As I walked by my 1983 map of the Park, which is matted, framed and hung on a hallway wall, my eye caught the rounded rooftop of the old Circle Vision attraction in Tomorrowland.
Buzz Lightyear resides there now.
In my Custodial days, sweeping through the pre-show and Circle Vision theater provided welcome relief from hot July shifts in Tomorrowland.
The pre-show area was expansive and cool. The air conditioning was wonderful.
I would always say hello to the attraction operators and make a quick sweep and trash check.
Between shows I would sweep through the theater (about once every hour or so).
Sometimes I'd slip in with the guests and take in the show!
Those who got to experience it know that there is nothing like it.
I was fortunate enough to have seen both the original version and the American Journeys version---snippets of which are shown below in this YouTube posting from "Celli0905."
Even saw several showings of The Wonders of China there in that theater-in-the-round.
I miss that attraction.
Think of what they could do today!
HD cameras.
I bet they could build an unbroken 360 degree screen and really blow your mind with shots and scenes from throughout this great land.
C'est la vie.
I close with this.
In my days in the Jungle, whenever I'd head over to the Inn Between for lunch or to Wardrobe at the close of my shift, I would pass through the door over by the Candy Palace and Coke Corner.
Most of the time, I'd get to walk right by this gentleman and his piano.
Get a load of Rod Miller just doin' his thing...
Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Many thanks to HarborHouse55 who posted this originally!!!
'Course, I got to see him "live" five days a week and it didn't cost me anything to get in the gate!
---Mike
6 comments:
You can check out a restoration of Disney World's Circle Vision 360 in a book from 2009. Just follow the Amazon link below, select the "Look Inside" feature, and type Circle Vision 360 into the search bar. Select the second item in the list, then you can read from the chapter. Thanks for the post.
http://www.amazon.com/Redesign-Tomorrowland-L-N-Smith/dp/0965331628/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321120428&sr=1-1
Holy Cow. I'm out of breath just watching his fingers fly over those keys. I never seemed to catch him til right at the end when i was in the park.
Thanks for posting!
Rod and I started in the same year (me at Hill's Brothers). I remember him as a young man full of energy and positive vibes. And wow could he play. When I read up on him I noted that he had a spine injury and that brought back memories of seeing him walking a bit hunched over even then. A career thoroughly enjoyed. Great guy...great talent. #4
Rod's playing at the Walt Disney Family Museum during their annual Member's Reception on Friday, December 2nd from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Great post today, Mike! Loved watching Ron. He always made my visits to Disneyland extra special. Amazing to watch as can be seen by the kids in the video. I purchased one of his CDs several years ago and I think it's still available on itunes.
Happy holiday and thank you.
JG
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