Disneyland - Autopia, The End of An Era

Ah, the Autopia. A Tomorrowland classic.

With sincere thanks to long-time Disneylander Sandi Miller, I share with you today the above photograph, which offers a fleeting last glimpse of the old Autopia car bodies as they appeared "backstage" before heading to their final resting places.

The cars were revamped in 2000 (has it really been 9 years?) for the "new" Autopia and were replaced with these thingies as part of the uglification of the "new" Tomorrowland:My thanks to Ellen Levy Finch for the photograph below showing how the attraction looked in 1996. Note the lack of the monstrous "queue building" that completely interrupted the once spectacular view of the Matterhorn and the Tomorrowland skyline. Many Disneylanders lament the passing of the old Tomorrowland, with its crisp design elements and open airiness. The primary colors and Corvette-esque body style of the old Autopia fit so well in Tomorrowland.
That was before they moved the Rocket Jets and painted everything rusty.
Retttcccch.
Ack.
Oh, to roll slowly above the Autopia in the Peoplemover again; to look down at those happy cars from one of Tomorrowland's "highways in the sky" (take your pick: Monorail, Skyway or Peoplemover) while enjoying a leisurely ride; t'would be heavenly.
Few things sparkled so as the Submarine lagoon on a warm summer day.

Thankfully, Disneyland still shines. We bring to it our memories and it gives us back more.

Have a great day and remember: "To make your car go, press your foot down on the pedal..."