The roots of Disneyland revealed from the “Tomorrowland” Expo (Part 1)

The optimistic New York World Expo

The most popular attraction at the New York World's Fair was "Futurama II"(*3) at the General Motors Pavilion. Visitors on the ride could view elaborate moving dioramas that were created to depict the future, with the concept being that six worlds, including the surface of the moon, the Antarctic, the ocean floor, a desert, and a jungle, would be developed and urbanized. There was no depiction of any of the worrying elements such as environmental degradation, racial issues, the depletion of food and resources, or conflict between nations, and instead, a bright and optimistic future world was depicted.

This "Futurama II"-like atmosphere is expressed in the future world that Casey experiences, and it is probably the scene that director Brad Bird put the most passion into. Also, the elevated ride "Magic Skyway" that ran through the New York World's Fair was moved to Disneyland in 1967 and became the " People Mover ". The image of this aerial railway is also reflected in the future depiction of this film. This worldview is probably what Walt originally wanted to realize at EPCOT. However, the tone of the film gradually changes from this optimistic atmosphere.

*3 It is called "Futurama II" because it was a sequel to " Futurama " that was exhibited at the General Motors Pavilion at the New York World's Fair in 1939. Incidentally, "Futurama II" was also the prototype for the Mitsubishi Future Pavilion at the 1970 Japan World's Fair.

Synopsis ③

Casey finds a sci-fi shop called "Blast from the Past" on eBay that is buying a badge(*4) with the same design, and goes to talk to them. The next day, Athena comes to visit Casey, but she has already left home. The owners of "Blast from the Past" tell Casey that the scenery he sees in the badge is the real world developed by geniuses who call themselves Plus Ultra(*5), but instead they question him about Athena's whereabouts. When Casey replies that she doesn't know, the couple suddenly attack with a ray gun. Just before she is about to be killed, Athena partially stops time and saves her. The owners' heads are torn off by Athena, and they self-destruct, blowing up the whole shop.

"Tomorrowland" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

Athena stole a car and left the scene with Casey. Athena explained that the shopkeeper and his wife and I were human-like robots, called "AA (Audio-Animatronics)". When Casey, frightened, ran away from the car, Athena, who was chasing him, was hit by a truck. When Casey stole the truck and escaped, Athena chased him like the T-1000 in " Terminator 2: Judgment Day " (1991). Athena got in and told Casey the meaning of the badge, and promised to "take him to that world". Meanwhile, a mysterious group appeared in front of the police officers who were investigating the scene of "Blast from the Past", and as soon as they said, "We're taking over the scene," they literally wiped out the police officers.

*4 In the film, it is referred to as "the badge from the 1964 New York World's Fair," but of course it is a fictional badge designed for the film.

*5 Regarding the backstory of Plus Ultra, Pixar Animation Studios produced a short animation in which it is clearly stated that "the background to the creation of that world was related to the World's Fair." This footage was planned to be used in the scene where a young Frank is carried through the underground waterway in "It's a Small World," but was ultimately cut. It can currently be seen as a special feature on the Blu-ray and DVD of "Tomorrowland."