I liked the look of this old rocket ride;
Image: Texas A&M Engineering
It has that Triang SpaceX Golden Astronaut vibe of Cruiser 1
You can see it being restored for a new virtual reality project here.
https://youtu.be/Nugie5p0VvA?feature=shared&t=76
Are there any retro-looking rides near you?
It's a beautiful piece of metal. I'm reminded of an old decommissioned train engine in a park I used to play in. Of course, I'm near Griffith Park with its outdoor collection of trains. As for retro rides, the best was the Tomorrowland of my childhood. Disneyland's only 36 miles away, but that Tomorrowland only remains in my memory.
ReplyDeleteAny old pictures of Tomorrowland Baron? It sounds great!
DeleteI was armed with a camera loaded with B&W film for my first Disneyland trip. I had those photos for years but if they still exist I don't know where. Here are links to a few photos that survived long enough to be posted online. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/77/19/dc771936bbbbcf06a6079f9285d9b9d0.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5c/8e/ac/5c8eac00d5e5948cd4ffb84f1c5a68cb.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/71/c1/96/71c1962d960d8d9523450244d7acf457.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ea/16/ff/ea16ff274111618293333e3375215216.jpg https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/GORILLLAS/MoreTomorrowland-7-64.jpg I would love to go back to the future that never was...
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing snapshots of summer days long gone Baron. I love those glimpses into Tomorrowland as was. Really beautiful and thanks for letting us see. Did you get any toys whilst you were visiting?
DeleteThe only thing I remember getting (other than the camera I got for the trip) was a Donald Duck hat with a squeaky duck bill.
DeleteHey Baron! I hear you as far as Tomorrowland goes! I visited it as part of my 21st Birthday present in 1978. I distinctly remember Adventure thru Inner Space and Mission to Mars (with it's farting acceleration couches!)
ReplyDeleteBoth rides were past their prime, but had a wonderful, slightly shabby air to them.
There was also the more recently opened Space Mountain, but despite the hype I found it a little underwhelming. Part of the thrill of a roller-coaster is the dread at seeing the oncoming perils. In an almost totally dark interior, it just felt like being kicked around inside a cardboard box!
Of course none of these rides exist today in their original form...
What's funny is that years later I ended up living in Anaheim, very close to the park. At first everyone who visited wanted me to take them through Disneyland myself (we could see the fireworks from our window, and hear them if we were outside). After having hit the park half a dozen times, I'd just point and say "It's over there, have fun." Years after that my kid's orchestra played Disneyland/California Adventure at least once a month, so they got free passes to the park and OD'd on it. As a parent I think we only went once.
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