Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is a land in the Magic Kingdom
Contents
Overview
Although not yet complete, Tomorrowland opened with the park in 1971. When the park opened it featured four attractions, The Grand Prix Raceway, Flight to the Moon, Skyway to Fantasyland, and America the Beautiful. Although the park was still under construction, it was billed as a look into the future of the space age. In 1975, Tomorrowland was finally completed. Popular attractions, Space Mountain, Star Jets (later renamed Astro Orbiter) The WEDway People Mover, and the The Carousel of Progress were added. This Tomorrowland more closely resembled the Tomorrowland of today. Between 1975 and 1994 Tomorrowland experienced relatively “minor” renovations. In 1975, due to the fact that Flight to the Moon was becoming dated, was re-branded Mission to Mars. The rethemed ride with final destination now being Mars instead of the moon (which humans had already gone to). The attraction If You Had Wings went through a series of sponsor and name changes, until finally in 1998 it closed for good.
In 1994 Tomorrowland was completely “re-imagined” and changed to resemble a spaceport, like the ones envisioned in the early 20th century. The color scheme of Tomorrowland was changed from it's classic blue and white, to a more metallic darker looking land. In conjunction with the retheming, two new attractions were added. The first, was the Timekeeper. This was a new film housed in the Circle-Vision 360 Theater, invited guests to travel through time with the Timekeeper and his droid “9-eye”. The second attraction added was the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. The new attraction was a “theater-in-the-round” attraction where guests were placed in the dark along with an escaped Alien. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was much darker in its tone then most Disney Rides, and a sign outside the building stated that it was not intended for children under the age of 12.
Also changing were the names of a lot of popular Tomorrowland attractions. The Grand Prix Raceway was renamed, the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, Star Jets was renamed Astro Orbiter, and the WEDway People Mover was renamed the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. The “new” Tomorrowland, was billed as “the future that never was”, and was inspired by the visions of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne.
Further changes came to Tomorrowland beginning In 1998 when Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin replaced Disney's Take Flight (formally If You Had Wings). Buzz Lightyear allowed guests to Buzz on an adventure to defend the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg. To do this, guests would collect points by shooting orange targets with their “laser cannon”. The new ride proved to be extremely popular with guests. Another major new attraction opened in 2004 when Stitch's Great Escape! Replaced the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Based on the 2002 Disney movie Lilo and Stitch, the ride was also a “theater-in-the-round” type attraction. Unlike the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, however, Stitch was lighter and more kid friendly.
The final major change to Tomorrowland came in 2007 with the opening of the Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor. The new attraction, based on the Disney movie Monsters, Inc replaced the Timekeeper ending a streak of Circle Vision 360 attractions housed there. Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor is an interactive show which utilizes the “digital puppetry” technology that allows the characters on the screen to interact with the audience.
Attractions
Astro Orbiter- This attraction allows guests to pilot their own spacecraft for a tame ride through space!
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin- This attraction based on Disney/Pixar film Toy Story allows guest to help fight the evil Eporer Zurg by shooting targets with their laser cannon and racking up the most points.
Monsters Inc, Laugh Floor- This interactive show puts transports guests to Monstropolis where Mike Wizowski and company are putting on a comedy show. Not only will the monsters perform for guests, but they will actually talk and include guests in their show!
Space Mountain-This classic high speed roller coaster takes guests on an adventure through space!
Stitch's Great Escape!- Based on the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. Guests will find themselves alone with escaped experiment 626!
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway- This classic Disney attraction allows guests (including kids) to board their own “race car” and drive around Tomorrowland on a track.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority- This train ride lets guets take a relaxing tour around Tomorrowland. Including a trip inside Space Mountain.
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress- Created by Walt Disney himself for the 1964 World's Fair, this attraction allows guests to experience 100 years of progress with the “typical American family”.
Past Attractions
Skyway to Fantasyland- This Gondola lift transported passengers from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland from 1971-1995.
The Circle Vision 360 Theater- This Theater housed a series of attractions all of which were Circle Vision 360 films from 1971-2006. The attractions housed here were:
- America the Beautiful- A 360 degree tour of America. Included in the film were scenes from New Salem, Illinois, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Hawaii. Ran from 1971-1974, 1975-1979.
- Magic Carpet 'Round the World'- A 360 tour of the world, featuring over 20 countries. This film was shown for a brief period during 1974 and 1975 while America the Beautiful was being updated. It was then brought back and permanently stayed in the Circle Vision 360 theater from 1979-1984
- American Journeys- A 360 tour of American. American Journeys featured more diversity then America the Beautiful. It opened on September 15th,1984 and closed on January 9th, 1994
- The Timekeeper- A 360 trip through time with the Timekeeper and his droid 9-eye. The ride opened in 1994 and closed in 2006. When it opened the Timekeeper was a part of the “new Tomorrowland”
If You Had Wings- An Onimover dark ride, which took guests on a “trip” around the world visiting various tour destinations. The ride was sponsored by Eastern Air Lines and was a clear promotion for the company. It opened in 1972 and closed June 1st 1987.
If You Could Fly- After Eastern Air Lines dropped its sponsorship of the ride, all references to Eastern were removed and the ride was renamed If You Could Fly. The scenes and set remained the same, although the music was different. If You Had Wings opened June 6, 1987 and closed January 4, 1989.
Delta Dreamflight- Was a pop-up book version of the history of flight using simplistic sets, some Audio Animatronics, and projection effects. Riders passed through scenes of barnstormers, an M-130, Tokyo and Paris in the 1930s. They also traveled through the jet age, and the future of air travel, before finally entering a working jet engine.(2) Delta Dreamflight Opened in 1989 and closed in 1996 after Delta dropped its sponsorship.
Take Flight- When Delta dropped its sponsorship all references to Delta were removed and the ride was renamed Take Flight. This incarnation lasted from 1996-1998 before closing for good.
Flight to the Moon- Was an attraction where guests boarded a “spacecraft” and flew to the moon. The ride was already outdated by the time it was opened in 1971 and was replaced by Mission to Mars in 1975.
Mission to Mars- Was a similar attraction to Flight to the Moon, however now guests were traveling to Mars, something that humans have never done. Guests would board their spacecraft and enter a large room. Guests could then look out their windows as the spacecraft “traveled” to Mars. Mission to Mars opened in 1975 and closed in 1993.
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter- Was a “theater-in-the-round” attraction where guests were placed in the dark along with an escaped Alien. Although the attraction was scary for younger children and thus unpopular with some adults, it gained a cult following. The attraction opened in 1995 as part of the “new Tomorrowland” and closed in 2003.
Restaurants
Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies- Located across from the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. Auntie Gravity's Serves ice cream and assorted snacks.
Cool Ship- Located near Space Mountain, the Cool Ship a refreshment stand.
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café- Located near the entrance of Tomorrowland, Cosmic Rays is a counter service restaurant. Guests are able to eat burgers, chicken and salad while listening to Sonny Eclipse and his backup singers the Space Angles.
The Lunching Pad- Located at Rocket Tower Plaza, the Lunching pad is a counter service restaurant specializing in hot dogs.
Tomorrowland Terrace Cafe- Is a sit down restaurant and buffet located in Tomorrowland. The menu is American cuisine and the Cafe is open seasonally.
Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station- Located across from Stitch's Great Escape!, the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station is a counter service restaurant which specializes in noodle meals and Asian salads.
Shopping
Buzz Lightyear's Shop- A store located at the exit of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. The store sells predominantly Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear merchandise.
Buzz's Star Command- A small shop located outside near Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. The shop is shaped like a rocket and it sells predominantly Toy Story merchandise.
Geiger's Counter- A shop offering hats and other merchandise. Also used for Disney Vacation Club information.
Merchant of Venus- A store located at the end of Stitch's Great Escape! Merchant of Venus sells a large amount of Stitch merchandise as well as other Tomorrowland merchandise.
Mickey's Star Traders- A large store located near Space Mountain. Mickey's Star Traders sells all kinds of Disney merchandise and is the biggest store in Tomorrowland.
Space Mountain Shop- A shop located at the exit of Space Mountain. Specializes in Space Mountain merchandise.
Ursa's Major Minor Mart- A smaller shop selling Disney merchandise.
Characters
Push- Push is a talking trash can who can be found in Tomorrowland. He looks like the other Tomorrowland trash cans and surprises guests by talking and moving.
Buzz Lightyear- Buzz can usually be found outside the Carousel of Progress.(Common)
Stitch- Stitch can usually be found outside the Carousel of Progress. (Common)
Chip and Dale- Chip and Dale can sometimes be found wearing space suits. (Uncommon)
Fun Facts and Trivia
- According to the signs on the way from the Plaza Pavilion to Tomorrowland, Leonard Burnedstar will be conducting the Martian Pops Orchestra concert.
- Tomorrowland is designed to be like a city, the Avenue of the Planets leads to the Rocket Tower Plaza and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority provides transportation. There is also a Interplanetary Convention Center.
- Space Mountain is the second highest structure in Walt Disney World at 183 feet!
- Tomorrowland is headquarters to the fictional League of Planets. The back story states that because it is the headquarters it is a bustling metropolis. The "locals" could travel on the Blue Line (Tomorrowland Transit Authority) if they needed to get somewhere in Tomorrowland. The Red line would take them off planet, and the Green Line would take them to the “hover burbs”. They could also read about anything noteworthy by picking up a copy of the "Tomorrowland Times" from a robotic newsboy in Rocket Tower Plaza.
References
http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id87.htm
