Sorry to disappoint on this entry, but I have very few images of this attraction. In June 1960, the Tomorrowland attraction known as Circarama became “America the Beautiful” and the sponsor became The Bell System (previously it had been American Motors). Guest stood in the center of a room that had a movie screen that enveloped them, 360 degrees. The filmed travelogue was shot using eleven 16mm film cameras mounted on the roof of a car. The effect was amazing!
On June 25, 1967, the film process changed, coinciding with the opening of the New Tomorrowland, this time using a 35mm print that was enlarged from the film of nine 16mm cameras instead of eleven. A few Bicentennial scenes were added in 1975 and ran until January 3, 1984. The film was changed again on July 4, 1984, this time to “Wonders of China” (shown in the morning) and “American Journeys” (shown in the afternoon & evening), lasting until July 7, 1996. The attraction closed down for good in 1997, with "America the Beautiful” (the 1975 version) returning for the final year (July 11, 1996–September 7, 1997).
These guests from July 1963 look extremely retro, don’t they?
On June 25, 1967, the film process changed, coinciding with the opening of the New Tomorrowland, this time using a 35mm print that was enlarged from the film of nine 16mm cameras instead of eleven. A few Bicentennial scenes were added in 1975 and ran until January 3, 1984. The film was changed again on July 4, 1984, this time to “Wonders of China” (shown in the morning) and “American Journeys” (shown in the afternoon & evening), lasting until July 7, 1996. The attraction closed down for good in 1997, with "America the Beautiful” (the 1975 version) returning for the final year (July 11, 1996–September 7, 1997).
These guests from July 1963 look extremely retro, don’t they?
As you can see in this May 1964 photo, the name Circarama was still around and was used as the designation for the theater itself.
The Matterhorn Band makes an appearance in Tomorrowland outside the theater in this February 1965 photo:
In this 1976 shot, the New Tomorrowland has been around for 9 years and there is no trace of Circarama:
Today this building houses the Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters attraction.
Next up: Ariel’s Grotto. See more vintage Circarama/America The Beautiful photos at my regular website.
Next up: Ariel’s Grotto. See more vintage Circarama/America The Beautiful photos at my regular website.
3 comments:
It is amazing to see these old vintage photos of the park what it once looked like.
Awesome photographs! I just wanted to say I love your blog.
More America The Beautiful fun can be found at Sorcerer's Workshop.org!
Listen to the Exit Lobby Character Phones (circa 1974.)
Talk to Snow White, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Grumpy, and Your Bell Telephone Operator!
http://sorcerersworkshop.org/americaphones.shtml
Enjoy!
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