You Must Go into the Past to Make it to Tomorrowland | #TomorrowlandEvent Disney Archives
You Must Go into the Past to Make it to Tomorrowland | #TomorrowlandEvent Disney Archives
**Disney sent me to LA for the #TomorrowLandEvent for an all expenses paid trip to cover press with 24 other bloggers. All opinions are mine.**
One of the many interesting things I have enjoyed on my trips for Disney is the Disney Archives. There is always something new to look at, learn about. I also love history, (well that which I find interesting). I could study Disney history for as long as needed to know all I can. While on my trip this time we had the pleasure of visiting the Disney Archives to learn more about the history of Tomorrowland.
If we go back to where the concept of when Tomorrowland started, you would have to know about the 1964-1965 World’s Fair. The first and only World’s Fair in which Disney took part was the this fair. This World’s Fair was located right outside of NYC. The Fair took place from April 22, 1964, to April 21, 1965, and was everyday during this time. The set-up spanned between several highways in five major parts, and was broken up into the industrial, international, federal and state, transportation and lake amusement areas. Pavilions for different countries were represented, which they built themselves were located in the international area. Some of the countries included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Polynesia, Republic of China, The Vatican, as well as many more. The Disney Company created four major attractions for the World’s Fair, and each was sponsored by an outside company. The original booklet for The 1964 World’s Fair describes the Disney attractions as “inventive,” “innovative,” and “wonderful.” Each of these attractions helped set the feel for The World’s Fair.
For General Electric’s Theatre, the Walt Disney Company created a rotating theater with six stages, in addition to one for loading and one for departure.
- The attraction was named “Progressland” and traced the progress of electricity from the beginning to the technology predicted for the future. The show had audio-animatronic figures which had been created for the next event,
- “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” which was sponsored by the state of Illinois. Walt Disney’s imagineers created a lifelike audio-animatronic version of Lincoln. In this attraction, Lincoln delivers a famous speech. The attraction was designed by Disney but, follows all accounts of how the speech was given in person.
- The third exhibit created by Disney for The World’s Fair was the “Ford’s Magic Skyway.” The “Ford’s Magic Skyway” was a slow moving ride. Its technology was later used to create the “Peoplemover.” The “Ford’s Magic Skyway” was a car ride through different locations at varying points of history. There were scenes underwater, in volcanoes, in space, in the future and the most famous of the scenes, in the primeval world. The audio-animatronic dinosaurs which were composed for the attraction were later moved to Disneyland in California, as were many of the other attractions of the 1964 World’s Fair. The dinosaurs became part of the Primeval World on the Walt Disney Railroad.
- The last of the projects, “Disney’s It’s a Small World,” was the feature that took the longest, was the most artistic, and least futuristic of all the others; yet, this is the ride which is best remembered from The World’s Fair.
The World’s Fair was also a big exhibition of art. Famous artists from many countries showcased pieces that captured the creativity and culture of their countries. “Disney’s It’s a Small World” captured the personality and imagination of many countries whose citizens attended the World’s Fair. The attraction contained audio-animatronic children dressed in traditional clothes from different parts of the world. The attraction was sponsored by UNICEF and now has a permanent home at Disneyland. The ride was designed by a famous Disney artist, Mary Blair. The “Disney’s It’s a Small World” attraction was the artistic ride that Disney created for the fair. To this day it is one of the most popular attractions.
Now that you know a bit about the history behind it, I am going to introduce you to Kevin Kearns, Disney Archives, Archivist. He was so knowledgeable. You could tell by the enthusiasm in his voice just how much he loved his job. When I asked him if he hot wearing his brown corduroy suit coat as well as his sweater vest, he responded that yes he was hot. He then told me he was trying to look like one of the fair workers from that time period. I gave him a lot of credit. The award he is holding is an actual Disney Oscar! You will see below that I get a chance to hold it also, talk about neat!
Seeing 75 years of Disney history before we went into the Archives room was so exciting, (I know I say that a lot, but that is how I feel). From one of the dolls from the “Its a Small World”, to old books, programs, and magazines, to a “New York Worlds Fair Ticket”. Not sure if you noticed the $2.00 price on it. Then there is the Tomorrowland pin.
Kevin told us about the history behind the making of Tomorrowland. When a movie such as this one is made the people helping with props and information come to the archives looking for history to help give the movie authenticity.
I have never held an Oscar before let alone Walt Disney’s. So when it was my turn I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t even think about the fact that one of my wonderful fellow bloggers was taking my picture. I also finally had someone take a picture of me with the Walt Disney statue and Mickey. That statue is always something I look forward to seeing.
I have so much more I want to share with you but for now I will remind you that Tomorrowland is coming to theatres this Friday May 22nd!
Tomorrowland | official international trailer #3 (2015) George Clooney Hugh Laurie Brad Bird
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