Defunctland: The History of Tomorrowland 1955

Summary by Krater

This video examines the history of Tomorrowland at Disneyland, detailing its 1955 opening, its reliance on mid-century futurism and Wernher von Braun's space travel concepts, and its subsequent evolution through expansions like the Monorail and Matterhorn.

From the video

Answers: What is the history of Tomorrowland at Disneyland?

• Tomorrowland history
• Disneyland park development
• Wernher von Braun space travel concepts
• Collier's magazine space series
• Mid-century American futurism
• Disneyland 1955 opening
• Disneyland Monorail and Matterhorn expansion

What it concludes

• Wernher von Braun's V-2 rocket concepts provided the technical basis for Tomorrowland's space travel vision.
• Tomorrowland was initially delayed in its opening due to construction budget overruns and lack of completed attractions.
• The introduction of the Monorail, Submarine Voyage, and Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1959 significantly transformed Tomorrowland from temporary exhibits into fully realized futuristic attractions.
• Despite early popularity, Tomorrowland's grounding in mid-century technological predictions eventually led to its obsolescence by the late 1960s.