Circarama (1955 – 1965)

Circarama, later renamed Circle-Vision 360°, was a groundbreaking 360-degree film attraction in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, operating from July 17, 1955, to September 1997. Housed in a theater near the land’s entrance, it debuted with A Tour of the West, using eleven 16mm projectors to create an immersive experience.

Below are 10 fun facts about Circarama at Disneyland (1955–1965):

“World Clock & Circarama, Disneyland, 1958” by Orange County Archives is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

1. Innovative Camera Rig: The original A Tour of the West (1955) was filmed with eleven 16mm Kodak CineSpecial cameras mounted on a circular rig atop an AMC Rambler, capturing 360-degree views of the American West.
2. Eleven-Screen Setup: The theater used eleven curved screens arranged in a circle, with eleven synchronized 16mm projectors hidden in gaps, creating a seamless 360-degree visual experience for standing guests.
3. AMC Sponsorship: American Motors Corporation sponsored Circarama from 1955 to 1959, integrating the word “car” in red on the sign to promote their Nash, Hudson, and Kelvinator brands.
4. Patent Achievement: Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks filed a patent for Circarama on July 17, 1956, granted on June 28, 1960, recognizing its unique 360-degree film projection system.
5. Film Transition: In June 1960, A Tour of the West was replaced by America the Beautiful, a Bell System-sponsored film showcasing U.S. landmarks like the Grand Canyon and New York Harbor.
6. Reduced Cameras: By 1961, the filming process streamlined to nine 16mm cameras, with America the Beautiful later using 35mm projectors for sharper visuals, debuting in 1967 as Circle-Vision 360°.
7. Picturephone Exhibit: From 1964, the Bell System’s pre-show included an AT&T Picturephone, connecting Disneyland guests to the New York World’s Fair for live video calls, a futuristic novelty.
8. Free Admission: Circarama was one of 15 free educational attractions in 1958, requiring no ticket, making it accessible to all guests entering Tomorrowland.
9. Theater Location: Positioned just past Tomorrowland’s entrance, opposite the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, the theater’s futuristic design complemented the land’s focus on innovation.
10. Closure and Legacy: The attraction closed in 1997, with parts of the theater repurposed for Rocket Rods and later Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, preserving its legacy in Tomorrowland’s evolution.