A Ride on Monorail Yellow ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 4

A Ride on Monorail Yellow ~ Photoniks ~ Episode 4

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Welcome back to Photoniks! In our fourth official episode, Mr. Daps and Clocky dive into a treasure trove of vintage slides, primarily focusing on a single, sweltering August in 1968. From the mid-century modern aesthetic of the Disneyland Hotel to the bustling multi-modal transport hub of Tomorrowland, we’re geeking out over every detail caught on film.

Whether it’s the “battleship gray” submarines or the classic “smog haze” of 1960s Southern California, this episode is a deep dive into a pivotal era of the park.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Arrival at the Disneyland Hotel: We start outside the berm, looking at a beautiful Mark III Monrol Yellow arriving at the station. We spot vintage Volkswagen Beetles, the old Richfield sign, and the iconic dome of the Anaheim Convention Center in the background.
  • The Ultimate Tomorrowland Shot: Analyzing a “busy” slide featuring no fewer than six attractions in one frame: the Submarine Voyage, Autotopia, the Motorboat Cruise, the PeopleMover, the Monorail, and it’s a small world.
  • The Great Submarine Debate: Mr. Daps and Clocky weigh in on the “then vs. now” aesthetic—battleship gray versus the modern bright yellow.
  • 1968 Parade Highlights: A rare look at a Jungle Book-themed cavalcade featuring Mowgli (in a skin-colored shirt!), Baloo, and Colonel Hathi, all marching without the guest-control ropes we see today.
  • Fantasyland “Mystery” Booths: Using vintage 1968 maps to identify the small peaked-roof structures near the Matterhorn. Are they ticket booths or souvenir stands? (The list of “Stops and Shops” gives us some clues!)

Featured Photos (Timestamp Highlights):

  • [03:07] The Hotel & The Haze: Looking at the “classy” era of the Monorail and the power lines that once crisscrossed the parking lot.
  • [07:07] The Kinetic Kingdom: Counting at least seven motorboats and a bridge full of Autotopia cars in a single, vibrant shot.
  • [11:40] Town Square Atmosphere: The Disneyland Band performing in their classic red, black, and gold uniforms during a heatwave.
  • [13:33] The Jungle Book Parade: Spotting the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs trailing behind the main Jungle Book unit.
  • [16:53] PeopleMover Perspectives: A look at the whimsical “up and down” track design that made Tomorrowland feel like a living city.

Connect With Us:

Do you have a box of slides sitting in your garage? We’d love to see them!

Keep kind, and we’ll see you next time on Photoniks!

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