Difference between revisions of "Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover"

Revision as of 19:13, 18 February 2012

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is an attraction located in Tomorrowland.

History

Original Concept

Like many early Walt Disney World attractions, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover was based on a Disneyland attraction. The ride takes guests on a leisurely tour around Tomorrowland. The trains that guests sit in follow a guided track, and made up of five cars, which each hold four passengers. The attraction uses "linear induction motors" to propel the trains along a track. Since the motors are powered magnetically, and use no fuel, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is 100% pollution free. When Walt Disney and his Imagineers originally created the concept for the PeopleMover, they saw it as the transportation of the future. The Disneyland Peoplemover used Goodyear tires, with their own motors to propel the trains along the tracks. Walt thought that one day, PeopleMover's would be the easiest and cleanest way of urban transportation. If fact, traveling by PeopleMover was going to be one of the main modes of transportation in his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

Although the technology never became as widespread as Walt might have hoped, in 1967 the WedWay PeopleMover opened in Disneyland. The attraction consisted of 62 trains which took guests on an elevated tour of Tomorrowland. Since the trains never stopped, guests stepped on and used a moving platform to align themselves with, and board the trains. Although the track was not covered, each of the individual cars were. Each of cars also head their own speakers, from which they could hear the rides narration. The attraction was often billed as the "future of transportation, here today!".

Creation in Walt Disney World

Although the attraction was not an opening day one, there were quickly plans for a PeopleMover attraction in Disney World. When the park opened in 1971 Tomorrowland was not yet complete. To help complete the land the a version of the PeopleMover was constructed along with Space Mountain. The Disney World version of the attraction was named the WEDway PeopleMover, and opened July 1, 1975. Instead of using GM tires as the Disneyland attraction, the attraction used linear induction motors. Because the attraction no longer used GM tires, General Motors decided not to sponsor the attraction. The WEDway PeopleMover was instead sponsored by the Edison Electric Institute. Another differences between the two attractions was that while the Disneyland PeopleMover featured covered cars with and uncovered track, the Disney World WEDway PeopleMover featured a covered track with unconvered cars.

The WEDway PeopleMover, like its Disneyland counterpart, took guests on a tour around Tomorrowland. The attraction was narrated by Disney voice artist, Jack Wagner, who pointed out the various Tomorrowland attractions to guests. When it opened, the WEDway PeopleMover originally passed through or by: The Carousel of Progress, If You Had Winds, the Circle-Vision 360 Theater, Flight to the Moon, and Space Mountain. The attraction also drove over the Tomorrowland Speedway and under the Star Jets, where the loading and unloading station is located.

Changes Since 1975

Although the track, and basic premise of the WEDway PeopleMover have remained pretty much the same, the narration and the attraction name have changed quite frequently. The original Jack Wagner narration was used from 1975 until 1985. During this time the only major change to the narration came when America the Beautiful closed, and Magic Carpet Around the World replaced it. In 1985, the rides narrator was changed to, ORAC-1 "The Commuter Computer". The new narration stuck mostly to the same script, however it was lighter in tone. While ORAC-1 was the narrator, Delta Dreamflight replaced If You Had Wings. Due to this change, the windows that once looked into If You Had Winds, no longer lined up with the attractions scenes. Because of this, the first window was replaced with panels depicting the attractions barnstormer scene. The second window looked into the Parisian Excursion scene, however the angle ruined the forced perspective that the attraction used. The third window (the left one) would have had guests looking directly into a bright light, so it was covered with black fabric. The only other major change to happen during ORAC-1's narration was the removal of the Magic Carpet Around the World 360 film, and the addition of it's replacement American Journeys.

In 1995, in order to correspond with the opening of the WEDway Peoplemover went under a significant refurbishment. The original track which was white and very smooth looking, was replaced with a more dark, metallic looking track. A new narration was also added to the attraction, this time done by Pete Renaday. The new narration focused on Tomorrowland's new backstory, and made references to the fact that Tomorrowland was an intergalactic meeting place. Additions and changes during Pete Renaday's time as the narrator include:

• The Carousel of Progress being renamed Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.

• The addition of the Timekeeper narration in 1994. This narration was subsequently removed when the Timekeeper closed in 2006.

• The Carousel of Progress being renamed Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.

• The addition of the Timekeeper narration in 1994. This narration was subsequently removed when the Timekeeper closed in 2006.

• A change in the narration so that the ride vehicle was referred to as the TTA Metroliner.

• A change in the narration when Delta Dreamflight became Take Flight! in 1996.

• The addition of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. With this addition, the window that once looked into Delta Dreamflight was covered with a diorama of a intergalactic hair salon.

• A change in the narration so that Federal Express was removed as the sponsor of Space Mountain.

In 2009 in conjunction with the Space Mountain refurbishment the Tomorrowland Transit Authority was once again closed for refurbishment. Disney said that it was necessary to close the attraction, so that maintenance workers could work on Space Mountain. When the attractions reopened, the word PeopleMover was added to the end of Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Besides just getting a name change, the attraction also received a new narration. The narration eliminated the New Tomorrowland backstory, and many of the in-jokes and references that came with it. New attractions such as Stitch's Great Escape! and the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor were added to the narration. The narration is now done by Mike Brassell, who narrates the attraction in a much quieter and emotionless way. During the time the Mike Brassell has narrated the attraction, the only major change has been the re-addition of the famous Tom Morrow line. Following the 2009 refurbishment of the attraction, almost all of the unique and creative lines from the narration were removed. After receiving many complaints the reference to Tom Morrow was added back inside Space Mountain. In the new narration the ride vehicle is referred to as Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover instead of the TTA Metroliner.

Attraction Plot

The plot of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority revolves around guests taking a tour of Tomorrowland. Orginally, this involved pointing out the various attractions located in the land. With the creation of the New Tomorrowland in 1994, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority also told the backstory of the New Tomorrowland and the narration became more creative. Since the 2009 refurbishment the attraction has gone back to being a simple tour of Tomorrowland.

WEDway Peoplemover Plot (1975-1994)

On the WEDway Peoplemover, guests would enter their trains from the moving platform. The narrator would then welcome guests, on behalf of the The Edison Electric Institute. After leaving the loading area, the PeopleMover would head towards Mission to Mars. The narrator would point out the attraction, and also mention that across the way, guests could see America the Beautiful. This part of the attraction was changed when America the Beautiful became Magic Carpet Around the World and then again when American Journey's replaced that. After passing Mission to Mars, the trains would enter a tunnel, where guests could see the model for Progress City. The narrator would tell guests that this was a preview of the future in the City of Tomorrow. After exiting the tunnel, the PeopleMover passed over the Grand Prix Raceway. Besides pointing the attraction out, the narrator would also tell guests that Space Mountain was ahead. After the train went into Space Mountain, the narrator pointed out RCA's Home of Future Living, which was located in the post-show. PeopleMover riders could get excellent views some of the post-show scenes. The narrator would also remind guests that they did not have to ride Space Mountain to see the Home of Future Living.

As the trains left Space Mountain, the narrator pointed out the Skyway which hung above guests. He also informed them that there were "no moving parts in these clean, quiet motor". The narrator also pointed out that across the way, guests could see the Contemporary Resort, and the monorail that ran through it. After seeing the hotel, riders would move past the Carousel of Progress. As they did, the narrator would tell them some of the history behind the attraction, including its introduction at the 1964 World's Fair. As the PeopleMover continued on, it would enter a tunnel which ran alongside If You Had Wings. Originally, when passing through this tunnel guests look down into the attraction through three windows. The first window showed the Trinidad scene, the second window the Jamaica scene, and the the third window the Mexico scene. As the PeopleMover went through the tunnel, the If You Had Wings theme song would play. After If You Had Wings was replaced by Delta Dreamflight, the left window was covered.

After exiting the tunnel, the narrator would tell guests that in the distance they could see Cinderella's Castle. He would also mention that they could dine at King Stefan's Banquet Hall, which was located inside the castle. After this, the PeopleMover would arrive back at the loading station. The narrator would then thank guests saying:

"Now as we approach the PeopleMover station, our Grand Circle tour of Tomorrowland is coming to an end, but not to a stop, aboard this transportation system that never stops. On behalf of the Edison Electric Institute for your electric company, we hope you've enjoyed your trip aboard this electric transportation system of tomorrow, here today."

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority (1994-2009)

The WEDway PeopleMover was refurbished in 1994, as part of the New Tomorrowland. When the attraction re-opened it was renamed the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and Pete Renaday took over as the narrator. The attraction now focused on the New Tomorrowland backstory, and included a much more creative narration.

The Tomorrowland Transit Authorities vehicles were called Metroliners, and the attraction was narrated by an announcer in TTA Central. In conjunction with the New Tomorrowland backstory, the Metroliners were referred to as one of the many possible ways of transportation. According to the backstory their were also three different "lines" of Metroliners.

• The Blue Line, was what guests were currently riding on. The line was an elevated train system that ran throughout Tomorrowland.

• The Red Line, was the transportation system that would take riders "off planet". This was the line that Tomorrowland residents could take to anywhere in the galaxy.

• The Green Line, was a the line that would take guests to the "Hover-Burbs", Tomorrowland's suburbs.

Although the Red and Green lines were referenced, guests could only see glimpses of the two rides. Inside the Interplanetary Convention Center, the three lines would intersect and guests could see stationary dioramas of both the Red and Green Lines.

Although the Blue lined referenced many station's, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority consisted of a round-trip ride to Rockettower Plaza. Guest's boarded the attraction underneath the Astro Orbiter, as the TTA announcer welcomed them to the TTA Blue line. He then explained to guests that they were about to take a round-trip to Rockettower Plaza, aboard "Tomorrowland's super skyway!".

The first sight that the TTA passed, was the Interplanetary Convention Center. On their left, guests could see the model of Progress City. The narrator informed guest's that the model was sponsored by the Tomorrowland Metro Retro Historical Society. On the riders right, guests could see a scene that depicted both the Red and Green lines. As the Metroliner continued on, it drove over through a tunnel which overlooked Mickey's Star Traders. Here the narration told guests that "For your convenience, the ground crew will be glad to rocket 'ship' you to any planet in the galaxy". After emmerging from the to tunnel guests would pass over the Tomorrowland Speedway. here Mr. Johnson give the Tomorrowland traffic report. He would always tell them that, "As usual the traffic was always perfect on Tomorrowland super-highways".

The narrator would then announce that the Metroliner was approaching Space Mountain. Guest's then entered the building, where the narrator informed them that Space Mountain was Tomorrowland's gateway to the galaxy (from 1994-2004, he would also say that it was sponsored by Federal Express). Inside Space Mountain, guests could look down into the pre and post show. It was also possible to see the trains fly by, in the dark. After exiting Space Mountain the narrator would say, "As you can see, Space Mountain makes ordinary space travel an adventure. Another fine service provided by the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.". As guests came out of the Space Mountain tunnel, they would often pass other Metroliners going in. The trains would run within an arm's length of each other. A female would then begin talking, saying "All visitors from Galaxy M31, please keep forward facing tentacles clear of oncoming Metroliner vehicles.

As the TTA moved forward, guests could see the Astro Orbiter in the distance. The Narrator would then inform guests that.

"The center of piece of Rockettower Plaza is the League of Planets Astro Orbiter. This symbol of universal harmony and inter-planetary fellowship provides all beings with an exhilarating spin around the planets."

The female voice then reminded guests that the "TTA services all of Tomorrowland's outlying areas, including the personal rocket ship docking lot, and of course Perfect Park Acres, the latest in Hover-Burb Communities". She would then utter the attractions signature line:

"Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow, your party from Saturn has arrived.

The Metroliner then reached the Carousel of Progress, which the narrator pointed out to guests. After passing the Carousel, the TTA drove through a tunnel which was located next to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Here, the narrator told guests that they could join Buzz and help stop the Evil Emperor Zurg. If guests looked to their right, they would see two windows. The first showed a diorama of the Inter Steller Hair Salon. The second window allowed guests to look down into the Robot Attack scene of the attraction. The Metroliner would then come back around to Rockettower Plaza, where the narrator would give one final line:

"Welcome back to Rockettower Plaza at the heart of Tomorrowland. Come now, re-join us, and believe in the promise of tomorrow!"

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover (2009-Present)