Tomorrowland Terrace -- the 1970s

[Music City Mama]

I need help with a vague memory I have as a young child in the 70s.

I remember eating at the Tomorrowland Terrace (not sure what it was called back then) and there being a band -- like a marching/brass band -- I can't remember what kind of music they played either -- if it was contemporary, etc.

I want to say I remember this from multiple trips, but for all I know, it was only one particular year.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? Was it all a dream?

 

[Robo]

I need help with a vague memory I have as a young child in the 70s.

I remember eating at the Tomorrowland Terrace (not sure what it was called back then) and there being a band -- like a marching/brass band -- I can't remember what kind of music they played either -- if it was contemporary, etc.

I want to say I remember this from multiple trips, but for all I know, it was only one particular year.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? Was it all a dream?

WDW did used to have a rather large "marching brass band."
It performed in MK about every day.

They have since "downsized" to what they now call the "Main Street Philharmonic."
It is a smaller brass band (seen HERE) that still performs at various locations along Main Street.

 

[MIannie]

We lived in Daytona Beach when WDW opened, and we made frequent trips in 1972. I remember more strolling musical groups which would set up outside attractions when a line was "long". Sometimes it was just a guy playing a guitar, but it made the wait more enjoyable. The entertainment was spontaneous, not scheduled. When I think of all the attractions which hadn't been built yet, I wonder how we kept busy there. Of cource there were the Mike Fink Keelboats for all the Davy Crockett fans. I have vague memories of swan boats in the waterway around the castle. Anybody renenber them?

 

[Conan the Librarian]

I do!

I loved the Tomorrowland Terrace because it was good and cheap.

I went with a church group (three different years) and we were given an allowance for food each meal time. I always tried to save my money to buy extra tickets for rides.

It was a different (Disney)world back then.

I was thinking back on the first that I had heard of WDW. They had a special on the Wonderful World of Color about the Florida project. The only thing I really remember about it was the parts about the Haunted Mansion and the hallway with the candelabra. I was done in by that and thought it was the coolest thing when I got to see it finally.

 

[ehaley]

Our first "trip" to WDW was either 1972/73 - we stopped on the way home from the "real" vacation/family reunion elsewhere in Florida. Imagine our surprise(the kids only) when all we saw was a bunch of contruction equipment, a trailer with a big table in it that had the miniature version of what WDW would look like. We were told by the parental units that WDW wasn't open yet. Imagine our greater surprise when our cousins (also at the family reunion) couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had at WDW (they also stopped on the way home on the same trip). Must have been some very creative dirving on Dad's part to keep us from seeing the real park

 

[Suellen]

Tomorrowland Terrace was what Cosmic Ray's is now.

Was it there or what is now the Noodle Station?

I loved the Tomorrowland Terrace when it was where Cosmic Ray's is ~ they had an awesome fried chicken sandwich with the topping bar! Yum!!

 

[asianway]

The original Tomorrowland Terrace is now Cosmic Rays. The band used to rise up on a platform from the utilidor on the stage Sonny Esclipse now occupies.

The original Plaza Pavilion is now called Tomorrowland Terrace.

Confused yet???

 

[Suellen]

There was a band called Tabasco that used to play there on the rising stage.

Could that be them?

 

[Music City Mama]

WDW did used to have a rather large "marching brass band."
It performed in MK about every day.

They have since "downsized" to what they now call the "Main Street Philharmonic."
It is a smaller brass band (seen HERE) that still performs at various locations along Main Street.

Thanks, that's definitely the look/sound I remember, but for some reason, I don't remember it being all Disney songs. Funny thing is that whenever I hear the horns part at the middle/end of The Beatles "Strawberry Fields", it takes me back to this memory of Tomorrowland Terrace.

We lived in Daytona Beach when WDW opened, and we made frequent trips in 1972. I remember more strolling musical groups which would set up outside attractions when a line was "long". Sometimes it was just a guy playing a guitar, but it made the wait more enjoyable. The entertainment was spontaneous, not scheduled. When I think of all the attractions which hadn't been built yet, I wonder how we kept busy there. Of cource there were the Mike Fink Keelboats for all the Davy Crockett fans. I have vague memories of swan boats in the waterway around the castle. Anybody renenber them?

I remember both the Mike Fink keel boats and the swan boats!

I do!

I loved the Tomorrowland Terrace because it was good and cheap.

I went with a church group (three different years) and we were given an allowance for food each meal time. I always tried to save my money to buy extra tickets for rides.

It was a different (Disney)world back then.

I was thinking back on the first that I had heard of WDW. They had a special on the Wonderful World of Color about the Florida project. The only thing I really remember about it was the parts about the Haunted Mansion and the hallway with the candelabra. I was done in by that and thought it was the coolest thing when I got to see it finally.

It sure seems that way!

Our first "trip" to WDW was either 1972/73 - we stopped on the way home from the "real" vacation/family reunion elsewhere in Florida. Imagine our surprise(the kids only) when all we saw was a bunch of contruction equipment, a trailer with a big table in it that had the miniature version of what WDW would look like. We were told by the parental units that WDW wasn't open yet. Imagine our greater surprise when our cousins (also at the family reunion) couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had at WDW (they also stopped on the way home on the same trip). Must have been some very creative dirving on Dad's part to keep us from seeing the real park

That's too funny!

Tomorrowland Terrace was what Cosmic Ray's is now.

Was it there or what is now the Noodle Station?

I loved the Tomorrowland Terrace when it was where Cosmic Ray's is ~ they had an awesome fried chicken sandwich with the topping bar! Yum!!

I really don't remember which side of the building it was. I remember the stage that lifted up (Cosmic Ray's?) and being so mesmorized by the musicians and the rising stage.

Maybe I just need to ask my parents or older brother -- they can probably help me fill in the gaps.

 

[Music City Mama]

The original Tomorrowland Terrace is now Cosmic Rays. The band used to rise up on a platform from the utilidor on the stage Sonny Esclipse now occupies.

The original Plaza Pavilion is now called Tomorrowland Terrace.

Confused yet???

I was typing my other response before I saw this. I was just remembering the rising platform.

There was a band called Tabasco that used to play there on the rising stage.

Could that be them?

I'm not sure . . . could be . . . ??

 

[Suellen]

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8yXQf3eNwk

 

[Music City Mama]

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8yXQf3eNwk

Thanks, but that rules that one out! They seem familiar, too, but not from the mid 70s memory.

 

[HappyGilmore]

I swear one time we were there when The Pointer Sisters or Sister Sledge were there and we were walking through when they were singing We are Family. This was in the place where the dinosaurs play now. One time shortly after that there was a live keyboardist that was playing the music from the Electrical Parade.

I too remember the Swan boats and the large fountains of water that used to be running down from the building structure, 20,000 leagues under the Sea, The Skyway or Cable Cars, Toads Wild Ride, The .50 Mickey Ballons on Main street and the Diamond Horse Shoe Review and lastly when the CM's had to close the doors to the monorails -slam slam slam slam slam. I also remember when the Country Bears were sponsored by Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay and when it cost .50 to park. I was in the Magic Kingdom for July 4, 1976 I will NEVER forget that day and the Bi Centenial celebration.