Difference between revisions of "Astro Orbiter"

From The Mickey Wiki: Your Walt Disney World Encyclopedia!
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 11: Line 11:
 
|custom_label_1 = Previous Name
 
|custom_label_1 = Previous Name
 
|custom_value_1 = Star Jets
 
|custom_value_1 = Star Jets
 +
|theme=Space travel
 
}}
 
}}
  

Revision as of 19:20, 6 February 2012

Astro Orbiter is an attraction located in Tomorrowland.

Astro Orbiter
Astroorbiter.jpg
The view of the Astro Orbiter from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
Land Tomorrowland
Attraction type Hub and Spoke
Theme Space travel
Opening date November 28, 1974
Vehicle names Rocket Ship
Vehicle capacity 2
Ride duration 1:30 minutes
Previous Name Star Jets


Attraction History

The Astro Orbiter opened it Walt Disney World on November 28, 1974 under the name of Star Jets. Star Jets was a replica of the Disneyland attraction Rocket Jets. In fact the only differences between the two attractions (besides the name) was that the Walt Disney World vehicles were larger, and had a flatter back end with a larger tail. The attraction is a wheel and spoke attraction that allows guests to board rocket ships, and fly above Tomorrowland. The rockets would fly around a replica of the Saturn V space ship, and the Star Jets was considered the focal point of Tomorrowland. The Star Jets were located above the Rockettower Plaza which houses the WEDway People Mover.

In 1994, in conjunction with the "New Tommorrowland", Star Jets was given a complete makeover. A stylized iron tower and various "planets", replaced the Saturn V Rocket as the attractions focal point. The new structure allowed guests to feel as if they were flying through the planets, instead of just around a stationary object. When the attraction reopened in 1995, it was renamed the Astro Orbiter. The new ride also featured 3 more rockets which helped to increase guest capacity.

The replica of the Saturn V rocket that once was the focal point of the Astro Orbiter, was painted camoflouge green and used in the television series "Thunder in Paradise". The series was produced at the Disney-MGM Studios, and after the series ended, the rocket was placed in the Boneyard scene of the Backstage Tour.

Ride Summery

The Astro Orbiter takes allows guests to board rocket ships and fly above Tomorrowland. Differentiating it from other "hub and spoke attractions" in Walt Disney World (Such as Dumbo and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin), is the fact that the rockets actually fly on top of Rockettower Plaza, 80 feet in the air. In order to get to the rockets, guests ride up an elevator which brings them to the loading area.

Once aboard their rockets, guests have the ability to choose how high or low they will fly. A joystick in the middle of the rocket will move guests up or down, as they are flying through the air. The rockets make approximately eleven rotations per minute, and the ride lasts for 90 seconds. The jest themselves are attached to the axis by a twenty foot arm, adding to the illusion that guests are "flying" through space. While in the air, riders will feel like they are flying through the planets, and will also be able to get a great view of Tomorrowland. After 90 seconds the jets are lowered back to the loading area.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • The attraction vehicles themselves may have been based on the popular Buck Rogers series.
  • On the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, the Astro Orbiter is referred to as the "League of Planets Astro Orbiter. This ties the attraction in with the backstory of Tomorrowland, which states that Tomorrowland is the headquarters for the fictional League of Planets, which helps make Tomorrowland an intergalactic meeting place.
  • A two day cast member preview of the Star Jets took place on Nov 26th and 27th 1974.

References

http://interactivewdw.com/theme-parks/magic-kingdom/tomorrowland/astro-orbiter/

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/astro-orbiter/

http://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/742/Walt-Disney-World/Magic-Kingdom/Tomorrowland/Astro-Orbiter