We go all the way back to opening day for this first look at tomorrow. Walt and the park depended so very much on sponsorship to get Disneyland open and full of exciting and educational attractions. Monsanto was a major source of money, attractions and educations in Tomorrowland which was in desperate need of all of those on opening day.
Prior to Star Tours, prior even to Adventures Through Inner Space; there was the:
Hall of Chemistry
(yes, this is where Star Tours is currently located)
Inside the hall were fascinating exhibits telling the story how Chemistry and Monsanto would bring us an amazing future.
I love old pictures at the park showing everyone and especially children in their new Disneyland outfits. No one dresses to go to the park anymore. The Hall was closed in September of 1966 to make way for Adventures Through Inner Space. (Also sponsored by Monsanto)
Another sponsor on opening day was Kaiser Aluminum and their remarkable telescope. This walk thru would take you to the world of aluminum in the past, present and the future. This exhibit lasted its entire 5 year contracted run despite Kaiser being upset because of competitors being in the park. Walt was a ‘silver tongued devil’ when it came to keeping sponsors happy.
Now for one of the more famous attractions found during the parks early days. The Monsanto House of the Future. Yes, it was made of plastic. The house was open from 1957 to 1967 and is held dear by all who ever visited it. Located just off the Hub, the building was so sturdy, that when demolition crews tried to knock out walls with a wrecking ball, the ball bounced off. Hacksaws were required to take the building apart, piece by piece. The pillars could not be removed and are still in the park to this day.
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