Tomorrowland 1.0 - show notes for episode 111
Monday, April 16, 2012 at 8:34PM We all know that there was once a time when the attractions of Tomorrowland were more themed to the foreseeable future of Amerrican industry and consumer products. It wasnt until the last thirty years that fantasy based attractions like Star Tours and Buzz Light Year Astroblasters (or Space Ranger Spin) made permanent homes in Tomorrowland, taking away from this theme.
On episode 111 of WEDWay Radio we take a look at a few of the early attractions that made up Tomorrowland, satisfying its early theme. While these attractions today would probably seem laughable today (The Bathroom of Tomorrowland and the Hall of Chemistry) they were generally created to showcase the promise of the Space Age.
However, these areas might not be even classified as attractions today. They certaining weren't rides, and they weren't shows either. Instead Walt called upon several corporations to supply information and sometimes talent to present a vision of the future and how their products would serve it.
The Hall of Aluminum Fame
"Aluminum in our Future" December 1955 - July 1960
This attraction was located in the first building on the right, where Star Tours is located today. Inside the building, guests would find an exhibit of Todays and Tomorrows uses of aluiminum. Once inside, you entered the exhibit through a long telescope, and found a wall of reflective aluminum at the end. The attraction winded around several large displays until you were introduced to Kap the Kaiser Aluminum Pig and invited to "See the brightest star in the World of Metals - Kaiser Aluminum". Joining the pig were a knight and a space man.
The Hall of Chemistry
"Chemistry's Part of Future Living" July 1955 - September 1966
This fun loving attraction was all about the present and potential chemistry that we all enjoy.
The Dairy Bar
"Today's Food Build Tomorrow's Man" January 1956 - September 1958
One of the more fabled attractions of Disneylands early days, the Dairy Bar was where patrons could get a cold glass of milk and check out the future of dairy-customer relations (Milkmen wth jetpacks)
The Bathroom of Tomorrow
April 1956 - August 1960
All joking aside, this was more than just a fancy toilet. The Bathroom of Tomorrow displayed the future of the newest room in the house (remember it was the 1950's) and how gold plated fixtures wer in our future. Also, there was a funky toilet.
The Thimble Drome Flight Circle
September 1955 - January 1966
Hobbyist could take their prized model airplanes for a whimsical flight in the Tomorrowlands circle. This evokes a time when Tomorrowland was more than attraction based in Pixar films, and a theme park was still a park.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit
August 1955 - August 1966
This attraction was thrown together at the last minute and lasted 11 years. Coming off the success of the 1953 film, Disney wanted to showcase some of the sets from the film and allow visitors to see the final resting place of the Nautilus. Remember, this was four years prior to the submarine attraction, so guests were getting their only look at submarine life.
Enjoy!
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Reader Comments (1)
The Dairy Bar sounds a bit like the Dairy Building at our New York State Fair. It's an entire building of dairy exhibits including a 6 ft. rotating refrigerated butter sculpture that changes from year to year, opportunities to purchase cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc and the highlight, an opportunity to buy FRESH cold milk or chocolate milk for a quarter. Used to be a dime when I was a kid. The milk comes from the cows who are on the fairgrounds for the duration of the fair, and they have all the piping exposed so you can see where it comes from. Like I said, it's FRESH!
Love the podcast, though I'm a bit behind. Someday I'll get to DL, but it's fun to hear the history of how the parks started.