Changes
/* Attraction History */
The attraction that would one day be known as the Astro Orbiter, actually traces its history back to Disneyland. In 1956, Disney debuted its first ever "rocket-spinner" attraction, the Astro Jets. Created by Klaus Company Bavaria, the attraction allowed guests to "fly" 36 feet above ground level in small "jets" <ref> http://davelandweb.com/astrojets/ </ref>. The Disneyland version of the attraction was briefly renamed "Tomorrowland Jets", before it was moved to a new location atop the PeopleMover and renamed the "Rocket Jets" in 1967.
Although not an opening day attraction, the Rocket Jets were always a part of the plans for the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. A In fact, a copy of the Rocket Jets (called the Star Jets) was a central part of the [[Magic Kingdom's]] 1974 Tomorrowland expansion (an expansion that also included the addition of [[Space Mountain]], the [[Carousel of Progress]] and the [[WEDWay PeopleMover]])<ref> http://www.themouseforless.com/blog_ms_news/2012/12/12/history-of-tomorrowland-part-ii/ </ref>. Located atop the WEDWay PeopleMover platform (like its Disneyland counterpart) the Star Jets was one of the most prominent features in Tomorrowland. Although the Star Jets was considered a copy of the Disneyland attraction (as both attractions involved guests flying around large Saturn V rocket), the ride vehicles that guests rode in were different. The Star Jets (unlike their Disneyland counterparts) were designed to look like space shuttles as opposed to rockets <ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/11/vintage-walt-disney-world-taking-a-spin-through-tomorrowland/ </ref>.
On January 10 1994 the Star Jets was closed. In conjunction with the "New Tomorrowland", the attraction was given a complete makeover. The color scheme of the attraction was changed, with the attraction ride now being primarily grey and metallic looking. A At this time, a stylized iron tower and various "planets" also replaced the Saturn V Rocket as the ride’s focal point. The new structure allowed guests to feel as if they were flying through the planets, instead of just around a stationary object. The new ride also featured 3 more rockets which helped to increase guest capacity. When the attraction reopened on April 30, 1994 it was renamed the Astro Orbiter. The new ride also featured 3 more rockets which helped to increase guest capacity.
In 2014 the Astro Orbiter closed for an extensive refurbishment. During this time, the attraction was stripped and given a new ride system. Furthermore, during the refurbishment the exterior of the ride structure was given a new paint scheme (including the attraction's elevator shaft being painted orange) and the rockets themselves were given a new look. During the refurbishment it was speculated that the rotating planets (which had been stationary for a number of years) would be repaired. When the attraction reopened however, the planets remained stationary <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/astro-orbitor/news/02oct2014-photos---astro-orbiter-reopens-with-new-color-scheme.htm </ref>.
