Even More Space Mountain Construction

A couple more views of the iconic Tomorrowland structure under construction. The second image is neat with the cement truck getting ready to pour the slab.

Backstage Views of Space Mountain Construction

Two views of Space Mountain Construction at Disneyland in 1976. The photographs show some of the backstage infrastructure and cast members. The first photograph shows the construction of the roof and ceiling for Space Mountain. In the foreground is the Bank of America branch for cast members. According to one website, the branch was called Mickey's Mint.

Next is a similar image showing the parking lot for the security carts with a couple of Main Street cast members looking at the carts. In the background is the large construction site.

Space Mountain Construction- Slow Keep Right

Two more construction photographs of Space Mountain in Disneyland. Both are an early golden morning with lots of construction activity on the roof. I like the sign in the first image...I hope the cast members did keep to the right and go slowly.

The second image shows a large construction crew working on the roof. An interesting look at how the ribs on the roof were built over the steel structure.

Souvenir Friday- Main Street Station Snow Globe

Today's souvenir is a one of a kind, hand painted snow globe featuring Main Street station. The globe is made out of glass and the bottom is from a shell. The bottom has a paper label from the Japanese manufacturer. I purchased this years ago from the estate of the owner of one of the companies that supplied Disneyland and other amusement attraction Souvenirs. Unfortunately photographing such an item can be difficult. The first view is off to the side but you can see the faithful painting of the Mickey topiary.

A view from the front with light obscuring the globe.

Image showing the reverse of the globe.

Steel and More Steel- Construction of Space Mountian

Two images showing lots of steel girders being placed for the new Mission to Mars building next to Space Mountain. These images show lots of activity and construction employees. Note the same white truck in both images.

Space Mountain Under Construction Steel and Crane

Continuing with the photographs of Space Mountain under construction in Disneyland. The first image shows the steel girders being installed for the Mission to Mars building. I am digging the El Camino parked on the construction site. The different colors of the steel create a great pattern to the picture.

The second image shows Space Mountain top with the giant crane in the background. The crane is placing steel girders for construction. The palm trees in the foreground are fantastic.

Four Views of Space Mountain Under Construction

A hectic Monday precluded me from posting yesterday, so to make up for it I am posting four images of Space Mountain during construction. First up is a dark view of the interior of the ride when it was still dirt prior to the installation of any infrastructure. It is neat that the roof was the first thing finished and then the track installed. I guess doing construction this way there were less rain delays.

Next up are two slightly more distant shots of the construction site. The first is taken from an overhead area such as the Rocket Jets gantry or the PeopleMover track or load area. Note the guests reading about the new attraction under construction and character shop. Also note the top of the Rolly Crump designed ticket booth.

Another view of the construction site from the same location. This shot shows the McDonnel Douglas Mission to Mars sign. The attraction itself was under construction at this time. In the far background you can see the top of City Hall.

The last view for today is this view of the girder construction of the Mission to Mars building.

A Two For Friday- Universal Jaws and Souvenir Friday

After traveling home from New Orleans yesterday, I was not able to post...so you are in luck today with a two for posting. First up are two more images from Universal Studios on April 20, 1980. First up is a view of their old west street with the Sherrif's office, dental office and General Store in the background.

The next image is of poor Bruce from Jaws sitting on a trailer.

Continuing the Universal Studios theme is this item for souvenir Friday, a Castle Dracula snow globe. In a great bottle shape, the Universal Monsters frolic at Dracula's Castle. See if you can name all the creatures portrayed in the globe?

And for those curious, here is the backside of a snow globe!

Glamor Trams at Universal Studio April 20, 1980.

Two nice images from a visit to Universal Studios on April 20, 1980. The images feature the main attraction at Universal, the Glamor Trams. First up is a shot of two trams in the New York section of the ride. I am sure the tram tour guides are describing the New York set and how movie and television sets are constructed.

The next view is one of my favorite views with the Glamor Tram with Frankenstein. I believe this is at the load station.

Universal Studios 1980 Part 1

Two nice images of Universal Studios on April 20, 1980. First is the poor tourist locked into a set of Colonial stocks. I like the Universal Studios signboard on the stocks. Note the bare feet.

Next up is a nice shot of a the display seen along the route of the Glamor Trams...A Cylon and vehicle from Battlestar Galactica. This was seen in front of the Battle of Galactica where guests would be deposited in the middle of an epic laser beam battle. The attraction was open 1979 to 1992.

1939 New Yorks World's Fair Views

Changing up for a little bit and exploring the 1939 New York World's Fair. The first view is from an upper balcony on the Trylon and Perisphere with the statue of George Washington in the background. In the foreground is Paul Manship's Sundial titled the Moods of Time and the Federal Building is in the distance in the background.

Next up is a view the front entrance of the Communications building with the statue titled Speed in the courtyard.

Souvenir Friday- Cast Member Invitation to Space Mountain Previews

Continuing the Space Mountain theme of the week, this is the invitation that was sent out to Cast Members to the premiere in 1977. Interesting to read that part of the program was a Disney History presentation along with entertainment as well as food. The finale of the evening was a ride on Space Mountain. The invitation is nicely designed and I like the die cut shape.

Space Mountain Under Construction Part 5

Continuing with the photographs a cast member snapped of the Space Mountain attraction under construction. The first image shows the trucks hauling out the dirt and debris from the ride area. I am not sure where the photographer was standing, probably on the second floor of one of the administration or locker buildings.

Next image is taken from the Rocket Jets attraction and shows the construction from the Tomorrowland side. Note the great sign for the original sponsor of the Space Mountain attraction, McDonnel Douglas. The company had also sponsored the Rocket to the Moon when TWA left in 1961. I am digging the groovy artwork on the construction fence, very 1970s and I would think something like that would be painted on a van.

Space Mountain Under Construction Part 4

Continuing with the set of photographs chronicling the construction of Space Mountain in 1976. The first image is shot from backstage with construction trucks and a security guard checking the parking lot. The roof is quite nice in this image.

Next is an onstage shot of the construction site. This was taken prior to park opening with two cast members in the picture. I believe this was taken from the Peoplemover track. Note the great Rolly Crump designed ticket booth, the Character Shop in the background, the lift for the Rocket Jets and the nice construction wall graphics. Unfortunately the photograph is not close enough to get a good image of the construction wall graphic.

Space Mountain Under Construction Part 3

Two more Space Mountain construction photographs from 1976. First up is an elevated view of the structure featuring the great roof and also the open sides. Note the great modern design on the top of the roof and you can see the ribbed design.

Next up is an interior image with the amount of dirt work for the infrastructure. In the background is an Administration building and an America On Parade float parked.

Space Mountain Under Construction Part 2

Continuing with pictures of Space Mountain under construction in 1977. The first is a view of the construction project showing some of the backstage structures. I believe the building under construction is either an administration building or one of the large chiller plants that were built to keep the attraction cool in summer. Those with a better idea of backstage will know. Note the cast member in costume standing at the entrance to the administration building.

Next image is from the inside of the building under construction. You can see the large panels are open and these were filled in and also some of the infrastructure for the attraction. Also the trailer for the construction company Zapata Diversified Builders. From a quick search, the company is no longer in existence but they did a lot of large scale construction projects.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Film Series 1962 Third Man on the Mountain

In 1962 the Disneyland University presented a film series to orientate Disneyland employees about some of the films that influenced the attractions and lands of their workplace. This film Third Man on the Mountain influenced my favorite Disneyland attraction the Matterhorn. This nifty little program features a story synopsis, some background information on the film and also the influence of the film on Disneyland. Some great films were shown as seen by the list on the back page. Enjoy the read...

Space Mountain Under Construction Part 1

Today I am starting a series on Space Mountain under construction. The scans are from a set of wonky color negatives so some of the color may be a little off. The pictures were taken by a cast member during the construction of Space Mountain in 1976 and 1977. First up is a view of the construction site with what looks like one of the administrations building under construction in the background. There are lots of dirt and supplies ready to be used.

A wet and rainy view of the roof of the ride with the walls open. Cast members are walking by into work with their umbrellas.

Gepetto's Village and Jungle Cruise

Another nice set of two photographs from different attractions in Disneyland. The first one is of Gepetto's Village from Storybook Canal Boats. The village is well themed with great little touches such as the design on the side of the large building, the horse trough and the cobblestone streets. I like the snow capped mountains in the background.

Next we head to the Jungle River Cruise and the native hut with outrigger that is seen from the loading dock. The hut has lost some of its accessories over the years and is now less visible. In the 1950s it was filled with shields, spears and fruit.

Rocket and Dumbo

Two views of early Disneyland featuring great views of the TWA Rocket to the Moon and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. First up a portrait of the TWA Rocket standing proud in Tomorrowland. Note the scientific marker at the bottom of the rocket and of course the fantastic Googie style Skyway sign in the background.

Next is a view from the Skyway of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This is a different view than the usual of Dumbo as most are taken from the ground. The motion is very well done in this image.