Views from the Skyway- 1982

Photo sent by Shaun Ortolano

Look at the fun yellow ticket booth. And the old carrousel canopy.

Photo sent by Shaun Ortolano

Hooray for the shiny ball that Timothy Q. Mouse once stood on. Come back, Timothy animatronic. We miss you. I still remember the eerie yet exciting feeling I would get while crossing by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon. Was anyone else afraid of the dark caves of 20K as a kid??

Photo sent by Shaun Ortolano

A popular theory explaining the removal of the Skyway states that Magic Kingdom roofs were looking worse and worse (which they were) and maintaining them would be too bothersome. We see here that not all roof space was utilitarian in appearance, but many areas were.

In recent months the the Skyway tower in Fantasyland was removed. Not long before that, the one in Tomorrowland was removed leaving only the lower level restrooms behind.

More great photos from Shaun Ortolano here ane here. 

Disneyland Kodacolor Prints- 1968

Great finds by Asher Loverdi. Asher shares:

"I didn't take (the photos), nor do I know who did. I found them at a really neat photocentric bookshop/gallery/archive called Ampersand here in Portland, Oregon. My favorite thing about this place is that they have a big box full of random old photos that they sell for 50 cents each! While rummaging through the box a little while ago, to my surprise and excitement, I pulled out 3 sweet vintage Disneyland shots!! The first 2 are stamped June 68 on the back. I've included scans of the date stamps. I'm not sure when the third is from but it's got to be from before '77 because in the background you can see that Monsanto is still sponsoring Adventure Thru Inner Space."

Way to narrow down the date based on evidence in the photo, Asher! This somewhat early Dale costume is super fun. Slightly different head from today and a wierd overlapping neck. The Adventure Thru Inner Space entrance is very slick. Metal letters on a black background. Very nice. The neighboring Mary Blair mural is always fun to see in old pics.

Photos sent by Asher Loverdi 

Submarine Lagoon- 1965

Photo credit: Jerry and Lorraine Kotler

Photo credit: Jerry and Lorraine Kotler

Photo credit: Jerry and Lorraine Kotler

Photo credit: Jerry and Lorraine Kotler

Jerry and Lorraine have shared some BREATHTAKING shots of Disnyland's Submarine Voyage. The place looks great a half decade after opening. Always loved the crabs trying to pinch the bubbles gag. And look at the live mermaid girls! But they were long gone by this point, right? Nope. For Disneyland's 10th anniversary they returned to the lagoon for the summer. Their popularity inspired another return the following summer. Fascinating details from Disney Historian, Jim Korkis here.

Thanks Jerry and Lorraine!

Balloons at The Land

Photo sent anonymously

Photo sent by Zack Weber

Photo sent by Ryan R.

Here's an interior look at The Land at EPCOT Center. The beautiful fountain was eventually removed to make room for more tables. Boring. Three hot air balloons hovered above, each representing different food groups. (Back when the Food Pyramid was a thing). In the mid-90s (the Food Rocks era) there were five balloons and the beautiful sky mural was covered with a darker solid blue paint.

Flowers on top of the fountain?? I can't say I remember that from my childhood. Then again how many flower arrangements would I have remembered from then. At one time "rain" fell from the balloons onto the top of the fountains.