Retroblog

Tomorrowland

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but mine has always resided in Tomorrowland. Part of the appeal of this futuristic playground (and something that I took for granted as a kid) was the fact that it was literally overflowing with kinetic energy. Name the mode of transportation and it was within view, from boats to rockets – Skycars to Peoplemovers – Autopia cars to submarines. It made Tomorrowland appear as if it were a living, breathing entity, full of excitement and promise of better days ahead.

Then, as the years went by, one by one, the sources of motion began to disappear. At the dawn of the 21st century, only two of the above-mentioned attractions would remain – the Autopia cars and a sub-par ground level version of the rocket jets. The bottom line is that Tomorrowland became stagnant and suddenly the future seemed rather old and neglected.

But hope remains. Soon, submarines will be venturing out on nautical explorations again. The lagoon will once again release a wisp of this kinetic energy that I can only hope is contagious enough to someday spread to the abandoned Peoplemover track and beyond. Within a mere few weeks, I will be once again be lucky enough to climb aboard a Disneyland submarine, as a small piece of my childhood greets me with open arms after all these years. Welcome home, submarines.