Encircled in Tomorrowland
June 27, 1955: In preparation for the opening of Disneyland, Walt Disney studios unveiled Circarama, a film projection technique to be used in the park’s Tomorrowland.
“Eleven projectors utilizing 16-millimeter film were called into service to make possible this completely circular picture on a 360-degree screen,” The Times reported. “As one observer said, this new dimension makes it impossible for the spectator to escape the cowboys and Indians, no matter which way he looks.”
The public, The Times said, would get to experience Circarama on July 18. As for the preview:
“Spectators located on a so-called island in the center of the stage where Circarama was shown at the Disney plant were able to look out in every direction and observe views of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas, Balboa Bay, and even the heavily traveled streets of Los Angeles.”
Circarama was renamed Circle-Vision in 1967. The venue closed in 1992.
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