Highway in the Sky

Monorail to the Magic Kingdom postcard
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I had already planned to share this postcard today because of the sequence of cards and because I spent the earlier part of the week riding the Las Vegas monorail.  I was so disappointed each time the doors closed and I did not hear that familiar voice say...."Please stand clear of the closing doors...."  Ironically, today this same color monorail (I can't assume it is the same one from 1971) stalled on the "highway in the sky" leaving passengers stranded for 2 hours.

As you can see from the images, this Dexter Press card was printed with and without the Florida Flag logo.

  

Skyway to Our Memories

Skyway Over the Magic Kingdom postcard
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There are a few attractions from the earlier days of WDW that are gone but not forgotten thanks to this early postcard series.  Skyway to Tomorrowland closed in the late 90's but this postcard from the early 70's (obvious by the groovy pants) will live on.  Another extinct attraction featured in this series of cards was the Mickey Mouse Revue.

Coloring Long Lost Attractions

Walt Disney World: a coloring book
Fantasyland, 1983

We wrap up our tour through the lands of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World: a coloring book,  with Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.  There are 10 pages dedicated to Fantasyland and 5 for Tomorrowland.  Fantasyland has seen significant changes in just the past few years but these pages remind us of what was lost even before this recent transformation: Mr Toad's Wild Ride (1998), Skyway (1999) & 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1994).

The few Tomorrowland images feature some icon attractions like Space Mountain & Tomorrowland Speedway.  But I had to share this fun image of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover or the WEDWay PeopleMover as it would have been called in 1983 and Donald and company riding Astro Orbiter or should I say Star Jets.

Preview Edition Map

Walt Disney World Preview Edition
1970, pg. 12

In the middle of the 1970 Preview Edition of Walt Disney World is this most excellent caricature map of the Magic Kingdom, the two original themed resorts and the recreation that surround the "2,500 acres of resort and recreation land."

The map is filled with representations of opening day attractions.  The image was used by Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily for a set of dinner plates to celebrate WDW's 40th.  You can see those and other great retro-disney inspired art work on Kevin's blog.

The text is taken from  the perspective of the 'Walt Disney World-Alweg Monorail...riding over a scenic 'highway in the sky.'  Apparently the editor must have felt the text was too imaginative and so there is a disclaimer at the beginning.  It's worth a read if you can pull yourself away from looking at the great images.

Magic Kingdom Talking View-Master (part 2)

Talking View-Master Booklet
Magic Kingdom
AVA955, 1973

The booklet that accompanies the Magic Kingdom Talking View-Master contains the narrative used on the reels.  The cover uses the stacked Big D logo found on many of the other GAF sponsored items.

The intro describes the park's various lands.  Tomorrowland gets its only mention here: '...where the forces of the atom and the blinking light of future knowledge highlight journeys into science and outer space.'

Along with the narration, the booklet contains some great drawings of rides and attractions, including the Mad Tea Party sans canopy.  The middle has a great map showing the location of each reel image.

The images show some iconic locations such as Cinderella Castle, Swiss Family Treehouse and 'it's a small world.'  As well, a few extinct attractions are featured, such as Mickey Mouse Revue and Skyway to Tomorrowland.