRODINAIR and other concepts in AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST # 6!!!!!

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 4!!!! inside and outside the "Swinging Carousel Theater"

2011-04-08T00:57:00.000-07:00

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 4!!!! inside and outside the "Swinging Carousel Theater"

HEY!!! AMERICA SINGS IS OPEN!!!!!

These cheerful fellas are wearing Disneyland's newest 1974 Tomorrowland costume (in summer & winter versions) - these were designed by Tom Pierce who also brought us the first Haunted Mansion costume and the Small World Gondolier costume that was used until the 1990's. Tom designed thousands and thousands of Disney park costumes for operations and attractions (like Country Bear Jamboree and every AA show at EPCOT!!)

And here's something for the ladies of tomorrow.......these are images of costumes (also in summer & winter versions) redone without Del Monte's sponsorship--the big red tomato patch would have gone center on the white waistline on the ladies, and near the name badge on the men's version

Does that Sam the Eagle and stars graphic look likes it was added later to you?? Well it should! Can you guess what was removed from the original sign? A giant Del Monte Tomato logo!!

This is a rare version of this guide with the opening date printed (or stamped!) on the cover

I liked how both the murals of The Carousel pf Progress and America Sings combined the upper stationery section and the lower rotating section to appear as one large mural within the graceful guest ramps and balcony of the theater. Innoventions does not do this making the upper section look overly massive and heavy -I majored in environmental design with an emphasis in architecture so things like that bother me......

A view of AMERICA SINGS from the PeopleMover!!

As a kid the 1890's Act was always one of my favorites! With all the advancements with technology and animatronics I don't think AA figures will ever be as perfect as these. The shapes and movements were perfect to there designs and Marc Davis , Blaine Gibson and the programers knew how to take advantage of limitations. Bill Justice would say "Just because someone wants a bear to dance like a Rockett- he can't dance like a Rockett --he's still a bear!!" (but can a Rockett dance like a BEAR!!???)

I Think that Stork or Crane is showing off!

Our "Bird In A Gilded Cage" was voiced by Cheryl Poole --who also voiced Trixie over at Country Bear Jamboree!! ( I think she looks like Phylis Diller --The Bird in the cage --not Cheryl Poole!)

A perfect song for an obvious gag!

I really miss this show!

Some "architectural shots" most people didn't think to shoot back in the day. But I Did!!

I was wished for a PeopleMover train to pass ---but it was never going to happen again.

I can't begin to tell you how many people ask me to PLEASE post a image of the TOP of the America Sings roof!!!! So here it is!!!!!! (ok.........maybe a handful of people requested this image. Or come to think of it........no one has EVER requested an image of the America Sings roof. But I'm glad I took it!!

Ok........take a good look at this last shot. It will come in handy for tomorrows post-- Be sure to have a box of tissues handy!!!

"On behalf of Disneyland and our friends at Del Monte , we hope you enjoyed AMERICA SINGS!. Now please gather your belongings and exit through the doors in which you came, and enjoy the rest of your visit to TOMORROWLOUNGE!!"

Please join TOMORROWLOUNGE for its next AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST ( #5) as we feature the abadoned and destroyed AMERICA SINGS interior and exterior!!!!

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 3 - Press items and the Carousel Theater swings again!!

2011-04-07T00:54:00.000-07:00

AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 3 - Press items and the Carousel Theater swings again!!

AMERICA SINGS OPENING JUNE 29, 1974

for the ceremonies Count Basie, Carol DeKeyser -Disneyland's 1974 Ambassador and Mickey Mouse.

NOTE the Sam The Eagle costume character!!

Elaborate Press Kit & the famous press gift: a casting of a Blaine Gibson Sam The Eagle maquette!!

The maquette originally came in a circular plastic tube-container with America Sings graphics and ornate scroll work printed on the outside in gold and white. You'll need a ticket to get one of these, and you will only get ONE --no matter how many kids you have back at home!

The press was also given a rare sample album of the soundtrack in a special packaged version as a preview of the show --but just-in-case you need another, here's an insert to let you know you will be able to BUY additional albums!!

Let's dig into the press kit!!!!!

I love the press information book!

Here's a sample --but the kit has tons of press releases

And some great photos --I think mine is missing the Carousel Theater nite-time photo--darn it!!!

Let's go inside and see what AMERICA SINGS is all about!

Oops! I think we missed the entry ramp! Come back and join TOMORROWLOUNGE in MEGA POST PART 4 and we'll go inside and check things out!!

2011-04-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

TOMORROWLAND'S CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS TO BECOME A CAROUSEL OF SONG! - AMERICA SINGS MEGA POST PART 2

Once Walt Disney World in Florida opened attention was focused on the new Florida park, and General Electric felt the 'Progress Story" had been well told in California and wanted the popular Carousel of Progress attraction to be moved to Disney's newest magic Kingdom. With that move Disneyland would soon be left with a large EMPTY high guest capacity theater in Tomorrowland. During the late 60's and early 70's famed Imagineer Marc Davis developed dozens and dozens of possible audio animatronic based shows -and one that was loosely considered was a barn in Frontierland where musically talented animals would perform old time America favorite songs. This seems to be a combination of the proposed Ford "Cruise-O-Magic" Theater were animals would sing the benefits of Ford automobiles, as well as a distillation of Country Bear Jubilee which eventually became the Country Bear Jamboree.

These frogs would soon be "heading' South"

Much of Marc Davis' earliest work for the Frontierland Barn show featured mostly farm/ American West type animals --mostly in country and Old West clothing, but very simple garb--a hat or a vest--maybe some overalls or a simple bonnet keeping the animals far more animal and less humanesque.

When the Carousel Theater became a future option, Marc Davis and Al Bertino took the "Animal Barn" show and began to fit it in to the multiple act theater format of the "Carousel of Progress" giving it the working name "Carousel of Song". Disneyland and WED also knew of the pending American Bicentennial and wanted to tie that theme into the show resulting in the shows official hosts: Sam The Eagle & his sidekick Ollie The Owl. Disneyland wanted to be sure guest knew of it's patriotic theme and the "Carousel of Song" became "AMERICA SINGS"

Marc Davis and Al Bertino selected all the songs for the show --they listen to a lot of music and since neither could read music they hired a piano player who couldn't sing! Marc Davis said : "Al wasn't much help on that. he's an Italian --the only one who can't sing a tune!" They chose popular songs people know --and stayed away from songs that dealt with war, but always looked to see if a gag or laugh could be brought out in the selected song. The America Sings show came together in about two years.

This unused concept for the song "Bicycle Built for Two"

This was one of many ORIGINAL WED concept pieces the Disney Gallery SOLD in the late 80's!!

Several artists created concept art for the new Carousel Theater show

Marc's concepts are sculpted into reality

And...........if you thought the second level of the Carousel Theater was going to be neglected--you are very wrong! WED was considering several things for the top of America Sings including a Bicentennial exhibit, a restaurant and the UFO SHOW!!!

THE UFO SHOW TOMORROWLAND

OPENING 1975

DISNEYLAND

The UFO SHOW (the working name) was described by WED as in 1974 as: "a little something planned for upstairs of "America Sings" Here guests will travel in cars on direction, armed with air guns, while eerie, unhuman, gremlin-like targets pop up and dart the other direction. Upon completion the attraction will be the first "shooting Gallery" where the marksman's position moves as well as the target's

hmmmmmm 30 years before Buzz Lightyears Astro Blasters!!!

Above is your ticket to come back and ride the Swinging Carousel Theater as AMERICA SINGS opens in our America Sings Salute Mega post part 3!!!!

2011-04-01T02:06:00.000-07:00

TOMORROWLOUNGE GUESS - O - RAMA #1 ANSWER

You may have been inside here once!!

Well? How did everyone do? For those of you that played, and posted or e-mailed me their answer, we didn't have any "direct hits" but Christopher came the closest. Christopher also brought up the fact I had accidentally titled the image which could be visible--but I quickly fixed it.

Anyway, the answer to the very first "TOMORROWLOUNGE IMAGE GUESS-O-RAMMA" is..............................................................................................................................................

The 1967 Disneyland "Carousel of Progress" speedramp to Progress City room -cavity-----chamber room place -area thingy space as left inside AMERICA SINGS! You ALL should have know that!!

WELCOME TO PROGRESS CITY!!!

It's odd that such a large space was left inside after the Carousel of Progress vacated Disneyland. You can see where the top of the SPEEDRAMP space has been floored over and all the neat WED special effects have been removed (except the electrical!) Oh------and the SPEEDRAMP is gone too!

                                          Come on everyone!! Don't stand in the way of PROGRESS!

So colorful.........so bright and warm........so welcoming.........
I must walk into the light......!

So close-------I hear happy marching music..........

WED Imagineers knew how to do things right back in 1967. The Carousel of Progress was like enjoying a
six course meal and then finding out there was a "Great Big Beautiful" dessert right after! Well, right after you rode the SPEEDRAMP to the top!

As a very small boy ( 4 or 5 years old) I have a few fleeting memories of seeing parts of the Carousel of Progress show........but I have VERY STRONG memories of seeing Progress City! I was enthralled with it! I remember siting on my dad's shoulders so I could see everything! I remember seeing the PeopleMover passing behind us, and I remember the audience reaction of AWE when "Grandma's and Grandpa's" plane took off into the sky leaving Progress City (I cannot recall if the plane was a projection or a actual model.........) It's great to know that part of Progress City survives in Walt Disney World, but it's sad it remains as a static, reduced -non-animated display. I guess you really can't stand in the way of "Progress".

original 1967 -1973 Progress City

The photograph that was the subject of the First TOMORROWLOUNGE GUESS-O-RAMA was taken just several days prior to the AMERICA SINGS "Swinging Carousel Theater" gutting. AND............that's the next subject of the next series of TOMORROMLOUNGE MEGA POSTS ; AMERICA SINGS and the last days of the Musical Joyride to Musicland U.S.A.!!!

Now be prepared, because in these posts to follow you will see some things that will bring back warm happy memories.......but you'll also see some very very sad and depressing images. So be warned, but please feel free to sing and clap along with our animal performers!!

2011-03-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

TOMORROWLOUNGE GUESS-O-RAMA!!!!!

A Tomorrowlounge first! Can you identify what or where this image is from???? Your only clue is TOMORROWLAND, DISNEYLAND USA!!! Good luck players!!!!

Sorry Eric Scales: you are not eligible to play - this time.

2010-07-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

AMERICA SINGS!!!
OPENING JUNE 29th 1974!!!!

Some WED file art by Marc Davis

The SWINGING CAROUSEL THEATER 1974!

Please come back and join us at TOMORROWLOUNGE for a musical joyride to music-land U.S.A!!!

2010-03-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

DISNEYLAND'S MISSION TO MARS - GOING, GOING..........GONE!
FOURTH MEGA POST IN A SERIES

After the Mission To Mars attraction was shuttered to Disneyland guests, the show building was still used. For a short time the attractions' boarding concourse was used as a Magic Kingdom Club Member "gift Redemption Center". Later, Disneyland's entertainment division used the same area as storage and temporary offices as their former space above the Carousel Theatre was being gutted.

A horribly out-of-place musical stage show "Toy Story Playhouse" was performed in front of the "Mars" facade. While the Plaza Inn on Main Street USA was being renovated the old prop rotisserie of chicken, turkeys and roasting meats in front of fiberglass glowing coals were stored on the attractions exit corridors.

While Imagineers came up with dozens and dozens of great ideas for possible replacements for the space once held by Mission To Mars, the bureaucratic management of Paul Pressler's regime was not about to release the purse strings to allow any such ideas to materialize in the 'New Tomorrowland" of 1998. Sadly because of this, the space intended for an attraction became a restaurant --the idea that now a direct revenue could be made from the space made Presser and his cohorts happy. The Imagineers secret scheme was to make the restaurant part attraction as well. The working title for the project was called the "Tomorrowland Transportation Warehouse" a fictional "museum" and semi storage facility where all the elements for Tomorrowlands past would be on display. Guests could dine sitting in one of the two circular theaters and see portions of" Mission To Mars"," Flight To The Moon", and even "Rocket To The Moon"! The last piece of a surviving Mark III Monorail (Big Red) would have also been on view as well as be accessible to guests. Smaller "snack seating" would be available in old Autopia Cars, Skyway cabins, and PeopleMover cars. Here too guests would view old props, posters, signs and other artifacts celebrating all things Tomorrowland while listening to the sounds, music, and safety spiels of Tomorrowlands past.

As Mission To Mars and Tomorrowland demolition began, so did the demolition of the entire projects budget. Eventually the grand plans for the "Tomorrowland Museum Restaurant" became smaller and smaller. Disneyland Restaurants division felt the props and historical elements of the project were talking up too much "paying customers" seating space, and the cost to refurbish many of the vehicles for use was too expensive, so rather than a great big beautiful "WOW" experience for Disneyland guest,the project resulted in a College Commissary atmosphere under the name of Red Rockets Pizza Port.

Looking out from the Mars passenger concourse

It didn't take long to "peel away" the future.

Think of all the passengers who passed through here between 1967 and the 1990's!!

below: "Mister Johnson........Mister Johnson...........??? Hello.............???

here you can see the multi-layered viewing ramps for guests while viewing "Mission Control".....beyond is one of the flight status screens inside you DC-88 SPACELINER

The remains of the left side exit corridor mural is visible in the back

be careful as you find your seat inside the remains of a DC-88 SPACELINER cabin

.....use the handrail please.....

this damage was caused not by "meteoroids" but by Disneyland bean-counters!

The last of the seats removed, the skeletal remains of Mission To Mars. If you look closely you might be able to see the spirits of happy Disneyland guests on their "Mission To Mars".......

Mission To Mars March Month will be over, but yet another few posts will follow on the legacy of Mission To Mars.....including some relics and artifacts that have survived into the real 21st Century!!

2010-03-21T23:59:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISSION TO MARS!!!
Mega Post #3 in a series.

35 years ago today, Tomorrowland began its McDonnell Douglas DC-88 Super-Space liner Service to the "mysterious red-planet"; MARS. In this post (post #3 if you've been following......) we meet the crew from that serviced the Tomorrowland Spaceport for so many years.

The first people we meet are our Mission To Mars hosts / hostesses wearing a beautiful cosmic ensemble of blues, yellows,white....and a orange band along the waist!.

here we have a flight hostess checking to make sure that her pant cuffs are the correct 8" diameter flare!

here we see the final concept art of what our male flight hosts will wear on the journey into space. Lots of "Sears" styling going on here. See one of the previous Mission To Mars mega posts for images of the actual costume this represent.

the sponsor identification patch

Mission Control at Walt Disney World.....note Mr. Johnson is wearing a BLUE turtle neck rather than his traditional red one??

Mr. Johnson (who replaced Mr. Morrow of the Flight to the Moon), was very modern in his silvery lab coat and futuristic 1975 turtle neck sweater! This is one of Mr. Johnson's actual work uniforms.....he always had two on hand--just-in-case he should spill some Sanka or Nescafe on himself!!

Mr. Johnson's head set.

and so no other mission control staff members accidentally took his coat, Mr. Johnson had his CLREARLY labeled!

Mr. Johnson was voiced by character actor GEORGE WALSH

AND NOW FOR AN INTIMATE VISIT WITH OUR MISSION CONTROL CREW!

"MR. JOHNSON" (MMF-9)

"BILL" (MMF-8)

"HAL" (MMF-7)

(is he named after a certain robot from the film 2001...??)

"KEN" (MMF-6)

"ART" (MMF-5)

this figure was altered to become the first African-American AA staff member at Mission To Mars. He was named "ART" in honor of famed tennis star Arthur Ashe......who won Wimbledon in 1975.

"FRED" (MMF-4)

Fred is the only staff member NOT wearing a headphone!

"JIM" (MMF-3)

Jim appears to be napping here, but he is really eavesdropping on Fred's phone call!! Looks like Fred's gotta a date to go to BeniHana's after the day's last mission!

"MARY" (MMF-2)

Of course between 1967 and 1975 there was a great deal of social change in our American Society. 1975 brought with it female staff members to Mission To Mars. Mary was named after Mary Tyler Moore who's TV show of the same name was a top Emmy award winner during this time. Ironically she looks more like Phyllis Lindstrom than Mary Richards......

Staff coat patch

cast members pose for a Tomorrowland cast photo on December 2, 1992 for a final "farewell" to MISSION TO MARS on it's very last day of operation.

HAPPY 25Th BIRTHDAY MISSION TO MARS!!!

Join Tomorrowlounge for a few more MEGA posts as we celebrate MISSION TO MARS MARCH MONTH!!!

next post.....unbuilt plans for MISSIOIN TO MARS and the attraction's final sunset.............

2010-03-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

MISSION TO MARS 35Th ANIVERSSARY MEGA POST #2
.........The MOON is OUT and MARS is in!!

this is the color artwork by Jim Michaelson (creator of the Disneyland Railroad 1977 attraction poster) and Rudy Lord. Below are the plans to make this sign, should you feel one might be needed at the entry of your home!

It seems that the standard 4'x8' board was common for "coming soon" attraction signs......AMERICA SINGS '74 used this same plan.

this TITAN III interplanetary Maned Mars explorer concept of the late 1960's seems to have been the inspiration for the DC-88 depicted on the "coming soon" sign, but has little resemblance to the final DC-88 SPACELINER shown in the attraction's launch screens, and as you rounded the boarding concourse. For a short time, a display of McDonnell-Douglas aircraft was shown in the loading que for "Mars".....from the earliest bi-plane to DC-10s...........and the final case was a model of the "current" DC-88 SPACELINER........a preview of the very one you would be riding to Mars in. I was unable to located the images of this model for this post......so I'll show it another time. For now, it was very similar to this 1950's Moon rocket concept.

This concept is a beautiful......and very stylized rendering by famed designer John deCuir Sr. for the interior's color and arrangement of the passenger hold. Note that there is a pilot or captain visible inside the cabin with the passengers.....I wonder if there was consideration of another AA figure to be added of "3rd Officer Collins".......???

below is a concept also by John deCuir Sr. , not for Mission To Mars , but for Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort.......done if a" Future-Tiki" design........tropical, yet very TOMORROWLOUNGE. I ran across it while looking for pieces to use for this post.

some graphic blueprints to label the sides of the DC-88. Did you know that those ships are Hydrogen powered??

Above you can see the passenger cabin flight status control panel. A neat detail.

In this inner cabin shot, you can see a sliver of the unique exit murals thru the unclosed "air-lock doors"

here's a rare view of one of those murals.......Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World featured these .

this detail of Tomorrowland 1977 by Clem Hall shows where Mission To Mars "fit's" in.

Here's the "blade" sign for Walt Disney World's Mission To Mars.........also turning 35 this year!

interesting to see the backside of the "departure" sign........is that Latin??

well, it looks like this MEGA post is going to be 4-5 parts...........so next time we will talk about "what to wear" to Mars...........and we will meet the entire staff of the Mission Control team!

2010-02-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, March 21st will be the 35th Anniversary of Disneyland's Mission to Mars. This 70's favorite launched it's last DC88 SPACELINER to Mars on November 2, 1992. It seems this service could not compete with deregulation of Super-Space Service Travel compared to the budget third class service of companies like STAR TOURS......or the failed Teleportation Travel Service of XS-TECH a few years back .......a service once planned to come to Disneyland's Tomorrowland.

So get ready and zip -up your jumpsuits and join us for a multiple part journey to the "Mysterious Red Planet" aboard the McDonnell Douglas DC-88 SPACELINER!!

this sign is mounted on aluminum. It was used on the Walt Disney World Omnibus advertising panels. Walt Disney World began service to Mars on June 7, 1975. The writing on the backside says WED-Martin Marietta, 1 of 2.

even as a kid, I thought this planter was VERY "Jetson's"

I miss these types of exotic-astro gardens of 70's Tomorrowland

a graphic visualization of a Hyper-Space Jump!!

here you can see the McDonnell Douglas marquee has been removed as MARS service slowly comes to an end.

I wonder if pretzels will be served?.....................better get my "C" Coupon out..............

..........below we can see when the next Mars flight is......and then we can continue to the Lounge and Boarding Concourse...........today companies don't have these neat classy lounges......some make you walk right thru their repair hangers and droid maintenance bays : TACKY!!

what a great mural! Gets everyone excited to travel to Mars!

"FLIGHT 295 to Mars is ready for boarding!!"

Check back for my other MISSION TO MARS posts.....all thru March!....you'll even see concept art, and the sad final fate of the Mission To Mars attraction...............

2010-01-15T02:11:00.000-08:00

COKE OR PEPSI? AT TOMORROWLOUNGE YOU CAN STILL HAVE BOTH!!!

Classic Coca-Cola at TOMORROWLAND TERRACE

...............Or new COKE at TOMORROWLAND TERRACE.........

or PEPSI over at the SPACE PLACE!!

Now I'm getting thirsty....................................how about a SPACE MIST PUNCH over at the SPACE PLACE?

These pieces of artwork are from some of Disney's unsung hero's : Tom Peirce, Jack Muhs, and Bob Phelps of Disneyland's costuming department...........without these pioneer's talents, Tomorrowlounge just would't be as fun.

2009-12-08T22:28:00.000-08:00

PEOPLEMOVER COSTUME 1967 - 1973 Go! Go! Yellow! (Gold)

When this costume debuted along with the others for the 1967 New Tomorrowland, WED wanted to really create a vista into the future.......a future of very good looking , fit people! The unprinted word around the park staffing was "only beautiful people apply for transfer" The New Tomorrowland costumes were only done in select sizes.......even tight and form fitting to 1960's standards. Rich, a 1967 New Tomorrowland "Disneylander" (now a respected San Francisco dentist today) said that the guys would try to get to costume issue early as possible to grab one of the few "slightly larger" PeopleMover stretch pants. The joke around Tomorrowland cast members was that if you saw a male PeopleMover employee walking towards you....and they had a dime in their pocket, you could tell if it was heads or tales!......Since the PeopleMover costume pants had no pockets, our "Disneylander" admitted the real joke was, from the pants, you could tell what religion the cast member was!!!!

GO! GO! GOODYEAR!!!!!!...............................maybe that's why our cast member in the picture is NOT smiling.............

By 1972, a newer PeopleMover costume was being developed, and was used first for the AMERICA SINGS attraction (in appropriate Red, White and Blue colors).....then the PeopleMover. The sketch shows the blue shirt that was used until the early 80's when it was ultimately replaced by a white shirt (that could be used with multiple Tomorrowland costumes)

AND TOMORROWLOUNGE has not forgotten the stylish ladies!!!!

Judging from that cast members pose on the right, you had better now EXACTLY how many people are in your party!!

For you PeopleMover fans...............Tomorrowlounge will have lots more down the line!!

2009-12-04T02:21:00.000-08:00

PEOPLEMOVER THRU SUPERSPEED TUNNEL SIGN
--even at Tomorrowlounge there's rain!!! Please check back with us later.

2009-11-23T00:42:00.000-08:00

PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY TO TOMORROWLOUNGE 67!!!

FORD MAGIC SKYWAY 1964
--The first WEDWAY "PeopleMover"
.....although not specifically tomorrowland, it's still very very TOMORROWLOUNGE!!

WALT DISNEY WORLD SPACE MOUNTAIN
entry marquee --c. 1976 --don't worry folks, there's always plenty of parking at TOMORROWLOUNGE 67!

was the idea of Space Mountain so new that imagineers found it necessary to show guests an idea of what was inside???

WALT DISNEY WORLD SPACE MOUNTAIN
entry portal c. 1976

notice the modern murals painted on the entry walls? They are almost the exact same patterns as painted on the Disneyland Space Mountain construction wall shown in yesterdays post!

2009-11-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

SPACE MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION WALL -DISNEYLAND

The same WED concept art displayed along the Space Mountain construction wall was also featured along the PEOPLEMOVER right-of-way thru the Carousel Theater. Once the Progress City model was sent to Walt Disney World , the remaining half of the second level of America Sings remained vacant. A series of 5 various size rectangular opening with curved edges showcased concept for soon-to-be-opening Tomorrowland attractions --mainly Space Mountain and Mission to Mars. This artwork was illuminated on plexi panels-in the same way the Circle-Vision preview panels were done alone the PeopleMover as well.

The PeopleMover storage was dislocated once Space Mountain construction began and was relocated above America Sings. The original plans for the SUPER SPEED TUNNEL (there's really two tunnels) were to have it on the "up-ramp" passing the Starcade. This was because there were plans for another attraction called the UFO SHOW to go above America Sings "guests will travel in vehicles in one direction, armed with air guns while eerie, unhuman, gremlin-like targets pop up and dart in the other direction. Upon completion this attraction will be the first "shooting gallery" where the marksman's position moves as well as the target's" - Winter, 1974 WED BACKSTAGE

Hmmmmmm no such thing as a new idea???

Once they UFO show was kinda shelved, they relocated the Super Speed Tunnels above America Sings. The PeopleMover was rerouted for this, and the old WEDWAY route was planked over and used as the "office" portion of the WEDWAY maintenance facilities. The mechanical access "pit" below the Progress City model turned out to be the perfect space for a undercarriage PeopleMover service pit!!

SOME UPCOMMING TOMORROWLOUNGE 67 MEGA POSTS:

The unsung MARK III Disneyland-Alweg Monorails!
a fourth train! bucket seats! new costumes and a new Tomorrowland station!!

TOMORROWLAND CIVIC ART

AND............................ MORE TOMORROWLOUNGE FASHIONS

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEEDRAMPS

WHERE TOMORROWLAND 1967 WENT TO DIE

2009-11-18T04:08:00.000-08:00

SOMES SIGNS YOU ARE APPROACHING TOMORROWLOUNGE 67!!

2009-11-18T04:02:00.000-08:00

ADDITIONAL TOMORROWLOUNGE 67 FASHIONS!!

This outfit is called the RETLAW and it is designed for high-speed travel! --If you're gonna ride up in the bubble dome of a ALWEG MARK III, this is what you wanna be seen in!

These gents are showing how versitle TOMORROWLOUNG 67 clothing is! With a few minor changes you can go fom Summer to Winter without ever stopping!!!

Even in space, one must be well dressed! These ladies are wearing the ORANGE 77. Earlier versions were called the ORANGE 75.....The even earlier version: ORANGE 74 was just a color variation of SKYWAY BLUES ensembles--but we will explain more about that later in a future post of TOMORROWLOUNGE 67!

Now just is case: This is what NOT to wear to TOMORROWLOUNGE 67:

2009-11-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR TO TOMORROWLOUNGE 67?

Well, there are many mod fashions you can wear including zippered jumpsuits , flared pants or stirruped stretch pants . Jumpsuits have been very popular - in polyester, but people here love the 67% -33% Nylon --I think you'll find it more in style. Bright colors are always fun. A fun hat or head ornament will really make you stand out !!!

she's got TOMORROWLOUNG style and she's not affraid to let you know it!

A belt like this one will get you a FREE cocktail at TOMORROWLOUNGE 67!

All combinations of yellow and blue are always fashionable!

This ensemble is called "General Electric Summer" and is a very popular look from May to September!

2009-11-18T02:50:00.000-08:00

HOW WILL I GET TO TOMORROWLOUNGE 67?

Now that you know where we are it's very easy! We are serviced by Monorail, PeopleMover and Skyway. Astro and Rocket Jets are also available! Feel free to use the Speedramps as well!!!

You'll arive in style aboard a New Disneyland-ALWEG Mark III Monorail! -- the muscle car of monorails!

The WEDWAY PeopleMover is a TOMORROWLOUNGE 67 favorite! Across town or across the country, Go! Go! Goodyear!!

Our friends at CTS have provided all of our transportation systems! Maybe CTS can serve you in your own comunity!?

2009-11-18T02:12:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to TOMORROWLOUNGE 67! Here we will celebrate all facets of Disney’s many versions of the future. We will meet many old friends here – many we haven’t seen in a very long time! You’ll probably some new things as well. This will be a preview introduction to this bright and sparkling place to lounge at. Since TOMORROWLOUNGE 67 is in a world on the move, let’s get started!

Some common TOMORROWLOUNGE 67 questions:

Where is TOMORROWLOUNGE 67?? Well sometimes people often pass right bye because they are so excited getting into Tomorrowland. That’s right! We are at the entrance of Tomorrowland!! To get there please see the two pictures provided: You’ll see we are right in front of the Circle-Vision Pavilion overlooking Alpine Gardens!

Look right below --overlooking Alpine Gardens. You've found TOMORROWLOUNGE 67!!