SOUVENIR: Tomorrowland Print

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"TOMORROWLAND: A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man's achievements... a step into the future with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals... the challenge of outer space, and the hope of a peaceful and unified world."
–Walt Disney

Now available! This colorful 11"x17" print represents Walt Disney's vision for Disneyland's Tomorrowland. It was designed by our very own Mitch, a former Disney artist.

“We discovered the idea for the New York World’s Fair WEDway PeopleMover system while on a business trip to the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. Walt and I were invited to visit the mill where Ford made steel for car bodies. We saw a device for handling steel ingots, masses of glowing red-hot metal. The ingots were moved around on tracks powered by rollers from one area to another while being transformed into sheet steel for making cars. Walt asked, 'Do you think we could put some kind of seat on that type of conveyor, or some kind of arrangement for people to ride on…do you think this thing would handle it?' I said, “Sure, look at the weight carried here. I bet that Roger Broggie would know how to do it.” –Imagineer John Hench

"The solution for both the Ford cars at the Fair and ultimately the WEDway PeopleMover was to embed electric motors powering urethane wheels along a track every few feet with masonite on the bottom of the vehicles (silent with a great grip). Although the vehicles themselves do not have motors, the urethane wheels spinning below make contact with the masonite mounted on the bottom and push them along.The speed of the vehicles could vary determined by how fast the rubber wheels were spinning. The EPCOT film claims one of the benefits of this technology is, 'No single car can ever break down and cause a rush hour traffic jam.' Even if one of the motors breaks, it would not stop the system, as the other motors would pick up the slack. –Imagineer John Hench

Many of you may remember the somewhat uncomfortable ride experience of Disneyland's PeopleMover. The wheels embedded in the track effectively propelled the PeopleMover cars along but they also created a series small bumps. The later Walt Disney World version with its (wheeless) Linear Synchronous Motors embedded in track allowed for a much more smooth glide through the land of tomorrow.

We've partnered again with WEDWay Radio's The Imperial Shirt Co. This project will bring us shirts and prints from all our favorite theme park podcasts and sites.

You can (and should!) listen to the WEDWay Radio Podcast and WEDWay NOW! hosted by Matt and Nate Parrish here.