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/* Attraction History */
==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". The Disneyland version of the attraction was briefly renamed "Tomorrowland Jets", before settling in at its it was moved to a new location atop the PeopleMover as 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 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 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.
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 now being primarily grey and metallic looking. A stylized iron tower and various "planets" 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. 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.
==Ride Summery==
