The Future… as seen in 1961

I love retro Disney merchandise… so this Friday, December 17th’s release of 2 of the 5 Disneyland ’55 Attraction Poster 9″ Vinylmations ($44.95) designed by Alex Maher is very exciting! These Vinylmation are only available at D-Street in California. Today, I will talk about Tomorrowland…


Here is Walt Disney’s vision of Tommorwland in his own words: “Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future.”

Tomorrowland opened with Disneyland in 1955, but didn’t feature many must-do attractions until its 1959 update when the Disneyland Monorail, the Submarine Voyage and the Matterhorn (later part of Fantasyland) opened. Oddly enough, this series of Vinylmation is named “Disneyland ’55”, but the ride depicted on this poster is from a ride that wasn’t built until 1961…

The Flying Saucers attraction only lasted 5 years, but became a cherished childhood memory for many who experienced it. Guests rode in these “Flying Saucers” and played a game of bumper cars. The Saucers floated on a cushion of air, similar to air hockey, and were controlled by the rider leaning in the desired direction of travel. Here is a vintage photo from Disney of the former attraction.
The ride was expensive to operate and was shut down in 1967 when the refurbished Tomorrowland opened. But the memories live on…
Coming to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in 2012:
Luigi’s Roamin’ Tires concept art

Destination Vinylmation Ep. 004 Figmouse

In this episode, Nick and M.C. review the Steampunk, Park and Urban watches, Holiday 2, Ice Cube Trays and EPCOT Holidays Around the World. We also talk about the upcoming 9″ Holiday 2 Birthday Cake figure, A-E Disneyland Exclusive Ticket Booklet Set and more! Check out www.DestinationVinylmation.com for the latest news and blog posts. Follow VinylmationNews on Twitter. Like Destination Vinylmation on Facebook.

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Line outside D Street California

Thanks to listener weinbeezy for sending us this picture of people waiting for the doors of D Street in California to open this morning to get the LE Disneyland Ticket Booklet set.

World of (Late Night) Color

As the popularity of World of Color continues to grow Disneyland has announced a third show has been added. Here is the full announcement from the Disney Parks Blog:

As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of Disneyland this weekend, we’re giving guests, cast members and “World of Color” fans one more thing to celebrate.

We are adding a third “World of Color” show at 11:15 p.m. every night through Labor Day. The show has been extremely popular, and we’re hoping our guests will be thrilled with more opportunities to see this amazing display of water, music and Disney storytelling. (Please note: The time for all shows are subject to change. Please check Disneyland.com for the most up-to-date schedule and tips to reserve viewing).

We also will extend Disney California Adventure park hours until 11 p.m. through Sept. 6, 2010. This will give guests even more time to experience all of the exciting nighttime entertainment at the Disneyland Resort.

And if that’s not enough, we are also thrilled to announce that Toy Story Mania and Mulholland Madness will remain open during performances of “World of Color” while the park is still open to guests.

Of course most of the staff is out celebrating today’s 55th anniversary of Disneyland at the parks in true Disney style. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for full coverage from the 55th anniversary events and the WDW Celebrations event “fifty-five”. Happy Birthday Disneyland!

Disneyland Hotel Makeover Update

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Big news…Today we’re sharing details and concept art that will give the Disneyland Hotel a fun, fresh makeover. The pool area is getting a whole new look, including a brand-new pool, all-new immersive water play area and a complete redesign of the Never Land Pool. Plans also call for a new restaurant and bar, and re-theming of the hotel’s three guest room towers.

The biggest transformation (and what I’m most looking forward to) are the changes coming to the pool area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, “Disneyland” will be spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two huge water slides (the larger slide will be 26 feet high and will stretch 187 feet before it plunges into a splash pool below). Reminiscent of the original Monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel, at each slide’s entrance will sit a replica Monorail Car that guests will glide through as they twist and turn their way to the pool below. The pool will also feature a third, two-lane mini slide, perfect for little ones, which is just 3 1/2 feet high and is 19 feet long.

The Never Land Pool will receive a complete cosmetic makeover but will retain its unique shape. A new, four-foot deep pool will be built between the Never Land Pool and the water play area. A footbridge will stretch over this new pool, connecting both sides of the courtyard area and giving easy access across the property. Six new cabanas will also be added. To help you visualize all these exciting, new changes, here’s a rendering from an aerial view.

And that’s not all! Two new dining locations will be introduced in the current location of Hook’s Pointe, Croc’s Bites and Bits, the Wine Cellar and the Lost Bar. A new “smart casual” dining concept will feature Tahitian architecture that is reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s era of the hotel and the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland park. A new bar will draw on the adventure theme from the Jungle Cruise attraction.

The new water play area, pool and dining locations are scheduled to be completed by summer 2011, and the remodeled Never Land Pool is slated to be completed by summer 2012.

The hotel’s three guest room towers will be renamed to reflect Disneyland park’s distinctive lands. The Dreams Tower, currently under renovation and scheduled to be completed in 2010, will become the Adventure Tower. The Wonder Tower, next to undergo transformation and slated for completion in 2011, will be the Frontier Tower, and the Magic Tower, which will be finished in 2012, will become the Fantasy Tower. A large marquee featuring classic artwork for Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland will identify each tower.