Disneyland's world of the future used to fascinate me. Nowadays, beyond a ride on Space Mountain, it's just a walk through for old time's sake. But in years gone by, particularly in its stunning 1967 incarnation, the land was filled with adventures that thrilled the mind and played with the imagination. Where it began was in an entirely different place.
Aside from World's Fairs, Expos, and the like, a world predicting the future had not been done before. It makes sense that Walt would initially view his Tomorrowland as a mix of both futuristic thinking and corporate exhibits. A precursor of what was to come at EPCOT Center's Future World decades later.
In this piece of vintage concept art, you get a nice view from the hub of all the opening day Tomorrowland attractions: Rocket to the Moon, Phantom Boats, Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, Circarama U.S.A., and Space Station X-1. (This last one has a particularly beautiful attraction poster! Look here.)
One of the first items a Disneyland fan should notice when looking at this piece is how very similar the layout of the structures are 60+ years later! Although it will never happen, it's time for a reboot that strips away all the Pixar characters and a return to a fantasy scientific look at what could be.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
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