Places - 2/3 - Retroland

Gatorland

You squirm impatiently in the back seat of the family sedan, waiting for the endless greenway of Florida’s Orange Blossom Trail to yield something of interest. For miles now, roadway signs have promised wonders ahead at “The Alligator Capital of the World.” Soon, there it is, a long strip of buildings and walkways, fronted by a classic entrance, a giant concrete gator head, its mouth wide open, beckoning you to enter. Welcome to Gatorland.

Peoplemover

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Never mind those pesky jet packs or flying cars from The Jetsons, in the future man will travel in groups of four, roughly at the pace of a hurried snail. At least, that was the vision put forth by Disneyland’s glimpse into a futuristic tomorrow called the Peoplemover. And while this form of transportation never quite became the preferred method of travel for future generations, it managed to provide a service not to be discounted; a peaceful journey through the land of the future.

Lazer Tag

Haunted Mansion

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The following scenario plays out dozens, if not hundreds of times a day in front of Disney’s Haunted Mansion: Small Child: “I don’t want to go inside there.” Parent: “It isn’t scary. It’s fun!” Small child: “No, it isn’t.” And back and forth they go, the young child unable to reconcile their parents’ reassurances with the menacing-looking house that stands behind an eerie wrought iron fence and is purported to be haunted by 999 happy haunts (with room for one more).

America Sings

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The year was 1974 and America was working itself into a patriotic frenzy with preparations to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the nation. The all-American theme park, Disneyland, joined in on the bicentennial fun and gave visitors an E-Ticket attraction to celebrate the history of American music in a decidedly Disney way: through the use of dozens of audio-animatronic animals, all singing and dancing their way through some of the most-beloved music of our past.

King’s Island

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Folks living in the Midwestern United States needn’t make a long trek to Florida or California to get their amusement park fix. Opening its gates in 1972, King’s Island, located just north of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been thrilling visitors of all ages for over 35 years. With its well-kept grounds, an arsenal of top-notch roller coasters, and numerous movie and television tie-in attractions, King’s Island has been putting smiles on the faces of locals and tourists alike, who visit the park each year by the millions.

Marineland

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High atop the pristine California cliffs of the Palos Verdes peninsula lies the remains of a once-magical wonderland, where dolphins, pilot whales, and killer whales delighted millions of fans with their aquatic antics. A decade before there was Sea World in San Diego, there was "Marineland of the Pacific."

Disneyland

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It’s hard to imagine a world without a Disneyland. Disneyland is an American icon – no, a global icon – that has set the standard for family fun for over half a century. More than a place, it is a symbol of childhood dreams, of timeless wonder, and of the power of fantasy. But once upon a time Disneyland itself was a mere dream that would take years of planning to become a reality.

The 1964 World’s Fair

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1964 was a period in American history where the hope for the future still burned bright from the previous decade. Technology and industry were making great leaps, especially in the area of space exploration, and the city of New York recognized that the time was ripe for an encore to the 1939 World’s Fair. The planning was placed in the able hands of Robert Moses, a man who had already given the city so much in the way of public parks, and his vision would make the 1964 World’s Fair perhaps one of the best-remembered in the history of the event. Today, we thought we would travel back to this magical moment in time and take a trip to the 1964 World’s Fair.

Route 66

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It’s the road of many names, likely the most famous in the world. Its historic value is unquestionable and extensive. It has been immortalized through song, film, literature and television. And in its heyday, Route 66 literally transformed and paved the landscape of a nation.It’s the road of many names, likely the most famous in the world. Its historic value is unquestionable and extensive. It has been immortalized through song, film, literature and television. And in its heyday, Route 66 literally transformed and paved the landscape of a nation.