This efficient, elevated, 670-seat Space Place quick service location over Tomorrowland was the place to go for “far out foods”! The counter-service area (located on the lower level), offered a array of menu options (including pizza, hotdogs, salads, and ice creams). While many guests will recall that the Space Place was host to “Space Place Character Lunch” daily until 4p.m., Cast Members will often recall service from the Space Place Cast Member Window.

While Park guests dined, many attractions of Tomorrowland (like the PeopleMovers in an enclosed fiberglass tunnel), could be seen from the Space Place’s upper dining area. The lower level along the East Promenade offered a view of the entertainment on the Space Stage Bandstand and dancing on in the Space Stage Forecourt.

The Space Place’s private open-air patio could be rented for special group parties (like birthdays), when it wasn’t being used to host special Tomorrowland events. For example, The Space Place was the place to celebrate Mickey’s Birthday Party (during the winter of 1984) and Disneyland’s Official 30th Birthday Party daily (at 11am and 7pm) throughout 1985. Disney characters started the celebration at every table with cake, a beverage (like punch), a Mickey Mouse balloon, and a button - like an official 30th year or Birthday button - for each guest (at $2.50 per person). The Space Place was also used (the following year), as a Media Lounge for reporters, during the Captain EO opening ceremonies! With the adjacent Space Stage, there was aways a fresh supply of live sounds resonating though the terrace.

As happening as things were, the majority of the Space Place was ultimately replaced by the Toy Story Funhouse (a temporary Pixar feature film promotion), and eventually Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port. In the present, the Space Place ordering area has been re-purposed as a Fast Pass Distribution Center, while the upper dining area has been refurbished to act as Space Mountain’s queue. The Space Place has a legacy though - Tokyo Disneyland has a restaurant named Space Place FoodPort! For now, let’s take a look back at this unique nook nestled Tomorrowland’s most happening zone!

By 1981, the Space Place offered a number of menu options named after shuttles:

•Gemini - Chicken & Chips (chicken fried to a golden brown served with french fries and gelatin.)

•Mariner - Fish & Chips (fish fillets fried to a golden brown served with french fries and gelatin.)

•Apollo - Super Dog (quarter-pound hot dog served with french fries.)

•Mercury - Chicken Sandwich (breaded chicken breast fried to a golden brown served on a roll.)

The Tomorrowland fast food location also had one of the most extensive dessert menus offering Gelatin, Turnover, Layer Cake, Ice Cream Sundaes (chocolate and strawberry), Ice Cream Cones (soft swirl - chocolate, vanilla and chocolate/vanilla swirl), Ice Cream Sandwich, Ice Cream Bar, Frozen Banana, and the Thick Frosty Milk Shakes (in chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla).

By 1984, Space Place featured chicken, fish in a basket, chicken fillet sandwich, meatball sandwich, hot dogs, soft-service cones and sundaes.

The menu of the Space Place stayed mostly consistent thru the decades, as seen on this 1990’s menu! By 1990, healthier menu alternatives - Tuna Sandwich made with cholesterol-free oil, Chef’s Salad, Garden Salad, and Frozen Yogurt - were made available to guests!

“I was hired as a float driver for America on Parade. When that ended we did odd jobs in entertainment, like go-fers for sound and lighting crews. I once delivered a cup of hot coffee to a rooftop spotlight guy by climbing up a ladder!

The parade job was over and our time in entertainment was limited hours. I needed something more, applied, and foods was all they offered. But it got me "in the park".

I . . . worked in Space Place for 1 year. I began right when it opened 1977 as a transfer from entertainment. I remember a Lead named Karla who worked us hard, but taught us about work ethics. We were never idle. There was always something we could be doing: cleaning, stocking, prepping. That may be a Foods thing and not a Karla thing, but I attribute it to her.

Employees were treated well (lots of perks, softball leagues, canoe races, tickets for the park, etc) They worked around college schedules, trained us well, and pay was good. It wasn't always easy, especially dealing with unpleasant guests and sometimes weather, but it was a great 8 years for me.

I was at Space Place when Space Mountain opened in 1977. Employees had multiple opportunities to ride before it officially opened to the public. Listening to Papa Doo Run Run was one [other perk]. The bass player liked ice tea [and would order it from the Space Place]. We had an employee window, too, and got to see friends there... [Also], the chocolate cake was amazing. It was an excellent experience overall.”

We’ll make our way just under the newly installed Speedramp, and to the Space Place!

As the newly-laid Space Place floor is being hosed off, you’ll notice the adjacent Space Stage where big-name “out-of-this-world” bands would play!

Core members Don Zirilli (keyboard) and Jim Shippey (drums), were only recently joined by Mark Ward (guitar and vocals), and Jim Armstrong (guitar and vocals). In 1975, the “Cupertino cover band” began its successful and memorable 15-year engagement as Disneyland’s “celebrity cover band”.

This is the likely the Space Place sign seen in a previous photograph, the one that first directs guests to the Tomorrowland dining destination! The fiberglass letters were once capable of illumination.

Adjacent to the Space Stage (where new tile ground is being laid), was the Space Place.

Just through the arches of the East Promenade (on the left), you notice the pathway leading to the Space Place!

Space Place and Space Stage refurbishment included a new color scheme. The lower area (to the right) would later become the Pre Show Area for the Magic Eye Theater.

The Space Place upper dining terrace would receive a major overhaul around Space Mountain.

Space Place upper dining terrace refurbishment (new InterPace tile floor, and metallic drain grating). The color was known as “John Hench Orange”.

New planters on the upper dining terrace would hold shade trees, to shield diners from the sun’s rays.

There was once, a more direct route to the upper level (currently leading to the Space Mountain entrance).

The second level of the Space Place and the Concourse also offered a view of the Tomorrowland Terrace.