Changes

The attraction that would one day be known as the Astro Orbiter opened it Walt Disney World on November 28, 1974 under the name of Star Jetsactually traces its history back to Disneyland. Star Jets was itselfIn 1956, a replica of Disney debuted its first ever "rocket-spinner" attraction- the Disneyland attraction Rocket Astro Jets. In fact the only differences between the two attractions (besides the name)Created by Klaus Company Bavaria, 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 type ride that allows allowed guests to board rocket ships, and "fly " 36 feet above Tomorrowlandground level in small "jets". Orginally, The rockets would fly around a replica Disneyland version of the Saturn V space ship. When they were builtattraction was briefly renamed "Tomorrowland Jets", before settling in at its new location atop the Star PeopleMover as the "Rocket Jets was considered the focal point of Tomorrowland and they were located above Rockettower Plaza which housed the [[WEDway People Mover]]" in 1967.

In 1994Although not an opening day attraction, the Rocket Jets were always a part of the plans for the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. 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]]). Located atop the WEDWay PeopleMover platform (like its Disneyland counterpart) the Star Jets were 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.  On January 10 1994 the Star Jets was closed. In conjunction with the "New TommorrowlandTomorrowland", Star Jets the attraction was given a complete makeover. The color scheme of the attraction was changed, with the attraction now being primarily grey and metallic looking. A stylized iron tower and various "planets", replaced the Saturn V Rocket as the attractions 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. When the attraction reopened in 1995on April 30 1994, it was renamed the Astro Orbiter. The new ride also featured 3 more rockets which helped to increase guest capacity. Since 1994, the attraction has not undergone any significant changes.

The Astro Orbiter takes allows guests to board rocket ships and fly high above Tomorrowland. Differentiating it from other "hub and spoke attractions" attractions in Walt Disney World (Such such as [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant]] and the [[Magic Carpets of Aladdin]]), is the fact that the rockets actually fly on top of sit atop Rockettower Plaza, 80 feet in the air. In order to get to the board their rockets, guests must go ascend up a small elevator which brings them to the loading area.

Once aboard guests board their rocketsrocket, guests they 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 fly through the th air. The rockets make approximately eleven rotations per minute, and the ride lasts for 90 seconds. The jets themselves are attached to the axis by a twenty foot arm, adding which helps add 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 while also be able to get getting a great view of Tomorrowland. After 90 seconds the jets are lowered back to the loading area.

*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 the land is the headquarters for the fictional League of Planets, which helps help make Tomorrowland an intergalactic meeting place. *A two day Cast Member preview of the Star Jets took place from November 26-27 1974.