The Wings of Man

Who doesn't love a little retro coolness, a little vintage airline goodie? If you need an airline ticket, this would be the place I'd go to get one! This sign is found at Reagan Washington National Airport. It's a look at the past brought to us from Airline Hardcopy. In the not so distant times, you could fly on National, Braniff, TransWorld Airlines (TWA), Piedmont, and my sentimental favorite, Eastern Air Lines ("The Wings of Man"- sponsor of the classic Walt Disney World attraction, If You Had Wings.) It's the airline we flew for our honeymoon, so it will always have a soft spot in my heart- as will the days gone by when flying was easy and an adventure.

Retro Music Day

Time to start a new month. Given this time holds the U.S. Presidential election and Thanksgiving- both serious in nature to say the least- I thought it might be fun to begin with a little retro inspired late 1970s / early 1980s music.

Michael Jackson may have ruled the airwaves with Thriller and Off The Wall, but he and his brothers could also bring the beat. Destiny includes the toe tapping smash Shake Your Body Down to the Ground. It's a catchy tune that is now once again stuck in my mind.

The Bee Gee's baby brother Andy Gibb rocked with my favorite tune of the year: I Just Want to Be Your Everything. Upon first listen, I was hooked. His duet years later with the beautiful Olivia Newton-John on I Can't Help It remains a favorite, perfect for late night listening.

Who doesn't love September by Earth, Wind & Fire? Its lasting power is evident by the inclusion of the song on Walt Disney World's epic coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Epcot never sounded so cool!

So, here's just a start to a rocking November!

Monday Morning at Disneyland, 1959.

 

Walt Disney's newest experiment, Disneyland, was a beloved success! Since its opening in 1955 millions of guests entered the gates, drawn in by television and the honest to goodness fact that Walt Disney's company produced high quality work regardless of the media they used. (Note to Robert Iger and company: Quality work results in long term profits.)

The land of tomorrow might have been shortchanged at opening with attractions that were mostly corporate exhibits, but by 1959, that was changed for good. The impact of adding the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Submarine Voyage, and the Monorail cannot be understated. Guest numbers were at one million for 1955, but by this expansion, the park was now running at 5 million. Not too shabby for something critics thought would fail.

Tomorrowland was now a destination unto itself- and a much more beautiful one with a shimmering lagoon and a snow covered mountain.

Beginning a day at Disneyland with a leisurely stroll down Main Street U.S.A., guests now had to decide whether to head straight to the beloved Jungle Cruise on one side of the park or head to the other and experience the newest and most compelling to date attractions. 

Perhaps the best plan was to go to Frontierland and explore the Old West before the crowds hit. The East vs. West debate continues to this day.  Maybe the best plan is straight through the castle to ride Peter Pan's Flight or the equally beloved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. 

From Daveland.

As you can see in the rendering above, Tomorrowland now had a wide variety of choices with attractions to suit just about anyone. Thrill ride? Check. Outer space adventure? Yes. Liquid space journey? A long time favorite. You could drive a car even if you were underage. Visit the House of the Future. Ride in a Rocket Jet. And hop aboard the transportation of the future. 

What a beautiful world Tomorrowland was! At least for another 15 or so years. Until it wasn't. But for now, just imagine a glorious day in the Land of the Future in 1959. It's all there waiting for you!

Vintage Central Florida Poster

An old time poster from Delta Air Lines advertising the attractions of Central Florida. Of course as expected, Cinderella Castle sits in the prime position! Walt Disney World's first park, the Magic Kingdom, had just made its debut in 1971. But don't overlook Cypress Gardens represented by their water ski show, a tour of the swamp land, or downtown Orlando and its stunning lake. All in all a very nice piece of retro / vintage art.

1967 Disneyland Map

Want to see a Disneyland map with the Peoplemover, the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland, the Skyway, and the Mike Fink Keelboats? Well, here it is! These long gone gems of Disneyland are right here on this 1967 map. Or is it "Fun map"? I never can remember. Regardless, the vintage, retro, very cool image is just the very bright and charming piece I wanted to show this Monday morning. With all the doom and gloom in the world, a little fun never hurt anyone. 

(Image copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

World Class Look at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Ah, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, the original hotel that Walt Disney World dreams are made of! You're looking at what it looks like now as of mid-March 2023 in a great photo by Bioreconstruct. The new Honolulu high rise tower is being built in the upper right hand corner. It will not only change the sight line, but it will remove the sense of separation from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Photo from My Favorite Disney Postcards

Back in the opening year, the Polynesian was much smaller, giving it a remote, exotic feel. The slightly color corrected version of this vintage postcard is seen below.

As any die hard Poly fan will tell you, the lobby waterfalls were much better looking and more inviting than the glass floats hanging from its ceiling guests see today. The hard to get into Trader Sam's Grog Grotto may be loads of fun, but the new vibe at the Poly is less relaxing than ever before. Still, it's a good place to hang out on a non-park day. But let's not talk about those outrageous room rates! 

(Images copyright The Walt Disney Company and Bioreconstruct.)

Three From Tomorrowlounge 67 Plus A Bonus

 Disneyland fan Mike Cozart's and his now (very sadly) defunct  Tomorrowlounge 67 site hosts some of the most incredible information and images you will find on Anaheim's Land of the Future. Here's three pieces of Imagineering concept art- plus a bonus one- to prove my point.

 

Yes, this once was Disneyland's Land of the Future.

The top image is in vibrant 60's era colors, so Tomorrowland sparkles with an energy it is certainly missing today.  The Peoplemover, the Rocket Jets overhead, and the elevated ramps brought vibrancy and movement. Toss in the Skyway and the Monorail, well, you didn't need to see the blue waters of the Submarine Lagoon to realize the future was definitely one on the move, one that looked very inviting.

 

 

 

So good were the Imagineers at their craft that even in these muted brown tones or in charcoal, a clear sense of excitement there, easily communicated in these renderings. 

 

Although long gone from Disneyland where the Peoplemover tracks rot, the great bones for stunning Tomorrowland now reside only in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. 

TRON will certainly add to the excitement, and now that those long lines will appear all over the land for two attractions with a height limit, I'd say it is high time to give some love and care at a deep level to classics like the Carousel of Progress. Folks who don't ride the land's thrill attractions need something to enjoy. So why not give them a taste of the excellently designed gifts of the first and greatest generation of Imagineers?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland is Better Than Disneyland's Version of the Future

Among Disneyland purists, it's an unpopular opinion, but I've long maintained that Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom is far superior to its older California sibling. My last visit to Anaheim, we did not ride a single attraction in the Land of the Future. In contrast, during our last trip to Florida, I did as many as possible.

You've got the Peoplemover, the Astro Orbiter (way up high where it belongs), the Carousel of Progress, and of course, the wide open views of Space Mountain, the Contemporary Resort, and the upcoming TRON Lightcycle Run. Regardless of its charms- and the Submarine Lagoon itself is beautiful- Disneyland just can't compete in this arena.

In Florida, there are a good amount of classic vintage, retro focused attractions. Finally, the suits and Disney Imagineering are embracing this! The Tomorrowland Speedway gets a Christmas layover with a vibe straight from the 1960s and 70s. This piece of promo material / concept art makes me wish West Coast Disney fans had a chance for something similar. 

The food in either land is still bad, and the shopping is a joke as well. Yet, the vibe in Florida feels fresh not tired. TRON will only make it better. 

Now, about that space used up by Stitch's Great Escape...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dashboard Confessional

Browsing the car lot, I stumbled upon this classic Oldsmobile. The outside needed a good amount of help, but the inside was in much better shape. The retro cool dashboard and wooden steering wheel meant a photo definitely had to be taken. So, here it is! Nothing fancy, but a look from days gone by.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Take A Ride Around Tomorrowland at Disneyland Circa 1967

Retro Disneyland is pretty cool! You certinaly won't get this exact view, but I like the photo so much that I wanted to include it just for fun. 

Take a look at this vintage video below. It's from 1971- a great year in the park. Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion are relatively new, and the brand New Tomorrowland premiered just about the same time.

You'll take a ride on the Monorail over the Submarine Voyage Lagoon, cruise to the Disneyland Hotel and more. It's a pristine new, optimistic look at the future. And it's a world where the Imagineers were led by the greatest Imagineer, the man who started it all- Walt Disney.

Art Deco Life Guard Stations of Miami Beach

Talk about great composition! These life guard stations on Miami Beach, particularly those by South Beach, shine with a variety of cool art deco designs. Apparently the city commissioned a contest, and the line up of the top winners is pretty impressive. This photo from my one of my oldest friends shows them in all their glory. Quite the sight!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Friday Morning at Disney-MGM Studios

 

Today's vintage photograph is from 1989 and right from Hollywood: the Disney-MGM Studios to be exact. Does this building look familiar to you? It should! It's now the home to Vacation Fun - An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie. But back in the day, it was the location of the The Monster Sound Show, a great and original interactive show where guest got to be "Foley artists" and match pieces of film with the corresponding sounds they'd create. It was much more difficult than it looked- and a whole lot of fun.

Times change, and the dropped its look behind the movie magic to follow Universal Studios "ride the movies" mantra. Not a bad move. Disney's Hollywood Studios does have some blockbuster hits like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, but there were pieces of the original park I wish were still around. 

Anyone else here a fan of the Great Movie Ride? I'd love be able to have seen all these co-exist as they should have. Removing one for the other is shortsighted in a park so needing new and more attractions. Ah, the blessing of space...

 Check out more retro photos and a look at the park's history here.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Tiki Culture Lives on at Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort

Tiki Culture- I love it! Give me views of South Pacific tropical islands with crystal waters, lush fruity drinks, and the sights and sounds of days gone by, and I'm in total relaxation mode. Or give me stuff that delivers the vibe. Are you one who still enjoys the Enchanted Tiki Room? Does Trader Sams float your boat? Join the club!

Few things were more enjoyable during our last Walt Disney World trip than an evening at the Polynesian Village Resort and dinner at the world famous Spirit of Aloha luau. Even the boat ride over from the Magic Kingdom at early dusk was truly magical.

The re-envisioned lobby area was a major step backward, and the Moana makeover seems pleasant but unnecessary. The original just needed a refresh and not a makeover. That said, I am looking forward to a new entrance and monorail station. Yet...

The real Hawaii has charms that Disney's duplication can't match. But when you want a small taste of that island life while at Disney World, head over to the Polynesian. You won't be disappointed!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Retro Look at Disneyland's Tomorrowland- Herb Ryman Style

Many, many Imagineers are excellent artists, but none can compare to Herb Ryman, a man responsible for so many pieces of concept art for Disneyland and especially EPCOT Center. This isn't one of those incredible, beautifully rendered paintings for Disney's first non-castle park, but it is still quite a charming one. 

There's a cool retro / vintage vibe to this 1950's look to Tomorrowland that only Herb could execute. This snapshot of the "Space Bar" captures all the elements of then futuristic design.

As we know, post the 1967 revisioning, Tomorrowland lost its way and has yet to be found. Will it ever come back to its glory days? I have a small bit of hope. The planned throwback for the land's entrance seems promising for a new future. Now only if Disney can ever get it together to complete it. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

All Aboard the Mark Twain Steamboat! Got your Ticket?

Yes, the ticket says "Steamboat Mark Twain", not the more familiar Mark Twain Riverboat we are all accustomed to. When this beautiful ship premiered on the Rivers of America, special tickets were sold. They are beautiful!

Frontierland and Disneyland as a whole was a celebration of the ideals of America. In this land, it was a look at life in the Wild West. Sure, it was a fairly sanitized version. But it had to be. No one wants to go to a theme park that celebrates difficulties. Perhaps that's one reason why Disney's America had limited appeal. But I digress.

For many years an evening cruise about the Mark Twain was the perfect was to end a day at the park. It became even more magical when New Orleans Square opened up. (I'd always hoped New Orleans Square would be built at another park where the docks for the steamboat would be on the river in that land- with a mint julep bar next door!) 

Most nights you could hear the Dixieland music from the ship as you sailed by. The cruise was long enough to be immersed in a different world as she sailed into the darkness. Imagine being blessed by being selected to be aboard when the late great Louis Armstrong and his band played on her decks! That's the kind of magic that can't be duplicated by an Imagineer!

(Image from Vintage Disneyland Tickets.)

Space Mountain 1960's Edition

All original color! Retro styling! Vintage look! This piece of concept art for Walt Disney World's incredible Space Mountain by Imagineering's genius John Hench dazzles with 1960's goodness. (Zoom in close for all the details. You'll be surprised what you find.) Its addition to the Magic Kingdom not only changed the look of Tomorrowland, but it ushered in a whole new world of thrill rides for Disney parks. No longer could they rest on a combination of theater shows, slow moving boat rides, and even Audio-Animatronic laden adventures to appeal to guests. 

I won't tell it all in this post, but the beloved attraction has a very unique history and impact on the parks- all overt the world. Take a look at this blog's mega article here.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Pluto in Tomorrowland

The year was 1992, and due to a generous gift from my father, my sister and I and our families took off for a week long visit to Walt Disney World. With young kids in tow, the Magic Kingdom was our most popular place to play, but this didn't mean we overlooked all the fun at Epcot or Disney-MGM Studios! 

Still, the classic adventures of the Kingdom won their hearts- but not as much as this surprise visit with everyone's favorite dog, Pluto! Unplanned, unscheduled, and totally a blast! Nowadays, it takes a reservation or waiting in line if you can see a character that is! Yes, sometimes, the old ways are the best!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

When the Imagineers Were at the Top of Their Craft

The first generation of Walt Disney's Imagineers were the cream of the crop! The dazzling results spoke for the high quality of their art. As they learned under their head master, perfection and the highest appreciation for park guests were their number one concerns.

The Spring 1967 opening of Pirates of the Caribbean capped off the elegance and excitement of New Orleans Square, a faithful but fanciful take on the beloved city. This photograph shows off the original attraction entrance. Perfectly in tune with the rest of the land, its charming and understated building never gave a hint to the exciting and classic attraction found within. The best Disneyland had to offer would be found here in this new land.

Once Fast Pass reared its ugly head decades later, crowds gathered, and the monstrosity of queue lines had to be reconfigured due to its continued popularity. More crowds came with the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Fantastic! and an underwhelming Tomorrowland that did not draw the guest count of earlier years.

What will the suits think of next?

(Photographer unknown.)

A Bit of Vintage Paris

Today is Bastille Day, and it's a perfect one to share this beautiful retro inspired poster by Callum Gardiner, "Paris". If you love it, you can find this vintage look poster here. C'est Magnifique!

Vintage Submarine Voyage Shot

A nice little photo of Disneyland's iconic Submarine Voyage circa 1959. A journey through "liquid space" was irresistible then, and still irresistible now- even if it's no longer the original attraction story. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage may not be the Imagineers most stunning effort, but at least Tony Baxter and team were able to keep the ride and shimmering lagoon off the chopping block.

(Photographer unknown own.)