Tomorrowland Speedway

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The Tomorrowland Speedway is an attraction located in Tomorrowland.

Attraction History

The Tomorrowland Speedway opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971, as the Grand Prix Raceway. The attraction was similar to Disneyland's Autopia, in that it allowed guests to drive motor cars around a track, however instead of being based on futuristic travel (as Autopia was) the Grand Prix Raceway was themed to look like an international race track. Like Autopia, the Grand Prix Raceway is located in Tomorrowland and Mark VII ride vehicles. The Grand Prix Raceway was originally sponsored by Goodyear, who supplied tires for all of the attraction vehicles.

Although the basic idea of the Grand Prix Raceway has not changed since it's opening, the name and theming of the attraction have. The first change to the Grand Prix Raceway came in 1973, when the track was expanded. By 1987 however, the track was shortened to make room for Mickey's Birthdayland. Then, in 1996 the attraction was renamed the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway and it was given new futuristic theming to coincide with with the "New Tomorrowland".

In 1999 Disney and the Indianapolis Speedway announced that they would partner to change the theme of the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. Famous items from the Indianapolis Speedway were added to the attraction including:

  • The Yard of Bricks
  • The Scoring Pylon
  • Gasoline Alley
  • The "Wheels and Wings" logo

Also, panels of the Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and the Grand Prix Raceway were added to the loading area.

In 2009 the "Indy" was dropped from the name of the attraction, although the theming remained the same.

Attraction Plot

The Tomorrowland Speedway allows guests to drive their own "race cars" around a 4/10 mile track. A guide rail keeps each guests in his or her lane, but can lead to a sometimes bumpy rid. The The attraction is especially popular among younger guests who can not yet drive a real car. The Tomorrowland Speedway is themed to resemble the famous Indianapolis Speedway. To add the to illusion, environmental sounds from a race track are actually pumped in through speakers on each car. To steer, and accelerate (although their is not brake pedal) around